Strategies Policies And Funding

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

From 1840 onwards the government policies aimed at containing the number of disabled people living in New Zealand and keeping financial aid to a minimum state. Also the legislation discouraged disabled people from settling in New Zealand. The imbecile passenger Act of 1882, for example, required a bond from the person responsible for a ship that discharge any person lunatic, idiotic, deaf, dumb, blind or infirm who might become a charge on public or charitable institutions. Moreover, the immigration restriction Act of 1899 included in the list of prohibited immigrant any idiot or insane person and also those suffering from contagious disease. Support of disabled people was expected to be met by their families, any financial support was usually small and temporary, and was given by charitable organisation, not the tax payer. In 1854, institutions were established for people with experience of mental illness. The eugenics movement became popular in the 19th century. It advocated preserving good genetic stock by weeding out weak trait such as ill health or mental deficiencies. People with less desirable traits were to be prevented from having children one way was for these people to be removed from society by placing them in purpose built institutions. Towards the end of 19th century, people with intellectual disabilities began to be admitted to institutions previously reserved for people with mental illness. Men and women were strictly kept apart so they could have no children.

The above event shows some important steps in the improvement of policies concerning disabled people. The strategies that was established for disabled people were, educational Act 0f 1914, Social welfare Act of 1938 which provide disability support and remission to WWI disabled soldier, and Disabled Person Employment Promotion Act (DPEP) of 1960, but it was later repealed in 2007. Most of 20th century, disability was thought to be a problem inherent in individuals. This commonly known as the ‘medical model’, where disability was seen as being something ‘wrong’ with a person, which could be ‘cured’ or at least contained. Solution to the ‘problem’ of disability took the form of government and wider society helping fix or accommodate the problems of those afflicted individuals. This was often by segregating people with the problem and providing a service such as institution to meet their ‘special’ needs. As a result, the ‘human’ needs of many individuals were unmet. The New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS) sets out to address the inclusions and participation of disabled people in New Zealand society and to improve the opportunities afforded to them. The strategy has been described as a "total Package encompassing all facets of disability".

The funding systems for disabled people are as follows; in 1840 support for disabled people was expected to be met by their families. Any financial support was usually small and temporary, and was given by charitable organisations, not the tax payer. In 1924 Legislation was passed allowing a pension for blind people. And during 1990s government funding for support services for disabled people moved from the welfare agency (department of Social Welfare) to health agencies (Regional Health Authorities). From 1970s the government’s approach to services for disabled people became more community and rights based. Two years after that, Royal Commission into Pscyhopaedic Hospital and government funds were increasingly channelled into building small residential facilities rather than large institutions. Also in that year, a principle of entitlement was established through the Accident Compensation Act of 1972, which help people whose impairment was caused by injury through accident were now able to receive assistance on an individual entitlement basis. Lastly, The Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975 gave disabled people, who were not ACC claimants access to service to help them stay in the community, which assist the disabled people to have an access to a wide range of community-based support.

2.2 Terminology, Atittudes, stereotypes, and Barriers.

There are negative terminologies that were used by individuals to disabled people that are unacceptable and disgracing for them such as cripple instead of disabled person, dwarf instead of someone with restricted growth, retarded instead of disabilities, wheelchair bound instead of wheelchair user, and many more. These terminologies have a negative effect on how people will react or what attitudes they will entail to the people with disabilities. Some people don’t respect them by not helping them to access transportation, they do not let the disabled people be in the first line and, bullying them is the worst.

Stereotypes are regarded as the most cognitive component, prejudice as the affective and discrimination as the behavioural component of prejudicial reactions. While on the other hand, barriers to disabled people are the thing that prevents them from having a quality life. One of five people in New Zealand reports having a long-term impairment. Because everyone comes from different backgrounds, holds different beliefs and has different needs, there is a great diversity of people who have impairments. The key common factor among people with impairments is that they face many lifelong barriers to their full participation in New Zealand society. The common barriers are as follows; environment factors such as transportation, housing, streets or roads and work space; Information and communication factors such as access to communication and access to information; psychosocial factors such as asexual, aggressive, passive, requiring special care, less capable, and tragic; institutional factors such as family legal system, political system, education, employment, social service, and healthcare service.

Thus, understanding the above barriers and stereotypes, the NZ Disability strategy aimed to make a world of difference and eliminate those barriers wherever they exist. In addition to the above barriers, the use of language reflects the social context in which it is developed and used. It therefore reflects the values and attitudes of that context, and plays an important role in reinforcing values and attitudes that lead to discrimination and segregation of particular groups in society. Language can therefore bu used as a powerful tool to facilitate change and bring about new values, attitudes, and social integration. There are also institutions that provide services for disabled people to have an access for them to feel that they are valued by society such as Ministry of Health, national Health Board, and District Health Board.

2.3 Service Provision and Access Framework

Regarding provision of service they are composed of, Primary and community Health Care (delivered by GPS, nurses and allied health professionals. Support services including home base and residential care for people with lifelong disabilities and frail older people. Hospital outpatient services including emergency and hospital inpatient.

In conclusion, although people with disability has been facing difficulties in their daily living, through the years their desire to have a good life and have a comfortable living to better meet their needs was brought to everyone’s attention. As such New Zealand Disability Strategy was introduced and serves as framework to guide government agencies making policy and services impacting on disabled people. In taking the lead, the government will do everything possible to influence the attitudes and behaviour of society as a whole. By all New Zealanders considering issues facing people with disabilities and their aspirations, New Zealand can become a fully inclusive society.

2.4 literatures

Publication: European Concept of Accessibility, Francesc Aragall and group of authors, published by EUCAN, 2003 (Serbian Edition: Centre Living Upright, Novi Sad, 2008)

Informative publication 2: Access – removing barriers towards full participation (Oxfam)

MinistryofSocialDevelopment. Disablity. Available: http://www.odi.govt.nz/resources/guides-and-toolkits/disability-perspective/disability-nz.html. Last accessed 06 MArch 2013.