Budget 2010: People with disabilities supported

File photo / The Aucklander

A disability support services company hopes the increased state funding in the sector will help more people with disabilities to live independently.

Barry de Geest, of the Renaissance Group, said many people under 65 with disabilities who lived in rest homes were capable of living independently if they received the necessary support.

The Budget provides an extra $93 million for disability support services over the next four years for people aged under 65, including $25.5 million for home and community support services and $21 million for residential services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Home and community support services include help with showering, dressing, cooking and cleaning.

The disability support services budget rises by $30 million in 2010/11, to $970 million.

A Renaissance client, 42-year-old Mark Forsyth, who lives in Tuakau, south of Auckland, with his wife Linda, 44, has been receiving the company's help for several months. Mrs Forsyth has a long-term illness.

Two women come to their home for several hours each week to help with developing skills in a variety of areas, including budgeting and cooking.

"It keeps me on track for what I need to do," said Mr Forsyth, who has several conditions, including mild cerebral palsy and Asperger's syndrome. "I have managed to pick up a few extra skills from these ladies. I've gleaned some information on cooking.

"They make sure I'm doing what I should - keeping the place clean."

However, an independent disability services strategist, Sacha Dylan, said the $30 million increase - 3.2 per cent - would not go far, but "at least it's not completely static".