The Disability Strategy is a government document mandated under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. Underpinning the Disability Strategy is an aspirational and holistic vision of a fully inclusive society. The Disability Strategy states that this vision will be realised when people with impairments can say they live in:

"A society that highly values our lives and continually enhances our full participation."

It goes on to say that this will happen in a country where disabled people have meaningful partnerships with government, communities and support agencies, based on respect and equality. Also, where disabled people are integrated into community life on their own terms, their abilities are valued, their diversity and interdependence recognised and their human rights protected. Achieving this vision will also involve recognising the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Disability Strategy was the Government’s response to remove barriers and promote a fully inclusive and enabling society for disabled people. The Disability Strategy presents a long-term plan for changing New Zealand to an enabling society in which disabled people report their lives are highly valued and they can fully participate in society.

The Disability Strategy includes 15 objectives, underpinned by 113 detailed actions. The objectives are to:

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.