Help create a better future for disabled New Zealanders

Help create a better future for disabled New Zealanders

A nationwide conversation starts today on how to create a better future for the one in four New Zealanders who are limited by an impairment.

A draft New Zealand Disability Strategy has been written based on an earlier consultation on what people want the future to look like for disabled people in New Zealand.

The public are now invited to have their say on the draft strategy which is available on the consultation website www.jointheconversation.nz. The consultation closes on 21 August 2016.

“We want to find out if the draft strategy is on the right track. It’s really important for us to get it right as this strategy will guide the direction of government agencies on disability issues for the next decade,” says the Director of the Office for Disability Issues, Megan McCoy.

“One million New Zealanders have a physical, sensory, learning, mental health or other impairment. As a society we need to make sure that disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in our communities and live a good life,” says Ms McCoy.

The draft strategy sets out a vision and how it can be achieved through eight key outcome areas: education, employment, health and well-being, justice, accessibility, attitudes, choice and control, and leadership.

It outlines the process for ensuring the strategy is implemented – including the setting of targets and measures for each of the outcome areas and regular progress reporting.

People can provide feedback on the draft strategy by attending workshops being held around the country, holding their own workshop, completing a survey or recording a video on the consultation website www.jointheconversation.nz.

Workshops are being held in Whangarei, Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch, Greymouth, Dunedin and Invercargill.

To ensure all New Zealanders can take part in the conversation, the draft strategy is being made available in large print, EasyRead, Braille, audio and New Zealand Sign Language.

To join the conversation, go to www.jointheconversation.nz

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