What do you think about the Disability Support Services Bill? [Community survey]

1.For the first time in New Zealand, the purpose and rules for Disability Support Services will become law.

It would provide certainty about what the system is for, what it does, how needs are assessed and how decisions are made.

Would this be a positive change for you and your disabled whānau member?

2.Some parts of the Bill will significantly change support services into the future.

The Bill states that families and whānau have primary responsibility for supporting disabled family members throughout their lives, including in adulthood.

This means that disabled people will no longer have the same rights or citizenship as other New Zealanders.

Do you support this change?

3.Many family members leave paid employment to support their disabled whanau.

The Supreme Court ruled that family members in this position should be considered employees, entitled to the minimum wage and other employment rights.

The Bill denies this and states that the support family carers provide should not be treated as 'work' under the Minimum Wage Act.

Is this okay?

4.The Bill also says that a disabled person's own resources, including those of their family/whānau and community, must be used before support services are provided.

This means the Government can assess a disabled person's finances and those of their family/ whānau before providing support.

This is a major change, as disability support in New Zealand has never been based on a person or family's financial situation.

Other public services such as ACC, hospital care, schooling and superannuation are not means tested.

Do you support this change?

5.The Government has acknowledged there was no community consultation before the Bill was brought to Parliament.

It also acknowledges that this is not consistent with New Zealand's obligations to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Is this okay?

6.The Bill does not include a lot of detail, which means future decisions about how the system works can be made without further consultation.

Is this okay?

7.We encourage everyone affected by the Bill to have their say through the submission process.

Submissions close at 1pm on Friday 12 June.

Are you planning to make a submission?

Yes

No

Unsure right now

If I had time!