Prior to becoming a Labour MP I spent six months as Project Manager of the Pacific non-regulated health workforce development research project (I’d also been part of this workforce many years ago – when I worked as a caregiver in a geriatric hospital whilst studying).  The focus of this project was entirely on the Manukau/ Counties DHB area and Pacific workers.  The roles that these workers were undertaking were varied (everything from Health Promotion to caregiving) but the biggest proportion of this workforce could be found in caregiving positions.  Not suprisingly this is a highly feminised and low paid workforce.  Although our focus was solely on Pacific, it would be reasonable for me to assert that across the country a large proportion of this workforce would be – Pacific, New Migrant and Maori women. 

Now with all of the above in mind – I think it is reasonable to expect that Tariana, would have a keen interest in seeing this workforce treated fairly – not only as the Minister of Disability Issues but as a Maori women.  So what concerns me, is we haven’t heard a peep out of her.  Tony Ryall has made comments about the situation but seems to think that the responsibility lays solely with the providers – washing his hands of any Governmnent responsibility. 

The National Government’s refusal to back a decision by the Court of Appeal which would ensure workers who perform sleepovers are paid the minimum wage has let down thousands of disability support workers.  If you let down the workforce, then you are also ultimately letting down the people that they are employed to care for.

As my colleage Darien Fenton has publically said – What the Government should have done, is meet with the stakeholders in the disability support sector, including the carer’s union, immediately after the Court of Appeal decision to neogtiate a durable solution.

It is obvious that Tariana has shamefully abdicated responsibility for the disability sector, along with her Government but I still want to know what Tariana has to say on this issue.  I’ve just fired some written questions off to her.  Will post on this again when I get some responses.

As the past week has unfolded NZ has been gripped with grief over the traumatic events of the Christchurch earthquake. As the death toll has increased we are reminded of the immeasurable cost to human life that Cantabrians face and the great tragedy that will forever mark New Zealand’s history.

Amidst this time of great grief we have been comforted by the support of our international community who, even today and no doubt in the weeks to come, continue to offer their resources to the huge effort being undertaken to assist people affected by this tragedy. In such a difficult time it has been overwhelming to witness the response from emergency services at the front line ensuring food and water is distributed, that houses are safe, and that people are comforted. Many of those providing emergency services have volunteered their time and resources and support continues to pour in from around the country. We are determined to stand together resilient in the face of huge adversity.

As the official statements from emergency services have reminded us, one of the most immediate responses to victims of the earthquake has come in the form of neighbours, and those close by affected areas, checking on others in their community – by all accounts, Cantabrians have not let each other down.  Whilst natural disaster strikes the hearts and homes of many people all over New Zealand in one form or another, a particularly acute impact is had on those in the affected area living with disability.

The most recent disability survey highlights that close to 600,000 adults and 90,000 children (17% of the population) registered as having a disability. Furthermore, the likely hood of having a disability also increases with age meaning that our elderly are particularly vulnerable. It is also important to remember that a majority of those living with disability endure sensory and physical disabilities impacting on their ability to access vital emergency services in a natural disaster. In particular, structural damage to buildings, liquefaction and rubble have a compounding impact on those living with disability. In short reduced mobility can often mean lesser visibility lesser access and also lesser voice.

In times of natural disasters, it is also important to bear in mind that assisting those with existing disabilities is only half of the equation. The National Director of CBM (formerly the Christian Blind Mission) reminds us that for every person that dies in times of emergency three will suffer a severe disability.  We’ve all heard the stories of survivors having to have limbs amputated in order to free them – there will be many that will suffer from varied long term disability because of this disaster.  Those survivors of the Christchurch earthquake that will require rehabilitation from injuries and who experience permanent disabilities will need our on-going consideration and support.

There have been a couple of times whilst watching the televised coverage, that I’ve seen a NZSL interpreter in action – this will be a welcomed initiative by NZ’s deaf community. Approximately 200,000 New Zealanders live with a hearing impairment that cannot eliminated by a hearing aid. Whilst the NZSL interpreter will benefit many of the deaf community around NZ thought also needs to be given to those living in earthquake struck Christchurch without access to television, consistent subtitling of media coverage or sign language interpreters at future emergency updates. The absence of such services potentially compounds the distress being felt amongst our deaf community in an already stressful time.

There is so much to take in to consideration when reflecting on the enormity of the Christchurch situation.  Our people living with disabilities in the midst of the turmoil – are an important group to remember when reflecting on or responding to the very serious situation at hand.