The way New Zealanders think about disability today is very different from the views our society held only a few decades ago. Previously dominant was the "medical model" of disability, which considered disability as a personal problem to be "fixed". Now the trend in thinking is towards a "social model" of disability, where individuals with impairments are considered to be disadvantaged by the social and environmental barriers to participation that exist in a hostile environment. As a result of this disadvantage, people with impairments experience disability.

This changed view has developed alongside a growing international human rights movement which has promoted concepts such as rights, empowerment, self-advocacy, inclusion and mainstreaming. For its part, the movement has raised expectations among people who experience disability. New Zealand is part of this world-wide social change.

The New Zealand Disability Strategy Sector Reference Group has used the term "people experiencing disability" throughout this document. It is aware that there are many different opinions as to which terms are appropriate among the range available to refer to the people at the heart of this Strategy; it is also aware that its chosen term will not sit comfortably with everyone. The Group asks that you focus on the content of this document rather than being distracted by its choice of term. If you think other language would be more appropriate in future, please include these suggestions in your response to the document.