This is my first opportunity to comment on the annual progress report on the New Zealand Disability Strategy as the newly elected President of the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA).

New Zealand has now ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This landmark action will make a real difference for disabled people everywhere when it is implemented in a meaningful way.

Our experience of the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy raises our expectations for the implementation of the UN Convention. Since the launch of the New Zealand Disability Strategy in 2001 many activities have been implemented.
 
We hope that this momentum will accelerate and that all the objectives in the New Zealand Disability Strategy can make a real difference in the lives of disabled people and their families/whänau.

Our involvement with development of the UN Convention has taught us that we are viewed as constructive partners.

Not only does it mean that improvements to support are more likely to fit the needs of the people requiring them, but it will also mean that improvements will take less time to develop.

We look forward to working in partnership to help realise all the rights and opportunities which come from enabling disabled people to live as full citizens.

Eamon Daly
President
Disabled Persons Assembly