Looking back on 2007, I am pleased with the significant progress we have made to improve the rights of disabled people.

Earlier this year, I represented New Zealand in making a global commitment to improve the life experiences of disabled people by signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, together with representatives of 80 other governments.

This Convention changes the thinking on how governments should treat disabled people. It acknowledges that disabled people should have the same opportunities, choices and rights as non-disabled people. It spans accessibility, mobility, health, education, employment, rehabilitation, equality and non-discrimination.

Most importantly, disabled people were included in New Zealand’s official delegations throughout the Convention’s negotiation process in New York. This was a first for the United Nations, and other countries followed our inclusive approach.

Another victory, this time for workers’ rights, was the long-awaited repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act. With this discriminatory legislation now gone, disabled people will be paid according to their ability rather than where they work.

For a long time, disabled people have been telling us that they want to work, and that they can - with the right support. Under the Ministry of Social Development’s Working New Zealand programme, services to disabled people have been redesigned to facilitate this. The types of support now available include help with the cost of approved work-related courses, transport and childcare costs for people attending courses, workplace modification grants and help with the additional costs of starting a job or work experience.

I am also very pleased that this year’s Budget included $152.8 million of new funding over the next four years for services for disabled people.

I wish you all a wonderful festive season, and I look forward to our continued work in the New Year to make these hard-won rights a reality.

Ruth Dyson
Minister for Disability Issues

Ross Flood
55 Hillside Road
Papatoetoe
Auckland
Phone/Fax (including answer phone) (09) 278-7106
Email Ross Flood