Issue 26-Newsletters-News and Publications-Disability

Disability in New Zealand
News and Publications

Disability Services Provider - Newsletter
Issue 26 - October 2008

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In this issue:

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Disibility services E-Newsletter: October 2008 (PDF, 254 KB)

Lu'i Ola logo

Pacific Disability Update

Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Kia Orana, Ni sa bula Vinaka,
Kia Ora tatou and warm Pacific greetings

Work in Pacific Disability has attained a number of key achievements to date. These milestones have been through the Ministry of Health’s National Pacific Disability Plan 2007 - 2009 which is currently being rescoped and redrafted.

Lu'i Ola Auckland Pacific Disability Project

Launched on 20 April 2007 by Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban in Auckland, the Lu'i Ola Auckland Pacific Disability Project Plan has since achieved a number of milestones one of which is the establishment of the ongoing strategic commitment of thirteen government agencies to the project. Apart from the project governance group, there are four key project workstream groups: Community Engagement, Workforce, Access and Environmental Support. These groupings reflect the key priorities of the Lu'i Ola Project Plan. The communications campaign and the Mangere Access Pilot Project are exciting initiatives currently underway that aim to address the challenges currently facing the Pacific disabled community regarding service information and awareness and service accessibility respectively.

Pacific Disability Information, Advice and Support Service

The establishment of Vaka Tautua as a national Pacific Disability Information and Advisory Service (DIAS) in April 2008 will further provide Pacific peoples with information and advice about available disability services across New Zealand. As part of the national service, Vaka Tautua recently opened offices in Christchurch on 8 August and in Wellington on 29 September.

National Pacific Disability Plan

The new revised National Pacific Disability Plan will provide the future vision for Pacific disability initiatives and further contribute to improving the lives of Pacific disabled individuals and their families or aiga.

For further queries please contact Feala Afoa on Feala_Afoa@moh.govt.nz

DDG Update
Geraldine Woods
Deputy Director-General
Health and Disability National Services Directorate

On 5 September the Social Services Select Committee released its report on its “Inquiry into the Quality of Care and Services Provision for Disabled People”, which had a number of recommendations in it.

The Government has 90 days to present its response to the Select Committee’s recommendations. It is important to note that the 90 day period lapsed when Parliament rose (5 October) and will commence again if (and when) the new Parliament votes to re-instate the Inquiry. It is also important to note that these are recommendations only and do not necessarily represent the final outcomes and actions that Government will take.

The Government response will require input from a range of agencies, however most of the recommendations in the report are consistent with the overall direction for Disability Support Services. The Ministry of Health and the Office for Disability Issues will be the lead agencies, but input will also be required from the Disability Services E-Newsletter October 2008 2 Ministries of Education and Social Development, the Health and Disability Commissioner, State Services Commission, Treasury, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, ACC and the Department of Labour. We will keep you updated as this work progresses.

A number of the issues highlighted in the report came up during the consumer forums we held around the country in 2006 and 2007. These formed the basis of our draft Strategic Plan 2008- 10 and have influenced the work we have done over the last year.

We have to ensure that the services we fund meet the needs of our service users, have some flexibility when needed and are sustainable. We will continue to work with service users, their families, carers and service providers to achieve this.
The report can be found under Select Committee Reports at http://www.parliament.nz

Feala Afoa, Development Manager Pacific

I joined the Planning and Development Team on 1 July this year.

I have held managerial positions in the NGO health sector, previously as
a project manager for an interagency collaborative pilot health
initiative working with Pacific peoples in the central Auckland region.

My current role is to lead and manage a portfolio of agreed Pacific
developmental work including designated projects and provide national
leadership that contributes to improving lives of Pacific disabled
peoples and their families or aiga.

Disability in the News

New Zealand Celebrates Ratifying UN Disabilities Convention

On 3 September, the Disability (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) Bill was unanimously passed through all its stages opening the way for New Zealand to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The formal processes were completed on 26 September and ratification takes effect 30 days later, meaning New Zealand will be able to attend the first meeting of state parties to the Convention from 31 October to 3 November.

This has been a very whole-of-government project and the Office of Disability Issues will now need to begin work on how New Zealand will implement the Convention, working through current processes for the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

Affordable Housing Bill Passes Under Urgency

A Bill giving new powers to councils to get cheaper homes built passed into law on 5 September. Sitting under urgency, MPs passed the Affordable Housing: Enabling Territorial Authorities Bill by 66 votes to 52.

Under the law councils that establish they have a shortage of affordable housing will be able require developers to build some cheaper homes or to contribute money or land towards affordable housing being built elsewhere. Councils will also be able to offset development costs as an incentive to home builders.

Local Councils and Local Government New Zealand raised concerns about the Bill saying it was complex and set rigid processes but Housing Minister, Maryan Street said the amendments made by the select committee made the law more flexible.

Our Stories Exhibition

“our stories" challenges Kiwis to get to know people with disabilities - to see the person first, rather than the disability. Based on photographs by Hanne Johnsen and Glenn Busch's book, The Man With No Arms & Other Stories, the project is run in partnership between IHC and CCS Disability Action. The exhibition sends the message that people with disabilities have a right to participate in the community, to share in family life, have a job and ambitions. IHC and CCS Disability Action have formed a two-year partnership to take the exhibition to audiences around the country.

The project includes:

Exhibition of 43 black and white images
Book “The Man With No Arms and Other Stories” by Glenn Busch
Educational workshops for students from years 5-8
DVD Workshop for two years 7 and 8 classes

Alongside the Exhibition, there is also a curriculum teaching resource called “Learning About Disabilities – a Teacher resource for years 5-8. This resource is being piloted in Christchurch schools in 2008 and is being evaluated by the University of Canterbury, School of Educational Studies and Human Development. It is hoped that once evaluated this resource will be adopted by the Ministry of Education and will become part of the national curriculum for all schools throughout New Zealand.

The Exhibition will run from 13 Sept 2008 to 1 Feb 2009 at the New Dowse. For further information about the project please visit our website http://www.ourstories.co.nz

Educational Workshops

Wellington, Primary School Students – Years 5-8

Cost: Free

When: 28 October – 14 November 2008

Invitations: Invitations will be extended to all primary schools in the Wellington area to participate. It is important that bookings are confirmed well in advance to ensure adequate planning time for schools and guest speakers. Once schools respond that they wish to participate, they will receive a copy of the Teacher Notes and other resources and will identify a suitable time to attend.

Duration: Workshops will run for a three week period while the exhibition is running. One in the morning (10.30am – 12.00pm) and one in the afternoon (1.00pm – 2.30pm).

Venue: The workshops take place at the New Dowse.

Educator: Learning Experiences Outside The Classroom Teacher from the New Dowse will facilitate these workshops. This is under a Ministry of Education contract. A Worksheet is provided to teachers from participating schools which outline some pre-visit activities.

For further details please visit www.ourstories.co.nz or contact Pip O’Connell and Sally Thomas

‘My story is …’ Extension Workshop Activity

Using images and text created on site students will put together a multi media presentation using ‘Movie Maker’ software that tells a story about living with disability.

General Details:
Venue: Within your school environment
Tutor: Bridgit Anderson: Professional photographer
Duration: 4 x 3 hour sessions during the period 4 – 14 November 2008
Numbers: Opportunity for two schools to participate (15 students from each school)
Cost: There is no charge to schools for this activity
Level: Intermediate - Years 7 and 8

Curriculum Links:

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Communities and Environments, Relationships with Other People
Technology: Technical Knowledge & Understanding, Technological Capability
Social Studies: Social Organisation (Rights, Roles, Responsibilities)
Visual Arts: Practical Knowledge, Developing Ideas, Communicating and Interpreting
English: Reading, writing, Interpreting Visual Texts

Learning Outcomes:

Students will gain practical skills and experience in:

Digital camera handling
Compiling a movie using ’Movie Maker’ software
Interviewing / interacting with a disabled guest in order to learn/understand aspects of living with a disability
Storyboarding to effectively communicate a message relating to disability awareness.
Text / image editing

To register your interest or to find out more information about this series of activities contact:
bridgit.anderson@canterbury.ac.nz

Ministry of Health Publications

Unless other wise specified, you can obtain copies of all Ministry of Health publications from:
Ministry of Health, C/O Wickliffe Limited,
PO Box 932, Dunedin
Tel: (04) 496 2277 (Wellington)
Fax: (03) 479 0979 (Dunedin)
Email: moh@wickliffe.co.nz

Publications are also available on our website:
http://www.moh.govt.nz

If you would like any information about the articles contained in this newsletter or to comment please contact Tina Berkett on:
Email: disability@moh.govt.nz
Freephone: 0800 373 664

Staff Departures

Tony Wolke has left the Ministry
Tony left Disability Services in August to return to England. Tony now works for Craegmoor Healthcare an independent provider of specialist care for adults and younger people with a range of needs in the UK. We wish him all the best in his new position.

New Staff

Image of Delia Van Der Vyver

Delia Van Der Vyver Executive Assistant

I started at the Ministry as a temporary replacement Executive Assistant at Southern Operations but have since become a permanent fixture.

I emigrated from South Africa to New Zealand during late 2007 and the Ministry is my first employment experience in New Zealand.

I come from an IT environment primarily but chose a change of direction. Although not a fitness fanatic, I do enjoy the outdoors, especially riding my Harley, walking my dogs (Yorkshire Terriers) and when time permits, doing a bit of scrapbooking.

Image of Jillene Everett

Jillene Everett, Executive Assistant

I am the Executive Assistant for Directorate Services, Health & Disability National Services and I also manage the diary of Alison Hearn, Manager Planning and Development.

My last six years employment was with Standards New Zealand as a Project Administrator in Standards Development. Prior to that was two years with Massey University in Palmerston North and nine years with BRANZ. Prior to this I worked within the printing industry as a typesetter/ desktop publisher and sales representative.

I live in Whitby with my husband Mark, 13 year old son James who goes to HIBS and plays cricket, a cat (Tina) and a dog (Dino).

I play my Flute/Piccolo in the Tawa Orchestra, Crofton Flute Ensemble and St Mary's Whitby Anglican Church music group.

Ross Livingstone, Contract Relationship Manager
Ross joined the Southern Operations Team in June 2008. Ross was previously the Disability Advisor at the Wellington City Council.

Ross covers Wellington and the Hutt Valley areas and is based in the Wellington office.

Raewyn Winiata, Development Manager Physical Disability
Raewyn joined the Planning and Development Team in September 2008 and is responsible for the
Physical Disability portfolio. Raewyn came from the Bay of Plenty NASC, and is based in the
Auckland office.

If you would like any information about the articles contained in this newsletter or to comment please contact Tina Berkett on:
Email: disability@moh.govt.nz
Freephone: 0800 373 664