New Zealand Disability Strategy

About the New Zealand Disability Strategy

The New Zealand Disability Strategy's vision is of a society that highly values the lives and continually enhances the full participation of disabled people. It provides a framework to guide government agencies making policy and services impacting on disabled people.

In taking the lead, the Government will do everything possible to influence the attitudes and behaviour of society as a whole. By all New Zealanders considering issues facing people with disabilities and their aspirations, New Zealand can become a fully inclusive society.

Implementation

Monitoring and reporting on New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation is co-ordinated and supported by the Office for Disability Issues.

Planning

All government departments are required to develop work plans with goals and actions to implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

Reporting

Government agencies are required to report each year on their progress in implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The Minister for Disability Issues is required to report annually to Parliament on progress in implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

Disability Advisory Council

One mechanism the Office uses to have ongoing input from disabled people and the disability sector on implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy is the Disability Advisory Council.

This advisory body is made up of 13 people appointed by consumer based disability organisations. They meet four times a year to provide advice to the Office on implementing the NZ Disability Strategy and emerging issues that impact on disabled people. The Council also assists the Office to provide advice to government departments on policy development.

Review of progress with New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation

On release of the New Zealand Disability Strategy in April 2001, a commitment was made to review progress on its implementation after five and ten years had passed.

First review - 2001 to 2007

In August 2008, the first review of progress in implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy was released. It covers activity over the period April 2001 to June 2007. The Office for Disability Issues contracted an independent research and evaluation company, Litmus Ltd, to conduct the review. The scope of the implementation review did not include revising the vision, principles or objectives of the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

• Read the first review report: web version | Word - 1.1Mb

• Read the Minister for Disability Issues' media release - Lives of disabled people in New Zealand continuing to improve.

Second review

The next review of implementation will be completed after data from the 2011 post census disability survey is available, so that a comprehensive review on changes in life outcomes for disabled people can be carried out.