Along with other New Zealanders, people experiencing disability aspire to a good life.

The vision that underpins this discussion document is for a non-disabling society where people who have experienced disability can say they live in:

"a fully inclusive society, where our capacity to contribute and participate in every aspect of life is continually being extended and enhanced".

This will happen in a country where:

• there is acknowledgement of the special relationship between the tangata whenua and the Crown under the Treaty of Waitangi
  
• people who experience disability have a meaningful partnership with Government, communities and support agencies, based on respect and equality
  
• the social model of disability (ie, the idea that it is society that imposes many of the disabling barriers faced by people with impairments) is widely understood and used in well-informed legislation, policy and activity involving and benefiting people who experience disability
  
• a mutually supportive society values the lives of people who experience disability and integrates people into community life on their own terms
  
• human rights are protected as a fundamental cornerstone of government policy and practice
  
• the diversity of people who experience disability, including their cultural backgrounds, is recognised, and there is flexibility to meet their differing aspirations and goals
  
• people experiencing disability have equity, regardless of gender, cultural background, type of disability and when the disability was acquired
  
• institutionalisation is reduced significantly, while community-based services increase to ensure people are supported to live in their own communities.

Questions

2. Do you think the vision is the direction in which New Zealand should be heading?

3. How would you change it?