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Lu’i Ola Auckland Regional Disability Project

Background

Lu’i Ola is an interagency Auckland Pacific Regional Project which aims to better serve the needs of Pacific peoples with disabilities, their families or aiga and their caregivers. Led by government organisations, the multi-agency initiative is currently co-sponsored by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and has the endorsement of eleven local and regional government agencies.

Lu’i Ola developed from a report commissioned by the Ministry of Health into Pacific disability in 2005. This report, known as the Pacific Island Advocacy and Support Services Report, highlighted the need for greater intersectoral collaboration in addressing issues on Pacific disability.

Formally launched in April 2007, Lu’i Ola has since established four work stream groups, which cover the key focus areas of the interagency project. These operational groups work on specific projects that meet the overarching objectives of Lu’i Ola. The work stream projects will continue until July 2010.

The key focus areas are:

Access
Workforce Development
Community Engagement
Provider Development

View more information on the projects associated with these focus areas in the table below:

Focus area	Project name	Project aims
Access	Mangere Access Pilot Project	To minimise Pacific peoples with disabilities repeating their stories to government agencies. To establish an integrated approach for clients to access multiple agencies in a timely manner.
Workforce Development	Workforce Project	To ensure participating government agency’s workforce are culturally competent to work with Pacific peoples with disabilities.
Community Engagement	Communications Campaign	To contribute to greater disability awareness and knowledge of services available among: Pacific peoples with disabilities. Pacific families / aiga / carers of Pacific peoples with disabilities. Pacific church and community leaders. Service providers and agencies. To promote different ways of thinking positively about the concept of disability. To challenge negative entrenched traditional beliefs and cultural paradigms relating to disability.
Provider Development	Provider Development Project	To ensure Pacific service providers are competently providing services as needed by the sector.

Progress reports

Strategic Framework 2009-13

The new Lu’i Ola Strategic Framework for Action for 2009 – 2013 has been completed and was signed off in principle by the Steering Group on the 29th July 2009. The new plan focuses on three key new innovations which cover the following priority outcomes:

Leadership
Develop leadership in the Pacific Disability Sector
Community Action
Support regional community-based initiatives and events, which will help to shift community behaviour and attitudes on disability.
Research
Support ongoing research in Pacific disability.

Past achievements

April 2007- June 2009

The following are key project achievements since the launch of the project in April 2007.

Government agency’s workforce is culturally competent to work with Pacific disabled people

NZQA approved Pasifika Unit Standard has been developed and finalised.
Training workbooks and resources have been developed and finalised.
Government agencies and disability providers due to pilot Pasifika Unit Standard.
Shared list of disability and Pacific training available in Auckland region developed for Lu’i Ola agencies.

Pacific service providers are competently providing services as needed by the sector

Needs assessment and analysis undertaken on Pacific service providers in disability sector.
A plan developed for a collaborative approach in developing Pacific service providers in consultation with the regional district health boards.
Regional district health boards committed funds to project in principle.

The Pacific communities and workforce are well informed about disability and available services

Media release, newspaper publication and advertorials, magazine publication on the Lu’i Ola Project.
Established a group of disabled Pacific spokespeople. They spoke at the annual Vaka Tautua Disability Day, Dec 2008, to promote positive messages on disability in the Pacific community.
Developed and finalised the new Lu’i Ola Brand as an official project identity which promotes positive messages on Pacific disability.
Pacific church engagement toolkit developed and soon to be finalised for distribution to regional Pacific church communities. This toolkit aims to shift negative entrenched views on disability and inform Pacific disabled peoples, their aiga, carers and the community, about disability and available services.

Shared consultation processes for agencies with Pacific communities are in place

Advisory group established to provide Pacific community and consumer perspectives on the development and implementation of project initiatives.

Increase Pacific attendance at service reviews (e.g. at Individual Education Plans)

A plan has been developed for Lu’i Ola agencies on reasons and possible solutions for low Pacific attendance at service reviews and now needs to be revised and implemented.

Shared assessment occurs where possible

Service user reports developed with one agency using consent form for sharing service user information.

A virtual (telephone) central point of contact for all government agencies is available to disabled Pacific people and their families

A national and multi-lingual 0800 telephone service to Pacific peoples with disabilities, their aiga and carers and Pacific community has been established and provided by Vaka Tautua Ltd. This is funded by the Ministry of Health.

A navigation service is available for Pacific peoples with disabilities and their families who require more support

Development and implementation of the navigation service is underway in the Mangere area.
Links between eight agencies in the Mangere area have been strengthened.
Project brochure developed and widely distributed to community agencies and local businesses to promote the pilot project in the Mangere area.

Housing modification and equipment processes are streamlined

A practical pamphlet developed on environmental support is now available from participating Lu’i Ola government agencies for Pacific peoples with disabilities needing equipment and/or housing modifications.

Stakeholder buy-in

Strategic buy-in from organisations allowing for the commitment of resources and finances.
Enhance knowledge of other agencies services among Lu’i Ola participants.
Sharing of agency resources, expertise and networks.

Establishment of project governance and structure

Steering Group.
Co Sponsors.
Work Stream Groups.
Advisory Groups.

Member organisations

The following government organisations support the Lu’i Ola Project through the commitment of finances and resources:

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
Ministry of Social Development
Ministry of Health
Accident Compensation Corporation
Ministry of Education
Auckland District Health Board
Counties Manukau District Health Board
Waitemata District Health Board
Auckland City Council
Manukau City Council
Waitakere City Council
Office for Disability Issues
Housing New Zealand

Page last updated: 8 September 2009