About Us
The Office for Disability Issues comprises the Director along with a small team of policy analysts.
We are situated within the Social Development Policy and Knowledge group of the Ministry of Social Development, which provides our administrative support and funding. However, we have a separate identity, work programme and report directly to the Minister for Disability Issues.
The Office works to help bring about the vision of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. New Zealand will be inclusive when disabled people can say they live in a 'society that highly values our lives and continually enhances our full participation.'
The Disability Strategy is a long-term plan for removing barriers that prevent disabled people participating fully in their communities. Our Office works to promote the Strategy to ensure it is understood and accepted by everyone who needs to play a part to implement it. We also have a key role in developing partnerships between disabled people, central and local government, communities and support agencies.
We are located on the Ground Floor, West Block, Charles Fergusson Building, Bowen Street, Wellington.
More information about the development and establishment of the Office is available in the section History of the Office.
Our responsibilities
The Office has three key responsibilities.
- Promote and monitor the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy in government and wider society.
- Provide policy advice on disability issues, including:
- Leading strategic policy development regarding disability issues across the whole of government
- Maintaining an overview and providing input to policy affecting disabled people
- Contributing a disability perspective to policy development led by other government agencies.
- Working with other agencies to provide advice and meet formal international obligations related to disability issues.
- Provide services to support the Minister for Disability Issues in their advocacy role.
- The Office does not hold funding or deliver services directly to individuals or groups.
Our team
Director: Dr Jan Scown.
Office Administrator: Gail Cooper.
Policy Manager: Sai Lealea.
Senior Analysts: Bob Hillier, Juliet Elworthy.
Analysts: Carol Ratnam, Owen Hughes, Paul Dickey.
Nomination Service Convenor: Judy Small.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities with the Office for Disability Issues are managed by Human Resources at the Ministry of Social Development. Exciting career opportunities are available for talented, energetic, creative and dedicated people who want to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We offer on-the-job career development, secondments within the Ministry and to other government agencies, management support and leadership training.
When career opportunities are available they can be found on:
- the Ministry of Social Development website
- New Zealand Government Jobs Online website
- and in major daily newspapers