Office for Disability Issues: Email Update
23 July 2007. This email is a regular update from the Office for Disability Issues on our work and recent disability-related news.
On this page:
Part 1: Office for Disability Issues and government news
01: Summary of Disability Advisory Council June 2007 meeting
02: Website accessibility survey released
03: Young Women's Forum - young disabled women wanted
04: District Health Board elections
05: New Ministry of Health structure
Part 2: Current consultations
06: Caring for New Zealand Carers: consultation paper
07: Assisted Reproductive Technology: Consultation paper
08: New national Autism Spectrum Disorder Disability Information and Advisory Service
09: TVNZ Charter review
Part 3: Sector news
10: CCS Disability Action - new name for CCS
11: Draft standard for folate fortification approved
12: "Making it Easy to Do the Right Thing"
13: Volunteer participants for thesis research
Part 4: Events & conferences
14: Strategies for Inclusion - Down Syndrome seminar series
15: New Zealand Sign Language Act Celebration: Expo and Ball 4 August 2007
16: NZ Association for the Study of Intellectual Disability (NZASID) Conference 20 - 21 September 2007
17: Workshops for Family Carers: Lower Hutt
18: Youth Depression Seminar - Understanding the epidemic & how to make a difference
19: Autism seminars
20: Inaugural Australasian Mental Health Outcomes Conference 2007
21: Living with Blindness - Building Relationships Conference 2007
Part 1: Office for Disability Issues and government news
01: Summary of Disability Advisory Council June 2007 meeting
The summary of the last Disability Advisory Council meeting is now online on the Office for Disability Issues website.
02: Website accessibility survey released
"Going Beyond compliance", the 2006 survey of government's websites' accessibility is now available on the Office for Disability Issues website. The key findings are a marked improvement in compliance with Web Guidelines since the 2005 survey, and an overall two-thirds satisfactory rating of sites tested by disabled users.
03: Young Women's Forum - young disabled women wanted
The Ministry of Women's Affairs will be hosting a Young Women's Forum on the topic "Young women, work and diversity: aspirations and expectations", as part of the Human Rights Commission's New Zealand Diversity Forum:
Date: Monday 27 August 2007
Venue: Auckland Museum
Time: 9.00 am-1.00 pm.
The Ministry of Women's Affairs is inviting six young women to be part of a panel discussion on issues such as the choices they have to make about education and training, career paths, and how to balance work with other things they want to achieve.
The Ministry of Women's Affairs is seeking a young disabled woman for the panel.
The audience will be encouraged to bring their own views and perspectives, and to get involved. The forum is open to all, but young women (aged 13-20) are particularly encouraged to come along. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered for the panellists.
RSVP by 31 July 2007
Email: mwa@mwa.govt.nz
Phone: 04 916 5812
For more information:
Catherine Hughes
Ministry of Women's Affairs
PO Box 10 049
48 Mulgrave St
Wellington
Ph: 04 916 5852
Email: hughes@mwa.govt.nz
Website: www.mwa.govt.nz
04: District Health Board elections
Nominations for the District Health Board elections open on Friday 27 July until Friday 24 August. Disabled people are encouraged to put themselves forward. The District Health Board elections happen at the same time as the local government elections, in October 2007. A handbook containing election information is available on the Ministry of Health's website.
05: New Ministry of Health structure
A new Ministry of Health structure took effect on 1 July 2007. Sector points of contact with the Ministry are for the most part remaining the same at this stage. The Ministry of Health advise that any changes around contact people will be advised directly. The Ministry's website is being updated to reflect the changes. A copy of the decision document Building a Healthy Future, along with the organisational chart are also available online.
For more information:
The Change and Development Work Programme
The decision document Building a Healthy Future
Part 2: Current consultations
06: Caring for New Zealand Carers: consultation paper
The consultation for the first ever national Carers' Strategy has been launched today by Disability Issues Minister Hon Ruth Dyson. Caring for New Zealand Carers seeks widespread feedback from family and other informal carers, the people they support and the wider community to identify the priorities of carers, and the changes that will make the most difference to their lives.
The consultation is being run by the Ministry of Social Development in partnership with the Carers Alliance, a network of 43 non-governmental organisations. The consultation document outlines a draft vision, principles, key themes and examples of initiatives that may improve carers' quality of life. It asks people what information and support should be made available to improve carers' choices to balance their caring role with participation in employment, education, and family and community life.
The consultation period ends on 14 September 2007.
Details on how you can provide feedback and a copy of the consultation document can be found on the MSD website.
07: Assisted Reproductive Technology: Consultation paper
"Advice on Aspects of Assisted Reproductive Technology: A consultation paper on policy issues" is being circulated by the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology's (ACART) for comment.
The consultation document considers a range of issues including preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
Submissions close at 5pm on 17 August 2007. ACART will hold hearings of oral submissions in August 2007.
To get a hard copy of the discussion document you can order it by emailing moh@wickliffe.co.nz or calling 04 496 2277, and quoting HP4420.
Please let them know your name, your physical address and how many copies you would like.
For more information:
Ian Hicks
Phone: 04 470 0666
Email: acart@moh.govt.nz
Postal: PO Box 5013, Wellington
Website: http://www.acart.health.govt.nz
08: New national Autism Spectrum Disorder Disability Information and Advisory Service
The Ministry of Health have contracted LIFE Unlimited and Parent to Parent New Zealand to provide a new national information and advisory service for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD)and their milies/whanau. Work towards setting up the service has begun and it is expected that the new service will be fully operational by October 2007.
The service will:
- provide written information on ASD, support groups and services
- provide ongoing support and information to adults with ASD
- have advisors/field workers available to provide ASD information and advice
- provide clinical and evidence-based advice on interventions/therapies to support people with ASD throughout their life
- provide a web site listing ASD service providers
- support the development of community network meetings.
During July and August, CEO's Adri Isbister and Anne Wilkinson will be travelling around New Zealand to introduce the service, receive suggestions, feedback and ideas for a name for the new service. Meeting dates and locations:
26 July - Rotorua, Whakatane, Tauranga
27 July - Hamilton, Hui
01 August - New Plymouth
02 August - Palmerston North
08 August - Nelson
09 August - Christchurch (2)
10 August - Greymouth
15 August - Wellington, Hui
20 August - Gisbourne, Hui
21 August - Napier Hui, Hastings
23 August - Dunedin
24 August - Invercargill
For more information or to register your interest to attend a meeting,
Phone: 0508 236 236
Parent to Parent New Zealand Inc
Phone 0508 236236
Email: national@parent2parent.org.nz
Life Unlimited
Phone 0800 008011
Email: info@life.nzl.org
09: TVNZ Charter review
The Charter must be reviewed by the House of Representatives at least every five years. In preparation for the statutory review, TVNZ wishes to present the Minister of Broadcasting with a report on a suggested redraft of the Charter and the public's views on it. This final redraft and the public's views will eventually be forwarded to a Parliamentary Select Committee for consideration.
The suggested redraft on the charter on-line on the TVNZ website.
The closing date for submissions is 3 August 2007.
For more information:
Phone: 09 916 7000
Email: charter.feedback@tvnz.co.nz
Postal: "Charter Review", c/o Corporate Affairs, TVNZ, PO Box 3819, Auckland.
Part 3: Sector News
10: CCS Disability Action - new name for CCS
CCS launched its new name "CCS Disability Action: including all people" to coincide with its awareness week. The theme of the week was "Home life of Your Choice".
For Chief Executive Viv Maidabourn's speech to the Scoop website.
For Hon Ruth Dyson's speech go to the Beehive website.
For Disability Action's awareness week's theme go to the Scoop website.
11: Draft standard for folate fortification approved
At a meeting on 22 June 2007 the Australian and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council affirmed a draft standard that will see the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid included in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
The draft standard requires the mandatory addition of folic acid to wheat flour for bread-making within the prescribed range of 200-300 micrograms per 100 grams of flour. This fortification level is expected to prevent up to 50 neural tube defects (NTDs) in Australia each year. There will be a two year implementation period.
Folate fortification has been the result of a joint 17 year campaign by New Zealand CCS Disability Action and the Australian Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Association.
For more information:
Lyall Thurston
Email: thurst@xtra.co.nz
12: "Making it Easy to Do the Right Thing"
A brand new educational resource - a DVD package "Making it Easy to Do the Right Thing" - has been developed by the Health and Disability Commissioner in association with the Diversityworks Group.
The DVD is designed to help providers of services to consumers within the disability sector increase their responsiveness to people with impairments, and to understand the issues they need to consider when working with users of health and disability services. The package offers tools and strategies for implementing inclusive, respectful and non-discriminatory practice, helping to ensure that the provider's service supports and protects the rights of disabled people as set out in the Code. It is well suited to group interactive learning situations, as well as individual study.
To order the DVD, visit the Diversity Works website.
Elizabeth Finn, Education Manager, Health and Disability Commission
Email: efinn@hdc.org.nz
For more information:
Philip Patston
DIVERSITYWORKS GROUP AND TRUST
Phone: 09 376 4837
Mobile: 021 76 4837
Email: philip@diversityworks.co.nz
13: Volunteer participants for thesis research
Hinrich Kozik, a MA (Applied) in Social Science Research student is seeking for a few more 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.
The data collection will be conducted online - so participants don't need to travel for the research. If you are interested contact Hinrich for further information. All enquiries will be treated as confidential and without obligation to participate in the research project.
Email: hinrich.kozik@vuw.ac.nz
Part 4: Events and conferences
14: Strategies for Inclusion - Down Syndrome seminar series
Professor Sue Buckley and Julie Hughes (Speech and Language Specialist/Audiologist) from the Down Syndrome Educational Trust (DownsEd) UK are presenting a series of seminars:
- 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
15: New Zealand Sign Language Act Celebration: Expo and Ball 4 August 2007
On Saturday 4 August, the Wellington Deaf Society wants to celebrate New Zealand Sign Language becoming an official language. The celebration is for everyone, including the Deaf community, and people who worked on and supported the NZSL Act 2006.
Deaf/hearing impaired Expo
Venue: Duxton Hotel Ballroom
Address: 170 Wakefield St, Wellington
Time: 9am - 1pm
Dinner and Ball
Venue: Duxton Hotel Ballroom
Address: 170 Wakefield St, Wellington
Time: 5 - 11.30pm
Include speeches, drama, buffet, VIP, music
For more information:
Samantha Martin - Secretary
Email: nzsl2007@wds.org.nz
Fax: 04 9020359
Text: 021 1348483
16: NZ Association for the Study of Intellectual Disability (NZASID) Conference 20 - 21 September 2007
NZASID is calling for conference papers on the topic of "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.
Date: 20 - 21 September 2007.
Venue: Brentwood Hotel, Wellington.
For more information:
Website: http://www.assid.org.au/
Email: adrian@cct.org.nz
Postal: Adrian Higgins, Community Care Trust, PO Box 1075, Dunedin.
17: Workshops for Family Carers: Lower Hutt
25 July 2007, Workshop 1 for parent/carers of disabled pre-school/primary school children.
26 July 2007, Workshop 1 for parent/carers of secondary school or older disabled people.
Venue: Lower Hutt Parent2ParentInc Office 8 Gough St, Seaview, Lower Hutt.
For more information and the Registration form go to the website.
18: Youth Depression Seminar - Understanding the epidemic & how to make a difference
The seminar is being held on 16 August 2007, 9am - 3pm, Wellington. Details of other seminars can be found on the website.
For more information:
Email: office@compass.ac.nz
Phone: 06 7591647
Postal: PO Box 18018, Merrilands, New Plymouth.
Website: Compass Website
19: Autism seminars
1. Teaching strategies and positive behaviour support: Sue Larkey
Wellington 28 August 2007 9.00am-3.00pm
Napier 29 August 2007 9.00am-3.00pm
For more information:
Website: Autism Intervention Trust website
2. Evidence-based strategies for learners with autism: Dr Gina Green
Auckland 23 July
Hamilton 25 July
Wellington 27 July
For more information:
Ann Cowan
Email: cowanz@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 0273 184 490
3. Autism NZ inc seminars, training, programmes
Autism NZ conducts regular seminars and training programmes.
Information on these programmes can be found on the Autism (NZ) Inc website.
For more information:
Website: Autism NZ Website
Email: training@autismnz.org.nz
Phone: 0800 AUTISM (288 476)
20: Inaugural Australasian Mental Health Outcomes Conference 2007
Mental Health Information (MH-Smart) is hosting the inaugural Australasian Mental Health Outcomes Conference The theme of the conference, He kakano: Planting the seeds, which is aimed at national and international delegates representing consumers, tangata whaiora, and whanau, the mental health workforce, Ministry of Health and overseas health officials and the wider mental health community.
Date: 2-4 October 2007
Venue: Wellington
For more information:
Go to the registration form on the website.
Marihi Langford
Email: marihi@nzn8iv.com
Phone: 09 834 7872
21: Living with Blindness - Building Relationships Conference 2007
The Association of Blind Citizens is holding its annual conference from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 October, at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington.
The theme for this year's Conference centres upon relationships - the focus being upon blind and vision impaired people and the barriers often faced when establishing relationships, whatever the circumstances might be.
For more information:
Rose Wilkinson
Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand Inc
PO Box 7144
Wellington South
New Zealand
Phone: 04 389 0039
Fax: 04 389 0030
Mobile: 021 222 6940
Website: www.abcnz.org.nz