Supporting Pacific disabled people with purpose and passion

In April, Le Va completed a series of consultations across the country in collaboration with Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People to support the development of a National Pacific Disability Plan.

Ben Tameifuna facilitation disability talanoa session at Vaka Tautua Christchurch

In Whangārei, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, our team invited Pasifika youth with disabilities, Pasifika people on the autism spectrum and their aiga or whānau (family) to share their experiences of the disability support system.

The goal was to understand the challenges faced by those groups and individuals and to capture things that are working well along with those that are not, and how to make the system and sector better.

Following the talanoa session in Ōtara on 3 April, Le Va’s senior manager for disability and public health, Ben Tameifuna, said, “Last night, we gathered with passion and purpose to discuss the National Pacific Disability Action Plan for autism and youth with disabilities.

“This plan, co-developed with our incredible community, will pave the way for vital changes in the disability support system and services for Pacific people.”

All the stories that have been shared will inform the National Pacific Disability Action Plan to help Whaikaha advocate for changes that Pacific disabled people and their families have been calling for.

For anyone who was unable to attend a talanoa session, there is an online survey available on Whaikaha’s website: National Pacific Disability Action Plan Survey.

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Learn more about other ways Le Va supports the Pacific disability community: Disability support