Disability support provider network announced

Press release

Nationwide disability support provider network announced on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Thursday 3 December 2009 marks the beginning of a sea change in New Zealand’s disability support sector as it signifies the inception of the New Zealand Disability Support Network (or NZDSN).

As the national representative body for New Zealand’s disability support providers, NZDSN aims to develop and promote the capacity and capability of its members to partner with disabled people in better meeting their needs and aspirations.

To achieve this, NZDSN will initiate a dialogue with organisations representing people with disabilities (and their families) and work towards creating a unified voice which advocates, influences and lobbies in areas of common interest, and for greater awareness and action in addressing the goals of the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

The Network is scheduled to launch officially in March 2010, though an establishment board has made considerable headway developing an organisational structure, a governance model and a preliminary membership database of New Zealand’s principal disability support providers.

NZDSN’s vision is ‘For a strong, community based support service sector that contributes to a society that values the lives and enhances the full participation of disabled people’

NZDSN’s mission is ‘To support and promote the capacity and capability of disability support service providers to meet the needs of disabled people’

Reflecting these simple yet substantial goals, NZDSN’s positioning statement is ‘Kia tū tahi tātou’ or ‘To stand strong as one’

Membership enquiries and expressions of interest are currently being taken from disability support providers throughout New Zealand, and enquiries can be directed to the Establishment Board Chairman – John Taylor (contact details overleaf) or simply email info@nzdsn.org.nz.

Thursday 3 December 2009 is also the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, conceived and promoted within the UN’s Enable programme.

Like NZDSN, “the International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.”

Globally, approximately one person in 10 is living with a disability. Many people with disabilities continue to face barriers to participation in their communities and are often forced to live on the margins of society.

Events such as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities reflect the United Nations’ commitment to the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by people with disabilities. 

While primarily focused on the national context, NZDSN also aims to join the global community in working towards the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.

ENDS