Launched in 2001, the New Zealand Disability Strategy presents a long-term vision for changing New Zealand from a disabling to an inclusive society. It was developed in consultation with disabled people and the wider disability sector, and reflects many experiences of disability.

Underpinning the New Zealand Disability Strategy is a vision of a fully inclusive society that highly values disabled people’s lives and continually enhances their full participation.

Achieving this vision will involve ensuring that disabled people have meaningful partnerships with central and local government, communities and support agencies, based on mutual respect and equality.

To advance New Zealand towards a fully inclusive society, the New Zealand Disability Strategy includes fifteen Objectives:

• Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society
• Ensure rights for disabled people
• Provide the best education for disabled people
• Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people
• Foster leadership by disabled people
• Foster an aware and responsive public service
• Create long-term support systems centred on the individual
• Support quality living in the community for disabled people
• Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people
• Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues
• Promote participation of disabled Māori
• Promote participation of disabled Pacific peoples
• Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives
• Promote participation of disabled women in order to improve their quality of life
• Value families, whānau and people providing ongoing support.