NZ Disability Strategy Implementation Review: Terms of Reference

Purpose

1. The primary purpose of the review is to evaluate the effectiveness of the processes used to implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy, and how these have impacted upon the level of change in the life outcomes of disabled people over the past five years.
2. Future implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy will be informed by this work, including expansion of implementation activity beyond government departments. The outcomes of the review will also contribute towards facilitation of an effective ten year evaluation of New Zealand New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation, due in 2011.

Background

3. In April 2001 Cabinet approved the release of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, and direction was given to government departments to participate in annual planning and reporting on its implementation. Cabinet also “noted that the Ministry of Health will review progress on implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy after five and ten years” [CAB Min (01) 11/1C refers].
4. The Ministry of Health co-ordinated the first set of implementation plans, and prepared the first progress report for the Minister for Disability Issues.
5. In March 2002, Cabinet agreed that the Office for Disability Issues be established, taking over responsibility for monitoring implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy from the Ministry of Health. The Office subsequently assumed co-ordination of the planning and reporting process across government departments.
6. April 2006 marked the five year anniversary of the New Zealand Disability Strategy’s release. The first review of progress in implementation is now due to be commenced.

Objectives

7. The objectives of the implementation review are to:

• evaluate the effectiveness of the scope, mechanisms and actions applied and followed in promoting and monitoring the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy
• inform work to improve the effective future implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, so that it will contribute to an increase in disabled people’s quality of life and ability to participate independently in the community
• inform work to expand implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy beyond government departments, through making recommendations on where and how this expansion can be best achieved
• Develop a framework to facilitate an effective ten year evaluation of New Zealand New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation, due in 2011.

Scope

8. The scope of the implementation review will include:

• the New Zealand Disability Strategy annual planning and reporting process
• the role and activities of the Office for Disability Issues
• the disability responsiveness of government departments
• the level of change in the life outcomes of disabled people over the past five years
• extension of the New Zealand Disability Strategy’s implementation beyond central government.

9. The scope of the implementation review will not include revising the vision, principles or objectives of the New Zealand New Zealand Disability Strategy.

Meeting review objectives

The following table summarises how the objectives of the review will be met.

Measuring level of change in the life outcomes of disabled people

11. As noted, the review will measure the level of change in the life outcomes of disabled people over the past five years, and analyse the extent to which the processes for implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy have assisted in bringing this about.
12. To enable this evaluation to occur, robust and meaningful indicators of change need to be identified, and a link established between implementation activity and the change in life outcomes.
13. The fifth, and most recent, progress report on implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy (covering the period July 2004 to June 2005) helps address both of these issues. It identifies a comprehensive group of measurable indicators of change, and links these to the relevant objectives of the New Zealand Disability Strategy and aligned government activity. These indicators are listed in Annex One, and will assist towards the development of a guiding framework for this phase of the review.

Connecting with key stakeholders

14. Partnership with disabled people will be an important part of the review process. Consultation with this key stakeholder group will, therefore, be carried out in meeting the objectives.
15. The government departments and agencies that participate in the New Zealand Disability Strategy planning and reporting process will also be consulted. These are listed in Annex Two.
16. Local Authorities and other entities that have been taking steps to implement the vision, principles and objectives of the New Zealand New Zealand Disability Strategy will also be engaged. In addition, the Office for Disability Issues will itself input into the review, through comment on its promotion and monitoring role.
17. A comprehensive consultation plan will be developed and followed as part of the review process, covering engagement with all of these groups.

Timeframes

14. The review’s objectives will be achieved by late 2006/early 2007.

Reporting on outcomes

19. The outcomes of the review will be reported directly to the Minister for Disability Issues, and then made public in a manner to be determined by the Minister.

Terminology

Disability responsiveness

20. The expression “the The responsiveness of government departments to disabled people” use of ‘disability responsiveness’ in this terms Terms of reference Reference means refers to the consistency of department al policy and services practice are consistent with the guiding framework of New Zealand the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
21. This is displayed through showing a practical understanding of the social model of disability, involving disabled people and their representative organisations in significant matters affecting them, and supporting disabled people’s ability to participate in society and have an ordinary life.
22. An organisation demonstrates its responsiveness to disabled people and their families by ensuring its practices, goods and services and outputs support disabled people’s ability to participate in society, with an equal access to opportunities and the ability to make independent decisions as non-disabled people enjoy do. At the very least, an organisation does should not create any new barriers to participation, but seek s to remove current barriers ones.

Life outcomes

23. The expression “life outcomes” in this Terms of Reference refers to how well people can participate in their community throughout all aspects of their life, and how they are able to go about living an ordinary life. There are a range of activities, roles and life situations that people need to perform or participate in, to achieve full inclusion in society and to reach their potential. These include moving around, communicating, looking after yourself, looking after your home and family, and making decisions. Also, working, learning things, enjoying citizenship rights and having relationships.

Indicators of change [and relevant New Zealand Disability Strategy objectives]

• Level of public understanding and knowledge about disabled people and disability issues.
  [Objective 1: Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society]

• Level of knowledge and understanding of the rights of disabled people amongst key decision makers, legal practitioners, advocacy agencies and disabled people and their families.
  [Objective 2: Ensure rights for disabled people]

• Percentage of disabled children participating in some aspect of mainstream education.
• Percentage of disabled adults participating in formal education.
• Percentage of disabled people with a school or post-school qualification.
  [Objective 3: Provide the best education for disabled people]

• Percentage of working age disabled adults who are employed.
  [Objective 4: Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people]

• Number of disabled people in governance or management roles in the public sector.
• Number of disabled people appointed to government boards or bodies.
  [Objective 5: Foster leadership by disabled people]

• Proportion of government websites that are accessible to disabled people.
  [Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service]

• Perception of people accessing disability support services of how simple to access, flexible and fair the system is.
  [Objective 7: Create long-term support systems centred on the individual]

• Percentage of public housing stock that is accessible to disabled people.
• Proportion of public buildings, facilities and environments that are accessible.
• Percentage of the disabled population who are able to undertake independent journeys.
• Percentage of disabled people who report their communication needs have been met.
• Percentage of disabled people who report their need for health services have been met.
  [Objective 8: Support quality living in the community for disabled people]
• Proportion of the disabled population involved in sports and recreation.
  [Objective 9: Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people]
• Extent of quantitative and qualitative research about disabled people carried out by government and used to inform policy development.
  [Objective 10: Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues]
• Percentage of disabled Maori who report their need for transport and special equipment has been met.
  [Objective 11: Promote participation of disabled Maori]
• Percentage of disabled Pacific people who have received a needs assessment.
  [Objective 12: Promote participation of disabled Pacific peoples]
• Number of disabled children in residential care.
  [Objective 13: Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives]
• Percentage of family caregivers who report that their need for respite care or carer support is met.
  [Objective 15: Value families, whanau and people providing ongoing support]

Government departments that participate in the annual New Zealand Disability Strategy planning and reporting process

• Agriculture and Forestry
• Archives NZ
• Building and Housing
• Child Youth and Family
• Conservation
• Corrections
• Crown Law Office
• Culture and Heritage
• Customs
• Defence
• Economic Development
• Education
• Education Review Office
• Environment
• Fisheries
• Foreign Affairs and Trade
• GCSB
• Health
• Inland Revenue
• Internal Affairs
• Justice
• Labour
• Land Information New Zealand
• National Library
• Pacific Island Affairs
• Police
• Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Research Science and Technology
• Social Development
• Serious Fraud Office
• State Services Commission
• Statistics New Zealand
• Te Puni Kokiri
• Transport
• Treasury
• Women’s Affairs.

Government agencies that participate in the annual New Zealand Disability Strategy planning and reporting process

• ACC
• Health and Disability Commissioner
• Housing NZ Corporation
• Human Rights Commission
• SPARC.

1. Prepare Setting benchmarks for future comparison, and developing a comprehensive framework for analysis, will enable a much more substantive and comprehensive evaluation to be conducted following the ten year anniversary of the New Zealand Disability Strategy’s release.