Dear Ministry for Disabled People,

Under the Official Information Act, I request the following statistical information regarding disabled people in New Zealand, with a specific focus on the 18–30 age demographic:

- The total number of individuals aged 18–30 identified as disabled in New Zealand, according to the most recent Household Disability Survey or Whaikaha administrative data.

- Of those supported by Whaikaha-funded Disability Support Services (DSS), how many are currently identified as:

- Non-speaking or having complex communication needs.

- Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as their primary mode of communication.

- A breakdown of the 18–30 disabled population by primary disability type (e.g., intellectual, physical, sensory, or neurodiverse).

- Data on the number of individuals in this age group currently residing in community-based supported living versus those receiving individualised funding (IF) for home-based support."

Yours faithfully,

Kendra Horne