Engage Aotearoa

Category Archives: Disability Issues

Free access to building accessibility standards

July 21, 2012 11:44 pm ⋅

The best advice on how to make buildings accessible for disabled people is now available online for free. As the result of advocacy by the Barrier Free Trust, CCS Disability Action and DPA, eleven organisations have joined together to fund public access to New Zealand Standard 4121: Design for access and mobility: Buildings and associated facilities (NZS4121) over the next two years.

NZS4121 covers public buildings such as government offices, commercial buildings, police stations, hospitals, schools, theatres, shops, petrol stations and public toilets. It provides detailed technical guidance for design and building industry professionals on how to achieve the minimum level of accessibility in the built environment, as required under the Building Act 2004.

The Department of Building and Housing (now part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) has agreed to fund fifty percent of the cost, with the remaining fifty percent being met by:

  • Wellington City Council
  • Auckland Council
  • Christchurch City Council
  • Selwyn District Council
  • Building Officials Institute of New Zealand
  • Barrier Free New Zealand Trust
  • CCS Disability Action
  • Be. Institute
  • Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB)
  • National Foundation for the Deaf (NFD)
  • Deaf Aotearoa.

This is a great achievement. It will promote greater knowledge of practical changes that can be made to improve access for all.

The Barrier Free Trust and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment are planning a series of seminars to inform the disability and construction sectors on the importance of NZS4121 in the design and building process. These seminars will help to spread the news about the free availability of NZS4121.

You can access NZS4121 at: http://www.standards.co.nz/4121+access+mobility+design

 

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Accommodation / Housing, Disability Issues, Online Resources ⋅ Tagged: , ,

Ministry of Justice Proposes Cutting Disability Law Services

July 7, 2012 1:49 am ⋅

Help Save Disability Law

The Ministry of Justice is proposing to withdraw funding for direct specialist legal services for the disability community from June 2013.

This will mean that there will no longer be a community law centre specialising in the complex legal needs of disabled people.  There will be no Auckland Disability Law.

Auckland Disability Law is calling for the Ministry of Justice to rethink this proposal.

At Engage Aotearoa, we think there should be specialist disability law services available to disabled people throughout New Zealand, including Auckland Disability Law. We frequently refer people to this service.

Your Help is Needed!

Key Things You Can Do:

Sign the Open Letter to Judith Collins, the Minister of Justice as an individual or on behalf of your organisation (attached (right click the link to save the document) and available on Auckland Disability Law’s Facebook page or by email from info@adl.org.nz).  Email to sign the letter and send your organisation’s logo.

Come to the “Save Disability Law” Community Hui

Send a message to the government that we are serious about saving disability law through the continued funding of Auckland Disability Law and extending specialist legal services nationally for disabled people.

  • When:  Monday 30th July 2012, 1pm till 3pm
  • Where:   Western Springs Garden Community Hall, 956 Great North Road
  • Invited speakers: Mojo Mathers, Sue Bradford, Clive Lansink

Other Things That You Can Do to Help

Write your own letter to Justice Minister Judith Collins

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith-collins

Write to the newspapers, or put out your own press release

Contact Auckland Disability Law for further information

Follow Auckland Disability Law on Facebook

Search and click the ‘like’ button on the Auckland Disability Law Facebook page

Further Information

If you require any further information or you are able to help the campaign in any way, please contact, Auckland Disability Law:

Nicola Owen, Development Manager, Auckland Disability Law

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Addiction/Substance Abuse, Community Participation, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Support ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Blueprint II Launched 13 June 2012

June 15, 2012 4:59 am ⋅

Launch of Blueprint II

Blueprint II was to be launched at Parliament on 13 June 2012. Blueprint II is a ten year plan to make sure that future users of mental health and addiction services, their families and whānau are getting the services they need, when they need them and where they need them.

It has been developed by the Mental Health Commission in close consultation with the wider mental health and addiction sector. The implementation of Blueprint II will be monitored by the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner.

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Disability Issues, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, People with Disabilities, Service-User Movement ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Caring Counts Report on Aged Care Workforce in NZ

June 1, 2012 11:20 pm ⋅

NEON (National Equal Opportunities Network) Special Feature

Caring Counts: Report of the Inquiry into the Aged Care Workforce      

Click the links below to view individual sections from Caring Counts

Part 1
–  Foreword
–  Recommendations

–  Timetable for implementation

Part 2
–  Why this Inquiry?

–  About the Human Rights Commission
–  Terms of Reference
–  How we conducted the Inquiry
–  Terminology
–  Issues looked at in the Inquiry

Part 3
–  Respect and value
–  Workforce supply, recruitment and retention
–  Conditions of work
–  Wages and pay parity
– Carers – community and residential facilities
– The gendered nature of caring
– Pay issues
– Financial modelling
– Transparency and consistency
– Transferring resources
– Pay issues for registered nurses and other workers
– Conclusion
–  Staff to resident ratios
–  Training and qualifications
–  Changing service models and developing skill sets
–  Minimum training levels for support workers
–  Qualifications and rewards
–  Value of training
–  Career path
–  Challenges
–  Qualifications, training and the regulated workforce
–  Conclusion
– Managerial competence
–  Men as carers
–  Migrant workforce
–  Migrant workers in the aged care sector
   –  Overseas trained nurses
–  English language requirements for registration
–  Work visas – the union view

–  Work visas – the employers view
–  Cultural and language differences
–   Conclusion
–  Regulatory frameworks
–  Regulation of the workforce
–  Regulation of services
–  Integration and coordination of services
–  Conclusion

Part 4
–  Diary of a carer
–  Maori in aged care
–  Impact of Christchurch earthquake

Part 5
–  Financial modelling
–  Human rights framework
–  Literature review

–  Appendices

Posted in: Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Older People and Aging ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

UN Convention Monitoring Report – Forum for People with Disabilities to Have their Say

May 31, 2012 10:53 am ⋅

This is our chance to give feedback on how well we are doing with the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities

Forum Invitation

A Forum for disabled Aucklanders is being held to discuss six key areas to be highlighted in a report being submitted to the New Zealand Government.

They want your input so please come along and have your say

The areas to be talked about are:

  • Social inclusion
  • Health
  • Work
  • The way disability support services are run
  • Barriers to making complaints
  • Lack of disability awareness.

Disabled people are invited to attend the Auckland forum:

  • When:  Wednesday 13 June 2012
  • Where:  RNZ Foundation of the Blind Recreation Centre, 4 Maunsell Road, Parnell
  • Time: 10am to 3pm

Refreshments:   Morning tea and lunch will be provided

RSVP:   To Pam MacNeill, by either sending an

Places are strictly limited so we must hear from you no later than 5pm, Friday 1 June 2012.

Please let them know:

  • If you have any specific dietary needs?
  • If you need sign language interpreters?
  • If you need large print forum material?
  • If you need Braille forum material?

Background to Monitoring Process

On 30 March 2007, New Zealand signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).  This was ratified on 26 September 2008.

An important part of the convention is the monitoring process. New Zealand Disabled Peoples’ Organisations have formed a steering group, called the Convention Coalition, to manage this process.

The Convention Coalition is a group of national disabled peoples’ organisations governed by disabled people (as defined in Article 33 of the UNCRPD).

The Coalition is made up of:

  • Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand
  • Balance New Zealand
  • Deaf Aotearoa
  • Disabled Persons Assembly
  • Nga Hau E Wha
  • Ngati Kapo O Aotearoa Inc
  • People First New Zealand Inc – Nga Tangata Tuatahi [Auckland Council]
Posted in: Community Participation, Disability Issues, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: ,

Animation Raises Awareness of UN Convention on Rights of People with Disability

May 25, 2012 5:59 am ⋅

The Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Scottish Human Rights Commission have today launched a short animated film to raise awareness of the UN Disability Convention in Scotland.

The film has British Sign Language and captioning. It was illustrated by Ko Lik Films and produced by Glasgow Media Access Centre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUwHIbQFszU

The exact same convention has been ratified in New Zealand so the exact same rights apply here.

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Disability Issues, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Online Resources, People with Disabilities ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Tri-Lingual Picture Dictionary: So every child can have a voice

May 25, 2012 4:57 am ⋅

Children’s Visual Communications Dictionary

This is a wonderful tri-lingual picture dictionary. This is one of the first dictionaries that represent the three official languages of Aotearoa. The organisation behind this dictionary is Voice Thru Your Hands. Their vision is that every child, whether they are deaf, have a hearing impairment, or are non-verbal, are given the chance to have a voice.

The Dictionary is available here http://www.voicethruyourhands.org.nz/information/visual-communication-resources-i-11.html

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Disability Issues, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Youth Mental-Health News from YouthworX

May 25, 2012 4:19 am ⋅

Youth Mental Health Package Unveiled by Prime Minster:   Last week the Prime Minister unveiled a $62 million package of initiatives focusing on youth mental health. The package details how Government will improve services for young people with, or at risk of, mild to moderate mental health problems. The initiatives will be of interest to many people and organisations working in the community sector who deal with the consequences of unmet mental health needs, which can involve families, schools and communities as well as the young people themselves.  The initiatives will include a focus on making primary health care more youth friendly with interim support for Youth One Stop Shops.  The finer details are still in development and the Ministries are consulting with key people in the sector.  The initiative also increases the number of youth workers in low decile schools.

Youth workers will be placed in schools in South Auckland, Porirua and Flaxmere that don’t already have Multi Agency Support Services in Secondary Schools. Youth workers will be employed by Child, Youth and Family preferred providers who will be required to go through a tendering and contracting process.  There will be 9 new youth workers in 2012/13 and 10 more in 2013/14.  Youth workers will be required to have a level 6 qualification.

Full fact sheet information is available here:

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-School_Based_Initiatives.pdf

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-Health_Sector.pdf

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-Family_and_Community.pdf

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Youth_Mental_Health_project-Online_initiatives.pdf

Whanau Ora: A Strengths Based Approach to Youth Mental Health:  The Minister for Whānau Ora, Tariana Turia, has welcomed the recognition that Whānau Ora is intimately linked to the drive to improve youth mental health. “Whānau Ora, at its heart, is about whānau, aiga or families coming together to support each other through building shared aspirations, and working together to achieve those aspirations,” said Mrs Turia.  Read the media release http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/wh%C4%81nau-ora-strengths-based-approach-youth-mental-health

Youth Smoking Hits Record Low:   ASH Smoking Survey shows a record drop in youth smoking – especially among Maori girls. The overall rate of youth smoking has dropped one-and-a-half percent to 4.1% (from 5.5% in 2010), the largest drop in almost a decade. Read the full report here:  http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/youth-smoking-hits-record-low

Public Sector Targets:  The Government has announced a set of 10 new targets for the public sector over the next three to five years. These have implications for children, young people, and people working with them.  For more information see http://beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/The_Prime_Minister%27s_results_for_New_Zealanders.pdf

Health of Maori Children and Young People with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities:  The report provides an overview of secondary health service utilisation patterns for Māori children and young people with chronic conditions and disabilities. To read the report see http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/health-maori-children-and-young-people-chronic-conditions-and-disabilities

Families Commission – Teen Pregnancy – New Report:  A recent report on teen pregnancy in New Zealand makes recommendations aimed at providing more support, choice and opportunity for young parents. To download and view the report go http://www.familiescommission.org.nz/research/parenting/teenage-pregnancy-and-parenting

Payment Rate Increases:  From 1 April 2012 there will be a 1.77% increase to: rates and thresholds for main benefits, Student Allowances, Student Loan Living Costs and the Foster Care Allowance, rates and thresholds for some supplementary assistance, thresholds for the Community Services Card.  A 2.65% increase will apply to rates of New Zealand Superannuation.  Read more here http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2012/payment-changes-for-april-2012.html


Posted in: Cultural Considerations, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, News, Parents and Parenting, Physical Health, Politics and Policy, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , ,

UNCRPD Monitoring Survey 2012

May 18, 2012 1:47 am ⋅

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability is a UN convention that aims to enshrine the rights of people with disabilities in law to ensure all people are afforded the human right to participate in their communities.

The New Zealand government has ratified the UN Convention and thus made a commitment to ensure legislation, policy and procedure to protect the rights of people with disabilities – including disability caused by the effects of a mental-health problem.

In 2011 a report to the UN was written by the government to summarise their progress towards this goal. A shadow report was also written by community groups in consultation with their stake-holders. There were some key differences in the perspectives of these two reports.

A monitoring survey has now been established to gather a wider perspective of how people living with disabilities in the community see things.

Follow the link below to fill out an anonymous survey and help the UN monitor what NZ needs to do better for people living with disability.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9FPMX82

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Accommodation / Housing, Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Refugees / Migrants, Research, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: ,

Feedback Sought on Auckland Respite Services for People with Disabilities

May 10, 2012 11:56 pm ⋅

Renaissance Group is a supplier of disability support services in the greater Auckland area.

In conversations and discussions at various network meetings with parents and families, the gaps in the respite services in the greater Auckland area has stood out.

In order to identify some of these gaps more clearly, feedback is needed from disabled people and their families currently accessing respite services, or disabled people and families who feel they need respite services but are currently not receiving this.

This feedback is completely anonymous. No one needs to put their names, or identify themselves in their feedback.

They are gathering this information to look at what respite services could look like moving forward, and how they can meet your needs at a wider level.

Open and save a copy of the Renaissance Group Questionnaire for Respite Services to your computer where you can complete it at your leisure.

They would really appreciate  receiving your feedback by Monday 28th May.

Please reply with your responses to Evan Clulee either via email or alternatively you can post your questionnaire back:

  • Email: evan.c@ren2001.co.nz
  • Address: Renaissance Group, PO Box 63-001, Manukau City, Auckland 2241.
Posted in: Accommodation / Housing, Community Participation, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Research, Service-User Movement, Support ⋅ Tagged: , , ,