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The Society was also involved in collaborating on a number of complex advocacy cases relating to individual members, including working with Oranga Tamariki and The Personal Advocacy and Safeguarding Adults Trust (PASAT) for urgent situations. We continue to develop partnerships with several Government organisations to address ongoing inequalities for our members. The broad areas of inequality include: access to education across all levels of disability, access to specific health supports including options such as intensive therapy, access to fun and recreational activities such as holiday programmes and services to prevent caregiver burnout such as meaningful respite options. The Society was involved in several international collaborations (with Canada, United States, Australia and the United Kingdom) while being responsive to events that impacted our community. For example, we were a representative on the International Cerebral Palsy Covid Task Force. ADVOCACY A year of highlights Here are some of the highlights from 2021/22, where we have advocated alongside our members: The Society was involved in high level Ministerial advocacy to promote and sustain the campaign for access legislation, including meeting with the then Minister for Disability Issues Hon Carmel Sepuloni. We took part in the Inquiry into the Support of Disabled People and Whānau During Omicron carried out by the Human Rights Commission, speaking directly to Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. Meetings were held with Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero to discuss equity across the different Ministries and Government departments. We made contributions to Government Select Committees on disability-related issues such as the establishment of Whaikaha – The Ministry of Disabled People, and resource needs for complex disabilities in education (Ministry of Education). We provided methods of support for a number of community campaigns, including a multi-organisation letter to Auckland Council to increase the accessibility of region-wide gyms. 1 2 7 3 8 4 5 6 16 | ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2021-2022