Annual Report 2001
President's Report
History in the Making
The past year has marked significant historical events for disabled New Zealanders. A vision of DPA was realised when the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, launched the 'New Zealand Disability Strategy'. DPA was instrumental in persuading Government to support the development of the Strategy. Disabled people played a major role in shaping the Strategy from participating on the Reference Group, taking part in discussion forums and making many submissions. A large number of disabled people also attended the five venues on the evening the launch was held. Whilst the final document doesn't contain all the goals we would have liked to see in it, it is certainly a good starting point. Emphasis on changing public attitudes towards disabled citizens must focus on positive aspects of disabilities so 'we' can take our rightful place in society. DPA must play a key role in developing and providing disability educational programmes so existing barriers within society, preventing full participation of disabled people, can be broken down. Media portrayals of the super disabled person and the charity model in fund-raising campaigns must be replaced by realism.
Disabled people do not have to be super-human to go to school, go to work, have a sexual relationship, have children, participate in sport and recreation or enjoy friendships. We need to continue to work hard on ensuring that the Disability Strategy's objectives are reached.
One barrier facing disabled people is environmental access. A rewritten version of the New Zealand Standard 4121 was launched in early April. This version strengthens the code in that it addresses many access issues for all people with disabilities. DPA has always been and must continue to be an advocate in disability access issues. Regional Assemblies play a major role on access issues at their local level, whilst the National Secretariat and Executive Committee concentrates on national advocacy.
DPA continues to play a leading role on the world stage, by attending international conferences. DPA encourages New Zealand's Government to sign and promote Rehabilitation International's Charter for the Third Millennium. A presentation of the Charter took place on 3 December, International Day of the Disabled. As New Zealand is seen as a leader in the Pacific/East Asia Region, international affairs continues to be a priority.
It was great to see so many people with disabilities attending our Conference held in Hamilton. DPA is certainly getting stronger as the voice of people with disabilities. DPA's draft Constitution was discussed and passed with a strong call that self-determination of disabled members be achieved in the near future. Whilst DPA has valued its uniqueness in its members partnership model of agencies providing services and disabled people, DPA must listen and act on the call from disabled members for self-determination. Only disabled members being able to vote on issues within DPA can be a positive method to fulfil this dream.
DPA recognises and acknowledges that organisations of specific disabled people exist who advocate on their own disability issues. Whilst DPA has started forging a closer relationship with people with an intellectual disability, it is critical that DPA develop alliances with other disabled groups such as the deaf community. DPA's strength is its grass-root members and our regional assemblies.
Membership continues to increase and regional assemblies are coming out of recess. This is certainly a positive sign. However, DPA must not become complacent. If each member encouraged one person to join DPA, we would double our individual membership numbers. Let this be our challenge for this year.
Two goals DPA continues to strive towards, are developing leadership in our younger disabled community and strengthening our commitment to the Treaty Partnership with our Maori members. It is critical that regional assemblies embrace and strive towards these goals for without your help, DPA will find it difficult to obtain these important objectives. The year 2001 is the International Year of Volunteers. Whilst Gary and his dedicated team of staff play a crucial role in DPA, like many other community organisations, DPA could not exist without its vast team of volunteers. One volunteer, who gave many years of her time and expertise, was Elizabeth Cooper. Elizabeth's untimely death was a shock to us all. She was a light of sunshine and an inspiration to many of us. We will certainly miss Elizabeth at our gatherings.
I thank everyone who has been a volunteer for DPA and those who continue to give their time and energy to DPA. Without volunteers DPA would not have achieved so much in the past. Let's celebrate the Year of the Volunteer by striving to create a world where disabled people participate in all aspects of community life and are valued citizens of society.
Carolyn G Weston
DPA President
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.