IHC has been standing up and speaking out for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and whānau for 73 years. This involves working for long-term social change to make sure legislation, policies, and practices support the rights and interests of people with intellectual disabilities. At the heart of IHC’s advocacy is the right of disabled people to live in the community and to have choice and control over their own lives.;xNLx;The foundation of today’s IHC was built by the parent advocates of children with intellectual disabilities. Parents were the first to advocate for the right of their children to enrol at school on the same basis as non-disabled children. Longstanding advocacy on this issue has led to the Director of Human Rights Proceedings prosecuting the Ministry of Education for not upholding disabled children’s right to education.;xNLx;IHC advocacy continues to work alongside people with lived experience, their families, and whānau, to promote, educate and lobby for better well-being and quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities. ;xNLx; ;xNLx;If you see anything in this timeline that needs amending, or you have a story you would like to add, please get in contact, the details are below.;xNLx;;xNLx;Email us at librarian@ihc.org.nz ;xNLx; ;xNLx;;xNLx;People with intellectual disabilities have been treated very unfairly in the past. Some people may be upset to read about this treatment. Please be aware that some of the items in this timeline may be upsetting for some people;xNLx;
The driving forces behind the establishment of the association were Harold (Hal) and Margaret Anyon of Khandallah. Their youngest son Keith had been born with Down syndrome.
The IHCPA condemned the placement of children in large institutions like Templeton (Christchurch) and Kimberley (Levin) where they deteriorated physically and mentally.
This year has been the first year I.H children of school age have had equal opportunity of training with other children. A discussion on "The place of the intellectually handicapped child in the community."
Co-operation between the Government, the Hospital Boards and the Intellectually Handicapped Children's Society is expected to create the opportunity and the facilities to enable hundreds of intellectually handicapped people now in hospitals to live in family-type homes in the community.
This paper was presented by Mr Justice D.S Beattie at the annual conference of the Society for the intellectually Handicapped held at Gisborne in April
With the information last year of a working party to make submissions to the Government on the guardianship and advocacy of I.H people, much will be heard and discussed about these topics in the near future. An understanding of both terms is important since they are capable of many different meanings especially as between their ordinary usage and when used in a technical sense by lawyers and other professionals. It is easy to become confused by the many degrees and kinds of advocacy and guardianship.
The New Zealand Intellectually Handicapped Society (IHC) was formed in 1949, primarily as a response to the need of parents for educational opportunities to be provided for their children.
"We wanted this conference to share and celebrate the positive moods in our communities today towards the total integration of people with intellectual handicaps." So said Dr Anne Bray, Director of the New Zealand Institute of Mental Retardation Inc. and conference convenor.
In order to promote higher standards of transparency in the operations of IHC, and to minimise any potential conflicts of interest, the service delivery functions have now been separated from both advocacy and the standards and monitoring process. This was the culmination of many years of experience and evolution and will hopefully focus more clearly on the role our branch committees must fulfil.
The new legislation included the legal rights for disabled children to enrol at schools on the same basis as their non disabled peers.
A wide range of parallel workshops, all relevant to IHC's Philosophy and Policy, were held at the 1990 Annual General Meeting.
Over recent years we have moved to distinguish between the various roles of IHC and we are continuing in this general direction with a major review of our advocacy services at the present time.
IHC continues to give strong support to teachers and pupils
IHC has a series of new publications to keep its membership informed.
The definition and role of advocacy were explained in a presentation by Ms Sue Gates, National Co-ordinator - Advocacy for IHC, entitled "Advocacy in a time of crisis and change."
The Minister of Education has recently released a policy which can direct children away from the school of choice to a school with appropriate resources.
This was given its first reading in the house on August 20.
This Act was passed on 2 June and takes effect from November.
Advocacy Co-ordinator Sue Gates discusses the plight of Special Education
Five years have passed since introduction of the Education Act 1989 that enabled all students to go to their local school. What has happened for students who require assistance to take full advantage of the law? What are the issues today?
It was recently announced that Porirua Hospital will be closing and up to 80 people with an intellectual handicap will be moving into the community. Elizabeth Palmer describes the mechanisms that will be set up to ensure a smooth transition and how IHC will help.
The deinstitutionalisation debate by IHC National Advocate, Sue Gates
Templeton Centre in Christchurch is in institution for over 450 people with an intellectual handicap. Recently, the Southern Regional Health Authority announced its closure, a decision IHC supports.
Sue Brown of IHC's Advocacy Centre looks at the issues surrounding the transition from school into adult life.
IHC national advocate Sue Gates explains what informed consent is and what happens if the person being treated is unable to give their consent.
Special Education 2000 is a new policy to improve special education delivery, but some of the old remain. IHC advocate Sue Brown explains.
TVNZ Breakfast segment highlight the history and work of IHC for 50 years.
IHC advocate Sue McKinnon responds to recent comments that mainstreaming 'has gone too far'
This short film explores the realities of relationships, jobs and leaving home for these young adults.
Shows scenes of community integration, the "ordinary life" that IHC hopes to achieve for people with intellectual disabilities.
Trish Grant recently joined IHC as an advocate for children and young people
Now that the Government has settled back into the Beehive for its third term, IHC has presented to it a three-year agenda to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
By Trish Grant, Advocate for Children and Young People’s Rights
IHC has called for the Government to reintroduce individual entitlements to funding for disability services to improve individual choice and control.
IHC’s advocates for children and young people say they will not stand by while schools deny rights and access to disabled children.
The the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion (DPEP) Act had been through a number of parliamentary phases and was due for its third and final reading before becoming law.
Sign on and sign up to IHC’s inclusive education campaign
A major barrier standing in the way of real jobs for people with disabilities has been removed. The repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act in March means workers with intellectual disabilities now have the right to minimum wage protection, holiday pay and sick leave.
IHC Director of Advocacy Trish Grant says voluntary organisations are learning that to make best use of their resources, they don’t have to do everything themselves.
A new advocacy training programme developed this year by IHC and Parent to Parent will equip a team of support parents to go into bat for families who need help.
The Inclusive Education Action Group, launched in August, now has more than 80 members and a lot of grassroots support.
IHC resources developed, The Advocacy Toolkit, pocket sized Guides and the Code for New Zealand Schools.
IHC lodged the complaint in response to high numbers of complaints and concerns received from families and professionals about the problems they were experiencing in respect of disabled children's enrolment and attendance access to the curriculum and participation in school life.
In the lead-up to the election later this year, IHC will be seeking the views of political parties and advocating on critical issues concerning people with an intellectual disability and their families.
The upcoming election provides the best chance in three years to present to politicians the seriousness of the issues being faced by people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Working towards inclusive education in New Zealand schools
An IHC survey has shown there is a high level of public support for providing more jobs in the general workforce for intellectually disabled people.
International support of IHC's legal action the presentation in Salamanca was fitting given the "Salamanca Statement" for inclusive education developed 15 years previously.
Children’s rights are the top priority for IHC’s advocates this year as the team tackles unfair and unequal treatment on several fronts.
IHC makes written and oral submissions to the Review and hosts meetings around NZ to collaborate with other disability organisations in identifying shared recommendations for change to resolve the ongoing and persistent problems.
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