#collaborACTION in practice – disability groups and the ‘Va’

Le Va delivered three disability focused Engaging Pasifika cultural competency programmes last month which were attended by nearly 60 members of the New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN). NZDSN is an association of disability support service providers and groups where disabled people are included and valued, their human rights are promoted and protected, and they are supported and encouraged to maximise their full potential.  

The three Engaging Pasifika programmes were delivered to a blend of team leaders, occupational therapists, vocational consultants, behaviour support specialists, advisors, social workers, nurses, coordinators and managers of the disability sector in Auckland, Christchurch and Palmerston North. 

A total of 59 disability workers completed the programme. 

A quick evaluation summary tells us that:

• 100% of participants either strongly or moderately agreed that the workshop was excellent
• 93% of participants reported they will definitely apply what they have learned in their work
• while some noted they had little interaction with Pasifika directly, others participants that managed staff stated they would aim to encourage and support staff to embrace and implement learnings from the workshop.

Through the implementation of the Faiva Ora National Pasifika Disability Plan, Le Va contributes to enhancing access to the right services for our Pasifika people with disabilities, and when they do access, improving the quality of disability support services for them and their families. 

Cultural competency will ensure that Disability Support Services are more responsive to the needs of families, carers and Pasifika with disabilities. Providing tools and resources to the disability support workforce that further complement cultural responsiveness is also important, such as our Organisational Guidelines and Words Matter guides.
 

Scenes from the workshops