State Services Commission
New Zealand Disability Strategy Implementation Work Plan. 1 July 2005 – 30 June 2006
1 Introduction
The State Services Commission ensures that the State Services is well placed to carry out Government policy and to meet the needs of New Zealanders. Our specialist role is as a leader on issues of State Services development. Our core function is the appointment and performance management of Public Service chief executives.
We also advise on State Services management issues, and define and promote good practice in a number of areas, including e-government, people capability and integrity and conduct.
The State Services Commissioner has announced new Development Goals for the State Services. This challenging development programme will shape the agenda for the State Services Commission’s work. The SSC will provide leadership and management of the achievement of the Goals.
The overall goal for the State Services is:
A system of world class professional State Services serving the government of the day and meeting the needs of New Zealanders.
This overarching goal is supported by six, more specific, Development Goals for the State Services. These are:
- Goal 1: Employer of choice
Ensure the State Services is an employer of choice attractive to high achievers with a commitment to service. - Goal 2: Excellent State servants
Develop a strong culture of constant learning in the pursuit of excellence. - Goal 3: Networked State Services
Use technology to transform the provision of services for New Zealanders. - Goal 4: Coordinated State agencies
Ensure the total contribution of government agencies is greater than the sum of its parts. - Goal 5: Accessible State Services
Enhance access, responsiveness and effectiveness, and improve New Zealanders’ experience of State Services. - Goal 6: Trusted State Services
Strengthen trust in the State Services and reinforce the spirit of service.
Work on Goal 1 (Employer of choice), Goal 3 (Networked State Services, and Goal 5 (Accessible State Services) will be particularly relevant to people with disabilities.
2 Mainstream Programme: Cost of Disability In Employment (CODE) Fund
Desired outcome
People eligible for the Mainstream Programme, who also require personal assistance or adaptive equipment, will have access to an additional Mainstream fund to enable this.
Description
Provision of additional funding to meet the disability related employment costs of eligible Mainstream participants.
Outcome measures and timeframes
From 1 July to 15 October 2005 a pilot will be carried out to establish which employment related needs should be met through the CODE fund. CODE funding will become fully operational from 17 October 2005.
Links to strategy objective
- Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people (NZDS Objective 4).
- Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society (NZDS Objective 1).
3 Government web portal
Desired outcome
Delivering via the Internet more government information and services that are relevant to and accessible for people with disabilities.
Description
The All of Government Portal www.govt.nz is a central contact point for the public wishing to access government information and services. Information and services are continually added by over ninety central government agencies responsible for the site’s content. The spread of agencies covered increases as further content is identified by the www.govt.nz. team. The www.govt portal was first launched in November 2002, and was reworked in July 2004 to make it easier to manage and use. In 2005 the portal’s look was refreshed in order to accommodate future development. This redevelopment looked ahead to development of ‘linked services’ that will provide users with a sequential process for common or popular services like getting a passport.
An external reference group has provided, and continues to provide, feedback to make the site and its content more effective for public users. Preliminary discussions were held to appoint a representative of disabled people to this group.
Outcome measures and timeframes
- Review way of organising information on the Portal over the 2005/6 year.
- Review the focus of the external reference group with a goal of including a representative of disabled people by December 2005.
- Work with the Office of Disability Issues to ensure that their services are fully represented on the Portal by September 2005
- Become familiar with the requirements of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill over the 2005/6 year
Links to strategy objective
- Ensure rights for disabled people (NZDS Objective 2).
- Foster an aware and responsive Public Service (NZDS Objective 6).
4 Ensuring accessibility of government websites
Desired outcome
Agencies adopt Government Web Guidelines.
Government Web Guidelines facilitate access to government websites by disabled people.
Description
The State Services Commission drives the adoption of the Government Web Guidelines by Public Service departments. The major focus of the Guidelines is to ensure accessibility for a range of users regardless of disability, use of the latest technology, or the availability of fast Internet connections. The Guidelines also provide practical ways to provide economical and equitable access to trustworthy information and services, reflecting the core values of the Public Service in New Zealand.
Outcome measures and timeframes
- We have received a Cabinet direction (CAB Min (03) 41/2B) that all Public Service websites must comply with the Government Web Guidelines by 1 January 2006, and we will coach and encourage agencies to achieve this.
- We have begun to, and will continue to, provide supplementary tools and material to support agencies’ work to make their sites accessible.
- We will continue to raise awareness of the importance of website accessibility amongst agencies and Information Communication Technology vendors.
- We will implement mechanisms so that the Guidelines can be reviewed and monitored appropriately. Typically a Review Working Group will comprise a range of users.
Links to strategy objective
- Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society (NZDS Objective 1).
- Ensure rights for disabled people (NZDS Objective 2).
- Foster an aware and responsive Public Service (NZDS Objective 6).
5 Promotion of equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities
Desired outcome
The Public Service is a good employer that is inclusive and responsive to the different needs and abilities of public servants.
Description
The State Services Commission promotes equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the Public Service. During 2005/06 this will include:
- analysis of the findings of the 2005 Career Progression and Development Survey for public servants with disabilities compared with other public servants
- representation of public servants with disabilities on the Advisory Group for the 2005 Review of EEO Policy to 2010
- completion of the review of disability data collected from departments through the Human Resource Capability Survey.
Outcome measures and timeframes
- A report is produced on perceptions of public servants with disabilities of their career development opportunities and experiences, compared with other public servants, by February 2006.
- The views of public servants with disabilities are explicitly considered during the review of EEO Policy to 2010 (to be completed by February 2005).
- A decision is reached on any future disability data collection through the Human Resource Capability survey, by December 2005.
Links to strategy objective
- Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society (NZDS Objective 1).
- Foster an aware and responsive Public Service (NZDS Objective 6).
- Foster leadership by people with disabilities (NZDS Objective 5).