Central government agencies have clearly been active in implementing the Disability Strategy. This activity has been examined against the outcomes framework developed for the review. While the framework is not strictly linear (there are some feedback loops) it does suggest that implementation activity will develop: from understanding the context of the issues for disabled people; through involving, and partnering with, disabled people; to, firstly, reducing barriers to participation for disabled people; and, finally, to maximising opportunities for disabled people.  It is these last two types of activities that will directly produce changes in the lives of disabled people, both in the short and long term.

Examining implementation activity against the outcomes framework, most progress has been made in gaining an understanding of the historic and current issues facing disabled people. There has been a significant amount of research and consultation.  Considerable progress has also been made in involving disabled people, and other members of the disability community.   There is now a moderate level of involvement of disabled people in policy development, research, and service development and provision.   Some examples stand out, where disabled people, and/or families/wha-nau/aiga, have had a real partnership with government – for example, in the negotiations to create a new United Nations’ convention (on the rights of disabled people), the development of a carers’ strategy, and the development of Lu’i Ola Auckland Disability Plan.

While this is a positive shift towards achieving the intent of the Disability Strategy, more is required if central government agencies are to embed disability responsiveness as “business as usual”.  However, there are areas, such as building citizenship, where progress towards embedding disability responsiveness is more advanced.

As was to be expected, there has been less implementation activity that has directly reduced barriers to, or maximised opportunities for, participation by disabled people.  There has been some activity, or even a moderate level of activity, which has reduced barriers.  However, there has been little activity that positively maximises opportunities for participation and independence of disabled people, although the foundations for this work have been laid.