Common Questions
What is the NZ Disability Strategy?
The NZ Disability Strategy is a framework that will enable the government to begin removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in our society.
Why do we need a NZ Disability Strategy?
People with disabilities are unable to participate fully in society and reach their full potential because of the barriers they face doing everyday things. We know, for example, that people with disabilities are less likely to have educational qualifications and are less likely to be employed than people without disabilities. They face communication and transport barriers, and are likely to have lower incomes and fewer financial resources than the general population. Public attitudes to people with disabilities often take the form of ignorance and prejudice. The aim of the NZ Disability Strategy is to remove these barriers wherever they exist.
What is the vision of the NZ Disability Strategy?
The NZ Disability Strategy's vision is a fully inclusive society that highly values the lives of people with disabilities and continually enhances their full participation in society.
What are the objectives of the NZ Disability Strategy?
The NZ Disability Strategy has fifteen objectives:
- Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society.
- Ensure rights for people with disabilities.
- Provide the best education for people with disabilities.
- Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for people with disabilities.
- Foster leadership by people with disabilities.
- Foster an aware and responsive public service.
- Create long-term support systems centred on the individual.
- Support quality living in the community for people with disabilities.
- Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for people with disabilities.
- Collect and use relevant information about people with disabilities and disability issues.
- Promote participation of disabled Māori.
- Promote participation of disabled Pacific peoples.
- Enable disabled children and young people to lead full and active lives.
- Promote participation of disabled women in order to improve their quality of life.
- Value families, whānau and people providing ongoing support.
How were people with disabilities and other people who provide support involved in developing the NZ Disability Strategy?
People with disabilities, their families/whānau, and the wider disability sector had extensive input into the NZ Disability Strategy.
The Minister for Disability Issues established a Sector Reference Group to provide advice on the content of the NZ Disability Strategy and on the consultation process for its development. The Sector Reference Group comprised fifteen people with a wide range of expertise and knowledge of disability issues.
This group, in liaison with the Ministry of Health, developed a discussion document about the NZ Disability Strategy. The government consulted widely following its release. Sixty-eight public meetings were held throughout the country to gain feedback from interested individuals and groups.
Seven hundred submissions were received from individual people with disabilities and their families/whānau, service providers, and advocates during the consultation process. An analysis of the submissions and feedback is available on this website.
Is the NZ Disability Strategy focused on disability support services?
People with disabilities require excellent support services. For that reason one of the objectives of the NZ Disability Strategy is to 'create long-term support services centred on the individual'. The government provides disability support services through the Ministry of Health. However, the NZ Disability Strategy has a much wider scope. Most of the barriers facing people with disabilities involve things like public attitudes, human rights, employment and educational opportunities. They are covered by the 14 other objectives of the NZ Disability Strategy.
How will the government monitor progress on implementing the NZ Disability Strategy?
The Minister for Disability Issues will report to Parliament annually on progress in implementing the NZ Disability Strategy. Copies of these progress reports are available on this website.
The Office for Disability Issues has the responsibility for monitoring and promoting the implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy by government departments and wider society.
After five years (2006) and ten years (2011), there will be a review of progress in implementing the NZ Disability Strategy.
What else will the government do to implement the NZ Disability Strategy?
The government will take the lead in implementing the NZ Disability Strategy, but it will also be doing everything it can to influence the attitudes and behaviour of society as a whole.
People with disabilities have told us that negative attitudes are the biggest barrier they face in society. Changing these attitudes is a challenge for all New Zealanders.
The NZ Disability Strategy will take a number of years to fully implement. The first step involves focusing on government departments in their provision of services, funding and policy development. The Office also has a role in promoting the NZ Disability Strategy with local authorities and non-departmental public bodies to improve the position of people with disabilities in society.
On this website you can access the annual implementation work plans from government departments.
Does local government have a role in implementing the NZ Disability Strategy?
Yes, local authorities have a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities, especially regarding physical access and the right to live in the community. The government will hold discussions with local authorities and other public bodies to encourage them to improve the position of people with disabilities.
How does the NZ Disability Strategy relate to other strategies?
The NZ Disability Strategy will operate across sectors and agencies, and will sit alongside other government policy directions such as the New Zealand Health Strategy and the Positive Ageing Strategy.
Where can I get a copy of the NZ Disability Strategy?
An online version of the NZ Disability Strategy is available on this website, or you can request a copy of the NZ Disability Strategy from the Office for Disability Issues.