Meetings in 2005
There were four meetings of the Disability Advisory Council in 2005. A summary of discussion at the meetings is available on this page:
May (2 and 3)
Members present: Mike Gourley, Ngaire Doherty, Dick Earle, Claire Freeman, John Forman, Tina French, Victoria Roberts, Graham Stairmand, Cheryl Wallace, Carolyn Weston.
- This was the first meeting of the Council.
- Council members discussed their role, purpose, and administrative matters in the operation of the Council.
- It was noted that while members were appointed by disability sector organisations, members are expected to act as experts in disability in their own right. Council members do not represent their appointing organisation. However, Council members are expected to communicate with their disability community and seek information on current issues impacting on disabled people.
- This meeting had vacancies for Council members from disabled Maori and Pacific communities. There was discussion on how to ensure that there were Maori and Pacific people voices on the Council. The Office would continue discussions with Maori and Pacific organisations on how to get the participation of disabled Maori and Pacific peoples.
- Progress with the Office work programme was discussed.
- The Ministry of Social Development presented to members on the role of the three Offices (the Office for Disability Issues, Office for Senior Citizens, and the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector), and the Ministry work on social inclusion and participation.
- Feedback from the Council was sought on:
- the Office’s review of long-term disability supports project
- monitoring and implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
- Council members talked about how to promote participation of all members in meetings. Key aspects expected of members were:
- Use plain language
- Explain any jargon and abbreviations
- Have regular breaks
- One person speak at a time
- Any changes to the agenda to be to advised early on
- Papers for members to be sent out before each meeting, at least one week prior
- Papers to be presented in size 14 font, and in a format as requested by members
- Enough time is allowed in the agenda to move between buildings, if required
June (23 and 24)
Members present: Mike Gourley (Chair), John Forman, Claire Freeman, Ngaire Doughty, Tina French, Christine Zanders, Graham Stairmand, Carolyn Weston, Cheryl Wallace, Dick Earle and Victoria Roberts.
- The Office Director announced that Mike Gourley had been appointed as Chair of the Council.
- The term of appointment and process for change in Council members was discussed. While all terms were for two years, half of the Council members would be changed after one year to keep membership rotating evenly.
- How Council members could report emerging disability-related issues to the meeting, and ways for the Office to follow up and track progress with the issues, were discussed.
- Feedback from the Council was sought on the Ministry of Social Development’s single core benefit proposals, and in particular issues with assessment, eligibility, employment, and possible system design.
- Council members discussed:
- in small groups, the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation progress report for 2005
- issues with negotiations on the United Nations convention on the rights of disabled people.
- Progress with the Office work programme was discussed.
August (31) and September (1)
Members present: Mike Gourley (Chair), John Forman, Claire Freeman, Ngaire Doughty, Tina French, Christine Zanders, Graham Stairmand, Carolyn Weston, Cheryl Wallace, Dick Earle and Victoria Roberts.
- Progress with the Office work programme was discussed.
- Progress with negotiations on the United Nations convention on the rights of disabled people following the recent meeting in New York was discussed.
- The Office presented on changes in the New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation planning process to be used for 2006. Developments with the annual progress report were discussed. It was noted that the Office is seeking to increase the amount of objective data on outcomes impacting on disabled people and families. Also, departments will be asked to report on their responsiveness to the New Zealand Sign Language Bill, “To Have an Ordinary Life” report, and the Human Rights Action Plan.
- Members workshopped current and emerging issues in the disability sector. These will be collated into an issues register for discussion with the Office and ongoing tracking of what is being done to address the issue.
November (7 and 8)
Members present: Mike Gourley (Chair), John Forman, Claire Freeman, Ngaire Doughty, Tina French, Christine Zanders, Graham Stairmand, Carolyn Weston, Cheryl Wallace, Dick Earle, Ava Fa’amoe, and Victoria Roberts.
- Progress with the Office work programme was discussed.
- The Human Rights Commission presented on their inquiry into public land transport and issues raised during the public consultation round. Members discussed key problems experienced by disabled people in accessing transport, and ways to encourage government to improve provision of transport services.
- The Minister for Disability Issues joined the meeting. Council members were introduced to the Minister, and there was discussion on Government disability priorities for next three years.
- The Office presented on priorities for implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy and developments with the Like Minds Like Mind campaign over the next year.