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Home » Resources » Publications » Office for Disability Issues: Email Update

Office for Disability Issues: Email Update

23 May 2007. This email is a regular update from the Office for Disability Issues on our work and recent disability-related news.

Part 1: Office for Disability Issues and government news

01: Budget 2007

The Budget was released on Thursday 17 May 2007, and the Minister for Disability Issues, Hon. Ruth Dyson highlighted a number of changes in the Budget aimed at helping improve the lives of disabled people.

For more information go to the Beehive website.

02: Rights, Respect, Responsibilities

On Tuesday, 8 May, the Building Human Rights Communities in Education project booklet was launched in the Grand Hall of Parliament. Human rights communities are places where children and young people know their rights, acknowledge their responsibilities, and respect the rights of others.

The initiative is the result of collaboration between the Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Children’s Commission, Amnesty International, the Global Education Centre and the Peace Foundation. The launch of the booklet will encourage schools and early education centres to become human rights communities. There have already been successful programmes held in Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) Canada, and Hampshire in the UK.

John Clarke, Deputy Director of Children's Services, Hampshire, England was guest speaker at the launch. He emphasized that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must be at the heart of Human Rights Communities in Education. Research is showing that rights-respecting schools have less problems, greater achievement, and are happier places for young people and their teachers.

For more information go to the Building Human Rights Communities in Education Website
Lynn Scott, Project Coordinator
Phone: (04)3846613
Mobile: 0275423665
Email: lynscott@paradise.net.nz
Post: Lynn Scott, PO Box 9114 Marion Square Wellington
Skype: lynnscottotg

03: ACC's new package to support the Deaf Community

ACC have developed a DVD for the Deaf community which gives them information about the ACC scheme and how to access it. To support ACC staff to work with Deaf clients ACC have developed an e-learning module:

• that gives information about issues for people who are Deaf, and makes suggestions on ways to work most effectively to ensure positive outcomes
• that lets ACC staff know what supports ACC has in place for staff when they are working with Deaf people.
  ACC have set up a dedicated fax line and email address which is linked directly to their Customer Support Service team who will then facilitate communication and resolution of any queries and/or concerns Deaf people may have when working with ACC.

For more information go to the ACC Website
Fax: 0800 332 354
Email: Deaf@acc.co.nz

04: Ministry of Social Development Disability Providers' Conferences

The Ministry hosted three Disability Providers’ Conferences, in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, in April and May of 2007. All disability providers funded under the Pathways to Inclusion strategy were invited and attendance was high.
These conferences were an opportunity for providers to:

• be brought up to date with developments in government agencies
• give these agencies feedback on their concerns
• network.

The Minister for Disability Issues, the Hon Ruth Dyson, opened each of the Conferences, and representatives from the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Health, the Office for Disability Issues, Work and Income, the Ministry of Social Development, the New Zealand Federation of Vocational and Support Services, the Association of Supported Employment in New Zealand and the Standards and Monitoring Service addressed the meetings.

05: The Families Commission Research Fund

The Families Commission Research Fund, is designed to encourage substantial research in areas of importance for families that would not otherwise be funded as part of the Commission's core work programme, or under other funds, such as Blue Skies Fund or Innovative Practice Fund. The Families Commission has developed a list of topics and themes for possible research. They may also consider limited funding of exceptional proposals on other topics where such funding represents an important opportunity. All proposals must be submitted by 13 July 2007.

For more information to the Families Commission website.
Phone: 04 931 7090
Email: research@nzfamilies.org.nz

06: United Nations International Day of Families 15 May 2007

The theme for this year's International Day of Families was "Families and persons with disabilities".

This is what the Secretary General of the United Nations had to say: "The theme for this year's International day of families is "families and Persons with Disabilities". In December 2006, the United Nations general Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, the first human rights treaty of the 21st century. In its preamble, the Convention reconfirms that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society, and is entitled to protection by society and the State. It also states that persons with disabilities and their family members should receive protection and assistance so that families can contribute towards the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities.

In Article 23 of the Convention, governments agreed to protect persons with disabilities against discrimination in matters relating to marriage, relationships and the family. They also agreed to ensure the equal rights of children with disabilities with respect to family life, and to ensure that children with disabilities are not separated from their families against their will except when necessary for the best interests of the child. Should the immediate family be unable to care for a child with disabilities, Government agreed to undertake every effort to provide alternative care within the wider family or, failing that, within the community in a family setting.

Society has a responsibility to persons with disabilities and their families. On this International Day of Families, let us dedicate ourselves to enabling the family, the most basic unit of society, to fulfill its role in ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy full human rights and dignity, and flourish as individuals."

The day was marked in New Zealand with the Families Commissioner Sandra Alofivae saying "In New Zealand, one of the biggest issues facing families is work-life balance. For those with a disability, or caring for someone with a disability, work-life balance is a particular challenge, particularly if there are difficulties getting appropriate home help and respite care. Families have told us that it can be a real struggle to satisfactorily balance the rewards and responsibilities of work, family, friends, culture and community. As a result the Commission has several major projects underway focused on promoting work and family life balance," she says.

It is anticipated that the development of a Carers Strategy launched at the Carers Summit in April 2007, will have a positive impact on families of disabled people.

07: Building and Housing news

The Department of Building and Housing recently called for submissions on proposed changes to compliance documents including nuisance and hazard from false alarms.

The Department of Building and Housing website.

The Office suggested that audible fire alarms should not be situated in places where disabled people are marshalled for the purposes of evacuation. We also suggested that non-audible alarms should be installed in public buildings, apartment blocks, and facilities such as hotels that provide sleeping accommodation to ensure that people with hearing impairments can be alerted to the danger in fire and other emergencies.

08: Housing and Disability: Future Proofing New Zealand's housing stock

The research report, “Housing and Disability: Future Proofing New Zealand’s housing stock for an Inclusive Society” was launched on 18 May 2007.

The Centre for Housing Research Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ) and the Office for Disability Issues commissioned the research.
The research has shown that:

• disabled people’s housing needs are not being met by New Zealand’s current housing stock despite considerable investment through the Health Vote and Accident compensation Corporation funding
• many of the modifications would be functionally effective and more cost effective if they were integrated into the design of newly built or renovated houses
• the impact of inaccessible and inadequate housing has very personal and profound consequences for disabled people and their families
• accessible design does stabilise people and assist them to stay in their homes and communities.

Copies of the research report are available from the CHRANZ website.

For more information:
Terrence Aschoff, Manager, Centre for Housing Research Aotearoa New Zealand. Email Terrence Ashchoff

09: Access '08: Accessibility Action Plan for the 2008 General Election

At the end of last year, the Chief Electoral Office, the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Enrolment Centre consulted with a range of groups in the disability sector about how to improve the accessibility of their services.

They have now finalised the initiatives they intend to implement for the 2008 general election to improve accessibility in the “Access ’08: Accessibility Action Plan for the 2008 General Election”.

The action plan is available from the Chief Electoral Office website.

Phone: 04 495 0030
Fax: 04 495 0031
Postal: P O Box 3220 Wellington

Part 2: Sector news

10: Meg Torwl new producer of One in Five

One in Five will go to air once again on Radio NZ Sunday June 10 at 7.06pm. Meg Torwl is the new producer of One in Five. She has been working outside NZ for 7 years, as an independent media producer, in documentary film and news media. She has coordinated projects to increase the participation of people with disabilities working in media, and promoted films by people with disabilities. She has a degree in Social Policy and Social Work; a background in performance, photography, and writing; and a long history of involvement in disability and other human rights issues throughout NZ.

One in Five radio programmes coming up:

June 10 - Te Whare Tapa Wha
Elizabeth Kerekere, discusses her role in Whangai (foster parenting), as an author, Tiriti Integration Consulting, and Takataapui Kapahaka group Tiwhanawhana, as relating to Te Whare Tapa Wha a Maori holistic approach to health.

June 17 - “Sign of the times”
Celebrates the Launch of NZ Sign Language week (May 7 -13) and the passing of the NZ Sign Language Act April 2006, making sign language NZ’s 3rd Official Language, along with Maori and English. Featuring Victoria Manning and Paul Wolffram, directors of the film “Sign of the times”, which documents the Deaf community’s struggle for language and cultural recognition.

June 24 - The right to life
Two perspectives, Jo from New Zealand and Jeff from Canada, on fighting to take experimental drugs to treat life threatening health conditions which no longer respond to current medications - HIV, and Lupus. The programme covers human rights, legal, financial, political, and health issues.

July 1 - OpenI
OpenI is a media training program for youth with disabilities, who work in small groups with disabled and non-disabled mentors to create their own videos. Featuring project coordinator Annalee Weinberger, audio excerpts from the youth videos, and what disabled youth themselves have to say about the project.

One in Five programmes will be available on the website from the time of broadcast, for 4 weeks.

For more information:
Meg Torwl
Features Producer
Email Meg Torwl
One in Five Website
Phone: 04 474 1739
Post: One In Five, Radio New Zealand PO Box 123 WELLINGTON

11: New Zealand Relay Advisory Group

Sprint International NZ and Ministry of Economic Development (MED) are looking for representatives from the relay services communities to apply to become members of the NZ Relay Advisory Group.

The Advisory Group is tasked with recommending enhancements (improvements or changes) to NZ Relay Services for Hearing Impaired, Deaf, deaf-blind, Speech Impaired persons and parents. The majority of the current advisory group are due for re-election. The Charter for the Advisory Group is published on the MED website.

The Advisory Group is expected to meet two or three times a year in Wellington for one day. The Advisory Group members are paid a daily allowance. The cost of airfares, airport transfers, meals any necessary accommodation is covered by Sprint International NZ.

for more information:
Chris Blum Account Manager
Toll: Free TTY 0800 NZ RELAY or 0800 69 7352
Phone: 64 9 358 7192
Fax: 64 9 358 7189
Mobile/SMS: 6`4 21 300095
Email Chris Blum
Post: Sprint International NZ ASB Centre, Level 20 135 Albert Street
Auckland New Zealand

Go to the website.

12: Trialling a new phone for hearing impaired people-Voice Carry Over

The NZ Relay Service is trialling a new Ameriphone for the Voice Carry Over service for hearing impaired people. NZ Relay are inviting people to be trialists. Trialists are sent a phone to use free for three months. During that period participants are asked to take part in a simple survey. At the end of three months participants can either return the phone or keep it subject to normal NZ relay rental terms and conditions.

For more information:
Phone helpdesk: 0800 471 5715

13: Deaf students at the Learning Connexion

The Learning Connexion is an International School of Art and Creativity which is based in Wellington. The Learning Connexion has recently adapted its course to welcome Deaf and hard or hearing people. The on-site programme provides a communicator 5 days a week to work with students in the classroom. The extramural progamme offers visual notes that accompany the course DVDs. Deaf students are also encouraged to take part in The Deaf Project – an annual art exhibition for Deaf Students of the Learning Connexion.

For more information:
The Learning Connexion Website
Email the Learning Connexion
text: 027 710 4735 Ann Williamson
mobile: 027 710 4735 Ann Williamson
Fax: 04 383 9674
Phone: (04) 383 9682,
or call free 0800 278 769 to speak with JoElle Gragilla

14: Volunteer participants for thesis research

Hinrich Kozik, a MA (Applied) in Social Science Research student is seeking participants for his thesis research. He needs people who are interested in taking part in an evaluation of the impacts of working from home who:

• experience physical disability
• work from home either full or part-time
• are an employee, preferably for a government agency
• use a computer

If you are interested contact Hinrich Kozik for further information. All enquiries will be treated as confidential and without obligation to participate in the research project.

Part 3: Events and conferences

15: Association of Supported Employment in New Zealand (ASENZ) training information

Career Planning Workshop will be held in Auckland on 11 June. Check the ASENZ website for details and registration forms). Training and development funds are available through the NZ Federation of Vocational and Support Services Inc (VASS).

"Finding a job, keeping a job" 20 and 21 June. This is a collaboration between ASENZ and "Break thru" training solutions/EDGE employment solutions from Australia.

Autism New Zealand will be running a programme in July.

For more information:
Go to the Autism New Zealand Website
Ian Harper (Executive Officer)
ASENZ
PO Box 261
Wanganui Mail Centre
Wanganui 4540
Phone: 06 342 3899
Cell: 027 457 4744
Email: asenz@xtra.co.nz

16: Disability Services Directorate (DSD) consumer forum and hui through to June 2007

The Ministry of Health is visiting the main centres and some smaller and more rural places to find out how the disability support system was working for disabled people, their families, whanau and carers.

A list of the times when consumer forum and hui are held in your area is on the Ministry of Health website.

Registration is preferred prior to the day to ensure adequate resources are available, however, people are also welcome to just turn up.

For more information:
Phone: Janette Searle 09 810 9488
Freephone: 0800 373 664
Email: dsdforum@moh.govt.nz

17: Tutors in Supported Learning 3 July - 5 July 2007

Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua

The Waiariki Institute of Technology is hosting a conference on Pathways to Inclusion. The conference is for anyone interested in Tertiary education of disabled people, and their inclusion in the community.

For more information contact:
Warwick Hill
Phone: 07 3468908
Mobile: 0272 437595
Email: warwick.hill@waiariki.ac.nz

18: Dr Temple Grandin one day seminar on Autism

Dr Temple Grandin will speak at one day seminar in Wellington. She is one the world’s best known adult with an autism spectrum disorder. Dr Temple will speak on early childhood, sensory problems, visual thinking, learning social skills, and the importance of shared interest careers and medications for people with an autism spectrum disorder.

Date: 30 June 2007
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Cost: $70 ($80 for professionals)
Venue: Sharella Motor Inn, 20 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington
(opposite Botanical Garden’s main entrance at top of Tinakori Road)

For more information:
John Greally
Email: infowgtn@autismnz.org.nz
Phone: 04 478-2700
Fax: 04 478-2701
Mobile: 027 345-1435

19: Strategies for Inclusion - Down Syndrome seminar series

A series of seminars by professor Sue Buckley and Julie Hughes (Speech and Language Specialist/Audiologist) from the Down Syndrome Educational Trust (DownsEd) UK. Seminars will be held in:
Auckland Friday 27 and Saturday 28 July at the Waipuna Conference Centre, Mt Wellington.
Wellington Tuesday 31 July and Wednesday 1 August at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Oriental Bay.
Tauranga Friday 3 August and Saturday 4 August at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
Christchurch Monday 6 August at the University of Canterbury, Ngaio Marsh Theatre (Ilam Rd entrance).

For more information:
Parent and Family Resource Centre Auckland website
email: welcome@parentandfamily.org.nz
Phone: 09 636 0351
Fax: 09 636 0354

20: NZ Association for the Study of Intellectual Disability (NZASID) Conference 2007

NZASID is calling for conference papers. The topic of the conference is "Best Practice for Progress: Doing the right things for the right reasons - the evidence that supports what we do".

Proposals for presentations should be submitted by 27 July 2007.

For more information to to the website
Email: adrian@cct.org.nz
Postal: Adrian Higgins, community Care Trust PO Box 1075, Dunedin.