This section presents government agency responsiveness to the recommendations in the National Health Committee’s report To Have an ‘Ordinary’ Life: Community membership for adults with an intellectual disability (September 2003).

The following action will have a specific impact on people with intellectual disability.

Reporting on progress 2005-2006

The Ministry of Health has continued to relocate people with intellectual disabilities, who have been living at the Kimberley Centre, Levin, into community residential services. As at the end of June 2006, over 220 people had moved out into the community. The Centre is now due to be closed and the remaining residents resettled by the end of September 2006.

The Chief Electoral Office produced a Sign Language DVD in collaboration with the Deaf Association that explained both the enrolment and voting processes in Sign Language, captions and sound. It was well received by the deaf community and was also used around the country by groups working with people with learning and intellectual disabilities.

The Department of Labour has been supporting greater participation of disabled people in employment. Highlights include providing policy support for the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act 1960, with the aim of ensuring that disabled people have the same rights, responsibilities, opportunities and protections as other workers. Also, progressing the Return to Sustainable Earnings project, and completing a baseline evaluation of Pathways to Inclusion.

The Ministry of Social Development has:

• been working to promote smooth transition to a post Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act 1960 environment, through holding a number of national provider meetings. The meetings are providing an opportunity for vocational service providers to compare best practice, and to gain further information about the development of individualised services
• continued with other activities to implement Pathways to Inclusion. Highlights include improving vocational service provider quality and capacity, through implementation of service quality and financial/governance review recommendations. Also, completing an effectiveness study of supported employment services funded by the Ministry, and increasing employment opportunities for disabled individuals by promoting service development
• been progressing its Sickness and Invalids Benefit Strategy Programme, which includes a focus on services for disabled people. This is aimed at ensuring disabled people have increased opportunities to participate in their communities and in work.

The Ministry of Youth Development has encouraged participation by young disabled people in the Conservation and Youth Service Corps programmes. This work will help young people with disabilities mix with non-disabled peers in ordinary, interesting, age-appropriate activities. There were 25 young people with an intellectual disability who participated in 2005.

Planning implementation 2006-2007

Child, Youth and Family will be:

• developing a service for supporting disabled parents, in particular those with intellectual disability, who are in contact with the agency
• clarifying services and responsibility for intellectually disabled youth faced with being charged with a criminal offence.

Ministry of Health is continuing the relocation of people with intellectual disabilities, who have been living at the Kimberley Centre, into community residential services.

Department of Labour, consistent with Pathways to Inclusion, is working towards achieving greater participation of disabled people in employment and in the community. This includes repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion (DPEP) Act 1960.

The Ministry of Youth Development continues to work with programme providers on the content and framework of the Conservation and Youth Service Corps programmes. This includes taking a view to help ensure that young disabled people are able to access and participate in the projects.

The Office for Disability Issues continues funding of People First to support leadership development of people with intellectual disabilities.