What's Happening
News from the Office and other government work on disability issues.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
On 3 September 2008, Parliament passed the Disability (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) Bill. It makes changes to some legislation that is inconsistent with the Convention, and clarifies obligations in the Human Rights Act 1993. The Government is now able to move forward to ratify the Convention.
First review of New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation
In August 2008, the review of New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation over the period 2001 to 2007 was released.
Email update
Read our latest email update, with information on the Office's work and other disability news.Report on the review of long-term disability supports
The Office for Disability Issues has led an interagency government review of long-term disability supports, which aimed to make recommendations that:
- improved the focus on outcomes and measurement
- enhanced consumer choice and service flexibility
- built capability
- improved co-ordination and contracting.
In March 2008, the Government approved the review report. Government agencies are working in response to the report's recommendations.
2007 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.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 New Zealand non-government organisation. The grant has been given to DPA, who is working in partnershipwith CCS Disability Action and People First.