new North Shore Disability Strategy

North Shore City Council approves new North Shore Disability Strategy

18 November 2008

Yesterday the North Shore City Council gave its approval to the first ever Disability Strategy for the North Shore.

The strategy is an over-arching document which outlines ways in which disabled people can be supported to achieve their potential and take a full and active role in the North Shore Community..

The strategy, subtitled “Creating a city that values people of all abilities” was developed in partnership with council and under the leadership of a steering group of disabled people.

Council Strategy and Finance Committee Chair Grant Gillon says that the strategy is a collaborative document, and that every agency and individual has a part to play in its implementation.

“The strategy challenges disabled people to realise their potential – and it challenges our entire community to support disabled people as they work to achieve their objectives.”

Disability Steering Group Chair Sonia Thursby says the strategy is a significant development for North Shore City.

“Many groups and individuals in the disability sector have had input into the strategy and the action plan which is the implementation document.

“We now look forward to people becoming more aware and therefore attitudes changing. This is a very positive step towards an inclusive North Shore.”

Councillor Gillon says that the Disability Steering Group which led the development of the strategy was created because of the need to take a big picture approach to disability issues.

However, he says, that does not mean that the council or the wider community will take their attention away from the everyday ways in which changes can be made to improve the lives of disabled people.

“We must never forget that with this strategy the steering group is asking the council, the whole community and government to help create a city that demonstrates that it values all its people equally.”


FACTS

Nearly one in five people living in the North Shore live with impairment and the majority of disabled people have more than one impairment.
Disease or illness, and accidents or injuries are the most common causes of disability for adults. The most frequent of accident or injury causing disability happens at work.
Disability increases with age, with 45% of adults aged 65 years and over living with an impairment.
The New Zealand Mental Health Survey (Ministry of Health, 2006) shows that about half of New Zealanders will experience a mental illness and/or an addiction at some time in their lives, with one in five people affected within any one year.
The World Health Organisation has identified that depression is set to become the second leading cause of disability in the world by 2020.

Contacts:



North Shore City Council Strategy and Finance Committee Chair Grant Gillon 09 480 1835, 027 476 4679.