The purpose of this group is to ensure people with disabilities in the Canterbury and West Coast District Health Board areas have the health services they need, and feel included in decisions about their health.

The Disability Steering Group (DSG) has been selected to ensure the right balance of representation and has a wide range of relevant knowledge and expertise or experience living with a disability.

The DSG has the Canterbury and West Coast Health Disability Action Plan as the focus for its work. The Plan identifies short-term goals to be achieved in the first two years, and longer-term goals over the ten year lifespan of the Plan.

Have your say on the plan

In August 2019 we are looking to gather feedback to refresh the plan. The DHBs are planning transalpine forums lead by Prudence Walker. Prudence is a national leader in the disability sector and brings her lived experience of disability to the conversation.

Please come along to share your views in person at one of the following forums:

• Westport: Wednesday 7 August, 10am to 12pm at Buller REAP, 111 Palmerston Street
• Greymouth: Thursday 8 August, 10am to 12pm at Uniting Church Hall, 203 Tainui Street
• Hokitika: Thursday 8 August, 1pm to 3pm at West REAP, 72 Tudor Street
• Ashburton: Monday 12 August, 10.30am to 12.30pm at St John Meeting Room, 241 Tancred Street
• Christchurch: Tuesday 13 August, 1 to 3pm and 5.30 to 7.30pm at Tūranga (Central Library), 60 Cathedral Square

Please RSVP to disabilityplan@cdhb.health.nz by 30 July for West Coast forums and 7 August for Canterbury forums.

Alternatively give your feedback before Friday 16 August by email at disabilityplan@cdhb.health.nz or phone 03 364 4140.

 Staying in touch

The DSG meets approximately monthly. The main points discussed, the advice it provides and the work it instigates are all recorded as key messages. The key messages are public, and are also sent by email to identified stakeholders and any person that has asked to go on the mailing list.

Key messages can be viewed in the document library.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list or provide general feedback on the work of the DSG or make suggestions please email disabilityplan@cdhb.health.nz

It is hoped that over time the DSG can increase engagement and further exchange ideas and views with the wider community – but in particular, those who experience disability, have someone in their whānau who does, or work within the disability sector and/or in health.

Canterbury and West Coast Health Disability Action Plan Video

Featuring people with lived experience of disability

The video is in three parts and features people or families talking about their experiences and what they want from their health system.

The video opens with retired Greymouth school teacher Margaret Woollett – remember, this is a TransAlpine action plan that aims to support disabled people and their family/whānau on both the West Coast and in Canterbury.

The second part features the Andrell family of Burwood (who are here with us at the launch).

The final part of the video features Disability Support Advisory Committee member Ben Lucas who is the chef de mission for the upcoming Rio Paralympics and who provided input on the redevelopment of Burwood Hospital.