What's Happening
Read the latest news from the Office for Disability Issues and related disability matters.
New Zealand Disability Strategy in New Zealand Sign Language
Deaf people can now access the New Zealand Disability Strategy in their own language, New Zealand Sign Language. Video files can be downloaded from this website. Deaf Aotearoa have a DVD available with the New Zealand Sign Language video.
New Zealand Sign Language video of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be made available on this website soon. Deaf Aotearoa also have a DVD available with the New Zealand Sign Language video.
Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues
The Government has established a Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues to provide greater leadership and accountability for implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy across government agencies. It is chaired by the Minister for Disability Issues, and has senior ministers as members.
Resource on effective communication with deaf people
A new resource is available to help effective communication with deaf people by government department. The guide for New Zealand Sign Language interpreters provides advice on what interpreters do and how to book one, what your responsibilities are when booking sign language interpreters, and common things that can affect communicating well with deaf people.
2008 New Zealand Disability Strategy progress report
The Minister for Disability Issues' annual report on implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy presents activity and progress achieved by government agencies. The 2008 report, covering activity over the period July 2007 to June 2008, was published in December 2008.
You can also download and read individual reports on progress from government agencies.
Disability Survey 2006 - Release of detailed information
Statistics New Zealand and the Office for Disability Issues have produced further information from the 2006 post Census Disability Survey. The Disability Survey is the best source of information on disabled New Zealanders.
You can access the following information booklets on the Statistics New Zealand website as PDF files:
Other information booklets are being developed in the areas of:
- informal care
- transport
- disabled Māori
- use of services and unmet needs.
Briefing to the Incoming Minister 2008
"Enabling participation by disabled New Zealanders" is the briefing to the incoming Minister for Disability Issues. It provides information on the current situation in New Zealand for disabled people, the challenges facing the disability sector and how we might work together to meet these challenges in the coming years.
Email update news
Read our regular email update, with information on disability issues in government, news from the disability sector, current consultations, and upcoming events and conferences.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award 2007
New Zealand is the 2007 recipient for this Award.
On 7 May 2008, the Governor-General formally received the Award on behalf of the New Zealand government.
At an event held at Government House in Wellington, on 15 May 2008, the Governor-General handed over the Award to the Minister for Disability Issues.
Part of the Award is a US$50,000 grant to a non-government organisation in New Zealand. The grant has been given to DPA, who is working in partnershipwith CCS Disability Action and People First.