Meetings in 2009

5 and 6 March

Members attending were Beverley Grammer (Chair),  Denis Wederell, John Ward, Terry Ututaonga (5 March), Dick Stark, Susan McDonald, Pati Umaga, Alan Jones, Royce Flynn, Brendan Murray, and Allysa Carberry.

Tribute to Eamon Daly

The Council paid tribute to Eamon Daly, who passed away in February 2009.  Brendan Murray has been nominated by DPA as Eamon's replacement.

Actions arising from previous meeting

The Office for Disability Issues will raise captioning for all Ministry of Health campaigns with the Minister for Disability Issues.

Office for Disability Issues work programme

Jan Scown outlined the Office's work programme including an update on implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  The Office is waiting to hear from disabled people's organisations about whether they are interested in New Zealand joining an international monitoring project and, if so, how they think this partnership could work.

Council members were invited to send a list of their agency's priorities for action which could be achieved in the short term.

Government response to Select Committee Inquiry into the Quality of Care and Services Provision for People with Disabilities

The Council discussed the proposed membership of the Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues. Council members discussed possible priorities for the Ministerial Committee's consideration.

"Our Stories" photographic exhibition

Pip O'Connell, IHC Advocacy, and Sally Thomas, CCS Disability Action, gave a presentation on the "Our Stories" exhibition.  The exhibition promotes disabled people having a right to participate in the community, sharing in family life and having a job and ambitions.  The photographic exhibition is supported by school workshops, and employer evenings hosted by the local chamber of commerce.
Longer term planning and reporting of the New Zealand Disability Strategy
The Council discussed how to get better progress in implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy.  The Council had a wide ranging discussion which included:

• whether a legislative approach would produce better results
• better education to learn and understand more about the New Zealand Disability Strategy and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitiese
• employing disabled people as social auditors to report on positive and negative aspects
• acknowledging good practice.

Transfer of day services funding to Ministry of Social Development

Helen Walter and Catherine Williams, Working Age People's Policy, Ministry of Social Development, briefed the Council on the transfer of funding for provision of day services from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Social Development.  A three month delay was announced by the Government because it wanted more time to consult with disabled people and provider groups.  The Council raised a number of points which will be considered by the Ministry of Social Development.