Improving outcomes for disabled Pacific peoples

Improving outcomes for disabled Pacific people in Auckland

The eagerly anticipated Lu’i Ola: Auckland Pacific Disability Plan is being formally launched on Friday 20 April at the Telstra Pacific Events Centre, Manukau.

The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs will launch the plan when it will also be formally signed.

Lu’i Ola has been co-sponsored by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and has been endorsed by twelve local and regional Government agencies including the three District Health Boards in the Auckland region. Disabled Pacific people and their families around Auckland have been involved in developing the plan and have formally supported the end result.

Deputy Director-General of Disability Services, Geraldine Woods, says “Lu’i Ola focuses on improving disability support services to disabled Pacific people and their families, whanau and aiga in the wider Auckland region”.

“This is a great start in addressing some of the difficulties disabled Pacific people face. We now need to focus on building a national plan so that disabled Pacific people can live and participate fully in their home and communities”.

Fuimaono Les McCarthy, CEO Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs says, “This initiative is an excellent example of Government agencies working together to provide accessible, culturally appropriate support services to the disabled Pacific community in Auckland. We at the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs are privileged to have been involved in its creation”.

Lu’i Ola was developed following research commissioned by the Ministry of Health in 2005 from Dr Siale ‘Alo Foliaki for the PIASS Trust. This research identified a number of key recommendations and in particular, increasing intersectoral cooperation and coordination.

Leaders in the Pacific and disability community as well as Ministers, Mayors and media have been invited to attend the launch.

After the launch there will be a consumer fono for disabled people and their families, whanau and aiga who use Ministry of Health funded services.

ENDS

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