Office for Disability Issues: Email Update

03 December 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: 3 December 2007 International Day of Disabled Persons: Decent work for people with Disabilities
02: New Zealand's receipt of the 2007 Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award
03: Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award 2007: Application for NGO Grant

Part 2: Current consultations
04: Health Information Consumer Forum: call for expressions of interest by 19 December 2007

Part 3: Sector news
05: Lifetime Design: Every Body. Every Place
06: Book Celebrating Integrated Dance published
07: Variety Gold Heart Scholarship 8 February 2008

Part 4: Events & conferences

Part 1: Office for Disability Issues and government news

01: 3 December 2007 International Day of Disabled Persons: Decent work for people with Disabilities

This year's International Day of Disabled Persons focused on how to ensure decent work for disabled people with disabilities and on ways to tap into the abilities of this marginalised talent pool. The recently adopted Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes in Article twenty seven the rights of disabled people to work and employment on an equal basis with others. It stresses the right of disabled people to earn a living from freely chosen work, and to work in an environment that is both accessible and accepting.

For more information:
Website: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/iddp2007.htm

The Ministry of Social Development held two events on 3 December 2007, to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons.

  1. Work and Income hosted workshops on 3 and 5 December in Wellington and Auckland respectively, for government and non-government agencies to look at the:
    • challenges and opportunities facing the employment of disabled people now and over the next five years
    • identification of best practice in employment
    • identifying possible steps for addressing issues.

An afternoon tea where Hon Liane Dalziel announced on behalf of the Minister for Disability Issues Hon Ruth Dyson that New Zealand had won the 2007 Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award. The event was attended by the Governor General, Satyanand and his wife Susan Satyanand, the US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. David Keegan, Hon Darren Hughes, senior government government official and representatives from the disability sector.

02: New Zealand's receipt of the 2007 Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award (Roosevelt Award) is an annual award, sponsored by the World Committee on Disability and the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. It is given to a nation for noteworthy progress in achieving the full participation of its disabled citizens.

In recognition of its importance, the award ceremony is held at the United Nations, where the Head of State of the recipient nation is presented with a bust of President Roosevelt to be housed in its legislative chamber, and a cash prize of US $50,000 for an outstanding non-governmental disability organisation selected by the winning country.

The Minister proudly noted in her speech that for the first time in the history of the Roosevelt Award there was no dispute over which country should receive it. New Zealand stood out as the clear choice.

Two leaders from the disability sector spoke: Robyn Hunt , Human Rights Commissioner, and Mike Gourley, President DPA. Both spoke of the progress made to date and the ongoing work still required to further improve the lives of disabled people. They both positively challenged the government to do more.

Doug Craig, on behalf of the Chief Executive, Ministry of Social Development noted that the power of joint partnership had not only helped development of the UN Convention, but also the application for the Roosevelt Award and that bodes well for the future work because it demonstrates that we can achieve more together than individually.

For more information:
Minister's media release
On the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Award

03: Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award 2007: Application for NGO Grant

The 2007 Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award includes a grant of US$50,000 (about NZ$65,000) to a New Zealand non-government organisation (NGO) that can demonstrate an outstanding commitment to disabled people and families.

Applications for the NGO grant are now invited from consumer and service provider disability organisations. Applications must be received by no later than 3:00 pm, Friday 15 February 2008. No late applications will be considered. The successful NGO will be notified by the end of March 2008.

For details on the application process go to:
http://www.odi.govt.nz/publications/disability-award/ngo-grant.html

Part 2: Current consultations

04: Health Information Consumer Forum: call for expressions of interest by 19 December 2007

The Health Information Strategy Action Committee (HISAC) is asking the community about its views and concerns about the privacy and appropriate control of personal health information.

Consumer Groups and Advocates who wish to attend this inaugural forum on 13 February 2008 in Wellington, are invited to register their expression of interest by 19 December 2007. A maximum of 50 may attend. Travel costs will be paid.

The forum is being organised by the Health Information Strategy Action committee with support and sponsorship from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner and the Ministry of Health:

For more information:

Postal: Organiser, Health Information Consumer Forum, PO Box 5013, Wellington
Email: enquiries@HSIAC.govt.nz
Fax: 04 816 2897
Website: http://www.HISAC.govt.nz

Part 3: Sector News

05: Lifetime Design: Every Body. Every Place

The Lifetime Design Foundation has been set up to lead and inspire a movement towards products and services which will make our communities more inclusive. The Foundation stands for living environments designed to fit the diverse needs of people, rather than the current situation that requires people to fit the place.

Lifetime Design can be summed up by these five principles:

  1. Usability
  2. Adaptability
  3. Accessibility
  4. Inclusion
  5. Lifetime value

The Foundation is supported by a partnership of disability sector NGOs and private sector agencies interested in promoting quality cost-effective design solutions to meet the future needs ofall citizens, including disabled people in an ageing society.

Lifetime design incorporates universal design concepts and principles which contributes to objectives of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy (to support people to age in place) and the New Zealand Housing Strategy (to meets diverse needs including older and disabled people). The government recognises the value of the initiative to these strategies through funding provided by Housing New Zealand Corporation, and the Ministries of Health and of Social Development.

The Lifetime Design was officially launched in Auckland on 15 November 2007. That event featured a 'virtual tour' of a Lifetime Design home, a discussion panel of leading business and community figures, and the award of the first 'Lifemark' design mark for a residential house design.

A series of regional launches are now being planned for early 2008 so all of New Zealand can see what Lifetime Design is all about. The regional launches will be in:

  • Wellington Region at Lower Hutt
  • North Shore at Orewa
  • Manukau
  • Hamillton
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin

The dates have yet to be confirmed.

The Lifetime Design Foundation produces a monthly newsletter and is inviting individual and corporate membership.

For more information:

On the regional launches -
Website: http://www.lifetimedesign.org.nz/Events/tabid/54/Default.aspx

On the Lifetime Design Foundation -
Website: http://www.lifetimedesign.org.nz
Postal: Lifetime Design Foundation, PO Box 6349, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Freephone: 0800 227 888
Phone/Fax: 04 801 9513

06: Book Celebrating Integrated Dance published

Touch Compass have published a book entitled, Celebrating Integrated Dance, which marks its first decade. Copies of the book are available by ordering on-line.

For more information:
Postal: Touch Compass Dance Trust,P O Box 90136, Auckland Mail Centre
Phone: 021 989 446
Email: info@touchcompass.org.nz
Website: http://www.touchcompass.org.nz

07: Variety Gold Heart Scholarship 8 February 2008

The Variety Grants Committee is calling for applicants for the Variety Gold Heart Scholarship by 8 February 2008. Applicants need to:

  • demonstrate their passion and commitment to a long term life or career aspiration
  • be eligible under Variety's 'special needs' criteria, being sick, disabled or disadvantaged in some way
  • be under the age of 18 years on 31 December in the year of application.

The fund makes available a maximum of $5,000 per annum for up to 3 years to help children with special needs fulfill their dreams. This could include assisting with tuition fees, personal development, coaching, the purchase of training equipment, travel or accommodation. Leading professionals and celebrities will mentor successful applicants in their chosen pursuits. Applications close 5pm 8 February 2008.

For more information:
Phone: 09 520 4111.
Email: scholarshop@variety.org.nz
Website: http://www.variety.org.nz

Part 4: Events and conferences

Information about the following events and conferences can be found on the Office website: Events and conferences.

Conferences
  • 5-7 October 2007. Living with Blindness – Building Relationships conference 2007.
  • Association for Supported Employment Conference 19-20 November 207, and post conference workshops on 21 November 2007.
Events
  • Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) Canada: seminar series 12-25 November 2007.
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