Annual Report 2001
Chief Executive's Report
Significant year for our issues
I am pleased to be able to present my third Chief Executive Officer's report to the members of DPA (NZ) Inc. This has been another busy year with activities such as the development and release of the New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS), the National Assembly and Conference in Hamilton, fostering relationships with organisations for disabled people like People First and the Association of Blind Citizens and responding to a myriad of requests for information as disability finally becomes an issue in its own right.
Perhaps the most significant event of the year was the launch of the NZDS in April. Its significance lies in the fact that this is the first time that any New Zealand Government has officially recognised that it is society that disables people and that there is a difference between 'disability' and 'impairment'. Given this insight then the Strategy is built on a strong philosophical foundation.
While the actions contained in the first version of the NZDS aren't as forceful as we'd hoped, I am convinced that that it can deliver what it promises ie. a fully inclusive society but only if we all work together. Though the Government should provide the leadership and resources to implement the NZDS we, disabled people and our supporters, must not be passive spectators waiting for things to happen. We have to make sure that the NZDS works for us and this will not happen if we sit by idly waiting for others to seize the initiative, we must do it ourselves.
One of the more interesting outcomes of the consultation on the Strategy was the debate on what labels we prefer for ourselves eg. 'disabled people' or 'people with disabilities' or 'people experiencing disability.' While 'disabled people' was the preferred option, many people are still not convinced that it should be. Supporters of 'people with disabilities' say that this term puts 'people' first but I tend to believe that it just serves to make individuals bear the burdens of the disabling conditions that others have imposed upon us.
However, as a staunch supporter of the right to chose, I believe their views need to be respected. As for myself, I am somewhat relieved that after more than a decade of trying to find the most apt euphemism I am, and always have been, a disabled person.
The National Assembly and Conference in Hamilton was, indeed, a resounding success. There were many highlights for me including the adoption of a new plain language constitution, a growing realisation by disabled people that they can and must be the ultimate decision-makers within DPA, guest speaker Mark Sherry's clear explanation of the social model of disability and, from my managerial perspective, a budget surplus.
The Assembly also marked the end of Paul Gibson's three-year term as President. Although there was no formal opportunity to recognise Paul's contribution to DPA I'm sure his tenure will be best remembered for the publication of Our Vision, ratification of the Equal Value of life policy, adoption of the revised constitution, and raising the profile of the issues of young disabled people.
Paul's successor, Carolyn Weston, heads the organisation at the brink of a new era for DPA which has many opportunities and many threats. The opportunities arise from the implementation of the NZDS and society's acceptance that impairment is a normal part of humanity while the threats are from mankind's pre-occupation with tampering with our very essence as human beings so that eventually impaired people might cease to exist.
Finally, I acknowledge and thank the National Secretariat team of Robyn Crisp, Wendi Wicks, Robert Cameron and Jeyan Kanapathippilai for continuing to provide the support that enables DPA to function in the way that it does.
Gary Williams
Chief Executive Officer
More from the 2001 Annual Report
Index
Vision, Mission, Philosophy
Acknowledgements
President's Report
Chief Executive's Report
National Executive
Goal 1: Providing Leadership
International Relations
Charter for the Third Millennium
RI Social Commission
Vocational Commission
Leisure, Recreation and Sport Commission
Goal 2: Quality Advice
Goal 3: Advocating
Goal 4: Monitoring
Financial Statements
For previous reports contact gen@dpa.org.nz.