The Government Policies Of New Zealand

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

1840 onwards

During the 1800s, the government policies of New Zealand sought at controlling the number of disabled people in the country and ensuring financial assistance are at the least. At this time, disabled people were discouraged by the legislation from remaining in the country. The Imbecile Passengers’ Act of 1882, for example, necessitated a bond from the individual responsible for a ship that discharged any person ‘lunatic, idiotic, deaf, dumb, blind or infirm’ who might become a charge on public or charitable institutions. Also, the Immigration Restriction Act 1899, contained within its list to ban immigrants who are idiot or insane person, as well as those suffering from contagious diseases. The families were expected to provide support for the disabled; and any financial aid or funding were usually small and temporary, and were contributed not by the taxpayers, but by charitable institutions.

The Lunatics Ordinance of 1846 was the first legislation concerned with the mentally ill in New Zealand. It specified the safe confinement and protection, as well as prevention of offences by persons dangerously insane. Individuals experiencing mental illness were primarily housed in a detention centre, jail, house of correction, or public hospital; or alternatively to a public colonial asylum, which were built in remote areas, and later in designated institutions. In the 1860s, disabled individuals were placed in institutions which provide assistance for orphans, single mothers, and destitute elderly.

In 1883, the term "Eugenics" was coined and was described by its founder, Sir Francis Galton, as ‘the study of agencies under social control that may improve the racial qualities of future generations, either physically or mentally’. In the 19th century, eugenic language was pervasive in New Zealand, and eugenic ideas underlay a range of health, welfare, and education policies. Eugenics applied the ideas of biological natural selection to people (also known as ‘racial fitness’). Socially conscious female activists, both professional and voluntary, were very much interested and involved in the improvement of the ‘race’ and constructing a healthy and racially pure nation.

1900 onwards

In the early 1900s, when the pseudo-science of eugenics became popular, the idea that intellectual disability was inherited was common. The government of New Zealand has to separate the intellectually handicapped, to prevent them from bearing or having kids and to limit unsettling behaviour. Hence, there was the trend of reducing the size of the family (until the 1930s).

In 1916, New Zealand census was able to identify people who have impairment or disabilities and needs assistance, such as those who are deaf, dumb, blind, lunatics, idiots and epileptic, paralyzed, and crippled or deformed. During this time, institutional care for individuals with mental deficiency was emphasised. The Mental Defectives Act was established in 1911 which differentiated between individuals of sound mind, persons mentally infirm, idiots, imbeciles, the feeble minded and epileptics.

During the period of 1924-1925, the Committee of Inquiry into Mental Defectives and Sexual Offenders voiced out concern at "feeble-minded" children. They inquired into and report upon the need for special care and treatment of mental defectives and sexual offenders in New Zealand. They also viewed that the increasing growth of the unfit and the restriction of the birth amongst the more intellectual classes constituted a menace to the welfare of the country; hence, it should be prevented. For them, it was essential to reproduce a healthy race by promoting better breeding.

In the year 1924, a legislation allowing a pension for blind people was agreed. This legislation was conceded ahead of the social security reforms of the late 1930s, which presented the invalids benefit for those constantly unable to work and the sickness benefit for those temporarily experiencing an illness.

In 1929, under the administration of New Zealand mental health system, Templeton Farm in Christchurch was opened for ‘high-grade imbeciles and low-grade feeble-minded cases without psychotic complications’.

Medical rehabilitation for ex-servicemen began after World War I and improved further through the Disabled Servicemen’s League, established after World War II. Services were available to civilians from 1954. During this period, there was an emphasis on the rehabilitation of the mentally and physically impaired into the society. The general populace became increasingly aware and informed regarding mental illness and physical impairments that the soldiers returning home after the world wars have underwent. Throughout, better services, including psychiatric treatment, physiotherapy and plastic surgery, was a necessity.

The Disabled Persons Employment Act of 1960 started and sheltered employment opportunities for disabled persons. Exemptions from applying the same employment conditions were practised by operators of sheltered workshops. This allowed dissimilarity between sheltered employment and employment in the open market.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the inclination for disabled individuals to large institutions was being challenged. At this time, parents who had children with disabilities started IHC and Crippled Children’s Association. Day care centres, occupational groups, and residential homes were set up by the IHC. Also, during this time, a more rights-based approach for the parents in obtaining appropriate education for their children was evidently pursued.

1970s

Since the 1970s, New Zealand’s approach to services for disabled people became more community and rights based. After the 1972 Royal Commission into Psychopaedic Hospitals, government resources were increasingly directed into building small residential institutions rather than large facilities. In the same year, individuals who had an accident that caused them impairment were now able to receive assistance from the government on an individual entitlement basis. Subsequently, Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975 gave disabled people, who were not ACC claimants, access to services to help them stay in the community. In addition, the need for disabled people to have opportunities for mainstream employment was highly recognised. The Industrial Relations Act 1973 established the under-rate workers’ permit, which enabled an individual with impairment to work in the open labour market and receive an income that matched their efficiency and output.

In 1981, activities promoting the International Year of the Disabled and the associated Telethon provided a focus for disabled people. Knowledge and understanding on disability issues was brought up. This then allowed the formation of pan-disability organisation, DPA, which consists of disabled people who speak and does things for and by themselves.

During the 1980s, deinstitutionalisation, which is the moving away from institutionalised accommodation for disabled individuals, remained. At this period, there was an increase in government funding for community-based services. And through the 1990s, more individuals expressed their concerns regarding the limitations of the government provision for lessening social barriers faced by disabled people. New Zealand’s funding for support services for disabled people moved from the welfare agency (Department of Social Welfare) to health agencies (Regional Health Authorities).

2000 onwards

In the year 2000/2001, the government developed the New Zealand Disability Strategy which was primarily based on the social model of disability. This strategy created a distinction between impairments (which people have) and disability (which lies in their experience of barriers to participation in society).

Later on, the introduction of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill into Parliament was started in 2004, which recognised New Zealand Sign Language as the third, official language in New Zealand. In the same year, there was a review of long-term disability support services which was led by the Office for Disability Issues. This aims to improve the disintegration and incoherence of services experience by disabled people.

Identify whether a regional or a national situation is being discussed

The rate of disability in New Zealand is one person in five, according to the 1996 and 2001 census and Post- Census Disability Surveys. In 2001, a total of 743,800 New Zealanders reported some level of disability. This included an estimated 626,500 adults (over 15yearold), and 90,000 children living in households, and 27,300 people in living residential facilities. In 2001, an estimated 4342,100 people relied on some form of disability support. Disability is influenced by the nature of a person’s impairment(s). These can be intellectual, psychiatric, physical, neurological or sensory and be temporary, intermittent or on going. Gender, age, ethnicity and culture can also have a profound and sometimes compounding effect on an individual’s experience of disability. Older people are substantially more likely than younger people to experience disability. In 2001, 11 percent of children aged 0 to 14 years, 13 percent of adults aged 15 to 44 years and 25 percent of adults aged between 45 and 64 years reported impairment. This compares with 54 percent of people aged 65 years or over (including 87 percent of people aged 85 and over).

Incorporate strategies

The NZ Disability Strategy presents a long- term plan for changing New Zealand from a disabling to an inclusive society. It has been developed in consultation with disabled people and the wider disability sector, and reflects many individuals’ experiences of disability. Underpinning the NZ Disability Strategy is a vision of a fully inclusive society. New Zealand will be inclusive when people with impairments can say they live in:

‘A society that highly values our lives and continually enhances our full participation’

Achieving this vision will involve ensuring that disabled people have a meaningful partnership with government, communities and support agencies, based on respect and quality. Disabled people will be integrated into community life on their own terms, their abilities will be valued, their diversity and interdependent will be recognised, and their human rights will be protected. Achieving this vision will be also involving recognising the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Incorporate policies

The New Zealand Disability strategy’s key aim is supporting families and whanau promoting the participation of Maori and Pacific disable people and improving support services. It covers access, attitudes, education and employments as well as encouraging the participation of disable women and a full and active life for disabled children.

There are 15 objectives of the New Zealand Disability strategy as follows:

Encourage and educate for a non- disabling society

Ensure rights for disable people

Provide the best education for disable people

Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disable people

Foster leadership by disabled people

Foster an aware and responsive public service

Create long- term support system centred on the individual

Support quality living in the community for disable people

Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people

Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues

Promote participation of disabled Maori

Promote participation of disabled Pacific

Enable disable children and youth lead a fully active life

Promote participation of disable women in order to improve their quality of life

Value families, Whanau and people providing on-going support

Incorporate funding

The Foundation funds its work throughout donations contribution, endowment, bond income and grants. The clients with disability related needs may be eligible for Ministry on Health funding for specialised equipment, housing modification, funding for a vehicle, vehicle modification and driving assessment. The clients with needs may be eligible for funding if:

Have a disability that will last over six months and result in a reduction of independent function to the extent that on-going support is required are not a ACC claimant.

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Define terminology

Language is vital as it mirrors the values and attitudes by which the social context is developed and used. Improper usage may lead to discrimination and separation of certain groups, such as those persons with disabilities, in the society. Truly, language is a powerful tool to bring about new values, and attitudes, thus allowing social integration possible.

"Physically challenged" or "differently abled" should no longer be used in general. Rather, use the terms "disabled person" and "person with disabilities" as these terms are more acceptable.

"Suffers from" – indicates an on-going pain and torment

"Afflicted with" – implies a disease

"Victim of" – means that a crime has been committed on the person who has a disability

"Wheelchair bound" or "confined to a wheelchair" is improperly used as the phrase calls into question the fact that many individuals with motor disabilities do not necessarily use their wheelchairs when driving or sleeping. Hence, the correct phrase is "uses a wheelchair."

"Handicap"is derived from the phrase "cap in hand", referring to a beggar, and is despised by most people with disabilities. "Physically/mentally challenged" and "cripple/crippled" should also be avoided. Instead, use the term "disability".

"Normal" and "whole" are inappropriate and inaccurate. Use "able-bodied" or "people without disabilities".

"Patient" is for individuals with illness in the hospital setting. Therefore, do not call a person a patient as most disabilities are not a disease. In an occupational and physical therapy context, "client" or "customer" is preferred.

Some diseases by legal definition are considered disabilities. Victimisation imagery (AIDS victims) or defining the person by the disease (she is a diabetic) is inappropriate. Use "person with diabetes" or "people living with AIDS".

"Deaf-mute" or "deaf and dumb" should never be used. People who consider themselves as part of Deaf culture refer to themselves as "Deaf" with a capital "D". Because their culture derives from their language, they may be identified in the same way as other cultural groups, for example "Shangaan".

"Deformed", "deformity", and "birth defect" should be avoided. A person may be born without arms or has a congenital disability, but is probably not defective.

"Mongol/mongoloid" should not be used. Instead, use the term "person with Down Syndrome".

"Mentally retarded", "insane", "slow learner", "learning disabled", and "brain damaged" should be avoided. Use terms such as "person with intellectual disability" or "person with a psychiatric disability" instead.

"Cerebral palsied" and "spastic" should be avoided. Use "person with cerebral palsy".

"Epileptic" either as a noun or adjective, should not be used. Instead, use "person with epilepsy" or "child with a seizure disorder."

"Dwarf/midget" or "little/short" should be avoided. As an alternative, the best to use is "person with short stature.

"Paraplegia" or "quadriplegia" should be avoided as either a noun or adjective. Use "man with paraplegia" or "she has quadriplegia".

Identify attitudes

Several people through experience of mental illness internalise discriminatory attitudes; others fear discrimination at the entire stages of employment, such as throughout the hiring procedure, during endorsement, and on the job and arrange strategies to avoid it. In the framework of the workplace, fear of unfairness typically takes the outline of evade revelation of mental illness. Non revelation result from the feeling that disclosing knowledge of mental infirmity would direct to discrimination and stimulate other’s media- generated fear of them as aggressive. People with experience of mental infirmity account to fear of unfairness and being considered ineffectual avoids them from contact workplace plan intended to help people experiencing mental infirmity. These doubts are not ill- founded, thus individuals with experience of mental illness have reported discrimination at work and during interviews.

Distinguish stereotypes, and explain barriers

Stereotypes

Stereotype is a way of thinking about people in which you classify others into specific categories without much room for individualism or variation. This leads to labelling, name calling, and violence towards the subjects of stereotyping. Most often than not, it reduces the individuality and character and greatly affects the emotional and psychological aspect of the person, especially those who have disabilities.

Some persons with disabilities are labelled or called:

Pitiable and pathetic; sweet and innocent; a miracle cure

Victim or an object of violence

Sinister or evil

Exotic freaks

Twisted and bitter

Burden and outcast

Non sexual

Incapable of fully participating in everyday life

Clowns; laughable or object of butt jokes

Aggressive avenger

Barriers

The most common denominator among individuals with impairments or disabilities is that they encounter many enduring hindrances to their full participation in the society. In New Zealand, children and the youth with disabilities can bring burden to their families/whanau, because of the financial pressure; which then leads to inability to get the best start of their life. They are less likely to get the same education that non-disabled people get. As they grow older, they are unable to get employed inspite of equal employment opportunity policies. As they reach elderly, the disabled individual faces the main problem which is being denied the opportunity to remain in their own familiar surroundings.

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Service provision

Disability Support Services also provides policy advice to the Minister of Health. Many of the services DSS funds are accessed through a Needs Assessment and Service Co- ordination (NASC) service. NASCs are organisations contracted to the DSS, which work with disabled people to help identify their needs and to outline what disability support services are available. They allocate Ministry funded support and assist with accessing other supports. Ministry funded Disabled Support Services include:

Needs Assessment and services co- ordination services (NASC)

Disability information and advisory services (DIAS)

Environmental support services(ESS)

Information on equipment and modification

Home and community support services

Individualised funding

Respite and career support

Child Development Services

Community Residential support worker

Rest homes and private hospital services for adults generally aged less than 65 years

Assessment and services delivery for people with intellectual disability who have high and complex needs

Behavioural services

Day service for people who have moved to the community for institutional care.

Access frameworks

Building on strengths was an innovative advance to promoting mental health in New Zealand was the initial and remains the merely policy to provide an overarching framework for mental health encouragement action in this country. The framework describes mental health in helpful stipulation and quite than a medical model approach or risk-prevention. It put out three broad goals such as develop individual and reduce in equalities and create environments helpful of optimistic mental health. The dead also suggests action main concern populations and approaches to accomplish these goals, and recognise key or means determinants of mental health, unified communities and contribution in society; valuing diversity. Even though building on strengths is eight years old, then in general framework remains applicable and is hold up by the newest confirmation summarised in this reconsider. Nevertheless its dream is challenging for a modestly funded sector such as mental health promotion hostile to make an optimistic dissimilarity with limited possessions.

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