52171 (2024). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues

52171 (2024). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues: What work programmes, if any, have been progressed by Whaikaha since September 2023?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha (the Ministry) has progressed several programmes of work since September 2023. These include: • the Ministry’s contribution to the Waitangi Tribunal’s Health and Disabilities Kaupapa Inquiry (Wai 2575); • the Ministry’s contribution to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care; • a work programme focused on the financial sustainability of disability support services; • improvements to the quality and safety of disability support services; • the development of a cross-agency accessibility work programme; • a work programme to progress the 2022 concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; • progressing work on refreshing the NZ Sign Language Strategy; • developing further strategic relationships with the disability community; • the Ministry established the My Home, My Choice Programme of work Nōku te Kāinga Noho Nōku te Whakatau to develop alternative options to residential services and to create better outcomes, security and choice and control for disabled people who live in residential services. The My Home My Choice Programme Engagement Phase was extensive and was completed early in 2024. The My Home My Choice Establishment phase is now underway; and • the High and Complex (HCF) work programme.