The New Zealand Disability Strategy was launched on 30 April 2001, after extensive consultation with the disability sector. This is the second progress report on implementing the Strategy. It covers the activities of ten key public service departments for the nine-month period from 1 October 2001 to 30 June 2002, based on plans they submitted for the 12 month period 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002. The first progress report tabled in Parliament was for the first three months of this period.

The Strategy presents a long-term framework to move New Zealand from a disabling to a fully inclusive society. Its vision, based on a human rights philosophy, is for people with disabilities to be able to say that they live in "a society that highly values our lives and continually enhances our full participation".

To achieve this vision, the Strategy outlines 15 objectives and 113 associated actions.

Objectives of the New Zealand Disability Strategy

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

A number of other official strategies and initiatives complement the New Zealand Disability Strategy. They include the:

• New Zealand Health Strategy
• New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy
• Māori Health Strategy
• Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan
• Pacific Provider Development Framework (service infrastructure for Pacific people)
• Pacific Capacity Building Strategy
• Youth Development Strategy
• Agenda for Children
• New Zealand Transport Strategy
• Pathways to Inclusion: Improving vocational services for people with disabilities
• New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy (draft for consultation)
• Action Plan for New Zealand Women (draft for consultation).