Annual Report 2002
Goal 5: To be part of an active credible international disability community
DPA has international responsibility
Participating in the international disabled community is a responsibility DPA takes seriously, mainly to ensure we know about and can share in the developments occurring overseas while also serving to strengthen our voice and promote our aims.
Furthermore, DPA itself has some degree of overseas influence. We are seen by people in other countries close to us in the Pacific and wider Asian region as having, and needing to play, a leadership role in furthering the agenda of people with disabilities. This is because New Zealand is perceived as having the benefit of social, environmental and political structures that are more advanced than most of the other countries hereabouts.
So, DPA is providing that leadership, mentoring people and organisations in the developing nations and maintaining good links and relationships. Former vice-president and current member of the national executive committee, Lorna Sullivan of Tauranga, is currently secretary to the Asia-Pacific branch of Disabled Peoples International (DPI) and attended their meeting in Bangkok during the year.
DPA chief executive, Gary Williams, is secretary to the Oceania Disability and Advisory Committee which is a forum for disabled people from Oceania countries around the South Pacific.
Report for Rehabilitation International (RI) Social Commission
The New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS) launched in April 2001 represents a significant development for disability in New Zealand. For the first time it provides a high level strategic framework to guide government policy to create a fully inclusive society. With the establishment of the Office of Disability Issues in the Ministry of Social Development on July 2002 (that will oversee the further implementation and monitoring of the NZDS), the Ministry of Health will focus on actions which will further the aims of the NZDS.
Significant developments over the last year include:
- government decisions to de-institutionalise Braemar and Kimberley
- development of new services for people with an intellectual disability or an Autism Spectrun Disorder with high and complex needs
- funding for service developments for people who are deaf/blind
- involvement of DPA in the review of home help services in the Central locality
- review of rehabilitation services in Auckland, and in the Central locality (in conjunction with ACC)
- the Community Reintegration Project in Auckland which has identified 400 younger people currently in rest homes who require resettlement to more appropriate services
- funding of a research project by MORST for the Ministry of Health to pilot new models of inter-sectoral needs assessment and service co-ordination.
A recent report by Paul Saucier, (an Ian Axford Fellow from the USA) entitled "Promoting a National Vision for People with Disabilities — Successful Policies and Enduring Barriers", commented that New Zealand has done well in promoting models of community living, and in developing the NZDS as a guiding document. Paul observed that the focus of many services has remained on support and maintenance models. The challenge for us all is to increase the emphasis on habilitation and rehabilitation, and to develop the second tier objectives and performance measures which will enable us to see if the goals of the strategy are being achieved.
Lester Mundell, Chief Advisor Disability Services, Ministry of Health
Unfortunately, the events of 11 September 2001 put on hold the opportunity for the Social Commission to meet and discuss three very significant topics. These topics arose out of discussions in Brazil around the role of the Social Commission and its next steps forward, especially in terms being a facilitator and initiator of international debate. The issues chosen were:
- Poverty and disability, especially the impact of poverty on the ability of people with disabilities to take advantage of the opportunities offered by social rehabilitation.
- Human rights and more particularly the development of disability strategies which should incorporate a strong rights element. New Zealand's input centred around the Disability Strategy and the development of the Office of Disability Issues which offered the opportunity to turn a document into reality.
- The relationship between culture and social rehabilitation. New Zealand was responsible for beginning this debate and preparing the initial paper to start the debate in the international forum. (Copies of this paper have been sent to you.)
The Social Commission also recognised that because of its nature it has significant interface with the other commissions, including:
- Medical in terms of prevention especially tertiary disability
- Employment especially where self employment may be the preferred option
- Education, as an aid to maximise the whole of life opportunities for people with disabilities.
During 2002-2003 we should see the continuation of those debates at Osaka.
Anne Hawker, DPA representative on RI Social Commission
More from the 2002 Annual Report
Index
Vision, Mission, Philosophy
Acknowledgements
President's Report
Chief Executive's Report
National Executive
Goal 1: Lead
2001 AGM Photos
Relay Service Rally Photos
Goal 2: Advise
Goal 3: Empower
Goal 4: Monitor
Goal 5: Community
Obituaries
Financial Statements
For previous reports contact gen@dpa.org.nz.