People First New Zealand Inc. – Nga Tangata Tuatahi Together we will make it Graeme Parish, National Chairperson Cindy Johns, National Manager December 2010

This presentation will cover: A bit of history The People First structure Our logo and song What we do How to contact us People First New Zealand Inc. – Nga Tangata Tuatahi

People First is international People First started in Salem Oregon in America in People First is in many countries like England, Scotland, Australia, Canada and Germany.

People First in New Zealand People First was started in 1984 in New Zealand. It was started and supported by Ihc for the first 20 years.

Going independent In 2003 Ihc supported People First to become an independent organisation. On the 16 th of October 2003 People First launched the independent organisation at Parliament and then we had a party!

The structure People First is an Incorporated Society We have hundreds of members from all over New Zealand. To be a member you need to have a learning/intellectual disability and be over the age of 18 If you can‘t be a member, you can still support the organisation by becoming a Friend of People First’s

Groups and Regions People First has over 28 local groups that are split into 6 regions Each region votes for a President and Vice President The 6 regional Presidents make up the National Committee The National Committee directs People First NZ

Local groups Members meet regularly in their local groups and talk about things that are important to the members Local groups have guest speakers

Self advocacy Members learn about self advocacy. They learn about their rights and how to speak up for what they want:  in their lives  In their community Local groups work with other disability advocacy organisations such as DPA

Leadership People First fosters leadership development Members get a chance to take part in a safe place Know that it is ok to make mistakes to speak up and have their say

Speaking up nationally People First speaks up nationally through: members being on a range of Committees such as the Office for Disability Issues Council having our say through submissions and consultations being part of a group of organisations who meet regularly with the Minister of Disability issues and Ministri es

People First logo The logo represents the stage in the cycle where the Butterfly has shed it’s cocoon of protection and is now ready to take the world on it’s own, full of life and new experiences.

People First song People First has it’s own song, Together we will make it This was written when People First became independent

Information and Advice People First has a Disability information and advice service (DIAS) This service is for people with a learning disability and anyone else who wants to find out information about learning/intellectual disability.

The service gets contacted by lots of people: Members Family members Doctors lawyers Disability Support services Other organisations We give out lots of information and advice

Projects People First also does project work A Place of Our Own - film, book and forums Speaking up courses Work4Us

Works4us is an employment advocacy service. The idea for this service came from some research People First did in The research found out most disabled people did not know their employment rights. People First set an Work4Us in Dave Wickham is the Manager.

The service aims to: Provide good up to date information about employment issues. Provide independent employment advocates to support Disabled workers with their employment agreements or minimum wage exemptions (MWEs). Help other organisations get better at supporting the rights of Disabled workers.

Resources Works4us have two great resources Your Rights at Work A Job Like Anyone Else: Peters Story We are going to make 2 more films about people at work next year

How to contact People First NZ To ring National office phone or Our web is Or you can us on

Nothing about us without us Thank you for listening to us and I hope you have learnt about People First NZ