DPA New Zealand

DPA Bites March/April 2004

 

DPA'S REACTION TO THE 2002/2003 NZ DISABILITY STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

Comment from Mike Gourley, President, DPA New Zealand

In my time as a lecturer in Disability Studies at Wellington College of Education, I learned a positive method of critical feedback on any work or venture. That was to provide both commendations acknowledging achievement, and recommendations involving aspects that could beimproved. It is a system that stands one in good stead, whatever the situation.

So to the commendations:

We welcome on board all new departments that have supplied progress reports on the implementation of the Strategy in the 2002/2003 year. The work of the Office in proactive engagement with government agencies is obviously bearing fruit. It is a striking confirmation of our long-held view that, not only did disabled people need a Minister of the Crown specifically responsible for disability issues, but that a dedicated lead agency was essential as well.

The Strategy applies to all of the government, and is not limited to those aspects of service delivery that might apply to some agencies, for example Education, Health or Social Development. At the same time, the Strategy is not limited to the human resource functions of a government agency: it does also apply to service delivery. Reporting on actions in this regard is beginning to show the right kind of balance. For example, in relation to objective 3, (provide the best education for disabled people), the Ministry of Education, together with the Education Review Office and National Library, is reporting on actions to achieve this objective.

We are supportive of those government agencies that have looked to the expertise of disabled people, both in terms of staff internally, and external advisory groups. We trust that where disability advice is being sought externally, it is being remunerated appropriately!

The improvements in access to hard copy website information is pleasing. We noted last year the difficulty people with impairments have in getting information, while noting such information is power. Hopefully this progress will continue.

Now for some recommendations:

We are disappointed by continuing gaps in the reporting on implementation of the Strategy. In our view this reflects a quaint notion that disability is a charitable add on, or aspect of social responsibility that does not sit within strategic imperatives of government agencies. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Strategy points to a society that “fully values our lives and continually enhances our participation”. To achieve this requires, at the very least, a public service responsive to our rights and needs as a population group. Attitudes towards disability issues need to change. Government agencies need comprehensive disability awareness training for all staff, and it is pleasing to see this beginning to occur, of course delivered by appropriately qualified disabled people.

Overall, and in any project that involves disability issues, government agencies need to build partnerships with disabled people. We know projects are still being undertaken which do not respect the centrality of a disability perspective. In all things involving disability issues, government agencies must take into account objective 5 of the Strategy, the fostering of the leadership role of disabled people. Future reporting on progress needs to have regard for evidence of commitment to that objective.

Something else we will be seeking in the next report is evidence that government agencies are putting their money where their mouth is. Implementation of the Strategy is going to require resourcing. For example, Statistics New Zealand has decided to continue with the disability question in the national census together with a follow-up survey, and have put in a budget bid to cover the cost of this. We believe other agencies need to start identifying aspects of the Strategy that have cost implications and making the necessary preparations for future budget rounds. Failure to do so will risk the perception that commitment to the Strategy remains superficial.

Concluding on a positive note, we recognize that for the moment, while there is a fair way to go in realizing the ultimate vision of the Strategy - that is, nothing less than a fully inclusive society - we all seem to be facing in the right direction.

 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) ACTIVITIES

The first NEC meeting of the year was held in late January in Wellington.

After warmly welcoming new members, President Mike Gourley briefly outlined the development of DPA. Most importantly, it has emerged over time as a genuine voice of disabled people while managing to maintain connections to both the service sector and international people's organisations . The lifeblood of DPA is its regional assemblies and the NEC recognises the importance of sustaining the vitality of these. Local assemblies and their members are all members of one national organisation, with the NEC and secretariat acting as national coordinators and a dissemination body. It is the members from regional assemblies that make up the NEC.

Key discussions at the meeting:

 

REGULATIONS IMPEDE PEOPLE'S LIVES

DPA is concerned that disabled people are going to be the unwitting casualties of new Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) and ACC regulations and guidelines for lifting and transfers.

The new guidelines, called the “LITEN UP Approach to Lifting”, state that any load over 16 kilos is considered to represent a significant risk and an avoidable occupational hazard.

“There is no lifting technique or training that can overcome this risk so an integrated approach to assessing the risk, handling patients, using equipment and designing facilities is required”(Canterbury Health Line, June 2003, issue 75).

DPA CEO Gary Williams believes that such regulations and advice are going to have major implications for disabled individuals who require assistance with transfers or lifting. “Already, some home-based support agencies are instructing their staff not to lift anybody who weighs more than16kg. This also includes standing transfers. I assume that when these regulations were drafted that there was never the intention to commodify disabled people by equating them to a sack of spuds or a keg of beer, but this is the result”.

Gary also believes that while hoists and other lifting devices do have their uses, there are many instances where they are impractical, such as in confined spaces. A simple ban on lifting is not the answer and, for disabled people, creates more problems than it solves.

“We live in a country that is supposed to be removing the barriers to participation for disabled people. The ban on lifting is contradictory to that.”

Air New Zealand bans lifting

Air New Zealand has now introduced a policy that would mean disabled people who need transfer assistance to and from aircraft seats either don't use the airline or pay for a traveling companion to help.

Citing the new lifting regulations, the airline claims it is a safety issue. However, while the airline is keen to protect its staff, it is quite happy for farepaying passengers to be exposed to the perceived risks. DPA is investigating the options to make Air NZ reverse its discriminatory policy.

 

INTRODUCING NEW NEC MEMBERS

Anna Jameson

Anna has lived with a mobility disability all her life and learnt from an early age to fully push the boundaries. She has a Masters degree in Communications Management from Massey University and has worked in various Public Relations and Communication roles. Anna currently co-ordinates the disability awareness education team at Otago CCS and tutors in communications at Otago University.

Anna has a passion for travel and has backpacked throughout Europe with her wheelchair and a friend. She and her brother have also written a book about accessible walks in the South Island.

She lives in Dunedin with her husband Bruce and two cats, and keeps herself going by drinking too much coffee with friends!

Wendy Randall

Wendy's initial involvement in disability issues was as a mental health consumer in the 1970's and 80's. She became involved in advocacy both for herself and others in the early 1980's, but felt she was a lone voice at that time. However in 1990 Wendy discovered the Wellington Mental Health Consumer's Union and by 1991 was employed as their advocate at Porirua Hospital, and later became a member of the Union Committee. She is particularly aware of the many people who have co-existing disabilities and believes that their needs are not being met fully.

Wendy came to DPA as a result of a placement at the national office when studying for the National Certificate in Social Services, and became a member of DPA in 2002. She is now at Massey University as a social work degree student.

Wendy is an artist at Vincent's art workshop and in1995 she received one of two second place merit awards in the Trust Bank Golden Bay art awards while a resident at Whare Mahana, a therapeutic community in Takaka.

 

NEW PUBLICATIONS EDITOR:

Christine Newman

Due to other commitments, unfortunately Sally Champion is no longer able to be the Publications Editor to DPA. Instead, I am taking on the role and it is a somewhat steep learning curve.

I have a background in academic writing with two articles published in the New Zealand Journal of Disability Studies. I was also very involved in organizing the Disability, Spirituality and Faith Conference, held in Wellington May 2003, and have just finished editing the conference proceedings.

I have personal experience of disability through my father, myself and a foster child we cared for over a period of two years. I am particularly interested in how people with disabilities are viewed by the church community, especially those who believe we should all be healed, fixed or ‘cured'.

Working with the DPA is a new experience for me and I am looking forward to learning more about the vital role they play in the disability community.

 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – THE BEST EVER

The organizers of this year's DPA National Assembly & Conference have set themselves the goal of making it the best ever.

The event will be held in Palmerston North, 29th - 31st October 2004 with the theme being “Making a World of Difference? - the New Zealand Disability Strategy”.

You need to start planning now to attend because the organizers believe that space will be at a premium and limited to 250 people.

Be in Palmerston North in late October and be part of the best ever DPA Conference.

 

DPA DETAILS

Want to know more?

If you need more information from the DPA National Secretariat on any item in Bites simply phone /ITTY us on(04) 801-9100, fax your request to (04) 801-9565, send it email: gen@dpa.org.nz, or to DPA (New Zealand) Inc PO Box 27-524,Wellington or check our website www.dpa.org.nz