Annual Report 2001

Rehabilitation International Social Commission

1. International Context

In September 1999 Rehabilitation International approved a Charter for the Third Millennium with the goal of all nations evolving into societies that protect the rights of people with disabilities by supporting their full employment and inclusion in all aspects of life. The charter called on members to support the early promulgation of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, as a key strategy to achieve the goals. The world NGOs Summit on Disability in Beijing in March 2000 passed similar resolutions calling for a legally binding international convention on the rights of all people with disabilities to full participation and equality in society. Strong lobbying continues throughout the world on the call for a convention. In New Zealand the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently surveying potential support for such a charter.

2. New Zealand Developments

In New Zealand, since the election of the Labour-Alliance coalition government at the end of 1999 and the appointment of a first ever Minister of Disability Issues, there has been a strong focus in providing the legal rights, resources and support necessary to empower people with disabilities to overcome the barriers to participation in their communities and the achievement of their full potential as individuals. The move from a policy focus on disability support services to one based on disability issues is significant because it reinforces a whole of life perspective, including the role of recreation and other aspects of community participation. The prevention of isolation of people living in the community remains one of the major challenges faced by policy makers and services in ensuring the effectiveness of community living models. The most significant development has been the development and adoption by the New Zealand Government of the New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS) 'Making a World of Difference-Whakanui Oranga.' The strategy presents a long-term plan for changing New Zealand from a disabling to an inclusive society and was developed in consultation with disabled people, the wider disability sector and reflects many individuals' experiences of disability. The strategy includes 15 objectives which are underpinned by detailed actions. Eleven key government departments have produced an implementation work plan for the 2001/02 year and this annual planning process will be rolled out to all other departments in 2002. The Minister for Disability Issues will report to parliament annually on progress in implementing the strategy and a full review of progress will be conducted after 5 and 10 years. The NZDS provides the framework within which social rehabilitation will develop in the future.

The government has completed a review of vocational services that will result in an increased focus on employment related outcomes, and will (over a 5 year timeframe) reallocate responsibility for services focussed on respite, personal care, recreation and leisure.

3. Challenges

The lack of reliable data on disability in New Zealand has long hampered effective planning. The question on disability in the 2000 household census and the follow-up disability survey will be two components of enhancing the data that came from the 1996 census. like many Western countries, New Zealand is facing an ageing population and an ageing of the disability community. This is an issue that is new for many within the disability sector.

There is considerable debate regarding family versus public responsibility for caregiver support. The objective of publicly funded assistance has historically been to meet assessed identified needs and enhance access to community participation. Much of the support is provided by family members who have traditionally not been eligible to be paid for the services they provide. An issue that required further clarification is the extent to which the provision of assistance is a public or a family responsibility.

One of the important challenges in the provision of social rehabilitation in New Zealand is the development and strengthening of culturally appropriate service for Maori. The principles embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi are a necessary foundation for the development of new services. Similar developments are also required for services for Pacific People and other ethnic minorities.

The development of leading voices of people with disabilities will provide a challenge for increased consumer participation in the development of policies and in the governance and management of services for disabled people.

4. Social Rehabilitation

The legislation on the Accident Compensation scheme, which is due to be enacted later this year, includes a requirement for ACC to develop a Code of Rights for ACC Claimants.

One of the challenges facing ACC in terms of the delivery of social rehabilitation of injured people is the increased survival rate, with consequentially more serious injuries, especially spinal and traumatic brain injury. In recent years, with changes in medical technology, people with very severe spinal cord injuries life expectancy is now about the same as the rest of the population. Ageing with a disability brings challenges to both the social rehabilitation services to be delivered, the role of the family, and managing the social rehabilitation needs in the face of rising medical needs. The role of the family is often complicated because they too are ageing.

ACC is required to provide social rehabilitation which 'assists the person to undertake the activities of daily living to the greatest extent possible having regard to the consequences of his or her personal injury.' ACC has increased its focus increasingly on adaptations in the form of training for independent living, home based rehabilitation (which is about changing the way tasks are performed), and accommodations in the form of equipment, household modifications and vehicle modifications. Given the new World Health Organisation (WHO) International Classification of Funding and Disability Framework, one of the challenges will be to ensure that services are culturally appropriate in terms of the disability culture.

Anne Hawker and Lester Mundall, Social Commission

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.