The DPO Coalition meets with a wide range of agencies. The objective of our meetings with officials is always to get improved outcomes for disabled people. We regularly discuss the need to ensure accessibility and to uphold the rights of disabled people under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (“the Disability Convention”). This set of Key Messages covers our DPO Coalition meeting in March 2024.
Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM)
The DPO Coalition is an IMM partner. We met with the other IMM partners – the Office of the Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission – to review and modernise the IMM’s Terms of Reference document.
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People
Ben O’Meara - Deputy Chief Executive Policy, Strategy and Partnerships; Sheryl Pinckney - Group Manager Partnerships and Stewardship
We expressed our concerns and disappointment around the Minister for Disability’s announcement regarding changes to disability funding for respite and supports. We are meeting again with Whaikaha in May to discuss the issues in more detail.
Stats NZ
Rachael Milicich – Deputy Government Statistician and Deputy Chief Executive, Insights and Statistics; Sean Broughton – General Manager, Customers and Partnerships, Insights and Statistics; Chris Pooch – Manager, Disability Insights, Insights and Statistics; Meg Jackson – Team Administrator, Disability Insights
We discussed the future operation of the Census and possible alternatives to running a national Census.
Disability Rights Commissioner
Prudence Walker
Prudence provided a brief update on the development of a new Strategic Plan, which is due for release in July. Over the next three months the existing priorities remain as planned – violence and abuse, poverty and access to supports.
Oranga Tamariki
Sharleen Hogan – Policy Manager, Care and Protection team; Lucy Croft – Senior Policy Analyst, Care and Protection team
We discussed Oranga Tamariki’s proposals to amend certain parts of the Oranga Tamariki Act and Residential Care Regulations with a focus on addressing safety issues in secure Oranga Tamariki residences.
Discussion included exclusion and restraint, not making rules for children that are any harder than the rules for adults etc. We encouraged them to consult with youth groups and we provided more detailed feedback in relation to disabled people in care and youth justice environments.
Representation
If you are interested in being considered as a DPO Coalition representative on advisory groups about a particular topic, please contact your DPO.
Voice of disabled people
The DPO Coalition is the first place that the Government goes to when wanting to engage with the voice of disabled people. We are continually looking for new member organisations to join the DPO Coalition to increase our coverage across the disability community. New members must represent disabled people who are not already represented by an existing member. If you would like to apply, please email the Secretariat at: us-dpo@groups.io
