Arts Access Aotearoa is deeply concerned about the government’s hastily introduced Disability Support Services Bill and acknowledges the widespread concerns it is causing among Deaf and disabled communities, their whānau and carers.

The Bill was announced to the House on Monday 18 May and will have its first reading on Thursday 21 May. There has been no consultation with Deaf and disabled communities or their representative organisations.

If passed, the bill will reverse flexibility around funding. It will give the Minister sweeping powers to introduce means testing for disability support, and will legally require Deaf and disabled people, families and whānau to have exhausted all other means of support before disability support services can be considered.

On the surface, writes Dr Huhana Hickey, the words used by the government suggests it is taking a sensible approach. Phrases like “providing clarity and stability” and “fair, transparent and sustainable” are used.

"Reassurance and reality are not always the same thing"

For many people digesting their morning news, these words may be hard to argue with. “But disabled communities have learned that reassurance and reality are not always the same thing as this Bill does not exist in isolation.”

Richard Benge, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa, says the impacts will be far-reaching.

“This Bil frames disability support as merely a ‘contribution’ towards an ‘everyday life’ rather than a right as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which New Zealand is a signatory,” Richard says.

“It pushes the responsibility for support on to Deaf and sabled people and their whānau, and comes on the back of many other cuts to support.”

Cuts, restrictions and removal

Cuts that reduce levels of independence and wellbeing include:

• halting the roll-out of Enabling Good Lives
• restricting individualised funding (and then reversing the change)
• cutting back the Total Mobility Scheme.

Richard Benge says the Bill makes void all cases currently before the courts. It also prevents Deaf and disabled people and their whānau/families from taking a complaint to the Human Rights Commission or the Health and Disability Commissioner and taking any legal proceedings on the basis of discrimination.

There is no mention of Te Tiriti o Waitangi or the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Advocating for equity, opportunity and dignity for everyone

“Arts Access Aotearoa maintains that access to the arts is a basic human right and we advocate for equity, opportunity and dignity for everyone in New Zealand,” Richard says.

“This Bill undermines Deaf and disabled people’s right to live dignified, meaningful lives with choice and control, including how they enjoy and contribute to the arts and meaningfully in society. There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’. Everyone needs support at some stage in their life, and everyone should be able to access the level of support and care they need.”

Arts Access Aotearoa is making a submission opposing the Bill and encourages others to make a submission. There is more information on the government website, including a guide in EasyRead format on how to make a submission. The video in NZSL explaining how to make submissions is no longer available.