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RESEARCH The Cerebral Palsy Society was delighted to be part of the Inquiry into the Support of Disabled People and Whānau During Omicron. Responses to the spread of Omicron caused considerable stress, confusion and put the well-being of disabled people at risk, an inquiry by the Human Rights Commission found. “The aspirations and needs of disabled people and their whānau do not appear to have been Omicron response put disabled people at risk given prominence in government policy and decision making throughout the pandemic,” says Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. “Some groups reported reduced levels of trust and engagement for disabled people and their whānau during the Omicron phase.” Paula launched phase one of the Inquiry into the Support of Disabled People and Whānau During Omicron on March 11, using powers under the Human Rights Act 1993. Phase two will consider how the needs of disabled people have been responded to during the whole Covid 19 response. The first phase gathered information from 30 organisations and networks, including the Cerebral Palsy Society, about what they understood to be the current experiences of disabled people, and their whānau. The resulting report and recommendations to the Government were released on April 20. The Inquiry was told about some good experiences, but mostly experiences were stressful. Many of the issues disabled people identified in the first two years of the COVID-19 response have worsened, while at the same time COVID-19 restrictions and the protections they offered disabled people and their whānau, and communities, have lessened. Paula says that the government has responded positively and with urgency to some of the issues raised during the Inquiry. Read more info here: www.tinyurl.com/4u5fr63a. Helping you getUpAgain There are times in our lives where things get us down, but we all deserve support to get up again. Information: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz > Member Services > Our Programmes. Email us at cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz or phone 0800 503 603. During times of emotion, the support of friends, whānau and your community, can help you get through. If you need extra support getUpAgain funding is there for financial members with CP, their families and/ or support person. It subsidises the cost of a counsellor of your choice.