Welcome to the first issue of Participate. This newsletter will keep you in touch with developments in the disability area. We will publish further issues as things come up.

Already a lot has happened. This issue covers the New Zealand Disability Strategy and the appointment of the disability reference group; reviews of special education and vocational services; a report on health care for older people; and changes in the Ministry of Health.

As the first-ever Minister for Disability Issues, my job is to make sure the Government meets its responsibilities to people with disabilities. We are committed to removing the barriers that stop people from participating fully in society.

Access to information is one barrier. That's why I want to see this newsletter distributed as widely as possible within your organisation and networks.

We are sending it electronically (by e-mail) wherever possible, because it's quicker and cheaper than snail mail, it's easy to forward to other people and you can respond more easily. Let us know your e-mail address if you have one. If you don't, we're more than happy to send you a hard copy.

I believe that partnership with the disability sector is crucial to our success. I need to know what you think about what we're doing, so get in touch with me.

Together we can really make a difference.

Hon Ruth Dyson
Minister for Disability Issues

Reference group to advise govt on disability strategy

The New Zealand Disability Strategy will be the blueprint for future disability policy and services. Its goals are to:

• ensure the rights of people with disabilities are acknowledged and represented;
• promote partnership with Maori and Pacific people;
• promote habilitation and rehabilitation;
• empower people with disabilities and their families/whanau;
• ensure policy, funding and services are cohesive and integrated across services; and
• promote certainty and consistency of service provision within available funding.

A reference group has been appointed to ensure that people with disabilities and other stakeholders are actively involved in developing the strategy.

There has been a high level of interest in the strategy, including around 138 nominations for the 14-member group (see next page).

The group, which met for the first time on 23 May, will advise the Ministry of Health about the content of the strategy, and how best to consult with people with disabilities and the wider disability community.

A draft strategy is expected to be released for public comment in late August. A final strategy should be completed by Christmas and implementation will begin in the new year.

Members of Disability Reference Group appointed

Robyn Hunt, Wellington (co-chair): chair of the Workbridge board of management; former disability consultant to the Royal Commission on Social Policy; actively involved with DPA (Assembly of People with Disabilities).

Jan Scown, Hamilton (co-chair): chief executive of Community Living Trust, established to manage the repatriation of people with an intellectual disability from Tokanui Hospital; founder and former managing director of Access Ability, providing needs assessment/service co-ordination services in Taranaki and Wanganui.

Jennifer Brain, Auckland: chief executive officer of the Deaf Association of NZ; member of the Disability Chief Executive Officers Group and the DPA Auckland region executive committee.

Paul Gibson, Wellington: president of DPA and chair of the executive committee; founder, executive member and past secretary of ACHIEVE (National Post Secondary Education Disability Network).

Les Gilsenan, Wanganui: founder and manager of Whanganui Disability Resources Centre; founder and trustee of Advocacy Network Services Trust; past president New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres.

Mike Gourley, Wellington: producer and presenter of National Radio's 'Future Indicative' programme; over 20 years' experience in developing, implementing and evaluating policy and practice in disability issues.

Mark Lau Young, Wellington: chief executive of the Hosanna World Outreach Centre; has worked as senior policy analyst for several government agencies including the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and Ministry of Health (DSS section).

Judith Lunny, Auckland: co-ordinator and facilitator for the Auckland Disability Providers Network; established and developed Disability Information, North Shore.

Dr Nigel Millar, Christchurch: clinical director, Older Persons Health, Healthlink South; specialist geriatrician, Canterbury Health; involved in Elder Care Canterbury since its inception.

Missy Morton, Christchurch: lecturer and tutor at the Education Department of Canterbury University; doctoral candidate at the University of Syracuse; dissertation on access to justice system for those with severe communication impairment.

Mary O'Hagan, Auckland: self-employed consultant; founder and former national co-ordinator of Aotearoa Network of Psychiatric Survivors (ANOPS); founding chair of the International Psychiatric Survivor Network; has worked on the anti-discrimination team, Mental Health Commission.

Graham Stairmand, Christchurch: health spokesperson for Christchurch Grey Power; has worked to encourage greater integration of services for older people.

Lorna Sullivan, Tauranga: national services manager, New Zealand CCS; 20 years' professional experience in the disability sector; has played a major role in development of new service initiatives such as Te Whanau Kotahi and Access Ability.

Patrick Thompson, Auckland (Ngati Paoa/Whanaunga Ngati Turi): Maori Deaf Development Manager for Deaf Association of New Zealand; positions on DPA Maori Group, New Zealand Sign Language and Te Reo Maori Strategy, Maori Policy Advisor Group for Maori Deaf, Deaf Mental Health Committee, and Maori representative for the board of trustees for Kelston Deaf Education Centre.

Maaka Tibble, Auckland (Ngati Porou/Whanau Apanui): disabilities consultant; has held various positions with the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind including national development manager and manager, Maori Services.

Concern about special education sparks review

The Government has set up a review of special education because of concern that some aspects of Special Education 2000 are not working.

Special Education 2000 was first introduced in 1996. It provides schools and early childhood centres with a range of resourcing options for children and students with special education needs.

The review team, headed by educationalist Dr Cathy Wylie, is considering four main problem areas:

• students on the margin between moderate and high special education needs;
• staffing problems for special classes and units;
• the Special Education Grant (SEG); and
• recent changes to special education transport.

For more information, contact Johanne McComish, executive officer, Special Education 2000 Review, C/- NZCER, PO Box 3237, Wellington, phone (04) 802 1443, fax (04) 384 7933, e-mail specialed@nzcer.org.nz.

To make an on-line submission and for terms of reference, visit website: www.minedu.govt.nz

Government to review vocational services

The Government is very aware of concern in the disability community about current approaches to the employment of people with disabilities.

A review of vocational services for people with disabilities will be carried out this year. It will involve the Department of Labour, Ministry of Social Policy, Ministry of Health and Department of Work and Income, in consultation with the disability sector.

The review will consider:

• developing a coherent policy and funding framework for vocational services funded by the Department of Work and Income;
• the range and type of services that should be available;
• service objectives and how to measure them;
• funding responsibility of Government and others such as the community, individual people with disabilities, and family/whanau/ support people;
• management of inter-agency boundary and transition issues; and
• how to address the distinctive needs of Maori and Pacific peoples.

The review is to be completed in time to be taken into account in the 2001/2002 budget round.

Government welcomes health care for older people report

The Government has welcomed a National Health Committee report, published in late May, which is critical of the funding and delivery of health and disability services for older people.

The report expresses concern that health services for older people have been developed in a 'policy vacuum', that strategies for older people are not distinct from generic Disability Support Services strategies, and that funding has focused on curative and residential care services rather than services that promote wellness and independence.

The report recommends that the Government:

• develop a strategic policy on the care of older people by the end of 2000;
• organise services to achieve an integrated and cohesive continuum of assessment and care; and
• develop funding which integrates primary, secondary, disability support and public health services for older people.

Government will convene a workshop of national organisations representing older people in late July to discuss the report further.

Disability directorate part of Health Ministry changes

A distinct Disability Issues Directorate is to be formed on 1 July, one of eight directorates in the restructured Ministry of Health.

The directorate reflects the Government's commitment to promote the disability sector and make it more visible. It will have a service development role and provide policy advice directly to Ruth Dyson, Minister for Disability Issues.

Carol Searle, currently general manager of the HFA's Disability Support Services Group, will head the disability directorate. She has formerly worked for the Transitional Health Authority, and as general manager of the New Zealand Disability Resource Centre (now Enable New Zealand, Palmerston North).

Carol says she is looking forward to working with consumers, their families and whanau and support agencies.

"I have a real commitment to working with the people who have to live with the services and outcomes of policy decisions we make."

The directorate will combine Health Funding Authority and ministry staff working in the disability area. Although it is being set up on 1 July, the two agencies will not be fully integrated until the Public Health and Disability Bill is passed later in the year. Some staff will continue to be located in regions, and later transfer to District Health Boards when they are fully operational.

The heads of the eight directorates, along with Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi, will make up the ministry's executive team.

These changes are part of a wider restructuring of the health system. For more information, see the Minister of Health's newsletter Health Moves on the website: www.executive.govt.nz/minister/king.