EGL e whakatinanahia ana
EGL in action
Understanding what the EGL Vision and Principles actually look like in the lives of disabled people and their family/whānau can be difficult. Below is an explanation of some of the principles, and how using this principle can allow people to live their good life.
Scroll down, or use these links to jump to the principle:
Principle: Self determination
This means disabled people (and/or their whānau) are in control of their lives.
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supports are directly linked to the vision of what their good / ordinary life looks like
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there is a way to say how well supports are working, and how they could be working better
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nothing happens without the disabled person (and whānau/family) giving an opinion first
What this looks like in real life for disabled people and whānau/family: Your choices, your preferences, your pace. It’s about being listened to, being taken seriously, and being supported to make decisions both big and small.
This might include choosing:
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who supports you
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when your day starts
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what you want to work on
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how you like things done
Meet Shirley and Richard. In real life, Shirley and Richard can plan their week around what activities they want to do, work and volunteer work commitments, and Shirley likes that she can choose her own support workers that are separate from her family.
Principle: Beginning early
Beginning early means investing early in families and whānau to support them to;
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be aspirational for their disabled child;
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build community and natural supports;
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support disabled children to become independent, rather than waiting for a crisis before support is available.
What this looks like in real life is disabled people and whānau/family getting support before things become overwhelming or stressful. It’s not only about childhood, it’s about acting early at any stage of life. because when planning starts early, people have time to think, explore, try things out, and build the skills they need without pressure.
Meet Stevie. In real life, Stevie's family now have the support they need to give her plenty of opportunities to explore her interests out in the community with her support worker.
She is learning new skills and her father is hopeful Stevie will be able to have independence when she is older.
Principle: Person centred
Person-centred means disabled people have supports that are tailored to their individual needs and goals, and that take a whole life approach rather than being split across programmes.
What this looks like for disabled people and whānau/family - Person-centred means the plan is built around the person, not the system.
Their interests, culture, communication style, sensory needs, strengths, and routines all matter.
Instead of fitting into a service, the supports fit around the person.
"I choose my flatmates, not someone else who doesn't even live here choosing them for me."
Meet Ezekiel. In real life, Ezekiel’s family can live life at HIS pace, there are less pressures and constraints due to how he can use Enabling Good Lives. A great example in the video is how they can get an annual zoo pass, this allows them to do short trips to see one animal rather than feel they need to see everything on a one day pass.
Watch Ezekiels story to learn more about how EGL works for him and his whānau.
Principle: Ordinary life outcomes
Ordinary life outcomes means disabled people are:
• supported to live an everyday life in everyday places
• regarded as citizens with opportunities for learning, employment, having a home and family, and social participation - like others at similar stages of life.
What this looks like for disabled people and whānau/family
Ordinary life outcomes means living the kind of everyday life most people take for granted. - friendships, hobbies, relationships, work, home life, community - the normal “stuff of life”.
These shouldn’t be considered extras. They’re essential to wellbeing.
"Nevie has a full life, having fun, learning skills and doing the same things as other young people!"
- Nevie's mum
Meet Barney. In real life Enabling Good Lives has helped Barney set up a full and rich life in the beautiful Raglan. “What's changed for me is working, getting out and about with my friends, playing rugby, and swimming”. “Just go ahead, there's nothing that can stop you from doing what you wanna do in your”.
Watch Barney’s story to learn more about how EGL works for him
EGL in action - Otāutahi/Christchurch
In Waitaha / Canterbury, the EGL Approach is 'demonstrated' at EGL Christchurch. Here Kaitūhono (Connectors) work with disabled people and their whānau to dream big, make a plan for the future and connect with their local community.
This service is currently only available to ORS funded school leavers in Waitaha/Canterbury. Click here to find out more.
The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) Approach and Principles are to guide all individuals and families have more flexibility to create the supports that they want. Here are some examples.
How EGL is different
In the box below, you can see what used to 'happen' to disabled people, and then a comparision to what it can be like using the EGL Vision and Principles.
Old ways and the EGL vision
Assessments based on what people cannot do to (deficit based)
Supports and services are led by the preferences, strengths, aspirations, and needs of disabled people and their families. These are written into a Good Life Plan can be used by multiple services and supports
Being “lost” in the system or unaware of options
People having an independent ally to assist disabled persons and family/Whānau to consider existing options and create new possibilities.” The degree of involvement an individual or family has with this independent ally is negotiated between the parties.
Where EGL-based system change has been piloted this role has been called Kaitūhono or Connector.
Bulk funding of services
Personal budgets that people have control of where people can choose how they create a good life for themselves
Having to only use specialist and segregated services
Community services available and accessible to disabled people
Waiting until there is a diagnosis or crisis
Beginning early and breaking cycles
Officials, clinicians, and service providers making decisions about what the system should be like
Resources go to networks and organisations led by disabled people and families, so they are able to build knowledge skills and connections to enable them to continue to influence the disability support system and all government agencies
One principles-based system across all government agencies