New research into disabled people’s experiences of health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Donald Beasley Institute, on behalf of the Disabled Persons Organisation Coalition (DPO Coalition) is inviting disabled people and their family and whānau to take part in monitoring research about their experiences of health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
It is part of a three-year project to conduct inclusive and accessible research that enables disabled people to share their experiences of human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. More information is available on the Donald Beasley Institute website.
Read this information in New Zealand Sign Language, te reo Māori and Easy Read.
What is this consultation about?
In Aotearoa New Zealand, essential health care is provided free for those who qualify through the public health system. But sometimes disabled people receive inadequate health and wellbeing treatment, care, and services. Sometimes they miss out altogether.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international agreement. It sets out what the New Zealand Government must do to make sure disabled people have the same rights as everybody else.
This includes a disabled person’s right to a high standard of health, without discrimination on the basis of disability (Article 25).
Understanding if, and how well, this is happening
To do this, the DBI are asking disabled people and their families and whānau to tell them what health and wellbeing issues they should monitor. This might include rights violations, or problematic policies. Family and close supporters of disabled people who are unable to consent to taking part in this monitoring research are also invited to contribute their views and experiences.
At the end of the consultation the DBI will have a good understanding of what health and wellbeing issues matter to disabled people. They will use this feedback to design the next phase of monitoring interviews. Monitoring interviews will investigate the issues on a much deeper level. The DBI will share more information about how to be involved in these interviews at a later date.
How can I take part in the consultation and what will I have to do?
There are two ways you can take part in the initial consultation phase. First, you can share your views by answering a short survey. The survey is available in accessible formats through the Donald Beasley Institute website. If you would like to take part in the survey, please complete the questions before midday Friday 24 July 2020.
The second way to participate is through a focus group. To take part in the focus groups the DBI are looking for people who are over the age of 18, can provide informed consent, and who identify as:
- Māori
- Pasifika
- Rural
- Immigrants/ ethnic minorities (Asian, African, Latin American)
- LGBTQI+
- Deaf
- Family and supporters of people with complex disabilities
- Psychosocial disability/mental health
- People with learning disabilities
- Female
- Young adults (18–25).
If you want to take part in the focus group, you can contact the DBI research team by email or by phone. They can help you fill out the focus group interest form.
If you are able to fill out the focus group interest form yourself please do so by answering the questions in the form on the DBI website.
You can also download the form on the DBI website, fill it out, and either email or post it to the DBI. If you would like to register your interest in New Zealand Sign Language, you can also email the DBI a video of your responses. It is okay to ask a friend, family member or a support person to help you fill out the form if you want to.
If you would like to talk to someone from the DBI about this research, you can contact research assistant Umi Asaka: Free phone: 0800 878 839, email: uasaka@donaldbeasley.org.nz.
*The DPO Coalition is made up of the following organisations: DPA, Blind Citizens NZ, People First NZ, Deaf Aotearoa, Kāpo Māori O Aotearoa, Balance Aotearoa and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand.