15 August 2006

NZ Disability Strategy five year progress review

Disability Issues Minister Ruth Dyson has welcomed the release of the terms of reference to review of how the New Zealand Disability Strategy is being implemented and its impact on the lives of disabled people.

"In 2001, when Cabinet approved the release of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, it also asked for a review of progress to be conducted at five and ten years intervals. This April marked the five year anniversary of the Strategy and I am pleased to announce that terms of reference for the five year review are now available."

The five year progress review will evaluate the effectiveness of the processes used to implement the Strategy, and their potential for creating positive change in the future for disabled people.

The reccomendations from the five year review will guide future implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, including expanding implementation activity beyond government departments. The outcomes of the review will also contribute towards developing an effective ten year evaluation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation, due in 2011.

All government departments are required to develop annual NZ Disability Strategy implementation work plans that specify actions each department will take to implement the Strategy.

The Office for Disability Issues also works with territorial authorities and non-departmental public bodies to consider ways that they can implement the Strategy.

"Agencies have been encouraged to focus on activity that will make a real difference in the lives of disabled people, and I encourage them to continue with this work," says Ruth Dyson.

Results from the review are expected to be reported to the Minister by early 2007.

ENDS

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