Interview with Chris Ford

Chris Ford was born in Balclutha in 1970. He was born with cerebral palsy which has affected his mobility and ability to work without support. Describes several operations to improve his mobility. Recalls primary school years at Paretai where there was a lot of community support and parents and teachers encouraged his learning. Mentions Peter Renshaw Centre where he had contact with other children with disabilitites. Describes moving to Dunedin as a result of the 1978 Paretai floods, living with his grandmother and attending the Matariki unit at Forbury primary school. Recalls attending physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions. Describes living at the CCS Hostel between 1981 and 1984. Talks about conflict and emotional abuse, the failure of field officers to act as advocates and the absence of grievance and complaints procedures. Mentions attitudes to people with disabilitites, under resourcing and lack of training. Describes media attention and charges being laid against staff as a result of accusations of abuse. Mentions the closure of the hostel in 1992. Comments that these events led to his politicisation about disability rights. Mentions the 1983 Assembly of People with Disabilitites (DPA), thinking in terms of people with disabilitites rather than disabled people and the role of Anne Hawker in promoting these rights. Mentions returning to live with his family in Momona, attending Taieri High School and then Otago University. Mentions the importance of CCS social worker Grant Clelland as a role model.

Comments that there were few support groups for people with disabilities in his early days at university. Mentions depression, living at home and then going flatting. Describes his involvement in student politics and left wing politics. Discusses being New Labour candidate for the Clutha electorate in the 1990 election. Comments on the importance of the 1993 Human Rights Act. Discusses the Disabilities Action Group (DAG). Describes involvement in CCS including memebership of the PHAB (Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied) Group, the CAG (Consumer Advisory Group) and being on the CCS Board. Describes resigning from the Board, Board mistakes and a period of disillusionment with CCS before returning to the organisation. Comments on the national structure put in position in 1997 and the involvement of stakeholders by Graham Hambeton. Mentions Helen Burnip, Jenny Newstead, Leah Galvin, Grant Clelland and Donna-Rose McKay.

Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell

Accompanying material - Diary of Chris Ford's progress from 1970-1976; copy of newspaper cuttings`Paretai School makes a big contribution', `Want to be a Santa?' `My W-3adventure', `Disabled children meet', `Election'90', `Students with disabilities pave way', `Advocates call for action over athletes' and `Work testing for benefits criticised'. Copy of photograph of Chris Ford at his graduation in 1997

Arrangement: The Interview audio recording comprises eight parts. The Interview is recorded on both sides of tapes one, two, and three, and on side two only on tape four, and on side one only of tape five.

Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 4 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2569.

Alternative form available: Once permission is given a digital copy of the recording is available in the Library's Reading Room