My son is autistic and relied heavily on the flexibility that individualised funding provided under the previous Whaikaha purchasing guidelines. The recent changes, implemented on 18th March, have unfortunately limited his options and those of many others. These new rules have reduced purchases, removed mileage allowances, and cut accommodation costs which were previously a lifesaver for disabled individuals and their families seeking meaningful respite.

These changes are not just affecting my family but countless others across our community. It's estimated that one in every 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network - this means there are potentially thousands of families feeling the impact of these new guidelines.

The intention behind these changes may have been to streamline processes or save costs but they are in fact limiting the needs of individuals who rely on this support for their wellbeing. We need a system that allows people to be cared for in a way that enables them their best outcome.

We urge those responsible for implementing these changes to reassess them considering their real-world impacts on families like ours. Flexibility is needed more than ever before as we navigate life with autism.

Please sign this petition if you believe in fair access to necessary supports for all individuals with disabilities.