The new Ministry for Disabled People will put the voice of people with disabilities and their whānau at the heart of decision making.
Transformative change for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, families and whānau is promised under a new Ministry for Disabled People that is set to reform the disability system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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The new Ministry is designed to replace the currently fragmented system where there is no single agency responsible for driving improved overall outcomes for people with disabilities. Instead, all disability supports and services will be joined up, in line with the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) vision and principles. Enabling Good Lives pilots in Christchurch, Waikato and MidCentral regions empower people with disabilities and their families to have more control and choice about the support they receive.
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Putting the voice of people with disabilities and their families at the heart of decision making is key. An associated Accessibility Governance Board will be led by, and represent, disabled people and whānau aiming to integrate disabled communities’ voices into all levels of decision-making – from the formation and running of the Ministry, to the development of accessibility legislation.
The new Ministry will be hosted by the Ministry of Social Development, to make sure there is shared access to existing services and knowledge. It aims to:
- drive better outcomes for all disabled people
- lead and coordinate cross-government strategic disability policy
- work to deliver and transform disability support services
- progress work on the broader transformation of the wider disability system.
The Ministry aims to deliver a truly transformative way forward for people with disabilities and their whānau to thrive in Aotearoa New Zealand.
References
- New Ministry for Disabled People Ministry of Social Development, NZ, 2021
- Enabling good lives