Meetings in 2008

13 and 14 March

Members present at this meeting were Murray Peat (chairperson), Denis Wederell (14 March), John Ward, Terry Ututaonga, Susan McDonald, Nigel Ngawahi, Kim Robinson, Dick Stark, Beverley Grammer and Victoria Roberts (for Karyn Walker). Nigel Ngawahi was welcomed to his first Council meeting. 

Progress with the Office's work programme was discussed, including work on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the development of Plain English and New Zealand Sign Language versions of the UN Convention.  Braille and audio versions are available.

The Ministry of Transport updated the Council on the transport strategy and the discussion paper - Sustainable Transport - which provides direction for the transport sector until 2040. The Council's input into the Transport Strategy will influence the development of the Government Statement. The Council was briefed on how the Transport Strategy took note of the Human Rights Commission's "The Accessible Journey:  Report of the Inquiry into Accessible Public Land Transport". Members raised the lack of public transport and its cost as posing a real difficulty for disabled people in small towns and rural areas.  The poor standard of basic English skills and knowledge of destinations by some taxi drivers also created barriers for disabled people.

Work and Income talked to the Council about its work with employers, unions and other agencies to look at ways to increase awareness and employment of disabled people.  This arises out of the fact that at a time of full employment 64% of disabled people aged 25-44 are unemployed.

The Ministry of Justice presented the pamphlet "Using New Zealand Sign Language in Courts and Tribunals" and Council members conveyed some of the issues for disabled people using the Court system.

Members discussed progress with the Council's review of emerging issues and processes for getting issues resolved.

11 and 12 September

Members present at this meeting were Murray Peat (chair), Denis Wederell, John Ward, Terry Ututaonga, Susan McDonald, Kim Robinson, Dick Stark, and Beverley Grammer.

Council members discussed organisation of its meetings and how it can better give advice to the Office for Disability Issues and monitor implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The June 2008 meeting had been cancelled.

Office work programme

The Office is developing a new work programme for 2008-2009. This will focus on work that makes the most difference with implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy. This may mean the Office needs to focus on doing a couple of things well instead of trying to do lots of different things not so well. It remains important for the Office to encourage other government agencies to do work in their area of responsibility, rather than the Office leading all work impacting on disabled people.

Council members noted that communication with the Office in-between meetings would be helpful to keep them updated, rather than wait until each meeting. This communication would need to be in hard copy and electronic formats, so that all members could access the information.

An update on the range of work the Office is involved with was discussed. Key items of work were: upcoming ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; recommendations from the review of long-term disability supports; and the first review of New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation.

The Office is working with Statistics New Zealand to publish six booklets with more information from the 2006 post census Disability Survey. There will be three likely to be released in 2008 and the other three in early 2009. The booklet subjects will be: education, carers, employment, Maori, service gaps, and transport.

The Office is consulting with Deaf people, related organisations, and some government agencies on options for developing an action plan to make government services more accessible to Deaf people. Also, there will be a review of the New Zealand Sign Language Act from April 2009. It will look at how well the provisions of the Act have been implemented. Planning will involve Deaf people.

Other areas of work include:

• Disability Advisory Council
• Regular email update newsletter
• Office website
• Nomination Service, that recruits and suggests appropriately skilled disabled people for appointment to government boards and committees
• Responding to determinations under the Building Act 2004, where there is concern that a building will not be complying with requirements for disabled people's access, or where a building owner does not want to comply with the Building Code
• Supporting the development of an Employers Disability Network, based on a UK model, which is led by Work and Income
• Responding to requests for support from the Minister (such as letters, speeches, meetings)
• Providing second opinion advice to other government agencies on their work.

Review of the Council

Also discussed was progress with the Office's review of the Council. This is not completed. Key things still needing to be examined are:

• Representation: members consulting with those they represent
• More regular contact: between meetings with the Office; amongst members; and feedback from government agencies.
• General functioning of the Council: how to make the Council most effective; term of membership; payment; easy read material in advance; agreeing priorities of the Council.

The Office also needs to think about the membership of the Council.

Monitoring the New Zealand Disability Strategy

Members noted that understanding the New Zealand Disability Strategy is not reaching the frontline, such as in health services.

Two main issues discussed by Council members were:

• access to information
• education and awareness of the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

The Office planned to develop targets for implementation, and it would be helpful for the Council to review progress against these targets.

Working New Zealand Core Benefit Approach

The Ministry of Social Development presented on the Working New Zealand Core Benefit Approach. The government wants Work and Income communications with individuals to be simpler and easier to understand. The language of communications needs to match the frontline service approach, and not say something different.

The language used should also help people understand what the type of payment they are receiving, and whether it is made up from different sources, such as a benefit plus accommodation supplement etc. It should also say if these amounts will change.

UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Council discussed options for a framework to protect, promote and monitor the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This is described in article 33 of the Convention. Discussion will be held with some disabled people's organisations about these options. A report on the framework is due to the Minister in December 2008.

4 and 5 December

Members attending were Beverley Grammer (Chair), Nigel Ngahiwi, Denis Wederell, John Ward, Terry Ututaonga, Dick Stark, Susan McDonald, Pati Umaga, Alan Jones, Royce Flynn, Eamon Daly, and Allysa Carberry.

Council induction

As part of the induction for new members, the history of the Council was outlined. Council reviewed and considered feedback on the process for, and organisation of, Council meetings. The Council's issues register, and the terms of reference for members and appointing organisations, were also discussed.

Director's report

Jan Scown outlined the work done by the Office for Disability Issues, and issues arising, since the previous Disability Advisory Council meeting. Topics included:

• the review of implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy
• planning for future implementation of the Disability Strategy (to be more focused on making real changes, and agencies working together)
• action for making government services accessible to Deaf people
• options for getting good data about disabled people
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• review of long-term disability supports
• Social Services Select Committee Inquiry into the quality of care and service provision for disabled people; and 
• advice provided to other government agencies.

Government policy on disabilities

Jan noted that Hon Paula Bennett, the new Minister for Disability Issues, has asked for advice on priorities for action.The new Government's stated policy emphasis is on issues around disability supports (as identified in the Social Services Select Committee inquiry into the quality of care and service provision for disabled people). The Office's Briefing to the Incoming Minister includes discussion of this issue. A second theme included in this Briefing is the issue of how to make New Zealand accessible for all.

Regarding policy initiatives agreed by the outgoing government, Jan noted that some re-prioritisation may occur following discussion with the new Minister. The Government's response to the Select Committee's report is being developed. The Ministry of Health is leading work to prepare the response.

Ministry of Health draft disability supports plan

Lester Mundell (Chief Advisor, Disability Services, Ministry of Health) gave a presentation to the Council on the Ministry of Health's draft Disability Supports Plan. Council members sought clarification on elements of the draft plan.

In response to a suggestion that people should be able to negotiate their own care plan, especially when their needs are different and complex, Lester agreed that this situation illustrates the difficulties of the current system. The system should not be rules-based, as this doesn't take account of different needs. It was acknowledged that the system has been reluctant to recognise multiple impairments.

Individualised and/or direct funding was discussed, Lester noting that it works for some people, but not for all. The Ministry of Health is exploring both individualised and direct payments, among other options.

When asked what the Ministry is doing about people missing out on needed services because they don't quite fit standard criteria, Lester acknowledged there were service gaps, e.g. for people with Asperger's syndrome. Outdated definitions need to be revisited. They need to be sensible in terms of what people need.

Identification of priority areas

Following extensive discussion, the following were identified by Council members as potential priority action areas for the new Minister's consideration:

• accessibility
• needs assessment
• transport/getting around
• funding
• education: access to the curriculum
• individualised funding
• disability supports
• employment supports
• communication
• advocacy
• income/wealth accumulation
• accessible housing.