Further consultation open on Disability Action Plan

The Government is seeking further feedback on the Disability Action Plan 2014-2018 which seeks to advance implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

The Disability Action Plan states that many of the biggest issues faced by disabled people require the involvement of more than one government agency or non-government organisation to address the issue. The Plan seeks to provide the leadership and a coordination mechanism to support agencies to work together on these issues.

The Office for Disability Issues sought public feedback on the current Disability Action Plan in September 2015. Feedback from the public, Disabled People's Organisations and government agencies was incorporated into a revised Plan released for further feedback on 22 October 2015.

Read the previous Clearinghouse news story on the measures relevant to violence, abuse and neglect of disabled people which are included in the Plan.

Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner said "As a result of feedback so far, there are new actions planned in the areas of increasing employment and economic opportunities for disabled people, using data to deliver better outcomes and investigating how technology can reduce barriers. The Disability Action Plan 2014-2018 adds value by applying a whole of Government approach and bringing multiple agencies together to act on disability issues."

Consultation closes on Thursday 5 November 2015 at 5pm. The final updated Plan is due to be submitted to Cabinet for approval by December 2015. Visit the Office for Disability Issues website for more information.

Image: Disability Symbols by Wikimedia Foundation. Licence: Public Domain Dedication