What does it mean to include a disability perspective?
This section describes what is meant by including a disability perspective in the business of government.
Why have a disability perspective?
Statistics show disabled people experience widespread disadvantage in all areas of society. You can help reduce the inequality between disabled and non-disabled people’s experiences by including a disability perspective in government business.
What is a disability perspective?
A disability perspective is a viewpoint that considers the needs and aspirations of disabled people and their families/whānau. When you apply a disability perspective to a policy or service you are developing you need to analyse the impact it will have on disabled people and their family/whānau.
In the past, government policy and programmes have often failed to consider disability perspectives. This has effectively prevented disabled people accessing opportunities and fully participating in society. Government policy and service development that reflects the realities of disabled people’s lives can enhance their participation and independence. This contributes to a more inclusive society.
When is it appropriate to include a disability perspective?
You can use this tool for any initiative that directly or indirectly affects disabled people, both within and outside government. Disabled people are present in all social environments - the home, work and the community. This means all legislation, policies, programmes and services will potentially impact on them.
This tool will help you focus on and identify issues in your specific policy or service that affect disabled people.
If you are not sure about the relevance to your work:
- ask the disability community and wider disability sector
- ask yourself if disabled people might use or be affected by the service or policy you are developing.
Check with your organisation or other government agencies before you start any consultation with the disability community. Appropriate consultation may have already been carried out. Using existing information will save you time and stop you drawing unnecessarily on the limited resources of the disability community.
What is the purpose of this tool?
This is a tool for government policy makers. It aims to help you include a disability perspective in policy and service development systematically and appropriately.
The tool has four themes:
- understanding the context of disability issues
- maximising opportunities for disabled people
- removing barriers to participation and independence
- involving disabled people and the wider disability sector.
We also provide a resources section. This will give you tools and further information on disability and disabled people in New Zealand.
You can use the tool in many aspects of government business:
- drafting laws and regulations
- developing policies, strategies and initiatives
- assigning priorities and resources
- negotiating how services will be provided
- implementing and administering the above.