Disabled parents : diversity, experiences and support needs

Executive Summary
Introduction
Background and Objectives
Approach
Conceptual Approaches to Disability
Ecological Theory and Parenting
Researching Disabled Parents' Experiences
Disability Support in New Zealand - An Overview
The Office for Disability Issues
Disability Prevalence Data
How many disabled parents are there in New Zealand?
Becoming a Parent
Letting go
Decision-making
Exploring Sexuality, Relationships, and the Possibility of Parenthood
Disabled Parents and Adoption
Ethical and Bioethical Issues
Being a Parent
Engaging with Families Principles for Consideration
Universal and Specialised Support Needs
Timing of Support
Flexibility of Support
Consider the Needs of the Whole Family and Whānau
Sole Parents
Culture and Ethnicity
Respecting Individual and Family Privacy
How Much, Or How Little, Support Is Required?
The Financial Impact of Disability
Educating Support Providers
Every Family is Unique - Many Factors Influence Parenting
Disability Types and Parenting
Parents with Intellectual Disabilities
Good Enough Parenthood
Challenges as Children Mature
Combination of Education and Support Services Needed
Care and Protection Services
Parents Experiencing Mental Illness
New Mothers with Mental Illness
Deaf Parents
Blind and Visually Impaired Parents
Physically Disabled Parents
The Roles of Disabled Parents
Disabled Mothers
Violence and Abuse
Mothers with Multiple Sclerosis
Mothers with Other Physical and Sensory Impairments
Disabled Fathers
Disabled Parents with Disabled Children
Non-disabled Partners
Māori Parents
Te Whare Tapa Wha and Te Wheke Models
Māori parents living with mental illness
The Whānau Ora approach - identifying strengths, needs, priorities and solutions
Māori Disability Research Agenda
Pacific Peoples
Disabled Grandparents
Parenting Successfully - and Positive Role Models
Supporting Disabled Parents
Ministry of Health Disability Support Services Consumer Forums
The Review of Long-term Disability Supports
The Education System
Supporting Disabled Parents within the Education System
Social/Recreational Opportunities
Sport New Zealand's No Exceptions Strategy
Increasing accessibility and affordability
Housing
Young Carers
Balancing Parents' and Children's Rights
The Need for a Whole Family Approach
The New Zealand Carers' Strategy
Conclusions
Bibliography
Appendix A: Conceptual Approaches to Disability
Appendix B: (United Nations) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Appendix C: Disabled Adults with Parenting Responsibilities: A Checklist for Good Practice Appendix D: Principles of Good Practice - Supporting Families Affected by Parental Disability or Ill Health
Appendix E: Resources/Links

"The Families Commission developed this resource to share existing knowledge about the needs and experiences of disabled parents and to identify and discuss related issues. We have drawn on selected national and international research literature, strategies and other material, undertaking a literature scan rather than a full review. The scan was supplemented by a small number of consultations carried out with the disability sector, considered alongside findings from other consultations and forums such as those undertaken by the Ministry of Health's Disability Support Services. Government initiatives aimed at the wider disability community are referred to. We highlight the support and initiatives that contribute to positive outcomes for disabled parents, their families and whānau. These include recognising parents' strengths and resiliencies, valuing family and whānau diversity, and allowing parents to identify their changing needs and priorities." - PREFACE