DPA reinforces call for repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act
9 November 2006A major national umbrella organisation representing people with disabilities is calling on the National Party to review its position on the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act (DPEPA).
"Since this Act was passed, 46 years ago, disabled people have been advocating for its repeal," says Gary Williams, chief executive of the Disabled Persons Assembly.
"We have been, and remain, offended by the outdated assumption that disabled people's work is inherently worth less, which is what the sheltered workshop system allows," Mr William says.
"National's spokesman on disability issues Dr Paul Hutchison appears to be out of touch in his support of this continued injustice.
"We utterly reject the implicit assumption that disabled people who remain in sheltered workshops are there because they want to be there. Research shows that disabled people want the same conditions of employment as anyone else.
"People tend to know what is fair and just whatever impairment they have," he says.
Mr Williams said there were many providers who were supportive of the repeal of the DPEPA and were ready to provide services in the new environment. However, there were a few others who wanted to retain the status quo.
"We are concerned that Dr Hutchison has been captured by those people who want to maintain the discriminatory practices that are enshrined in the DPEPA."
Mr Williams said New Zealand had taken a leadership position in developing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
"One of the key elements of the Convention is that the world no longer sees a place for institutional arrangements- education, work or living- for us. The non-repeal of the DPEPA would be a rich irony to the international community.
"Continued obstruction to this bill appears to be more about politics than from listening to what disabled people have consistently said they want.
"We urge that the National Party urgently review its position on the DPEPA repeal and to adopt a position that is consistent with what disabled people want, and with Whakanui Oranga, the NZ Disability Strategy," Mr Williams says.