WAIRARAPA DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD
A DISABILITY PERSPECTIVE
A framework for Implementation of the
New Zealand Disability Strategy
2005 - 2009
Disability Plan – November 2006
CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3
A Disability Perspective ....................................................................................... 4
The New Zealand Disability Strategy ........................................................................ 5
Vision ..................................................................................................................... 5
Objectives .............................................................................................................. 5
Shifting Beliefs and Attitudes .............................................................................. 6
The Wairarapa Disability Community ..................................................................... 8
Disability Demographics ...................................................................................... 8
The Disability Sector ............................................................................................ 8
Progress on Wairarapa DHB Disability Action Plan (2002-2005) ....................... 10
Priorities for 2006 – 2009 .......................................................................................... 12
Disability Perspective – Action Plan ........................................................................ 14
Health and Disability Service Provider and Employer .................................. 14
Funder and Planner of Health and Disability Services. ................................. 19
A Communicator and Provider of Information .............................................. 21
As a Community Leader .................................................................................... 22
Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 24
Appendix 1 ................................................................................................................. 25
Appendix 2 ................................................................................................................. 26
Appendix 3 ................................................................................................................. 29
Disability Plan – November 2006
Introduction
Wairarapa District Health Board is moving towards implementing the vision of the
New Zealand Disability Strategy through adopting and promoting a disability
perspective - the framework that will guide Wairarapa District Health Board (DHB)
in implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS) over the next three
years. It is a challenging framework for an organisation that is primarily focussed on
funding and delivering health services like Wairarapa DHB. The ideas of
participation and inclusiveness that underpin the Disability Strategy mean we have
had to broaden our thinking on disability from focussing on disability services, to
thinking about the barriers we create in the way we work, the way we communicate,
and the way we manage our organisation. This document is deliberately formatted
in Times New Roman, Font 14 to enable easier reading for visually impaired people.
This plan not only aligns with the Disability Strategy1, but also the Health of older
People Strategy2, the DHB Strategic Plan3 and the DHB Health of Older People
Plan4. It is envisaged that this Disability Action Plan will build on current
developments while also giving direction for further implementation of the Disability
Strategy in the Wairarapa.
The implementation plan recognises that as a District Health Board we can not
address every barrier overnight, but that we can take a step-by-step approach to
practical and attitudinal changes that will benefit the entire community. The plan
provides a pathway for the Wairarapa DHB to respond to disability issues identified
by groups, individuals and the wider community. The plan will guide people involved
in the delivery, management, and governance of health and disability services in the
DHB to implement the principles of the NZDS (2001).
The challenge in implementing the Strategy is weaving its vision into everything we
do on an ongoing basis. Using a Disability Perspective will help us meet that
challenge.
New Zealand Disability Strategy, Office for Disability Issues, Ministry of Social Development, April 2001
Health of Older People Strategy, Ministry of Health, April 2002
3 Wairarapa DHB Strategic Plan, Wairarapa District Health Board, 2006
4 Wairarapa Elder Local Links (W.E.L.L.) – Health of Older People Plan, Wairarapa DHB 2004
1
2
3
A Disability Perspective
Disability is not something individuals have. What individuals have are Impairments
(“bits of our bodies that don’t work too well”). These may be sensory, neurological,
psychiatric, intellectual, physical, or other impairments. Disability is the process
which happens when one group of people create barriers by designing a world only
for their way of living, taking no account of the impairments other people have.
“Giving everyone a “fair go” is a core value of New Zealand Society. It
reflects a long-standing ambition for a society that promotes the equal
enjoyment of human rights. Disabled people and their families seek a society
in which we can all feel we have that “fair go”, an inclusive and nondisabling society which is good for all New Zealanders.
The aspirations of disabled people are as ambitious or as simple, and
certainly as diverse, as those of the general population. However, the
barriers to achieving these aspirations are quite different to those facing
non-disabled people.
Disabled people are over-represented in lower-paid occupations, and are
likely to have fewer financial and family resources than the general
population. This economic disadvantage is compounded by the financial
cost of disability. As a group, disabled people generally have poorer general
health status, and poor access to support services and other arrangements
that might allow them to move from a marginalised position in society.”5
A disability perspective is an empathetic viewpoint that considers the needs and
aspirations of disabled people. The application of this perspective in policy and
service development involves an analysis of the impact of any matter on disabled
people and their Family/ whanau and this necessarily involves consultation with the
disabled community.
This document, “A Disability Perspective”, provides a framework that will guide
Wairarapa District Health Board in implementing the New Zealand Disability
Strategy over the next three years. This perspective is adopted and promoted through
the District Health Board’s role as
As a health and disability services provider and employer.
As a funder and planner of health and disability services.
As a communicator and provider of information.
As a community leader.
5
Including a Disability Perspective: A toolkit for policy makers, Office for Disability Issues, Ministry of Social Development, October 2005
4
The New Zealand Disability Strategy6
Vision
A fully inclusive society will be reality when people with impairments say they live
in:
‘A society that highly values our lives and continually enhances our full
participation’.
About 20% of the New Zealand population has a disability; about 3% has a severe
disability. (Population Health Needs Assessment 2001).
Many are unable to reach their potential or participate fully in the community because
of barriers they face doing things that most New Zealanders take for granted. The
barriers range from the purely physical, such as access to facilities, to the attitudinal,
due to poor awareness of disability issues.
The aim of the New Zealand Disability Strategy: Making a World of Difference –
Whakanui Oranga, is to eliminate these barriers wherever they exist, and it outlines
the Government’s policy to promote inclusion, independence and participation for
people with disabilities.
Objectives
1.
Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society
2.
Ensure rights for disabled people
3.
Provide the best education for disabled people
4.
Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled
people
5.
Foster leadership by disabled people
6.
Foster an aware and responsive public service
7.
Create long-term support systems centred on the individual
6
New Zealand Disability Strategy, Office for Disability Issues, Ministry of Social Development, April 2001
5
8.
Support quality living in the community for disabled people
9.
Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people
10.
Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability
issues
11.
Promote participation of disabled Maori
12.
Promote participation of disabled pacific peoples
13.
Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives
14.
Promote participation of disabled women in order to improve their quality of
life
15.
Value families, whanau and people providing ongoing support.
Achieving the vision of the New Zealand Disability Strategy will involve working
closely with Government, the disabled community, support agencies, health and
disability service providers and the general community. Achieving the vision will
also involve recognising the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Over recent years, the New Zealand Disability Strategy has provided the direction for
the DHB to address disability related issues. With the occurrence of disability
tending to increase with age, the Health of Older People Strategy has also contributed
to addressing the needs of people with disabilities.
In the Wairarapa, these two major strategies are given life through The Wairarapa
Disability Strategy Action Plan and Health of Older People Plan (W.E.L.L.
document).
Shifting Beliefs and Attitudes
Until recently disability was regarded as a problem inherently connected to and
within individuals. Therefore society saw its role as helping to fix or accommodate
problems of individuals. This often took the form of segregating people with the
‘problem’ and providing a service which attempted to normalise their special needs.
This resulted in the human needs of many individuals being unmet.
6
The human rights movement provided part of the inspiration and foundation for shifts
in thinking about disability. The right to self determination depends on society and
similarly the range of choices impacts on that right.
People who experience disability have adopted a social model of disability. From
this perspective it is society that disables people when its infrastructure and systems
cannot accommodate the diverse abilities and needs of all citizens: ‘Disability is in
society, not me’.
Therefore society has a role in ensuring its systems are designed in a way that makes
room for all its citizens, not just the majority.
The many ways in which beliefs and attitudes to disability have shifted over time are
outlined below:
From
To
Disability is an individual problem
Disability is a challenge for society
Differences in abilities are inadequacies
Differences in abilities are not
inadequacies
Seeing deficits
Seeing strengths
Us and them – exclusion – tolerance
All of us – inclusion- valuing
Society choosing for ‘them’
Disabled people choose for themselves
Professionals know best
People have different kinds of
knowledge
Charity based
Rights based
Patient
Citizen
Institutional orientated
Community orientated
Medical model of disability- control
Social model of disability – change
Disabling
Enabling
The table above illustrates the trends from one set of attitudes to another. As with
any polar comparison reality sits somewhere along a pathway between the two points.
For example there is currently some discussion about the true value of community
oriented disability support compared to institutional care for some people. Are people
receiving appropriate community support services or do they have to cope with a life
of poverty with all the accompanying disadvantages? There is also debate about the
tensions of the Social model and the Medical Model of disability. To what extent
does a person’s medical condition impact on their lives in terms of disability?
7
The Wairarapa Disability Community
Disability Demographics
The 2006 Census identified a Wairarapa population (1.4% increase since 2001).
Specific disability statistics from the census are not yet available, but if the National
Survey data (2001) is used7, it is estimated that Wairarapa has approximately 7,800
people with disabilities. Of these, about 4,600 are likely to require some assistance,
60% of whom are over 65 years old.
The number of people affected by disability is increasing as the population ages.
The estimated current Wairarapa population of older people (over 65 years) is 6,620.
Of these people, 3,700 (56%) are estimated to have some level of functional
disability, with three quarters of these (2,780 older people) requiring some kind of
assistance. Mobility disability is the most common disability in adults. More than
half of all people with a disability have more than one type of disability, for example
mobility and hearing or vision.
Twenty one separate groups/organisations have been identified in Wairarapa who
represent or advocate for people with disabilities. In addition to these groups are
service providers and numerous organisations and individuals who provide formal
and informal support for people with a disability – all of whom have a role in
advocating for the interests of disabled people.
The Disability Sector
= Disabled people
= Disability community
= Wider disability sector
7
Inferred from New Zealand Disability survey 2001
8
Disabled people are:
People with impairments who have first hand experience of the disabling nature of
society. Their impairments may be sensory, neurological, psychiatric, intellectual,
physical, or other impairments.
Family/whanau are:
Partners, friends, relatives and others directly involved in informal support, as
determined by disabled people
The disability community is:
Disabled people and their family/whanau, and organisations that represent disabled
people and family/ whanau
The wider disability sector also includes:
Individuals who work in a professional role to support the disability community and
address disability issues
Non-government organisations that provide support services for disabled people
Government organisations that fund or provide support services for disabled people
Collective agencies that represent providers and consumers for particular aspects of
the disability sector.
The perspectives of disabled people are not homogeneous. Life experiences of
disabled people are influenced by the nature of their particular impairment.
Moreover, factors such as gender, age, geographic location, ethnicity, culture, social
values and sexual orientation also have a profound, and often a compounding effect
on an individual’s experience of disability. Disabilities cut across all aspects of
community life and all sectors of society.
DHB Consultation with disabled people and their advocates has occurred and
continues to occur through links between:

The Disability Support Advisory Committee (DSAC)

The Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination Agency (NASC) Client
Advisory Group that consists of representatives from all disability groups

Disabled Persons’ Assembly (DPA) and

Disability-specific support and advocacy groups.
9
Progress on Wairarapa DHB Disability Action Plan (2002-2005)
Essential components of the Wairarapa Disability Strategy Action Plan (2002 – 2005)
have included:

Consultation with the disability community on the development of all proposed
public buildings and facilities

Staff training in Disability Awareness

Using an inter-sectoral approach

Focusing on the health and disability needs of older people with disabilities

Ensuring disabled people are informed of their rights when receiving health
services

Working in partnership with Maori/Iwi to improve access to disability support
services

Working collaboratively to strengthen the pathway to adulthood for disabled
children and youth

Improving responsiveness to people with disabilities.
Recent years have focused on implementing specific initiatives outlined in the DHB
Disability Strategy Action Plan and the plan for introducing an integrated continuum
of care for older people.8
Since the drafting of the last Disability Action Plan, the DHB has gathered
knowledge about perceived needs and priorities for people with disabilities through:

Its Strategic Planning process

The DHB Disability Services Advisory Committee

FOCUS Client Advisory Group

Surveys (e.g. Accessibility survey of residential care facilities, carers’ survey,
transport survey)

Direct feedback from service users

Local and National advocacy groups (e.g. CCS, Alzheimer’s society)
8
Wairarapa District Health Board Health of the Older person Plan 2004
10
As plans for the Hospital Facility and Service Development have progressed, various
disability interests have been represented and provided valuable advice for the
structural and service planning of the new hospital.
The DHB adopted a partnership model for its proposed hospital and service
development and also for implementing an integrated continuum of care for older
people. During the past year, the DHB has been able to take advantage of its
relatively small size and has developed working relationships and partnerships with a
range of other sectors. Throughout various projects to develop services, these sectors
(e.g. local councils) have been advised and guided by people with disabilities and
their advocates (e.g. DPA).
Transport issues in the Wairarapa were identified by the community as needing
urgent attention, especially for those with disabilities. In response to this concern, the
DHB has worked with local and regional government, the PHO, and Red Cross to
address the issues. A local Wairarapa Community Transport Trust has been
established, funds raised and a community transport van service established.
Wairarapa DHB has added its voice to that of the community in ensuring appropriate
road and rail transport access for disabled people and has submitted comments on the
Wellington Regional Council Land Transport review.
The need for information (e.g. about services and how to access them), has also been
identified as an issue in the Wairarapa. This has been addressed in a number of ways:

Production of an Independent Living Guide by FOCUS (NASC Agency),
which is given to all people receiving needs assessment

“Living Well, Ageing Well”, publication to promote wellbeing and the
inclusion of older people in the community. (This publication also included a
directory of appropriate services and contacts)

An 0800 transport information and co-ordination service.
Since devolution of disability support funding for older people occurred in October
2003, the DHB has aimed to ensure that disability support services for older people
were congruent with services funded by the Ministry for younger people with
disabilities. The DHB has therefore maintained links with the Ministry Directorate of
Disability Services.
During the period of this Disability Action Plan, the DHB has reconfigured contracts
to more specifically address disability needs for Maori. Maori disability support
continues to develop in conjunction with the NASC agency (FOCUS), Te Hauora
Runanga o Wairarapa and Whaiora Whanui to ensure an integrated approach for
11
Maori with disabilities and their whanau. The newly established programme for early
intervention for Koroua and Kuia is achieving success, especially in South
Wairarapa, in terms of promoting healthy living and social inclusion through a wide
range of activities. The Tai Chi programme (funded by ACC), optimizes a range of
movements for those people with arthritis and aims to prevent falls. This programme
is well attended at venues such as Marae, community centres and church halls.
Although some of the above objectives still need to be fully addressed, there has been
considerable progress made towards achieving the aim of the Disability Strategy and
the Disability Strategy Action Plan over the past few years.
Priorities for 2006 – 2009
The DHB wishes to adopt a model for its Disability Action Plan using its various
roles as:
As a health and disability services provider and employer
As a funder and planner of health and disability services
As a communicator and provider of information
As a community leader
Advice was sought from the disability community with regard to the priorities within
these DHB roles and the following priorities were endorsed for the DHB:
As a health and disability services provider and employer

Easily accessible services

Single point of entry to support services

Attitudinal changes – ensuring our services consider the implications for
people with disabilities

Ensuring ongoing feedback from the disability community (e.g. written
and verbal follow-up / satisfaction surveys)

Enabling disabled staff to contribute to development of DHB support of
disabled employees
12
As a funder and planner of health and disability services.
 Planning and Policy development - ensuring disability issues are an integral part
of policy development.
 Ensuring that contracted services are provided in an accessible and appropriate
manner.
 Carer Support – addressing carers’ needs to support them caring for disabled
people living at home. (e.g. respite care, day care, relief carers in the home,
information, skill development).
As a communicator and provider of information.
 Communicating through a variety of media (e.g. spoken, visual, sign language
interpretation when appropriate)
 Promoting the single point of entry to also be the identifiable point of
information (e.g. publications and queries)
 DHB Web site to include information for people with disabilities
As a community leader.
 Joint partner with other parties to support local community transport (e.g. Local
Council, PHO, Red Cross)
 Advocating for a disability perspective with other agencies.
These four DHB roles and their priorities form the basis for this Disability Action
Plan.
13
Disability Perspective – Action Plan
Health and Disability Service Provider and Employer
Easily accessible services
Actions
WDHB will
undertake a
specific audit of
the access to all
Provider Arm
services and
make
recommendations
to reduce
physical and nonphysical barriers
where necessary
to ensure
maximum
usability and
access to
services.
Approach
“Barrier Free” audit
tool developed or
adopted
Audit of service
buildings
- Hospital
Timeframe
October
2006
Measures
Wairarapa DHB will:
Identify the number and percentage
of Provider Arm service buildings
(including entrances, car parks,
March 2007 toilets, examination tables etc.)
which are accessible and meet NZ
Standard 4121:2001.
- Off site service
bases
Identify any barriers to accessing
services by people with a sensory
disability (e.g. blind, deaf).
Involvement of
DSAC – for
inclusion in planning
for new service
buildings
April 2007
Implementation of
DSAC
recommendations
subject to
endorsement from
the Board.
June 2007
Develop an Access
policy for the DHB
(see Appendix 2).
February
2007
Access policy adopted by the DHB.
14
Single point of entry to support services
Actions
WDHB will
configure entry
and triage to
home based
nursing and
support services
through one
portal (single
point of entry).
Approach
Timeframe
Central Care
July 2006
Management Centre
To
(Umbrella Support
June 2009
Services) to be
configured in line
with planned building
developments on
DHB hospital site.
Gradual increase of
services accessed
through a single point
of entry from 2006 to
2009
Measures
Wairarapa DHB will:
Promote the role of the single point
of entry for disability support
services
Review the role of Homelinks with
regard to its restorative function and
its relationship with other
Departments (AT&R, District
Nursing).
Ensure transparency and
consistency of assessment and
allocation of funded support for
people with disabilities.
15
Attitudinal changes – ensuring our services consider the implications for people with
disabilities
Actions
The DHB will
work towards
increasing the
overall
understanding
and knowledge
of the NZDS
(2001).
Approach
Timeframe
Measures
WDHB will include
education about the
NZDS (2001) and
diversity awareness
in its mandatory
orientation and staff
updating
programmes.
October
2006 &
ongoing
Wairarapa DHB will:
External providers
will be offered the
opportunity to attend
specific Disability
Awareness training
provided by the
DHB.
October
2006 &
ongoing
Measure the number of external
providers attending the Disability
Awareness training each year.
Identification of
patients who have
special needs relating
to communication
(e.g. deaf, blind).
June 2007
Prompts will be in place for staff to
identify specific communication
needs of patients attending
outpatient clinics or being admitted
as an inpatient.
Measure the number of staff
attending Disability Awareness
training each year.
Monitor perceived value of
Disability Awareness training
through Training Evaluation
processes.
16
Enabling disabled staff to contribute to development of DHB support of disabled
employees
Actions
The DHB will
seek to support
staff who
identify as being
disabled.
The DHB will
ensure that
disabled people
and given the
opportunity to
apply for
appropriate
positions within
the organisation.
Approach
Timeframe
Measures
WDHB will invite
June 2007
current and new staff & ongoing
to indicate if they
identify themselves
as having a disability.
Those who do will be
invited to forward
suggestions for
appropriate DHB
support.
Wairarapa DHB will:
The DHB will
advertise vacancies
appropriate for
disabled people
through its usual
media arrangements
as well as in relevant
disability related
publications.
Employment selection records
demonstrate advertising for
vacancies through appropriate
media.
October
2006
Measure the number of staff
identifying as having a disability
each year.
Maintain a register of suggested
actions for supporting disabled staff
and refer to this register in service
development plans.
17
Ensuring ongoing feedback from the disability community (e.g. satisfaction surveys)
Actions
WDHB will seek
ongoing
feedback from
the Wairarapa
Disability
Community
about its services
Approach
Timeframe
Measures
WDHB will include
October
specific disability
2006 &
related questions in
ongoing
its regular satisfaction
survey.
Wairarapa DHB will:
FOCUS (Needs
July 2006 &
Assessment and
Ongoing
Service Coordination
Agency) will
complete monthly
client satisfaction
surveys from disabled
people who have
received a needs
assessment.
FOCUS will:
AT&R Service will
provide a follow-up
call for clients who
have been discharged
from the
rehabilitation ward.
Rehabilitation Service records and
reports to HAC will demonstrate
follow-up service for clients.
October
2006
Analyse data received from its
satisfaction survey in order to
improve its service to people with a
disability.
Ensure results of monthly client
satisfaction survey is reported to the
DHB and the results communicated
to FOCUS staff.
18
Funder and Planner of Health and Disability Services.
Planning and Policy Development
Actions
WDHB will ensure
disability issues are
an integral part of
policy development.
Approach
Timeframe
Measures
WDHB will ensure that
Disability issues are
addressed within in its
Strategic Plan.
July 2006 &
ongoing
Wairarapa DHB will
demonstrate a disability
perspective in its
Strategic and Annual
Plans.
DSAC will advise policy
development.
July 2006 &
ongoing
The Disability
Community will be
consulted about major
DHB planning
documents.
Ensuring that contracted services are provided in an easily accessible and appropriate
manner.
Actions
Approach
Timeframe
Measures
WDHB will ensure
that contracted Health
and Disability
services are provided
in an accessible and
appropriate manner.
Through its contracts with
service providers WDHB
will require accessibility for
disabled people.
October 2006
& ongoing
Wairarapa DHB will:
All contracts will
have clearly stated
quality requirements.
Audit Disability Support
providers for contractual
requirements, alongside
certification audits for
Health and Disability
standards.
July 2006 &
ongoing
Wairarapa DHB will:
Ensure that all
contracted services are
required to ensure that
their services are easily
accessible to people
with a disability.
Ensure that, on
average, at least four
Disability Support
providers are audited
each year.
19
Carer Support
Actions
WDHB will address
primary carers’
needs to support
them caring for
disabled people
living at home.
Approach
WDHB will develop a carer
support service which will
include:
Timeframe
October 2006
& ongoing
 Recruitment, selection
and training of relief
carers
Measures
Wairarapa DHB will:
Maintain records of
activities relating to
carer support.
Maintain a register of
appropriate relief
carers.
 Maintaining a register of
relief carers
 Providing an information
service for carers

Providing training and
development opportunities
and enabling carers to
participate
WDHB will ensure that
carers are able to be
supported through Respite
and Day Care.
July 2006 &
ongoing
Respite care beds are
available when needed.
20
A Communicator and Provider of Information
Communicating through a variety of media
Actions
Approach
WDHB will ensure
that it communicates
effectively through a
variety of media such
as spoken, visual, sign
language
interpretation when
appropriate.
WDHB will ensure that all
signage meets disability
standards (e.g. size, colour,
texture, placement).
Timeframe
March 2007
Measures
Wairarapa DHB will:
Undertake a ‘disability
barrier’ audit for
Wairarapa Hospital.
Ensure patients with
June 2007
sensory disabilities are
identified and their
preferences for
communication are notified
to staff.
Develop a
communication
preference notice
system for disabled
patients - to be
instigated on admission.
Promoting the single point of entry to also be the identifiable point of information
Actions
The Wairarapa DHB
will ensure an
identifiable point of
information for
disabled people.
Approach
Timeframe
Measures
The Wairarapa DHB will
June 2009
ensure that service
development for a single
point of entry also
encompasses an information
function (e.g. for (e.g.
publications and queries).
Information for
disabled people is
provided through the
same agency that
provides the single
point of entry.
Information will also be
distributed through
appropriate forums and
workshops.
Appropriate forums
and workshops
promote information
for disabled people.
November
2006
21
DHB Web site to include information for people with disabilities
Actions
WDHB will include
specific information
for people with
disabilities on its web
site
Approach
WDHB will ensure the
Disabled community are
involved in developing a
range of information
appropriate to the needs of
disabled people.
Timeframe
October 2006
& ongoing
Measures
Wairarapa DHB will:
Ensure accessible
disability-relevant
information on its web
site
As a Community Leader
Joint partner with other parties to support local community transport
Actions
Approach
Timeframe
WDHB will work with
other relevant agencies
(e.g. Local Councils,
PHO, Red Cross) to
promote and improve
transport within the
Wairarapa and
between neighbouring
DHBs.
WDHB will continue to
contribute to the Wairarapa
Community Transport Trust
and, with the PHO will seek
a contractual arrangement
with the RED Cross for
provision of transport
services.
October 2006
& ongoing
Measures
Wairarapa DHB will:
formalise the DHB role
in the Wairarapa
community transport
initiative.
Advocating for a disability perspective with other agencies.
Actions
Approach
Timeframe
WDHB will advocate
for the removal of
barriers to
participation for
people with
disabilities (e.g.
submission to
Regional and Local
Council Community
Plans).
WDHB will include a
disability perspective in any
submissions on Local or
regional Council
Community Plans.
According to
submission
dates
Measures
Wairarapa DHB will:
Maintain a consistent
submission on all plans
for the rights and
interests of disabled
people (especially
access to services and
transport).
22
Consultation
The DHB has used available feedback from the Disability sector over the past few
years to draft priorities for this plan under its four roles described in this document.
These roles and priorities provide the foundation for the plan. Feedback was sought
from:
Disability Support and Advocacy groups (see Appendix 1)
Individual disability representatives
DHB Disability Support Advisory Committee
Comments received endorsed the proposed priorities and recommended some action
points (e.g. that the single point of entry be promoted and widely published). To
develop the plan further, other action points have also been added to reflect current
developments and suggest specific future DHB projects.
This plan was circulated to 88 recipients in August 06 for comment from a wider
range of people / agencies including:
Disabled people and their carers receiving support through FOCUS
Advocacy and support groups
Disability support providers
Maori Health Providers
Maori Health Directorate, Maori Health Committee
DHB Senior Management Team
DHB services and departments
Wairarapa Community PHO
Local Authorities
ACC
Work and Income
Wairarapa DHB Disability Support Advisory Committee
Mana Whenua
PHO and medical centres
Wairarapa Hospital and Community clinical staff
23
Feedback
Four submissions were received (one verbal) and all were supportive of the plan (see
Appendix 3). No alterations have therefore been made to the plan as submitted for
consultation, but the population health context submitted by Public Health needs to
be incorporated into the longer term strategy for Wairarapa.
Conclusion
This document, “A Disability Perspective”, provides a framework that will guide
Wairarapa District Health Board in implementing the New Zealand Disability
Strategy over the next three years. This perspective is adopted and promoted through
the District Health Board’s role as
As a health and disability services provider and employer.
As a funder and planner of health and disability services.
As a communicator and provider of information.
As a community leader.
As the New Zealand Disability Strategy applies to all Government sectors, it is
expected that the District Health Board’s role in implementing this strategy will be
focused on modelling a disability perspective for other sectors, influencing other
sectors and working with them to promote a district wide intersectoral approach to
meeting the needs of disabled people in Wairarapa (e.g. addressing transportation
needs).
By adopting a disability perspective for each of its various roles, the DHB will be
able to progress steadily towards the vision of the Disability Strategy.
Prepared by:
Joanne Edwards
Portfolio Manager
Planning and Funding
Joanne.Edwards@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz
27th October 2006
24
Appendix 1
Advocates for Disabled People
Alzheimer’s Wairarapa
Arthritis Foundation
Blind Foundation
Brain Injury Association
CCS Wairarapa
Disabled Persons’ Assembly Wairarapa Inc.
Epilepsy Society
Hearing Association
Huntington’s
IDEA
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Parkinsonism Society
Post Polio Support
Riding for Disabled
Stroke Foundation / Stroke Club
ADNET (Advocacy Network)
DHB Disability Support Advisory Committee
DHB Health of Older People Advisory Group
Elder Abuse Coordinator
To Hauora Runanga o Wairarapa
Wairarapa Organisation for Older Persons (WOOPS)
Carer Support Coordinator, FOCUS
STARS Trust
25
Appendix 2
Draft
Wairarapa DHB Disability – Access Policy
Applicable to:
Staff
All Services, Departments and Issued by:
Contact
person:
1.0
[Type Issued Dept/Group]
[Type Contact Designation]
PURPOSE

2.0
To support Wairarapa DHB staff in ensuring disabled people are given appropriate
consideration in DHB activities.
POLICY
Wairarapa DHB will ensure staff have the necessary support, advice, and training to make
consideration of disabled people an integral part of the organisation’s decision-making processes.
How the DHB will achieve this is listed in the attached Guidelines.
The Wairarapa DHB is committed to realising the human right of people with disabilities to
participate with dignity in the normal activities and processes of this organisation. This applies to
both existing and potential employees with disabilities, to visitors with disabilities, and to members
of the public with disabilities who will be using the Wairarapa Hospital services.
The Wairarapa DHB is committed to providing an environment which enables people with
disabilities to approach, enter and use the offices and facilities independently. In practice, this
means the DHB will:

only purchase or lease new accommodation which meets the requirements of the New
Zealand Standard 4121:1985 or the Building Code;

ensure that any alterations made to existing accommodation meet the requirements of the
New Zealand Standard 4121:1985 or the Building Code;

ensure that people with disabilities and staff with expertise in disability issues are involved
in planning for alterations to facilities or buildings. Applied practical experience can
enhance the results, over and above what is required by accessibility standards.

make any reasonable adjustments to enable people with disabilities to carry out their jobs
efficiently or access the department's services;

ensure that people with disabilities have access to information on the department's services;

and have appropriate procedures in place to identify and address the needs of individual staff
and clients with disabilities.
26
3.0
4.0
REFERENCES

Health & Disability Commissioner’s Code of Rights 1996

New Zealand Standard 4121:1985

Health and Disability Sector (Safety) Standards 2002

NZ Disability Strategy 2001
RELATED WAIRARAPA DHB DOCUMENTS

Code of Rights Policy
5.0 FURTHER INFORMATION / ASSISTANCE

Barrier Free New Zealand Trust
The purpose of Barrier Free New Zealand Trust is to facilitate and encourage solutions for the
provision of Universal Access for all people
6.0
APPENDICES

7.0
Guidelines
KEY WORDS (maximum of 4)

Disability

Access

Building Code
27
ACCESS GUIDELINES

Wairarapa DHB will maintain and develop relationships with community groups that have
an interest in disability issues.

Wairarapa DHB will include consultation with disabled people as part of any community
consultation process.

Staff will aim to record and share information on a patient’s disability in such a way as to
minimise the need for the patient to bring it to staff attention. Some people are sensitive
about their disability, so staff awareness will ensure the necessary accommodations can be
made without fuss.

Staff will communicate directly with the patient whenever possible rather than through an
accompanying person.

Wairarapa DHB will support appropriate alternative or adapted communication methods
where these are required. In some cases, the adaptation may be as simple as a large print
document.

Staff are encouraged to clarify with the patient any special requirements the patients have in
relation to their disability. Some disabled people have routines to maintain their well-being
(for example, arm-strengthening exercises for someone who uses a wheelchair, meditation
for someone who has an anxiety disorder). Where appropriate and possible, it is preferable
for the patient to maintain these. When they are not appropriate, or cannot be
accommodated, a clear explanation early in the treatment process is necessary.

Staff will recognise that the equipment disabled people use may be more valuable to them
than it appears. This has implications for its care and handling, particularly if the person and
the equipment must be separated.
28
Appendix 3
Disability Action Plan 2006 Consultation Responses
Name &
Organisation
Aynslie
O’Reilly
Rehab WDHB
Diane Chapman
Liz Garden
Carol Campbell
Woops Co-ord
Alzheimers Co-ord
AVS Co-ord
Joyce Greig
NZFB (Wairarapa
Community Committee)
Debi LodgeSchnellenberg
Wairarapa Public
Health (verbal
submission)
Q1
In your opinion, will
this plan make a
difference to people
living with a
disability in the
Wairarapa
Q2 & 2a
Given that we are
planning for
direction and
progress rather than
resolving all issues at
once, do you agree
with the proposed
actions and
approaches outlined
in Section 6 of the
plan?
Q2b
Do you consider
these to be the
highest priority in
the short/medium
term?
Q2c
Are there any actions
or approaches that
you consider or
higher priority or
have not been
included?
Yes
Yes
Good to be accenting
the positives as
opposed to the
negatives for those
living with disabilities.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Especially attitudinal;
changes and ensuring
ongoing feedback from
the disability community
(e.g. (satisfactory
surverys)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Single entry point
excellent.
Yes
Yes
No
No
All services need to be
continually expanding
to meet the needs of
the projected increase
of older people with
disabilities in the
Wairarapa.
Q3
Any other comments
you may wish to
make
An excellent
presentation and
document. Thank you
Joanne
Yes
Need to take a
population wide
approach for
longer term
disability issues –
e.g. housing,
environment for
disabled people
29
Is your interest as a:User of Disability
Services (UODS)
Provider of Disability
Services (PODS)
Other
PODS
PODS
UODS
PODS
PODs
Special area
of interest
Older people
Older people
Older Maori people
Sight impaired or any
older people with a
disability
Public Health
(700 members)
(160 members)
30