Consultation on proposed questions about disability data and evidence

The government is seeking feedback to help with the development of a disability plan to ensure government agencies have the data necessary to make informed, evidence-based policy decisions.

In June 2015, the government established the Disability Data and Evidence Working Group, jointly facilitated by Statistics New Zealand and the Office for Disability Issues. The Working Group is developing a disability data and evidence plan to address gaps in information about the needs of people with disabilities.

To develop the plan the working group has proposed ‘Enduring Questions’. These questions identify areas where information is needed. They are referred to as ‘enduring’ because they focus on long-term information needs.

The Working Group is seeking feedback on a draft set of Enduring Questions. The document outlines 17 different topic areas for the questions. Several areas address issues of safety and justice. In particular:

Enduring questions on crime and justice

1. How do patterns of victimisation and crime differ between disabled people and others?

2. How does the experience of the justice system differ between disabled people and others?

3. What are the barriers to equitable participation in the justice system in any role (e.g. as victim, witness, suspect, offender, juror, etc.)?

4. How well do current justice services, systems and policies meet the needs of disabled people?

Enduring questions on personal safety and civil protection

1. To what extent do disabled people feel safe in their homes and communities and does this differ from the experience of others?

2. To what extent are disabled people subject to behaviour that impinges on their right to personal safety and how does this compare with others?

3. What are the barriers to improving personal safety for disabled people?

4. Are public safety and emergency relief agencies able to manage all people in their community?

All of the draft questions and background information are available on the Office for Disability Issues website. Feedback is being collected through an online survey.

The deadline to give feedback is 9 September 2016.

Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner said the need to improve data collection and statistics on people with disabilities is a key recommendation of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Independent Monitoring Mechanism.

This work is in addition to the recent consultation on the New Zealand Disability Strategy for 2016-2026. For the latest news on this strategy see the Office for Disability Issues website.