Disability around the world Blog Part 3- New Zealand

  1. Accessibility

“Society and systems should not discriminate against persons with any disability, including those who have physical, visual, hearing, speech, intellectual or mental impairments. If the persons with disabilities are unable to enjoy the same rights as other members of society, it maybe that reasonable accommodation is not being provided” (Reasonable accommodation for persons with disability in New Zealand,” 2018).

  • Environment- Architectural and physical are the features of buildings and public places that may cause difficulty for someone to easily navigate around. According to the Human Rights Act of 1993, makes it unlawful to discriminate against any person because of a disability in relation to goods of services, employment, education, and access to public places (Reasonable accommodation for persons with disability in New Zealand,” 2018). The use of Universal design which uses equitable use, flexibility use, low physical effort, sensible size and space and simple and intuitive use. An example of this the increase of Dementia villages, all throughout Europe including Roturua, New Zealand that is currently under construction.  The concept is that the facility has the aesthetic look of a typical New Zealand village, and the residents are free to roam. Staff are throughout the village for safety and assistance where needed. The residents also have a say in how much participation with gardening, laundry, meal preparation, this has given them a sense of purpose (Parmar, 2017).

 

  • Technology: The technology needs to be able to modify to support the person who may use an assistive device. Under Article 4 of the General obligations of the United Nations Conventions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities: To provide accessible information to persons with disabilities about mobility aids, devices, and assistive technologies including new technologies as well as other forms of assistance, support services and facilities (digital.gov.nz).

 

  • Accommodations: Under the Human Rights Act of 1993, There are legal requirements governing that a person or organization of a public place to take steps to make changes to accommodate the requirements of the person with disability if it is reasonable. This may include having a magnifying glass as an option for someone who may need magnification to read a menu or having large enough spaces between tables to accommodate a wheel chair.

 

  • The History of Mental Illness in New Zealand: Stigma was very high especially those with any type of mental illness or any other disability up to World War I and the return of the soldiers from war. 1882 The Imbecile Passengers Act required a bond from the person responsible for a ship that may discharge any “lunatic, idiotic, deaf, dumb, blind or infirm who may become a charge on public or charitable organizations. Immigration Act 1899 refused any immigrant that was an idiot or insane as well as anyone contagious with disease. The Lunatics Ordinance 1846 provided safe custody and maintenance of those with unsound mind vs going to jails (institutions). The Mental Defective Act 1911 differentiated between persons with unsound mind, persons mentally infirm, idiots, imbeciles, the feeble minded and epileptics. Medical rehabilitation for ex-servicemen began after World War I and developed into the Disabled Servicemen’s League after World War II, when the country was becoming more aware of mental illness and physical impairments from the returning soldiers. Rehabilitation services were not offered to civilians until 1954. The Royal Commission Act of 1972 was the start of funding to go to smaller residential facilities vs big institutions. Accident Compensation Act of 1972 allowed assistance for people injured in an accident. Community Welfare Act 1975 allowed for assistance to individuals that were not involved in an accident. The 1990’s brought more attention to the Government funding for support services for disabled persons and moved from the welfare agency to Department of Social Welfare and Regional Health Authorities. In 200/2201 the government developed the New Zealand Disability Strategy based on the social model of disability. In 2016 a revision of New Zealand Disability Strategy to better support any person with a disability to achieve their potential and improve theirs and their families lives (Office for Disability Issues, n.d.).
  1. Healthcare (access to services)

*  Until recently approximately 50-75% of GP and practice nurses were providing care for their patients that have a mental illness.  The New Zealand Ministry of Health has recently started (PMHIs) Primary Mental Health Initiatives the variety of options for the patient who has been diagnosed with mild to moderate mental health problems.  A range of service delivery model was also developing to allow choices of both service users and providers (“Developments in primary mental health care in New Zealand,” n.d.).

  1. Advocacy:

Local/Community:

Supporting Families Wellington and Hutt Valley (North Island- town) 

Offering free mental health and addiction family supporting a family. Offering workshops, education and advocacy, support groups, face to face, telephone online support.  Contact:  Lo Level 6 BNZ Centre 14 Hartham Place Porirua WELLINGTON 6140 Tel: 04 499 1049
Fax: 04 499 1063

Aranui Community Trust- Located in the suburbs of Christchurch.

Offering services in advocacy/legal services, community support groups, therapy, employment and emergency services etc. Address 35-45 Hampshire Street, Aranui, Christchurch,
8643 Telephone(03) 963 7070 Fax(03) 963 7076 Emailkathhamilton@actis.org.nz

Regional:

Hearts and Minds-

Regional information and contacts information for the following services, child and family counseling, abuse, addiction, emergency services, disability and special needs, health and hardship support etc., Contact:  09 441 8989  info@heartsandminds.org.nz

Nationwide:

Mental Health Foundation- Works to influence public policy that will have a significant effect on the mental health of New Zealanders Contact: Contact: Moira Clunie 09624810 moira.clunie@mentalhealth.org.nz

 

References

The Aranui Community Trust. (n.d.). Advocacy/Legal Services | Mental Health Resources & Information | MHERC. Retrieved from http://mherc.org.nz/directory/advocacy-legal-services

Developments in primary mental health care in New Zealand. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2777581/

Mental Health ? Policy & advocacy. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/home/our-work/category/17/policy-and-advocacy

Mental Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://heartsandminds.org.nz/directory-of-support-services/itemlist/category/72-mental-health

Office for Disability Issues. (n.d.). History of disability in New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.odi.govt.nz/home/about-disability/history-of-disability-in-new-zealand/

Page not found. (2017, December 18). Retrieved from https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/accessibility/legal-and-policy-requirem

Parmar, N. (2017, July 27). The Rise of Dementia Villages? The Happiest Places on Earth? Retrieved from https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/the-rise-of-dementia-villages-the-happiest-places-on-earth/79270

Reasonable accommodation for persons with disability in New Zealand. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.hrc.co.nz/files/7814/4848/7923/imm_reasonable_accommodation_guide.pdf