Mana: Disability reform essential

Mana: Disability reform essential

Posted on November 1, 2011 by admin in Press Releases, Sue Bradford

Aotearoa must become a more inclusive and compassionate society for everyone, not just those who are temporarily of sound mind and body, says
Mana Disability spokesperson Sue Bradford.

‘Over the last few weeks I’ve attended a number of election forums with people from various parts of the disability sector.

‘It is clear that neither National nor Labour-led Governments are paying enough attention to the cries of anguish and anger coming from people with impairments, their families, whanau and support organisations.

‘While there is no question that some useful progress has been made in the past decade, barriers to full participation in society remain impenetrable to many of the 1 in 5 New Zealanders with physical, mental and/or intellectual impairment, a disproportionate number of whom are Maori.

‘Mana is all about economic and social justice for those who have least in our society.

‘That’s why we take such a strong stand in support of those with impairments struggling to live and thrive in an essentially disabling society.

Our full disability policy is attached –and available online at http://mana.net.nz/policy/ , but key points include:

  • Government should act urgently to stop the closure of Special Needs Units. Government has responsibility to meet the educational needs of all children, not just some of them. Children and parents need a range of options, not just mainstreaming.
  • Enshrining the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in domestic legislation, and promoting anti discrimination laws.
  • Abolishing the minimum wage exemption permit scheme which sees some people employed on ‘wages’ as low as $3.00 (or less) an hour.
  • Resolve issues around parents and grandparents as caregivers immediately so that those caring fulltime for disabled whanau in their home are supported financially – and adequately.
  • Support for proactive employment creation and education and training support for people with impairments, with a high priority on meeting the needs of young people transitioning from school.
  • Opposition to National’s welfare reforms which oblige an increasing number of sickness and invalids’ beneficiaries to be constantly harassed and ‘work tested’, despite the harmful and negative impacts this has on many.