12. LYNNE PILLAY (Labour—Waitakere) Link to this
to the Minister for Disability Issues
What has the Government done to improve the transition for young disabled people with high needs into adulthood?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Disability Issues) Link to this
Under the Labour-led Government things have changed dramatically and positively for young disabled people. This year there has been significant growth in transition services. There are now 65 organisations across the country supporting young disabled people to move from school to adulthood, and recently I announced a change in the age at which very high-needs students are eligible for transition services funding. Disabled students will now be able to choose to leave school at an age that is appropriate to their own circumstances.
How has the Government enhanced the opportunities for young disabled New Zealanders to move into work?
Through Working New Zealand the Government has fundamentally changed the way we work with people to support them into paid work. These changes recognise that most people want to work, and with the right support they can. Under Pathways to Inclusion funding, 9,000 disabled people are placed into open paid employment, over 20,000 disabled people receive a vocational service, and 3.5 million hours of community participation services are funded each financial year, and this year we are on track to exceed those figures. This is all part of Labour’s long-term commitment to build an inclusive society.