Strategy to create better future for disabled

ADVOCATE: Hamish Taverner, 51, will attend the announcement of the new Disability Strategy at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland on November 29. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

A new strategy for those living with a disability is to be revealed this month, with one Palmerston North man eagerly awaiting the announcement.

Hamish Taverner will don a black suit and tie for the Auckland event where Minister of Disability Issues Nicky Wagner will unveil the plan.

The strategy establishes framework to identify and remove barriers which stop disabled people from fully participating in society.

Mr Taverner, 51, was a representative of People First on the Advisory Group which helped shape the new strategy. He was born with mild cerebral palsy and has spent more than 20 years of his life advocating for others with intellectual or learning disabilities.

"I have just finished my term as president of People First but I am still vice-president for the central region. I have also just become chairman of the Rangitikei branch of IHC."

A draft strategy was released in July after earlier public consultations. Meetings were held around the country to find out what people wanted the future to look like for the disabled community. At the time, director of the Office for Disability Issues Megan McCoy said one million New Zealanders had some form of impairment.

"As a society we need to make sure that disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in our communities and live a good life."

The draft strategy included eight key outcomes: education, employment, health and well-being, justice, accessibility, attitudes, choice and control, and leadership. It also includes goals and timeframes to ensure the strategy is implemented.

FACTS:
One in four New Zealanders are limited by an impairment.
35 per cent of disabled people are over the age of 65.
Disabled people are more likely to have a lower income than non-disabled people.
34 per cent of disabled women have no education qualification.
A learning difficulty is the most common impairment in children.