Workbridge Issues Paper
September 2012
Introduction
This report has been developed for the Board by Karen Beard and Grant Cleland, in
consultation with the Workbridge Council. It includes information relating to
employment and disability information, for consideration by the Board.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
1. Department of Labour Quarterly Statistics – April-June 2012
Overview of the labour market
Working age population
Labour Force
Not in Labour Force
Employed
Unemployed
for this quarter:
3,492,000
2,389,000
1,103,000
2,227,000
162,000
(68.4% participation rate)
(63.8% of working age pop)
(6.8% of working age pop)
Small Fall in Employment And Small Rise In Unemployment
Over the June 2012 quarter, the number of people employed fell by 2,000. The
number of men employed was down by 5,000 (0.5 %) while the number of women
employed was up by 3,000 (0.3 %). This saw the employment rate fall 0.3 percentage
points, to 63.8 %.
This fall resulted from employment decreasing and the working-age population
continuing to grow. The working-age population grew by 15,000 people (up 0.4 %).
The number of people not in the labour force increased by 16,000 this quarter (up 1.4
%). This reflects a rise in the number of men not in the labour force.
Since the March 2011 quarter, the employment rate has remained around 63.9 %.
This indicates that employment growth is only keeping pace with the working-age
population. Part-time employment decreased, from a peak in the March quarter. In
the June 2012 quarter, part-time employment was down 18,000 (3.4 %), while fulltime employment was up 13,000 (0.8 %).
The unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 6.8 % in the June 2012
quarter. The number of people unemployed increased by 2,000, reflecting a small
increase in female and male unemployment. The same number of men and women
were unemployed (81,000). The unemployment rate for men was 6.4 %; for women it
was 7.2 % (both up 0.1 percentage point).
The small fall in employment and small rise in unemployment resulted in a flat labour
force this quarter. However, the labour force participation rate decreased by 0.3
percentage points over the quarter, down to 68.4 %, due to an increase in the
working-age population.
Age Group
During the June 2012 year, there were increases in employment for people aged 55–
59 years and 65 years and over (65+). Employment in these age groups rose by
7,000 (3.4 %) and 12,200 (11.8 %), respectively. This reflects an ageing population,
as well as higher labour force participation for these groups. In contrast, people aged
35–39 years and 45–49 years had decreases in employment, down 6,200 (2.7 %) and
7,700 (2.9 %), respectively. The working-age population for these age groups also
decreased.
Industry
Over the June 2012 year, employment in the transport, postal, and warehousing
industry increased by 19,500 people (21.2 %). The number of both men and women
employed in the industry increased. The professional, scientific, technical,
administration, and support services industry group had a 16,400 increase in
employment (6.8 %) – there was a large increase in the number of women employed
in the industry.
Region
Employment increased in the Taranaki region, up 6,900 (12.5 %) in the June 2012
year, reflecting a rise in male employment. In contrast, women in the Canterbury
region had a 15,800 decrease in employment (down 10.3 %).
Ethnicity
In the year to June 2012, unemployment increased for women who identified with the
Pacific peoples (up 3,100) and Asian ethnic groups (up 4,500).
Labour Force Flat While 'Not In The Labour Force' Rises
For men the labour force participation rate was 74.2 % (down 0.7 percentage points).
For women the rate was 63.0 % (up 0.1 percentage points), the highest-ever rate
(equal to the December 2008 quarter).
Over the June 2012 year, there was an increase in the number of people aged 65+
who were not in the labour force (10,600 or 2.4 %). Most of the increase was for
women. The number of people not in the labour force aged 35–39 years decreased by
6,000 (12.0 %), to 43,900.
Over the June 2012 year, the number of jobless people increased by 20,200 to
271,200; it increased particularly for women. The jobless are people who are either
unemployed, or not in the labour force and available but not seeking work, or who are
actively seeking but not available for work.
Employment And Hours Worked Fall In Canterbury
If the Canterbury region was excluded, national employment growth would have been
1.6 %, instead of 0.5 %, over the June 2012 year.
Over the year, the Canterbury working-age population continued to decrease.
Employment for the region fell by 5.5 % to 306,700. The decrease in female
employment (15,700 or 10.3 %) was significant. The decrease in employment was
mirrored in a fall in actual and usual hours worked in the Canterbury region.
The fall in employment over the year was significant in the education and training,
and the health care and social assistance industries. The falls in these industries were
reflected in the decrease of total female employment – the majority of people
employed in these industries are women. Employment increased significantly in the
transport, postal, and warehousing industry in Canterbury, as it did nationally.
The June 2011 quarter was the first quarter after the February 2011 earthquake and
so reflects Canterbury in the aftermath of the earthquake. The June 2012 quarter
reflects the outcomes for the region a year later. Care should be taken when making
annual comparisons in the Canterbury region.
Proportion Of Youth Not In Employment, Education, Or Training (NEET) Decreases
In seasonally adjusted terms, the youth (15–24 years) NEET rate fell 0.4 percentage
points over the June 2012 quarter, to 13.1 %. The male NEET rate was down 0.9
percentage points, to 11.0 %, while the female NEET rate was up 0.2 percentage
points, to 15.4 %. The fall in the male NEET rate reflected a decrease in the number
of men who were unemployed and not in education.
For people aged 15–19 years the NEET rate was flat (8.9 %) while it fell for the 20–
24-year-olds by 0.8 percentage points (to 17.1 %).
The youth NEET rate was introduced into the HLFS official estimates in the December
2011 quarter. The rate is calculated as the total number of youth who are NEET, as a
proportion of the total youth working-age population.
Source
http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-andwork/employment_and_unemployment/HouseholdLabourForceSurvey_HOTPJun12qtr/
Commentary.aspx
2. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
2.1
New Ministry In Business
The new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) commenced
operations on 2 July 2012, absorbing the functions of the Ministry of Economic
Development, the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and
the Department of Building and Housing.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says its role is to ensure New Zealand
has clear, co-ordinated and focused government policy leadership with a commitment
to economic growth and innovation. “A more efficient and effective single Ministry
focused on lifting overall productivity and supporting the growth of competitive
businesses is a crucial element in the Government’s Business Growth Agenda to
create more jobs and higher wages, and boost our standard of living," Mr Joyce says.
“MBIE will help the Government deliver integrated policies that allow business to do
business and build a more competitive and internationally-focused economy.”
Source
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/mbie-drive-govt%E2%80%99s-business-growthagenda
2.2
MBIE Employment Forecast
New Zealand’s jobless rate is forecast to fall below 6 % in 2014, the Ministry of
Business, Innovation and Employment says, with ageing baby boomers more than
holding up their end in the labour market.
The June quarter household labour force survey surprised forecasters with a 0.1
percentage point rise in the unemployment rate to 6.8 %, rather than an anticipated
fall. However, the MBIE forecasts see unemployment falling to 6.2 % in March 2013
and 5.9 % in March 2014, about eight months out from the next scheduled general
election.
The report expects a gradual pick-up in employment rates to continue, and for the
number of people willing to work rising to a historically high 69.5 %, compared with
68.8 % at present.
"The domestic recovery is expected to accelerate as the Canterbury rebuild ramps
up," MBIE says. "This will lead to a steady improvement in the labour market, with
moderate employment growth in the short-term. However, regional and industry
variation will persist."
MBIE is now publishing labour market statistical analysis and forecasts previously
provided by the Department of Labour, which was included in a "super-ministry"
merger to create MBIE earlier this year.
"Given the weak pace of the current economic recovery, employment growth looks
strong compared to the 1997/98 experience", when the bounce-back in economic
growth was far stronger than the current prolonged, shallow recession. The ministry
forecasts the rate at which new jobs are created to rise from 1.4 % this year to 2.1 %
in 2014.
A resilient performance by people over the age of 55 is a notable feature of current
labour market dynamics, the report says, noting participation rates by older people
are "very high" by international standards.
A steady increase in workforce
participation by older workers added more than 40,000 people in the last five years,
accounting for one-third of the total increase in the labour force in that time.
"This is attributable to both the increase in participation and the bulge in this cohort
as baby boomers move towards this age group," the MBIE report says. "The high
participation of New Zealand’s ageing population retains human capital, skills and
knowledge in the workforce for longer. This helps sustain the income required to
maintain living standards."
Migration flows are also "very large" relative to the size of the total labour force, the
report says. "For example, in 2011 there were 84,000 permanent long-term
immigrants – much larger than the 58,000 school leavers in that year", with
temporary working migrant inflows even greater. Even so, there was a net long term
migration loss to the country as a whole, mainly to Australia, and an 11 % fall in the
number of migrants applying under the skilled migrant category.
Source
http://nz.finance.yahoo.com/news/nz-unemployment-below-6-election224240902.html
2.3
CTU Response To MBIE Forecast
The new forecast on New Zealand’s jobless rate is that it won’t fall below 6% before
2014. CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg said “these contrast strongly with forecasts used
by the Government in the Budget where Treasury was forecasting 5.7%
unemployment in March 2013 and 5.2% in March 2014. MBIE is forecasting a much
higher 6.2% for 2013 and 5.9% for 2014.”
“Treasury forecasts of falling unemployment have already been made redundant by
the current rate of 6.8%. Forecasts of lower unemployment, job creation and
economic growth are nothing new, and won’t happen without government actions to
help bring them about. MBIE’s new forecasts show a lack of belief that current policies
are improving the unemployment situation.”
There are now over 160,000 New Zealanders unemployed, these figures continue to
be alarmingly high, and will remain too high even if this forecast proves correct. We
need the government to have a plan to generate jobs-led growth for our economy.
“We need the government to focus on job creation, and support New Zealand jobs
through government procurement and investment. We need to boost training for
workers to prepare for the Christchurch rebuild, but not rely solely on this to create
jobs. We should build trains in New Zealand, retain good Government jobs, increase
infrastructure projects, reinstate tertiary spending cuts and stop hoping the market
will fix this.”
Source
http://union.org.nz/news/2012/worsening-forecasts-don%E2%80%99t-help-thoseout-work
2.4
Reporting The Unemployment Rate
In a blog about the lack of a government jobs policy, Gordon Campbell notes that we
now have over 160,000 people out of work, and New Zealand First leader Winston
Peters is almost certainly right when he says that jobs losses and unemployment are
far higher than the government likes to admit, and closer in reality to 10% than to the
measured rate.
Many people out of jobs in the public service are now contracting, and the time
’between contracts’ actually amounts to unemployment. Peters says, underemployment is rife within this stagnating economy.
Source
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1209/S00035/gordon-campbell-on-lack-of-a-jobspolicy-and-abortion-laws.htm
3. Christchurch Rebuild
3.1
Canterbury Employment
On the 8th of August Social Development Minister Paula Bennett visited Christchurch
employers working alongside Work and Income to give New Zealanders jobs. She
stated:
“Hawkins Construction and Fletcher Building have shown a real commitment to
recruiting Cantabrians who’ve been relying on benefits.”
“Having dedicated Work and Income staff members working directly with these
companies helps to ensure that rebuild job vacancies are made available to local job
seekers. “
“I can’t stress how valuable it is for people to come from a benefit into an
environment which fosters career development and rewards talent and hard work.”
Fletcher Building have announced a Work and Income Manager who will oversee
recruitment of locals from the company headquarters while an on-site Work and
Income work broker helps Hawkins Construction place people with their Canterbury
based sub-contractors.
Since August 2011, 60 Christchurch jobseekers have been placed with Hawkins
Construction and over the last nine months Fletcher Building has employed 26 local
people who were on benefits. Four have been promoted to quantity surveyor
administrator positions.
This approach illustrates a willingness from employers to provide jobs for local New
Zealanders who want to get off welfare and into work. Canterbury employment has
remained a high priority for the Government with $214 million paid in wage subsidies
to 8000 businesses supporting over 63,500 individuals since the September 2010
earthquake.
Other Government initiatives such as the Working InZone programme are also helping
to prepare job seekers for work through roles in the earthquake clean-up and 25
people have been placed through Working InZone to date. People on Unemployment
Benefits has dropped by more than 2,300 in Canterbury in the last year.
Source
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/canterbury-employment-remains-high-priority
3.2 Christchurch’s Roadmap For Infrastructure Rebuild
The five year schedule for the rebuild of Christchurch’s earthquake-damaged roads
and underground services has been released. The plan includes a map setting out
indicative timeframes for infrastructure repairs in different areas of the city. The work
has been prioritised based on a range of factors, with the aim being to first fix the
worst-affected areas that impact on the most people.
Underground services need to be rebuilt and future-proofed so that the city’s recovery
is founded on a secure infrastructure base. It will take another four years to rebuild
Christchurch’s horizontal infrastructure. There is a model to prioritise the work.
Source
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/christchurch%E2%80%99s-roadmapinfrastructure-rebuild
3.3
Earthquake Disability Leadership Group (EDLG): August 2012 Update
The governance arm of the Earthquake Disability Leadership Group (EDLG) has met
twice and several projects are under way. This work is being coordinated by Ruth
Jones, the Chair of the Workbridge Board. Projects include:

Promoting an accessible city as part of the International Day of Disabled People on
the 3rd of December. The integrated dance company Jolt will be leading this Flash
Mob project.

The EDLG will also be part of a family fun day on the 9th of September from 11am
to 2pm at the Pioneer Stadium. They will be an opportunity to connect with
families and children about their needs and what they want their city and Sports
and Recreation to look like.

Seeking representation from National Stakeholder Groups such as CERA and MSD.
These people will be a conduit between the EDLG work and what is happening
regionally and nationally.

Focus groups to discuss specific issues. These include:
Transition and Employment Focus Group
This group is working with the Employers Disability Network to secure a date for a
Chamber of Commerce-hosted event to promote the employment of disabled
people into work during the rebuild. The National Disability Action Plan reinforces
the need to partner with Chambers of Commerce. The group is compiling a profile
of disabled jobseekers for employers and a guest list. The focus is on large
employers and strategic leaders within organisations like Fletchers, Fulton Hogan,
Boffa Miskel and the Manufactures’ Association. The Transition and Employment
group are also compiling a stocktake of what is happening for disabled people and
employment in Canterbury and will present this to Simon Worthington from CERA
so that we have a picture of what we are working with. Grant Cleland and local
Workbridge staff are involved with this group.
Access Focus group
This group includes representatives from Barrier Free Trust, Be. Accessible and
Lifetime Design. The emphasis is to compile key messages about that focus area
and establish a list of priority actions.
Other Focus Groups
A focus group regarding migrant and refugee issues will be established and there
will be links with groups such as KiwiAble Network for information sharing and
advice about sport and recreation, rather than duplication of what is already there.
MHERC Training
MHERC, in collaboration with CERA, are sponsoring these workshops to prevent
group, individual and family stress from developing. A lot of people from the NGO
sector and CERA’s Community Forum have attended similar workshops. The date
to identify if you are interested is the 17th August. Email Kerri
[email protected].
Systemic Change Work
Ruth Jones has been chosen by Minister Turia along with Mark Benjamin from
SAMS, Paul Gibson from HRC and Lorna Sullivan from Imagine Better to provide
feedback about the National Disability Action Plan. DPOs and disabled people want
the use of disability supports to be governed more by the disability community and
for funding to be less silo-ed and much more integrated into the aspirations rather
than to just the needs of disabled people.
Work With NZCare
One group that is vital to consult with about the recovery are those with very high
support needs, who don’t communicate verbally and who live in residential
settings. Through NZCare, meetings will be hosted to ask what they want and
feed this information back to CERA along with the rest of the group.
Upcoming Large Group meetings
The next large EDLG meetings will be on the 11th of September and the 6th of
November. They will be at the Papanui RSA and interpreters will be provided.
Source
Ruth Jones, Kanohi ki te Kanohi Consultancy, Ph 03 3548308, Mob 0274408573,
Email [email protected]
4. Welfare Reforms
4.1
Arrest Warrants And Income Support
People with outstanding arrest warrants will no longer receive a benefit while evading
Police says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. This includes around 8,200 on
benefits. In exceptional circumstances where someone poses a danger to the public,
their benefit can be stopped immediately at the request of the Police Commissioner.
People will be given 10 days to clear or challenge the warrant before their benefit is
stopped, or reduced by fifty per cent if they have dependent children. People will still
be able to apply for hardship assistance for themselves and their children.
Source
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/benefits-stopped-those-arrest-warrants
4.2
Drug Testing and Income Support
Beneficiaries with work expectations will face sanctions if they refuse to apply for
drug-tested jobs, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.
Under the current welfare system an unemployment beneficiary can decline to apply
for an available drug-tested job, because they won’t pass the test, without
consequence. This new policy only applies to those with a work expectation attached
to their benefit and only for available work opportunities requiring drug tests.
Those on benefits with full or part-time work obligations will be sanctioned if they
refuse job opportunities which require a drug test or if they fail a test. Work and
Income will reimburse employers for test failures and those who fail a test will have to
pay back the cost out of their benefit. People will be given a warning and reasonable
period of time to stop using drugs before having to take another drug test. Further
failures will result in benefit reduction and possible cancellation.
Where people fail a drug test or refuse to apply for a drug tested job, they must agree
to stop using drugs or their benefit will be cut by 50 %. They will be given 30 days to
allow any drugs they have taken to leave their system. Where they fail a test or
refuse a second time, they will have their benefit suspended until they agree that they
will provide a ‘clean’ drug test within 30 days. If they do not do this their benefit will
be cancelled.
People with addiction will be supported to get help with their dependency while those
on some prescribed medications will be exempt. Experts will carry out robust clinical
assessments to determine whether people are recreational users or have a drug
dependency. The new pre-employment drug test requirements come into effect in July
2013.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O'Reilly says the decision to require all jobseekers in
those industries that warrant drug testing - whether on a benefit or not - to be tested
is fair.
Source
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/pre-employment-drug-testing-jobseekers
5. ‘Fitness for Work’ Assessments In The UK
In the UK, disability rights campaigners opposed the sponsorship of the Paralympics
by Atos.
Atos Healthcare carries out disability assessments on behalf of the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Atos has two lucrative benefits contracts
with the DWP. Its 1,400 doctors, nurses and physiotherapists carry out the much
maligned Work Capability Assessments used to decide whether an individual is fit for
work immediately, in the medium term or not at all.
Atos have come under fierce scrutiny for their handling of the UK's DWP's contract to
assess whether claimants for incapacity benefits are "fit for work". Disability rights
campaigners say that Atos tests for people on disability allowances are "damaging and
distressing" and have led to suicides. Some 40% of the 738,000 assessments carried
out last year were appealed against, of which 38% were upheld.
Source
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hundreds-protest-againstparalympics-sponsor-atos-as-anger-about-its-role-in-slashing-benefits-bill-intensifies8092512.html
http://www.disabled-world.com/news/uk/atos.php
6. Sleepover Settlements
Cabinet have signed off the first Order-in-Council which allows for sleepover
settlement agreements for health and disability providers funded through Vote Health.
The Sleepover Wages (Settlement) Act established a framework for the settlement of
sleepover claims but providers have been waiting months for the first Order-in Council
to be passed.
Spectrum Care has led the way for Vote Health providers and the PSA hopes that their
hard work means that the process for other providers and PSA members, who have
also made sleepover settlement agreements, will be much faster.
Health and disability support has been a traditionally low-wage sector as a result of
years of labour market deregulation. “Support workers are very poorly paid even
though they look after some of the most vulnerable members of society. Many of
these support workers are women which further demonstrates the issue of pay
inequity that we have here in New Zealand,” says PSA National Secretary Richard
Wagstaff.
The Sleepover Wages (Settlement) Act means vital services for vulnerable people will
continue to be delivered overnight, while setting in place progressive improvements in
pay towards the minimum wage for employees who do sleepovers. A total of nine
settlements with health and disability employers went through as part of the Order-inCouncil.
Source
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1209/S00068/another-step-forward-for-nzsfrustrated-low-paid-workers.htm
7. Global Bone & Joint Organisation applauds Fit for Work Report
A report was released on 5 September 2012 on the crippling burden of
musculoskeletal disease in New Zealand and its financial impact, particularly in the
workplace.
Commenting on Fit for Work, an independent report, the New Zealand National
Coordinator of the global joint health alliance, the Decade of Bone and Joint ( BJD),
Mr. Russell Tregonning, said musculoskeletal disorders were the leading cause of
disability both in New Zealand and around the world, affecting one in four adults and
accounting for 25% of the total cost of illness.
The odds of participating in the labour force in New Zealand are 31.5 percentage
points lower for those people with a chronic condition. In 2005, for example, 25,440
people were not participating in the labour market because of their arthritis. In 2010
the cost of medical fees relating to Discomfort, Pain and Injury workers’ compensation
claims accepted by Accident Compensation Corporation totalled NZ$ 9,000,266.
At the end of 2010 14.5% of all accepted claims for Sickness Benefit and 11.7% of all
accepted claims for Invalid’s benefit were for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Behind psychological and psychiatric conditions, MSDs represented the second largest
category of conditions resulting in claims for Sickness Benefit.
The report highlights the fact that the direct costs of work-related injuries and disease
(largely made up of musculoskeletal conditions) to the New Zealand economy was
between 4 and 8% of GDP in 2002.
He said hundreds of million people worldwide suffer from joint diseases such as
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and this figure will increase exponentially due
to the predicted doubling of the population of people aged over 50 by the year 2020.
The BJD is a global initiative that encompasses diseases associated with
muscoloskeletal disorders such as joint diseases, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, spinal disorders, severe trauma to the
extremities, diseases and deformities in children. Its mission is to advance
understanding of musculoskeletal disorders worldwide through research and to
improve the quality of life for those affected by these disorders.
Sources
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1209/S00025/global-bone-joint-group-applaudsfit-for-work-report.htm
http://blog.fitforworkeurope.eu/about/
DISABILITY INFORMATION
1. Ministry Of Health New Model For Supporting Disabled People Is Extended
On 10 September 2012 Minister Turia launched the extension of the New Model for
Supporting Disabled People into the Eastern Bay of Plenty. The following are excerpts
from her speech.
Local Area Co-ordinators are working in communities and with disabled people and
their whanau to help develop plans for the future, and build up natural and
community support so that they can live the life they choose, a “good life”.
The Local Area Coordinators have also been working towards an overarching goal of
creating a more accessible society, by helping communities to understand the
contribution that disabled people can make, and providing support towards breaking
down the barriers that create a disabling society.
The expansion of the demonstration means introducing more Local Co-ordinators
across the region. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the expansion of the New
Model into the Eastern Bay of Plenty is through the individualised funding scheme,
which will be expanded to enable disabled people considerably greater flexibility over
what they purchase with the funds that they have been allocated. Traditionally
disabled people were allocated a certain type and amount of support through
accessing disability services. The new model will now give disabled people and their
whanau more choice over what services they need, and how they want to be
supported.
One of the key elements of this approach will mean that disabled people will be much
more involved in self -assessment and their own planning rather than the activities
always being led by someone else. It is about ensuring that the person and the
whanau are a key part of the decision making throughout the entire process of
determining service and support. It is about instilling that self-belief that in fact they
do know what’s best.
The Bay of Plenty is the first region to have this model available, and the Ministry will
continue to work on developing the model for extension across the wider population.
A local working group of disabled people, their whanau and support providers are
assisting the Ministry to develop and implement the new model in this area.
The changes that are heralded in the new model have been sought by disabled people
and their whanau for a long time.
Source
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00130/launch-of-the-extension-of-theministry-of-health-new-model.htm
2. Unprecedented Interest In Paralympics
The 2012 Paralympics have broken all records, with 2.7 million spectators cramming
into venues and more than $70 million raised in ticket sales - both unprecedented and
unseen enthusiasm for Paralympic sport.
World records have fallen at a staggering rate with a total of 251 world records broken
over the 11 days. New Zealand's 17-medal haul from the London 2012 Paralympic
Games has earned the leading nation per capita. Australia was second with 3.82
medals per million of population, followed by Ireland with 3.58. New Zealand was also
ranked 3rd for medals per number of team members.
Source
http://www.paralympics.org.nz/latestnews.htm
NEWSLETTERS
The following lists the information available in recent newsletters and/or contains
excerpts from recent newsletters within the disability sector.
1. IHC Hot Issues
Getting Rid Of the ‘R’ Word and Other Debates about Disability Language
Appropriate language around disability was a topic of a recent Radio New Zealand
‘One in Five’ programme. Interviewees suggested people ask what terminology each
person prefers as it relates to their individual identity. Their most disliked terms were
‘handicapped’ and ‘special needs’. ‘The disabled’ is also a term many dislike as it
ignores they are people first.
Many people with intellectual impairment have a hatred for the old terminology of
mental retardation. The new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual coming
out next year is expected to drop the ‘R’ word.
In New Zealand advocates have tended to use the term ‘disabled people’ as it reflects
the social model thinking of the 2001 New Zealand Disability Strategy, that people are
disabled by society. In ‘people first’ language that becomes ‘people with disability’. Dr
Martin Sullivan, of Massey University, wrote about this topic in 2000 for the New
Zealand Journal of Disability Studies. Since the 2006 United Nations Convention on
Persons with Disabilities, ‘people with disabilities’ has become a more commonly used
term.
What’s happening in the UK?
Before his government was elected in 2009, British Prime Minister, David Cameron,
reflected on the five lessons he had learned from parenting his disabled son, Ivan.
These included the importance of early intervention, a support team of professionals,
and easier access to support and education (particularly special education).
Unfortunately the changes brought about by his government, including the perceived
dismantling of the National Health Service and unpaid work placements, have
infuriated many in the disability sector. People receiving disability benefits have been
subject to review and assessment on their ‘fitness’ for work, by a multi-national
company, ATOS. Consequently there are reports of increased hardship. Disability
Advocacy Groups are concerned that New Zealand’s welfare reforms may follow many
aspects of the British government’s.
Source
http://www.ihc.org.nz/resources/ihc-hot-issues-newsletter/
2. Office of Disability Issues Email Update
6 September 2012
Enabling Good Lives Report Now Available In NZSL
The Enabling Good Lives report is now available in New Zealand Sign Language
(NZSL) on the Office for Disability Issues website.
The Enabling Good Lives report presents a new approach to how disability supports
are provided. It was produced in August 2011 by an independent experts group,
which was commissioned by the Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Tariana Turia. This
included Grant Cleland from Workbridge. The Ministries of Health and Social
Development are working with the experts group to test the Enabling Good Lives
approach.
Workshop on Companion Animal Emergency Management
The Civil Defence National Welfare Coordination Group and the Ministry of Social
Development are holding a workshop on integrating the needs of companion animals
into emergency planning and response. The workshop, to be held in Wellington on 18
September 2012, is aimed at emergency managers, emergency service responders,
welfare volunteers, animal care professionals and anyone with an interest in this
subject. For details, email: [email protected] , or phone 04 916
3810.
Consultation on Good Medical Practice
The Medical Council of New Zealand is responsible for setting standards of clinical
competence, cultural competence and ethical conduct for doctors. The Council’s
document Good Medical Practice outlines the duties of a good doctor in a simple and
direct manner. The Council is seeking feedback, by 12 October 2012, on changes that
it is proposing to make to this document.
Exploring Strength & Resilience of Families That Include A Parent With A Disability
The Families Commission has published this research report.
I Think Differently
I Think Differently is a toolkit developed as part of the Government’s Think Differently
campaign. Its key purposes are to reframe and rename disability, to encourage people
to create the change they wish to see in the world, and to provide new ways for
people who experience disability (and those who don’t, yet) to interact with each
other.
2013 Be. Leadership Programme
Applications for the 2013 Be. Leadership programme are now open. This programme
has been created to strengthen and promote a cohesive and significant leadership
community to improve accessibility. It aims to enhance existing leadership within
Aotearoa New Zealand by developing individual and collective leadership excellence in
people with access needs.
For more information, go to http://www.beaccessible.org.nz/be-leadership/apply,
contact [email protected] , or call 0800 Be in touch (0800 234 686).
Extramural Disability Studies at Massey University
Massey University is offering two papers in 2013 that students can do entirely from
home. At undergraduate level, Disability in Society 250.317 is a third year paper
serving as an introduction to disability studies. At postgraduate level, Disability,
Consumer Rights and Advocacy 179.777 takes an in-depth look at the disability rights
movement, self-advocacy, service provision, international conventions and a number
of contemporary issues. Enrolments open in October 2012. For further information
contact: Dr Martin Sullivan at [email protected] , or phone 0800 Massey.
Designing the Future Workshop
ImagineBetter is offering a second Designing the Future Workshop with David
Hasbury, an organisational and community development consultant, educator and
facilitator. The workshop on MAPS (Making Action Plans) provides a process that
enables people to rethink who someone is as a gifted contributor, and to envision
what they will need to ensure that they can make their contribution. The workshop
will be in Dunedin on 21 to 22 November 2012.
Seminar on ADHD and Autism
The ADD Assessment and Family Support Centre is holding a public seminar on the
29the of September 2012 in Wellington on How ADHD and Autism can screw up your
life yet still be an advantage. The seminar will look at how can society benefit from
this dichotomy, and what the person, families, and professionals can do to enhance
life potentials.
New Zealand Rehabilitation Conference
The New Zealand Rehabilitation Association Conference is to be held in Nelson on 8th
to the 10th of March 2013. The conference theme “rebuilding, connecting, living”, to
capture the challenges faced in the rehabilitation sector following the Christchurch
earthquakes. Registrations open in October 2012. The deadline for abstract
submissions is 28 November 2012.
Social Policy And Advocacy Newsletter
CCS Disability Action has released a new look social policy and advocacy newsletter,
called Including All People.
Inclusion Made Easy
CBM is a non-government organisation focusing on the needs of disabled people in the
international development space. CBM has produced a guide to disability inclusion, for
programme staff in international development organisations, called Inclusion Made
Easy.
Disaster Readiness Resource
The Central Region of the Stroke Foundation has prepared a pamphlet on how to be
ready for an emergency.
Courses on Community Based Rehabilitation For Acquired Brain Injury
Massey University at Wellington, in association with the University of Buffalo and the
Brain Injury Education Trust, is offering level one and two courses on community
based rehabilitation for acquired brain injury, in November 2012. For more
information, go to www.levelone.org.nz , or contact Jess Glen, phone 04 801 5799 ext
62488.
Dance and Disability Forum
Dance Aotearoa New Zealand is holding a Dance and Disability Forum, in Wellington
on 10 October 2012, on Breaking down the barriers and giving everybody a chance to
dance. The aim of the forum is to bring together people working in the dance and
disability sectors to find ways to increase the opportunities for disabled people to
dance. The forum is free of charge, but registrations are due by 28 September 2012.
For more information email [email protected] , or phone 04 801 9885.
Show Your Ability Disability Expo 2013
The Show Your Ability Disability Expo will be held in February 2013 in Auckland,
Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin. Suppliers of disability and
aged care equipment will be exhibiting, as well as service providers and support
groups.
Source
http://www.odi.govt.nz/documents/publications/email-update/odi-newsletterseptember-2012.doc
EVENTS
1. 22nd Rehabilitation International World Congress
The World Congress will be held this year in Incheon, Korea from 29 Oct to 2
Nov. Please refer to the online flyer (web version) attached regarding more
information about the call for papers - www.riincheon2012.org Direct any additional
questions to the 22nd RI World Congress Organizing Committee Secretariat
at [email protected]
Source
http://www.riincheon2012.org/world/
2. New Zealand Federation of Vocational and Support Services (VASS)
National Conference: People, Place, Belonging
2012
Wednesday 31 October and Thursday 1 November 2012, Headingly Centre, Richmond,
Nelson. Source: http://www.nzvass.org.nz/
3. The 47th Annual Conference for Australasian Society for Intellectual
Disability: Research to Practice
Wednesday 7 - Friday 9 November 2012, Wellington Town Hall. The theme is Unity in
Diversity: different perspectives, common purpose.
It acknowledges
 The rich diversity of perspectives that contribute to our shared knowledge base –
philosophies and values, cultural diversity related to ethnicity, place in the lifespan,
gender, as well as different consumer perspectives
 A desire across Australasia to move from splintered and uncoordinated support
frameworks to a more integrated approach to individuals, family and social groups,
and communities.
Source
http://www.asid-2012.org.nz/
Karen Beard
Workbridge Quality Coordinator
In association with the Workbridge Council and Grant Cleland