DPA's Information Exchange - 5 June 2021

• DPA submission on Mental Health Amendment Act
• DPA Māori membership engagement
• Transport workshops - Whangarei, Hamilton
• Project Mobilise - initiative to change attitudes towards disability
• Cyberbullying and the Law - free legal education session
• Disability Rights - four session webinar
• 30-year infrastructure strategy - have your say
• Easy Read factsheets about quarantine travel
• MoH Systems Transformation Programme Lead - job vacancy

DPA submission on Mental Health Amendment Act

DPA have made a submission to the Health Select Committee on the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Bill.

While DPA welcomes the bill and have made a few specific comments on clauses in the bill, we see it as only the first step to completely overhauling NZ’s mental health system.  

Along with many others, DPA supports the full adoption of He Ara Oranga’s recommendation that the Act be repealed and replaced.  At a minimum, any new law should include:

• The elimination of seclusion and restraint within compulsory treatment orders. 
• Better processes and systems for obtaining consent.
• A more holistic approach to treatment so that treatment is more inclusive of the person and their whānau.
• Supported decision making processes so that people can be involved in decisions about their own treatment and have their support people involved.
• Improved complaint processes around treatment and review of compulsory orders.
• More robust discharge processes that ensures the patient’s interests, ability to care for themselves, and support available in the community are central.
• Te Ao Māori is central to mental health law and is meaningful for tangata and whānau within the system. 

DPA Maori membership engagement

Thank you to those who came to our Bubble Hui on Thursday to discuss how DPA can support the empowerment of our Māori membership.
 
This is an ongoing conversation as we seek to develop a strategy for empowering Māori members, led by our Māori membership. 
 
We realise that not everyone who would like to be part of this conversation will have been able to come to Thursday’s hui. We are organising another hui (for in around a month’s time – we will let you know the details soon), so there will be another chance to take part then.
 
We’d also like to here from anyone who is interested in taking part in this ongoing conversation as we want to ensure that everyone is able to engage, whether or not they are able to attend the Bubble Hui.  If you are interested please let us know – email info@dpa.org.nz.

Transport workshops - Whangarei, Hamilton

As our transport workshops continue, registration is still open for our last two in-person workshops in Whangarei and Hamilton.

The workshops are part of a series of workshops that DPA, together with transport consultancy MRCagney, are holding as part of research we are conducting on behalf of Waka Kotahi, NZ Transport Agency - "Understanding the transport experiences of disabled people, determining what barriers exist for people wanting to use Total Mobility and exploring new opportunities"

Whangārei Workshop

This in-person workshop is for disabled people from Whangārei, with any type of impairment. It will be co-facilitated by Isabella Cawthorn, of Confluence Consulting, and Paul Brown from DPA.

When: 1.00pm – 2.30pm, 8 June
Where: Whangarei RSA, 16 Hannah Street, Whangārei
Register: To take part register online for the Whangārei Transport Workshop


Hamilton Workshop

This in-person workshop is for disabled people from Hamilton, with any type of impairment. It will be co-facilitated by Isabella Cawthorn, of Confluence Consulting, and Joy Ho from DPA.

When: 1.00pm – 2.30pm, 10 June
Where: Speights Ale House, 30 Liverpool Street, Hamilton
Register: To take part register online for the Hamilton Transport Workshop


All workshop participants will be offered a $20 koha for participating, in the form of vouchers. If you require financial assistance with transport costs to attend any of these workshop, please get in touch - paul.brown@dpa.org.nz.

If you have any questions about any of these workshops, please contact DPA Policy Advisor Paul Brown - paul.brown@dpa.org.nz

Project Mobilise - initiative to change attitudes towards disability

Project Mobilise is an initiative created by the Human Rights Commission that aims to change attitudes towards disability in Aotearoa.

Over the next few months, Project Mobilise will be working to understand attitudes surrounding disability – the stories, beliefs, and assumptions held by New Zealanders. 

The project will work towards creating a media campaign based on these insights.

In-person workshops around the country, as well as Zoom workshops, are being planned. There will also be an online survey.

Visit www.projectmobilise.co.nz to learn more and find out how you can take part.  

Cyberbullying and the Law - free online legal education session

Registration is now open for Auckland Disability Law’s (ADL) 'Cyber Bullying and the Law' free legal education session on Zoom.

This introductory session is designed for disabled people and supporters and will cover our cyber bullying law and where to get help.  It is a great opportunity to learn how to keep ourselves and those around us safe online.   

When: 11am – 12noon, Tuesday 6 July
Where: Zoom
Register: To register email info@adl.org.nz, or text 027 457 5140, or call 09 257 5140 by 25 June

For more information email info@adl.org.nz.

Disability rights - four session webinar

Kia Noho Rangatira Ai Tātou is an education programme that builds understanding of disabled people’s rights and self-determination, from the unique cultural context of Aotearoa.

This webinar will be useful for disabled people, family/whānau and those working with disabled people either in the sector or wider community. It is led by disabled people.

Where: Zoom
Dates: Monday 21st, Wednesday 23rd, Monday 28th and Wednesday 30th June 2021  
Time: 9.30am - 12pm for all four sessions
Register: Register for Kia Noho Rangatira Ai Tātou online
  
For more information please contact Ally Steenhuis at Ally.Steenhuis@tepou.co.nz  

- The programme is funded by the Ministry of Health. For those with a Disability Support Service (DSS) contract, it is free to attend a workshop. For those who do not have a DSS contract, there is a charge per participant. Please contact Ally.Steenhuis@tepou.co.nz for further information on costs. 

30-year infrastructure strategy - have your say

The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission have released a consultation document as a step toward a 30-year infrastructure strategy, which has the potential to shape New Zealand’s future for decades to come.

Three 'action areas' have been identified:

1. Delivering infrastructure that is resilient to stresses and shocks and ready for change
2. Ensuring that our infrastructure systems support the needs of people living in cities and regions and improve our connections both within New Zealand and with our markets overseas
3. A step change in how we plan, design, fund and deliver infrastructure

Several areas have been identified as having the potential to make the biggest difference to our infrastructure system. These proposed priorities fall into five categories:

1. Institutional and governance reform
2. Getting the price right
3. Supporting housing supply
4. Supporting a zero-carbon economy and preparing for climate change
5. A digital future

The consultation will run until 24 June.

To read more about the Infrastructure Strategy Consultation and have your say visit the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission website

Easy Read factsheets about quarantine free travel

People First have put out some new Easy Read factsheets about Quarantine Free Travel:
 

MoH Systems Transformation Programme Lead - job vacancy
 

• Make a real difference in the lives of disabled people and whānau.
• Critical role leading and supporting a diverse team
• Wellington based - Fixed Term to 20/06/2022

The Ministry of Health are currently advertising this is critical role in the Ministry of Health leading transformation within the disability support system. The role is to lead and support a high performing team driving system change for disabled people, their whānau and carers.

As a key member of the leadership team within the Disability Directorate, the Programme Lead will engage directly with several stakeholders including Ministers, disabled people and whānau, providers, care and support workforce and other government agencies. 

The Programme Lead will champion system transformation engagement across government, work closely with the prototype transformed system in Midcentral and the Enabling Good Lives approaches in Christchurch and Waikato, and lead engagement and collaboration with the disability sector.

Applications close midnight 15 June 2021. 

For more information and to apply see the job ad on the Ministry of Health website.