“Magic happens when families are given an opportunity to focus on our sons and daughters and really see their gifts, talents and courage.”

(Sharon Burke – Crucial Times, November 2005)

Families who have children with disabilities have an ally and advocate in ‘Standards Plus’ – an independent agency that promotes leadership and quality services for people with disabilities and their families.

With support from the Todd Foundation, Standards Plus has developed a free-of-charge series to help families identify the possibilities in their children’s lives and to pursue more positive futures for their children. The goal: to dispel the myth that children’s disabilities define who they are and the opportunities available to them – and to recognise that it’s not the disability that prevents a positive future, but the devaluation, low expectations, exclusions and misunderstandings that disabled people experience during their lives. Running for one weekend a month over a five-month period, the 2006 series will focus on supporting families with children from birth to 15 years, and the 2007 series on supporting families facing the challenges of young adulthood.

Both series will cover theoretical and practical advice and, as a follow-up, Standards Plus will provide each family with individual support in meeting the inevitable challenges and dilemmas they encounter. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help carers to make a positive difference to their children’s lives – and develop their own strengths and skills in the process.

Standards Plus: www.imaginebetter.co.nz