1. Disabled people have told us they want a fully inclusive society where they are valued and have the same opportunities as other New Zealanders
Disabled people want the choices, opportunities and responsibilities associated with:
• participating in education, training, employment, community and family life
• access to information and public and civic places and processes (such as elections and the justice system)
• receiving an equal share in the improvement in living conditions resulting from social and economic development and fair remuneration for the work that they do.
I expect all New Zealanders share these expectations.

2. Government's long-term plan for achieving this inclusive society, and honouring the rights of disabled people, is set out in the New Zealand Disability Strategy
This Disability Strategy has guided action underway over the last 8 years aimed at:
• increasing work opportunities for disabled people, through access to the right education, equipment and environmental accommodations, and promotion of positive employer attitudes
• ensuring the everyday needs of disabled New Zealanders can be met, and their personal potential realised, through better provision of support and health services
• improving public understanding of disability and promoting disabled people as leaders in business and the community
• sound investment guided by disabled people and their families having a say in the policy and service developments that affect them.

3. The new agenda for disability issues, set by the New Zealand Disability Strategy, has proven robust – our commitment remains strong
• The Strategy has stood intense scrutiny over eight years and it continues to be relevant as our mechanism for advancing the participation of disabled people.
• Government closely monitors implementation of the Strategy. It achieves this through the Disability Issues Portfolio, the Office for Disability Issues, Annual Reports to Parliament and the Post Census Disability Survey.

4. A key plank of the Government’s Strategy is nurturing an ongoing partnership between Government and the disability community
• Government and society benefit from the expertise of disabled people, and we need to make sure the connections and relationships are enduring.
5. We have come a long way together and have received international recognition for our work to improve participation of disabled people
Highlights include:
• Strengthening protection of the rights of disabled people through the:
o DPEP Act Repeal Act 2007
o The NZ Sign Language Act 2006
o Leading the world in the negotiations to establish a UN Convention (working in partnership with disabled people to create a new global commitment for equality and inclusiveness of disabled people)
o Building Act 2005
o Human Rights Amendment 2001.
• Getting disability issues on a mainstream agenda - as a key goal or plank in the work plans and strategies of a range of sectors including the housing, health, education, transport, social development sectors
• Introduction of Personalised Learning
• Kia Orite: Achieving Equity the New Zealand Code of Practice for an Inclusive Tertiary Education Environment for Students with Impairments
• Working New Zealand
• Increased investment in supports (supports for people with chronic illness, support worker wages, more and fairer access to equipment and modifications)
• Employers Disability Network (when launched)
• Continuation of Like Minds, Like Mine.
6. We must keep the momentum going to make sure our hard won success will impact positively in the lives of disabled people
The Government ahs a number or projects on the go that will keep building the momentum towards a fully inclusive society, this includes:
• Progressing a number of Transport initiatives which aim to further improve public transport accessibility.
• Progressing the actions in the Carers Strategy (when agreed).
• Increased alignment of support services when several government agencies are involved in providing services for a disabled person.
• More flexible responses to meeting support needs.
• Working New Zealand.

Rob McCann,
Press Secretary from the office of Hon Ruth Dyson,

From the Green Party
Green Party’s Draft Response.
Our ability to achieve real change for people with disabilities will depend on how many MPs we get into the next Parliament. We have a detailed policy which we are committed to making progress on. Below are six key points:

• Set up a national awareness project to raise public awareness of disability issues and support community based action to promote respect and equity for children and adults living with impairments.

• Support affirmative action to enable people with impairments to counteract the effects of past and present barriers to inclusion and take up active roles in their communities, in paid and voluntary work and in business.

• Advocate for effective and empowering processes and networks to support people with impairments, to strengthen them as individuals, as part of the workforce, as a movement run by and for people with impairments and their families, and as a collective at the national level. Advocate that 3 % of the Disability Services budget is set aside to directly fund leadership training for people living with impairments and independent advocacy organisations. Establish a Disability Issues Commission to provide the leadership needed to ensure that disability services become more responsive, flexible and empowering.

• Support the 2006 IHC Code for Schools and ensure that schools come under the New Zealand Disability Strategy implementation and reporting process.

• Support any government initiatives to put the recommendations of He Anga Whakamana (1995) and To Have An Ordinary Life (1993) into effect.

• Address key issues related to service provision including promoting individualised funding, reviewing the Child Disability Allowance, ensuring services are culturally appropriate and based on need.

Kate Strack
Executive Assistant to Disability spokesperson, Metiria Turei.

From the New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First would:

* promote policies recognising that people with disabilities are in the best position to identify and articulate their own needs and thereby ensure that private sector is aware of its obligations.

* promote disability services that facilitate independence and are delivered after informed self assessment wherever possible. Our vision for independence includes physical and economic independence therefore recognizing the importance of ensuring improved access to work for those with disabilities.

* use a range of incentives to ensure that a "universally accessible" New Zealand applies to information and other services.

* ensure that the office for Disability Issues has the resources to monitor and report on the full implementation of the Disability Strategy in a timely fashion.

* review current streams for disability funding with a view to better directing service delivery. We would like to ensure that all agencies delivering services to people with disabilities meet standards and demonstrate a constructive relationship with their client group.

* support the "Carers" strategy to improve support for unpaid carers of people with illnesses or disabilities.

Anne Moore
Executive Assistant to Barbara Stewart MP

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