The DSS Bill was introduced to Parliament on Monday 18 May 2026. There was no consultation about it. If it goes through, the Bill will challenge the values of te Tiriti o Waitangi, the UNCRPD, and the Enabling Good Lives approach. We need urgent help from our members to make submissions about this!

We’ve seen evidence over the years that your personal stories are powerful in driving change.

The two main concerns

• The Bill appears to be making a shift towards state services taking less responsibility for DSS funding until families and carers can prove they have exhausted their own avenues
  .
• The Bill wants to give significant power to a system that can easily change depending on political priorities or budget decisions.

This matters because, as Dr Huhana Hickey says, “Disability support is not a luxury. Support allows people to… study, raise children, attend appointments, participate in community life, and live safely and independently. Without adequate support, human rights become meaningless words on paper… the DSS Bill will affect real people in real homes and communities across Aotearoa. Parliament needs to hear that reality directly from us.”

Whether you receive DSS or not, we strongly encourage our whānau to make a submission about the impact of caring for someone with FASD and the need to access external supports. Your story can be short or long; you don’t need to use special language and you can request that your details are kept private. There’s a quick and easy template you can use below.

FASD-CAN will also be making a submission – but we are calling on our members to add to it with your own stories of what support services mean to you.

Submitting made easy

Head to the Bill’s submission page with your input here: 
Disability Support Services Bill - NZ Parliament.

Remember: Submissions close on Friday 12 June at 1pm!

If you need a bit more info and / or a handy template:

• Dr Huhana Hickey has written a great template and a plain-language explanation of what’s at stake. Learn more and use this template here.

• The Disabled Persons Assembly has produced a range of tools and resources to help people make submissions on the Disability Support Services Bill. Learn more here.

Please encourage other members of your whānau to submit!