History

Involving disabled people and their families/whānau in government disability policy and service development is a key aspect of the NZ Disability Strategy. Since its setup in July 2002, the Office for Disability Issues has encouraged government departments to develop working relationships with the disability sector, and improve their understanding and responsiveness to disabled people.

Having a close, ongoing relationship with the disability sector is also an important part of the Office’s work. This contact ranges from regular, informal conversations with individuals to formal, scheduled meetings with organisations. The Disability Advisory Council is one mechanism, in this range of contact, to enable this communication and mutual feedback on disability issues.

In late 2004, when consulted on the setting up of the Council, people were clear that they wanted disabled people and families to select who would represent them on the Council. Members will be appointed by disability consumer organisations rather than the Office. However, the Office will select which organisations will do the appointing. To ensure as many consumer groups as possible are a part of the process the Office will, from time to time, review and replace appointing organisations.

May 2004: the Government provided funding in Budget 2004 for the Office to establish a reference group.

October 2004: a consultation document proposing the setting up of a reference group was circulated to over 1,400 disabled people, families, their representative organisations, and providers. Feedback was sought on whether there should be a group, its proposed name, role, selection process and membership.

November 2004: feedback was received from over 100 disabled people and organisations. The setting up of a group made up of people with direct experience of disability was almost wholly endorsed.

December 2004: the Office announced the establishment of it’s Disability Advisory Council. The Office will choose the disability consumer-based organisations that will then have responsibility for appointing the members of the Council. The Council has two main roles: to provide advice on the implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy, and provide information on emerging issues impacting on disabled people.