Currently, many potential data sources can inform the 10-year review. The challenge will be ensuring data are available, accessible, usable and robust, and that they are capable of demonstrating changes in attitudes and behaviours and outcomes achieved for disabled people (preferably since the inception of the Disability Strategy.) It is critical therefore that over the next six months, the 10-year review plan is finalised and the data sources are secured and data collection processes are standardised. To enable this process, the following data sources are prioritised to ensure useful data is available to inform the 10-year review:

• The Office for Disability Issues reviews its internal administrative data in the context of how it will be used to inform the implementation outcomes. Data collected annually needs to be agreed, and processes set up to enable the collection of ongoing standardised information.
• Progress reports by central government agencies to the Office for Disabilities Issues require review against the implementation outcomes for these agencies. Aligning with the Office for Disability Issues’ three tiered approach, each progress report template should enable the standardised collection of information and data to assess annual progress against each of the intended outcomes for central government agencies. For instance, focusing on the outcome ‘understand the context of disability issues’ an agreed scale measuring changes in understanding over time needs to be negotiated with reporting agencies in this tier, (refer Davidson’s 2005 use of gradient rubrics).
• Disabled people’s long-term life outcomes are measured to a large extent by the post-census Disability Survey which focuses on health, education, employment, income, transport, housing, and respite care. Importantly, the post-census Disability Survey enables analysis of findings by the key sub-groups of ethnicity and impairment type. As demonstrated by the Statistics New Zealand’ Disability Survey, there is a lack of other robust quantitative data tracking changes in life outcomes for disabled people over time. The post-census Disability Survey is therefore an essential data source for the 10-year review, as without it there will be no comparative data focusing specifically on the lives of disabled people.

  The post-census Disability Survey does not, however, cover all life outcomes for disabled people, including citizenship, recreation, relationships and value. For the 10-year review, it is suggested this information is gleaned through the use of case studies with disabled people. The latter would offer rich insight into the lives of disabled people.

• Families, whānau and other people who provide support: given the lack of information available, a benchmark survey measuring intended outcomes is required in 2008, with a follow up survey feeding into the 2011 review. This survey may not be needed if research and evaluation relating to the Carers Strategy can inform the 10-year review. It is recommended that the perspective of families, whānau and other people who provide support are captured in the case study research mentioned above. It is recommended that this be conducted to coincide with the 10-year review.
• Wider society: a benchmark survey of the general public’s perceptions, attitudes and behaviour towards disabled people in 2008, with a follow up survey in 2011, is required to inform the 10-year review. If resources allow, a survey of employers’ perceptions, attitudes and behaviour towards disabled people in 2008 and 2011 would be desirable.