Part One: Office for Disability Issues and government news.
This is the Office's email update of 17 February 2009.
01: Government response to the Social Services Select Committee inquiry.
On 9 February 2009, the Government released its response to recommendations from the Social Services Select Committee inquiry into the quality of care and service provision for disabled people. The Government intends to establish a Ministerial Committee to progress the substantial work programme outlined in this response during 2009.
The Select Committee inquiry was started because of concerns in the media about two major residential service providers and how disabled people were treated in their care. Wider dissatisfaction with services provided for disabled people was presented during hearings before the Select Committee. The issues raised with the Committee were not new.
02: Delay on day services funding transfer.
The transfer of day services funding from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Social Development has been put on hold for three months. The Ministers of Health and Social Development and Employment have decided to delay the transfer for three months while consultation is undertaken with the sector.
Day services provide employment and community focussed activities for disabled people. Funding for these services was to have been transferred on 1 April 2009 to the Ministry of Social Development, which funds the bulk of vocational services.
Information about the extra consultation will be released when the process is confirmed.
03: New quality standards approved for urban buses.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has released new quality standards for urban buses used in public transport services. The new standards aim to increase public transport usage by improving the attractiveness and usability of urban buses, with a particular emphasis on improving accessibility. The adoption of common quality standards by all regional councils will also result in benefits from greater efficiency and standardisation in bus building in New Zealand.
The standards will be used by regional councils when they contract for urban bus services. Regional councils are responsible for funding and overseeing all public transport services.
The standards specify requirements for buses in the existing fleet as well as requirements for vehicles entering urban service for the first time. Vehicles meeting these standards are expected to enter service from late 2009 onwards.
The new quality standards were jointly developed by the New Zealand Transport Agency, some regional councils, private sector providers, and some disabled people’s representatives.
Specific improvements covered by the new standards include minimum step heights and depths, minimum aisle width, priority seating requirements, better provision of handrails and grab handles, minimum dimensions for external destination signs on buses, new requirements for wheelchair spaces and improved lighting.
04: Ministry of Health Disability Services Consumer Forums 2009
Starting in March, the Ministry of Health will be holding consumer forums around the country to get feedback on Disability Support Services' strategic priorities.
The forums will be held in: Kaikohe, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Porirua, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hastings, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill.
05: Complaint Line.
Complaint Line is a website that lists the different complaints processes that are available for the public.
06: Updates to the Office website.
Some updates have been made to the Office for Disability Issues website. New sections have been added on our work under the Building Act 2004, and some key research on disabled people (including the first reports from the Disability Survey 2006 on the labour market and education).
You can read our Briefing to the Incoming Minister 2008, and the 2008 Minister's report on progress with implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy. Also updated are sections on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, New Zealand Sign Language Act, and improving disability supports.
07: Human Rights Commission new disability e-newsletter.
The Human Rights Commission has a new e-newsletter highlighting activities and information for disabled people. The newsletter is part of a Commission effort to ensure monitoring and support for Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.