Ministry of Social Development
New Zealand Disability Strategy Implementation Work Plan. 1 July 2005 – 30 June 2006
INTRODUCTION
Background
The New Zealand Disability Strategy is a government initiative that identifies how to remove the barriers faced by disabled people to enable their full participation in society. The strategy presents objectives and actions that will guide government in promoting a more inclusive society (for an electronic copy of the strategy see the website of the Office for Disability Issues www.odi.govt.nz ).
All government departments are expected to participate in implementing the actions of the strategy. Each department is required to develop an implementation plan annually, showing how it will contribute to implementing the strategy. Departments are also required to report annually on the progress achieved against their implementation work plan.
This Year’s Plan
A wide array of projects and programmes that implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy are planned for the 2005/2006 year. A highlight of this plan is the Ministry’s continued work towards the further implementation of the Sickness and Invalids’ Benefits Strategy.
THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Vision
The Ministry’s vision is “An inclusive New Zealand where all people are able to participate in the social and economic life of their communities.”
Role of the Ministry
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Te Manatü Whakahiato Ora, provides strategic social policy advice to the New Zealand Government and provides social services to more than one million New Zealanders including:
- income support, employment services and NZ Superannuation through Work and Income
- student allowances and loans through StudyLink
- services to rural clients through Heartland Services
The Ministry is also responsible for the:
- Ministry of Youth Development
- Office for Disability Issues
- Office for Senior Citizens
- Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector
RESEARCH, POLICY AND SERVICE DELIVERY
1. Sickness and Invalids Benefit Strategy Programme
Desired Outcomes
The New Service, started in February 2004, will deliver the following outcomes in the next 12 months:
- improved services to people who are receiving Sickness or Invalid’s benefits through good case management practice. This includes linking people to employment services that they have not previously been able to access to return to employment
- modification and expansion of existing employment programmes and resources for this client group including specific strategies for industry partnerships
- design and development of a demand-led service1 to employers that will explore new approaches, such as placing greater emphasis on assisting people to stay attached to their job when they are unable to work for a time
- an initial framework will be developed for measuring outcomes for people with ill health and for people with disability. The outcome areas include paid work, justice, health and social connection
- improvements to the way General Practitioners provide information about medical eligibility including information that may assist the Ministry to help clients take up work
Description
The Ministry of Social Development’s Sickness and Invalids’ Benefits Strategy (SB/IB Strategy) focuses on broadening and strengthening the support the Ministry offers to clients receiving a Sickness or Invalids’ Benefit. This includes supporting people who want to move into employment to reach this goal. The new service is delivered through Work and Income.
This is a service led2 strategy which changes the focus of the service available to people receiving Sickness or Invalids’ Benefits, from one of primarily paying benefits, to recognising people’s potential to work. This involves improving existing services and introducing new ways of supporting people into work.
The initial focus of the SB/IB Strategy has been on improving services within current legislation. The Strategy is now also closely aligned with development of the Single Core Benefit which seeks to address the obstacles to employment that exist in the current benefit structure.
These changes have been developed in response to feedback from people receiving Sickness and Invalids’ Benefits, and it helps the Ministry meet the objectives of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. More information about the Sickness and Invalids Benefit Strategy can be found at: http://www.msd.govt.nz/work-areas/people-with-disabilities/sbib-strategy/index.html
Measures and Timeframes
By September 2005
- Medical appeals board processes will be standardised around the country, and good information about the process will be available to clients and medical practitioners.
- A report that will identify clusters of Sickness and Invalid’s benefit clients who experience similar patterns of benefit receipt. This will enhance knowledge of the client groups, identify patterns of benefit receipt and common pathways onto and off benefit, and provide a baseline picture of the client base prior to the New Service.
- Mental Health intranet resource established for staff, outlining good practices when working with clients experiencing mental illness
- Partnerships with Industry Strategy to increase SB/IB client participation in partnership programmes
- Additional services introduced to 12 Work and Income prototype sites. These sites will provide a service model that treats people according to their circumstances, not their benefit type. The additional services include staff dedicated to employment coordination and retention for people with ill health and people with disability, access to targeted health interventions where this will facilitate rapid return to work, and access to external expertise to assist with work planning (“Preparing for work”). The prototype sites will further inform service development.
By December 2005
- Role and future size of placement and post placement support services for people with ill health or disability identified.
- Client satisfaction and service response survey of Sickness and Invalid’s benefit first set of data available
- First evaluation impact report outlining the achievements of the New Service to SB and IB clients completed
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 1: Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society (1.2, 1.5)
Objective 4: Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, 4.13, 4.15, and 4.16)
Objective 5: Foster leadership by disabled people (5.1)
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service (6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5)
Objective 7: Create long-term support systems centred on the individual (7.1, 7.2, 7.5, 7.7)
Objective 8: Support quality living in the community for disabled people (8.2)
Objective 9: Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people (9.2)
Objective 10: Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues (10.2, 10.3)
Objective 11: Promote participation of disabled Māori (11.1, 11.2, 11.3)
Objective 12: Promote participation of disabled Pacific peoples (12.1, 12.2)
Objective 14: Promote participation of disabled women in order to improve their quality of life (14.1, 14.2, 14.5)
Objective 15: Value families, whänau and people providing ongoing support (15.1, 15.4, 15.8)
2. Pathways to Inclusion: Improving Vocational Services for Disabled People
Desired Outcomes
To have all service providers meeting the quality and financial/governance standards which ensure quality services are provided to their service users.
To have an increased number of employment positions available for people with disabilities and have more providers offering individualised services
To increase the quality of the community participation experiences of service users.
Description
Pathways to Inclusion sets out to provide an environment in which disabled people can determine their own futures including participating meaningfully in their communities and having the opportunity to gain real skills and real jobs with the same rights and conditions as other workers. In addition, there is an expectation that service providers will deliver quality services that meet the needs of the individual.
The primary focus for the 2005 – 2006 year is four-fold:
- To continue to improve sector quality and capacity through the implementation of the recommendations of the service quality and financial/governance reviews.
- To increase employment opportunities for individuals by having more places available and promoting the development of individualised services
- To assist service providers to develop services that assist their clients/service users to participate in and become valued members of their communities
- To examine the effectiveness of the Supported Employment services funded by the Ministry
Measures and Timeframes
By June 2006 to have 100% of providers complete the implementation of the recommendations of their service quality and finance/governance reviews.
By June 2006 to have commenced an evaluation of the extended Transition from School to Work for Students with Disabilities pilot.
By June 2006 to have completed a study of the effectiveness of the Supported Employment services funded by the Ministry
By June 30 2006, complete a further round of provider meetings with particular attention being paid to promoting the smooth transition to a post DPEP environment along with further development of individualised employment and community participation services.
By June 2006 an additional 500 clients/service users are assisted to move into more open employment.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 4: Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people (4.1, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10)
3. Funding for Outcomes
Desired Outcomes
Ensure that outcomes-focused integrated agreements are developed between providers of disability services and their government funders to facilitate the delivery by providers of a holistic approach to disability service provision.
Description
Funding for Outcomes (Integrated Agreements) provides a framework for taking an integrated approach to developing contracts between multiple government funders and community, iwi or Māori providers. This framework will enable providers of disability services that are funded by several government agencies to provide a holistic service under one contract.
The approach improves funders’ understanding of the provider’s entire service (and rationale for providing that service), facilitates close collaboration between government agencies, and reduces compliance costs by requiring one six-monthly monitoring report to all funders (rather than separate reports to each funder).
Measures and Timeframes
By June 2006 Ministry of Social Development’s Funding for Outcomes team will identify and propose at least five providers of disability services to be approved by the Funding for Outcomes Steering Group to participate in the Funding for Outcomes project, and will have completed integrated agreements with two of them.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 7: Create long-term support systems centred on the individual (7.3)
4. Early Intervention for Vulnerable Children Project
Desired Outcomes
The vision of the Early Intervention project is:
- all vulnerable children receive the support they need from before birth to their transition to school to provide them with the best start in life and enable them to maximise their potential
- investment in early intervention should be across agencies and budget years, building on existing effective services and initiatives.
Description
Disability-related vulnerable groups come within the scope of the Early Intervention for Vulnerable Children Project ('the Early Intervention project') and include:
- children aged 0-6 years with disabilities
- children aged 0-6 years who have parent/s guardians with disabilities
- families with disabled children 0-6 years old
Measures and Timeframes
Services for disabled young children and children with a disabled parent
Officials will examine the potential for enhancing early intervention services for disabled young children and children with a disabled parent. The review will be informed by the Office for Disability Issues' Review of Long Term Disability Support Services.
Following the conclusion of the Office for Disability Issues' review there will be scoping work as part of the Early Intervention project. Initial indications are that issues for the Early Intervention population group include:
- lack of carer support including respite care
- confusion and lack of knowledge about what is available to families and how to access it.
The need for research in these areas to supplement that already undertaken will be examined.
Parenting information for families with disabled children
The Early Intervention project contains a parenting information component that involves looking at whether the parenting information that is provided to vulnerable families by central government, is consistent and whether there are any information gaps. Families with a child with a disability are defined as a vulnerable family under the Early Intervention project. It is proposed to report to Cabinet on this component of the Early Intervention project as part of the overall Early Intervention project report back in July 2005.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 7: Create long-term support systems centred on the individual (7.6, 7.7)
Objective 13: Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives (13.1, 13.5)
Objective 15: Value families, whänau and people providing ongoing support (15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.7, 15.8)
CORPORATE
5. Human Resources
Desired Outcomes
To identify approaches and interventions which support disabled people’s social and economic wellbeing and, where appropriate, participation in employment in the Ministry.
To deliver more effective services for disabled people in the Ministry.
Description
As a good Employer the Ministry will:-
- Undertake an assessment of the awareness of disability issues and initiatives to support staff / people with disabilities across the Ministry.
- Undertake comparison between sector best practice and current practices within the Ministry.
- Develop a recommended implementation plan which provides best practice outcomes for staff with disabilities and is a model to partner agencies / employers.
Measures and Timeframes
Assess the awareness of disability issues and initiatives across the Ministry by December 2005.
Complete a comparison of best practices in the industry and Ministry practice by April 2006.
Submit recommendation report for best practice outcomes for staff with disabilities approval by June 2006.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 1: Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society
Objective 4: Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service
6. Information Technology – Voice Recognition Technology
Desired Outcomes
Increased staff productivity, reduced manual input (reduced key strokes for Occupational Health and Safety reasons) and improved ease of use of tools that support Ministry work practices.
Providing enhanced access to our client self service applications, while not increasing overall costs.
Description
1. Voice activated Global Directory
Implement a voice activated global directory across the Ministry’s infrastructure network, so staff are able to speak the name of a staff member they wish to call and then be connected to that staff member.
2. Voice recognition software
Continue to monitor evolving voice recognition solutions and implement on a case by case basis appropriate voice recognition software onto the Ministry’s infrastructure network. This would allow individual Ministry staff to use the software to "speak" to a personal computer, in circumstances where the person is unable to use a keyboard.
3. Voice Verification Technology Contact Centre
Pilot voice verification technology for securely identifying clients wishing to access Ministry self-service applications.
Measures and Timeframes
- Deliver a voice enabled Ministry Global Directory function by the end of 2005.
- Throughout 2005 continue to monitor evolving voice recognition solutions and implement, on a case by case basis, appropriate voice recognition software for individual Ministry staff who are unable to use a keyboard.
- Establish a voice verification environment within the Ministry and pilot voice verification technology for securely identifying clients wishing to access Ministry self-service applications (1 January 2005 – 31 December 2005).
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 4: Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people (4.10)
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service (6.4 and 6.5)
OFFICE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Introduction
The Office for Senior Citizens was established in 1990 and is part of the Ministry of Social Development. The Office for Senior Citizens provides policy advice to the Minister for Senior Citizens and government agencies. The three key functions are to:
- lead, monitor and promote the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy
- provide policy advice on issues that affect older people, and lead strategic and cross-sectoral policy.
- support the Minister for Senior Citizens
7. Review of Enduring Powers of Attorney provisions of Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988
Desired Outcomes
To enable the Enduring Powers of Attorney provisions of the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 to afford better protections to people who require attorneys to make property or personal care and welfare decisions on their behalf.
Description
The Enduring Powers of Attorney provisions (Part IX) of the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 enable people to appoint attorneys to make decisions on their behalf at any time in the future should they lack the capacity to do so on their own behalf. Attorneys can be appointed to provide for property management and for personal care and welfare decisions.
Concerns that the current legislative provisions do not afford the level of protection that is desirable and is possible, within the legislative framework, have been expressed both to the Law Commission, and by the Law Commission. The Office for Senior Citizens is committed to the development of amendments to the Enduring Powers of Attorney provisions following consultation with key stakeholders.
While the project contributes to the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy it is also relevant to the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The amendments to the Enduring Powers of Attorney legislation will benefit people who have appointed an attorney and who lose capacity, regardless of age or cause.
Measures and Timeframes
A 2005 legislative slot for the introduction of an amending Bill into the House of Representatives has been allocated.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 2: Ensure rights for disabled people
Objective 8: Support quality living in the community for disabled people
Objective 9: Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people
Objective 15: Value families, whänau and people providing ongoing support
STUDYLINK
Introduction
StudyLink is a service of the Ministry of Social Development and is responsible for Student Allowances, Student Loans and Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship. StudyLink works in co-operation with secondary schools, tertiary education providers and student bodies to ensure that students get the finance they are entitled to so that they can complete their study. Each year StudyLink staff deal with around 30,000 Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship applications, 120,000 applications for Student Allowance and 210,000 Student Loan applications.
StudyLink offers the opportunity to apply for financial assistance online. You can find out more about this at the following web site https://sao.studylink.govt.nz/sao/public/home.
8. StudyLink access
Desired Outcome
Provide information for staff to enable referral to disabilities services available to clients on campus
Description
StudyLink will establish contacts across Education Providers for disabled students to access disability services and have this information available to all staff.
Measures and Timeframes
Updated information available to all staff through K-Base (StudyLink knowledge base) by 30/10/05.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service
OFFICE FOR DISABILITY ISSUES
Introduction
The Office for Disability Issues was established within the Ministry of Social Development on 1 July 2002. The role of the Office is to provide policy advice to the Minister for Disability Issues.
The Office has three main roles:
- lead, monitor and promote the New Zealand Disability Strategy
- provide policy advice on disability issues, and lead strategic and cross-sectoral disability policy across government; and
- support the Minister for Disability Issues.
9. Review of long-term disability support services
Desired Outcomes
Disability supports services that are consistent with the NZ Disability Strategy, simpler and easier to gain access to, more co-ordinated and fairly distributed, and result in improved outcomes for disabled people and their families.
Description
Develop options for long-term disability support services, as agreed by Cabinet, following the report to Cabinet Social Development Committee. In particular provide advice on the costs of options, identify any incentives for cost shifting and whether funding should be capped or demand driven.
Measures and Timeframes
By the end 2005, provide advice to Cabinet on changes that are likely to have the most cost effective impact on the problems of equity and lack of coherence in provision of long-term disability support services, and changes that will help create incentives for investment in long-term disability support services and rehabilitation.
Late 2005 onwards, undertake detailed policy work on implementation of the Cabinet agreed policy proposals.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Create long-term support systems centred on the individual (All actions).
10. Review of payments to and support of family caregivers of disabled people
Desired Outcomes
Development of proposals for support to help meet costs associated with family caregiving of disabled people, and resolution of whether the policy of people’s ineligibility for contractual employment as paid caregivers of disabled family members should continue.
Description
An interdepartmental review of issues relating to payments to and support of family caregivers of disabled people. This review will include consultation with disabled people, families, caregivers and national service provider groups on draft options for providing assistance to help meet costs associated with family caregiving of disabled people.
The review seeks to clarify:
- government’s objectives for its caregiver policies in relation to disabled people
- government’s position on the respective responsibilities of disabled people, their families, and government in meeting the costs associated with family care giving
- whether there are good policy or practical reasons for excluding family members from contractual employment as paid caregivers of disabled people
- what types of support are best able to help family members caring for disabled people meet related costs.
Measures and Timeframes
During 2005-06, providing direction for resolving whether people should be excluded from contractual employment as paid caregivers of disabled family members, and recommending options to government that help meet the needs of disabled people and their families with regard to costs associated with family caregiving.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service (Action 6.1).
Objective 7: Create long-term support systems centred on the individual.
Objective 15: Value families, whänau and people providing ongoing support (Action points 15.2, 15.7).
11. New Zealand Disability Strategy
Desired Outcomes
The voices of disabled people and their families are visible and encouraged in promotion and implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy.
Description
The Office for Disability Issues has the lead role in promotion of the NZ Disability Strategy, and working with others towards the realisation of the Strategy’s vision of a fully inclusive society.
Implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy involves activity in:
- promotion throughout government and wider society to raise awareness of the Strategy as a action plan to change attitudes towards disability and remove barriers to disabled people’s participation;
- monitoring and reporting on the Strategy’s implementation; and
- co-ordinating implementation, planning and reporting by government agencies.
Measures and Timeframes
Stories of the experiences of disabled people, their families, and disability sector organisations are incorporated into the reporting on progress of the NZ Disability Strategy, beginning with the fifth report on progress, due for publication by the end of 2005.
Images of disabled people and families are collected for use in promotion of the NZ Disability Strategy. These will be used to increase the visibility of disabled people in the fifth report on progress and in other promotional work by the Office.
During late 2005, planning for review on progress of the NZ Disability Strategy is inclusive of disabled people and their families, and contributes to the capacity development of the disability sector.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 1: Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society (1.2, 1.5)
Objective 2: Ensure rights for disabled people (2.1, 2.7)
Objective 5: Foster leadership by disabled people (5.3)
12. Proposed United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People
Desired Outcomes
- The process for developing the convention involves the active and full participation of disabled people and their representatives in partnership with States.
- A binding convention for the promotion and protection of the rights of disabled people, is developed by the United Nations, and ratified by New Zealand.
- This convention expands on the provisions in existing human rights covenants with explicit recognition of what they mean for disabled people.
Description
The United Nations established an Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, in December 2001. This was a response to a review which demonstrated the failure of existing United Nations human rights instruments to protect disabled people from human rights abuses.
The Office for Disability Issues works closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in partnership with representatives of the community of disabled people and the NZ Human Rights Commission to actively contribute to the development of the convention.
Measures and Timeframes
During 2005 and 2006, the Office will provide input to the processes for developing the convention as determined by the United Nations.
New Zealand continues to demonstrate a partnership approach (with disabled people) to developing its input to the proposed convention.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 2: Ensure rights for disabled people (2.5).
Objective 5: Foster leadership by disabled people.
13. New Zealand Sign Language Bill
Desired Outcomes
Legislation enacted that will recognise New Zealand Sign Language as an official language.
Government actions promote the removal of language barriers for Deaf people, which enables their increased ability to participate in society.
Description
The New Zealand Sign Language Bill aims to provide official recognition of Deaf people’s language as a unique New Zealand language and give it status equal to that of spoken languages. This Bill also includes looking at provisions for New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters in legal proceedings, and on access to language in education, health, employment and public broadcasting.
The Justice and Electoral Select Committee is currently considering the NZSL Bill, including submissions made to it by the public. The Committee is expected to report back to Parliament on the Bill by the end of July 2005. They next stage is for the Government to make decisions on any changes to the Bill, and then to continue with its progress through the remaining stages in Parliament.
The Office for Disability Issues provides support for the passage of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill through Parliament.
In government agencies planning and reporting on their implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy, the Office will encourage government agencies to incorporate action to implement the New Zealand Sign Language Bill principles the Office.
In addition, there are two ongoing streams of work being led by the Office, with relevant government agencies, in implementation of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill. Advice will be provided to Government on:
- funding of interpreters: reviewing the government funding mechanisms for New Zealand Sign Language interpreters
- standards for interpreters: options for the implementation of New Zealand Sign Language interpreter standards for use in legal proceedings.
Measures and Timeframes
Information about the New Zealand Sign Language Bill and related work will be kept up-to-date on the Office website.
Information will be available in New Zealand Sign Language video clips on the Office website.
By March 2006, the Office will provide advice to Government on funding of New Zealand Sign Language interpreters.
By September 2005, the Office will provide advice to Government on options for standards for New Zealand Sign Language interpreters in legal proceedings.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 3: Provide the best education for disabled people.
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service (6.4, 6.5).
Objective 11: Promote participation of disabled Māori (11.6).
Objective 12: Promote the participation of disabled Pacific Peoples (12.4).
14. Disability Survey 2006
Desired outcomes
High quality and up-to-date statistical information relevant to disabled people and disability issues is available to disabled people and their organisations, policy makers, service providers, and researchers, to enable evidence-based policy development and service planning.
Description
A post-census national Disability Survey is to be conducted by Statistics New Zealand in 2006. The Office for Disability Issues encourages and supports this project through the provision of advice about objectives and content of the survey; and determination of survey outputs.
The Office will also support a stocktake of existing sources of statistical data on disabled people in association with Statistics New Zealand.
Measures and timeframes
From July 2005, provide input into the Disability Survey development work to be conducted by Statistics New Zealand. This advice will include feedback on content and technical issues.
From July 2005, participate in stocktake of existing sources of statistics on disabled people.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 10: Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues (10.2, 10.3). 2
15. Recognising the knowledge and experience of disabled people and strengthening their leadership
Desired Outcomes
To increase and promote disabled people in leadership roles.
Description
The Office for Disability Issues recognises the knowledge and experience of disabled people and aims to strengthen their leadership by identifying and nominating appropriately skilled disabled people for a range of appointments made every year to Crown boards and committees.
Measures and Timeframes
By the end of 2005, a nominations register of disabled people suitable for possible nomination to government boards and committees will be operational.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 5: Foster leadership by disabled people (Action 5.1, 5.2, 5.5).
16. Access to advocacy and communication services
Desired Outcomes
Disabled people have access to support for personal advocacy and communication.
Description
The Office for Disability Issues will work with relevant government agencies and the disability sector, in the context of wider work on advocacy, to identify options in response to Recommendation 4 of the National Health Committee report "To Have an 'Ordinary' Life".
This recommendation called for enabling of adults with an intellectual disability to have a personal voice around the control of their own lives and a representative voice to promote the best interests of the group, through:
- identifying and securing the funding necessary to enable adults with an intellectual disability to access and benefit from technical, professional and support services that maximise their ability to communicate with others in their daily lives in a way that takes cognisance of an individual’s cultural value
- providing financial assistance to support independent self-advocacy for people with an intellectual disability.
Measures and Timeframes
By end of 2005, the Office will report to the Minister for Disability Issues with options for the provision of personal advocacy and communication services for people with an intellectual disability.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Ensure rights for disabled people (Action 2.6).
Foster leadership by disabled people (Action 5.2).
17. Promote the removal of barriers for disabled people
Desired Outcomes
Reduce barriers and create a more user friendly environment for disabled people.
Description
The Office for Disability Issues will design a system that acknowledges outstanding efforts by central and local government and large businesses that reduce barriers for disabled people.
Measures and Timeframes
By June 2006, the Office for Disability Issues will have established a system where organisations that have significantly reduced the barriers for disabled people using their services are given public acknowledgement of their achievements in their field of expertise.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 1: Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society (1.3).
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service (6.3).
18. Developing a Partnership with the disability sector
Desired Outcomes
To promote the inclusion of the disability sector in government decision making, and support disabled people and their family/whānau to be involved in the development of policy.
Description
The Office for Disability Issues will:
- Support the activities of the Disability Advisory Council that is made up of disabled people and their families. The Disability Advisory Council is taking an active involvement in monitoring the progress of the NZ Disability Strategy and advising the Office of emerging issues
- Explore options for family/whānau to develop their skills as partners in policy making
- Encourage disabled people and family members to attend and present at key New Zealand conferences
The Disability Advisory Council was established in May 2005 as a consultative forum of disabled people and their families/whānau to the Office for Disability Issues. It has an advisory role in keeping the Office informed on emerging disability-related issues and providing advice and feedback on the implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy. It comprises of representives from a wide range of organisations, such as Grey Power, Association of Blind Citizens, People First Nga Tangata Tuatahi.
Measures and timeframes
- Review the progress of the Disability Advisory Council’s first year of operation by the end of June 2006
- Fund disabled people and their families to attend key conferences as presenters and participants through 2005/06.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 5: Foster leadership by disabled people (5.1).
Objective 15: Value families, whänau and people providing ongoing support (15.4, 15.6).
19. Capacity Building in the Disability sector
Desired Outcomes
Enhance the capacity of the disability sector to support disabled people to fulfil their aspirations and needs.
Description
The Office for Disability Issues will:
- Promote a range of initiatives across government agencies that will support the development of disabled people and their families
- Develop the capacity of disability consumer organisations to support disabled people
- Examine successful models of capacity building in New Zealand and overseas with a view to developing best practice examples
Measures and timeframes
Sponsor the development of a disability providers CEO network which would include access to best practice ideas, and conferences.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 5: Foster leadership by disabled people
Objective 6: Foster an aware and responsive public service
MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
The Ministry of Youth Development was established on 1 October 2003 as a separate Ministry within the Ministry of Social Development. The Ministry of Youth Development is a merger of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the youth policy functions of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). The Ministry of Youth Development reports to the Minister of Youth Affairs and continues to maintain its own networks and relationships with the youth sector, including the providers of youth development programmes previously funded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
20. Children and Young People’s Rights
Desired Outcomes
Policy makers will use the “United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child“ (UNCROC) to review and assess the needs and priorities of children and young disabled people.
New Zealand will meet its international obligations under UNCROC to promote the rights of disabled children and young people by increasing the understanding and application of UNCROC.
New Zealand will comply with the obligations signed up to under UNCROC. In particular, Articles 23, 24, 28, 2, 3(1), 6 and 12 of UNCROC.
Description
UNCROC is a comprehensive international human rights treaty outlining the basic human rights that all children and young people are entitled to. Article 23 in particular deals specifically with rights of disabled children. New Zealand is a signatory to the Convention and Ministry of Youth Development is responsible for coordinating and reporting the Government’s compliance with UNCROC to the United Nations.
Ministry of Youth Development will monitor the progress of government agencies in meeting the obligations set out in the convention and in completing the current work programme. Ministry of Youth Development will also provide assistance to help government agencies raise performance in the area of disabled children and young people’s rights. This work requires co-operation with a number of government departments.
Ministry of Youth Development will increase general awareness and understanding of disabled children and young people’s rights and the application of a rights framework to policy and practice.
Measures and Timeframes
A five-year work programme was developed and released in September 2004. Ministry of Youth Development is required to co-ordinate an annual report back to Cabinet on progress made across government in implementing the work programme in June of each year.
These reports back will identify progress made as well as gaps in performance or the provision of services.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 2: Ensure rights for disabled people (2.8)
Objective 13: Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives (13.7, 13.10)
21. Conservation and Youth Service Corps Programmes
Desired Outcomes
Barriers to participation faced by young disabled people are identified and reduced.
Young disabled people have access to and can participate in Youth Development Programmes, including Conservation and Youth Service Corps programmes.
Description
The Conservation Corps and Youth Service Corps programmes are for young people, including disabled young people, and provide an opportunity to get involved in conservation or local community projects and to learn new skills through education and challenging recreation.
Where young disabled people will benefit from the programmes they will be supported and encouraged Ministry of Youth Development to take part.
Ministry of Youth Development will ensure that there are projects able to be undertaken by young disabled people with appropriate resources available to support their inclusion.
Measures and Timeframes
Ministry of Youth Development officials will work with providers to ensure that existing programme content and/or frameworks reflect the inclusive participation of young disabled people, through completing annual awareness training with providers nationally by 30 June 2006.
Over the next 12 months Ministry of Youth Development will develop new guidelines to support the purchase of more varied and responsive programmes and services for young people, including young disabled people.
Ministry of Youth Development will monitor and evaluate a selection of Ministry of Youth Development and other programmes to identify what does and does not work well in supporting the participation and development of young disabled people. The results will be used to inform the ongoing improvement of the programmes Ministry of Youth Development purchase and shared with the wider youth development community. An interim evaluation programme will be agreed by 31 December 2005. A three-year programme will be agreed by 30 June 2006.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 13: Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives (13.1, 13.2, 13.5)
22. Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
Desired Outcomes
Reduce barriers that limit access to participation for young disabled people and create opportunities for participation – linked to the goals framework of the “Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa”, specifically:
Goal 3 – Youth Participation: Creating opportunities for young people to actively participate and engage. This goal is about involving young disabled people in having a say in developing, evaluating and reviewing decisions and interventions that affect them, their family, schools and tertiary institutions, their community and their country.
Strengthen relationships with providers including the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, IHC, Deaf Association, CCS NZ, DPA NZ, Diversity Works, DEAFinitley Youth Group and organisations that work with young disabled people.
Description
The “Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa” supports the objectives of “enabling disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives”.
Key issues identified for young disabled people include:
- providing opportunities for connections with peers, in particular non-disabled people
- providing opportunities for meaningful work and ongoing education
- providing opportunities for strong links and active participation with their families, schools and communities, and in wider political processes
- reducing barriers that limit young disabled people, such as transport, access to places and the attitudes of others
- achieving better awareness and understanding among young people and adults of the issues for young disabled people
- providing opportunities to be involved and participate in a wide range of youth development activities
- involvement in the design and delivery of services for young disabled people.
Measures and Timeframes
Enhance Ministry of Youth Development’s networks with young disabled people by 30 June 2006.
Identify special issues for young disabled people around youth participation by 30 June 2006.
Update the “Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa” so it is reflective of today’s young people by consulting with groups of young people around New Zealand, including disabled young people, by 2007.
Links to Strategy Objectives and Actions
Objective 13: Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives (13.1, 13.4, 13.6, 13.7)
23. OTHER
The Human Rights Action Plan
The Government has received the report on the Human Rights Action Plan and has yet to decide the way forward. The report was an independent report from the Human Rights Commission and has not been formally adopted by Government; therefore the Ministry is waiting for the Government’s response before it confirms any work it may undertake to implement the plan.
To have an Ordinary life: Report of the National Health Committee on community membership for adults with an intellectual disability
The work of the Sickness Benefit and Invalids Benefit Strategy fulfils recommendation 5 of the report, that is adults with an intellectual disability have access to the full income support, employment assistance and training to which they are eligible, by the Minister of Health and the Minister for Disability Issues determining with the Minister for Social Development and Employment how Work and Income can:
- simplify access procedures to income support assistance
- provide plain language information
- up-skill staff to better assist people with an intellectual disability
- monitor the take-up of support by people with an intellectual disability.
1. A demand-led service is responsive to clients and employers.
2. A service-led strategy involves leading from the frontline (Work and Income) with evaluation and policy working alongside and using lessons learnt from practice and evaluation to modify policy and practices