Strategic Plan

2015-2017
Human Rights: Call of Duty

THISABILITY
November 2014

The aim of this Strategic Plan is to

raise awareness of the
incongruence between social
policies and current praxis
regarding intellectual disability and
promote understanding that to
advocate for human rights and
social justice, rather than
meeting basic needs or monitoring
risks, is the priorities in social
service provision.

Policy Brief:

The New Zealand Disability Strategy

(NZDS) 2001 has focused full
participation of people with disability
and the importance of building an
inclusive society of New Zealand.
Employment and education have been
emphasised in the strategy.
Also, the UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disability (UNCRP)
2008 has emphasised that the society
should provide a non-discriminatory,
respectful and inclusive environment to
promote individuals rights to choose
and control their lives.
In 2014, the Disability Action Plan
2014-2018 prioritised equal rights of
citizenship of all New Zealanders. This
Plan has emphasised the importance of
well-being, self-determination, safety
and autonomy. Like NZDS, this Plan
has focused on employment and
economic opportunities of individuals.

Social Model:

Currently, social services regarding

disability are based on the social model,
which emphasises that the interactions,
rather than what people (not) have,
cause disabilities. Because people with
abilities are the dominant group in the
society, existing social services, actually,
have constructed the assumption of "the
others. People with intellectual
disabilities are expected to change their
risky behaviours and abnormal lives,
trying to be as great, independent,
normal or/and similar as us.
Based on the assumption, relevant social
services, incongruent with policies,
focus on the deficits and differences
rather than on strengths and abilities of
individuals. Also, influenced by
globalisation and neoliberalism, social
services are criticised for becoming risk
management rather than demand-led.

What we Want to Challenge:

One issue is that to monitor and assess needs;

and intervene in potential risks prioritises
over the promotion of human rights. People
with intellectual disabilities are considered as
risks or burdens to the society. Social justice
is interpreted as equal opportunities of the
access to the resources rather than achieving
equal results. Individuals and their families
are required to take responsible for the
results although not all can access relevant
information. Another issue is that social
services are criticised for setting criteria for
the access to the resources.
People with intellectual
disabilities are expected to
change their so-called
deviant behaviours and
abnormal lives, trying to
be as "great",
"independent", "normal"
or/and "similar" as us.

Have we unintentionally support oppression?

OUR VISION
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
Living Greater Lives
OUR MISSION
To support people with disabilities to enjoy better
and unique lives in the community based on existing
abilities and lifestyles
OUR VALUES
We support the NZDS, UNCRP and Disability Plan
2014-2018. We believe people with intellectual
disabilities, as citizens, have rights to:
- express their ideas and beliefs autonomously
- choose and control their lives and have
individualised goals and plans
- enjoy holistic well-being
- enjoy quality time with families and communities
- be respected by the community
- be provided information and consent of our and
other relevant services
- commit and contribute to achievements
- be protected from oppression and discrimination

We are to address oppression

1. We promote human rights

Over the next two years, we will:

- hear voices from individuals, families, communities
and organisations interested in your well-being and
best interests. And we think each voice is important.
- encourage individuals to make decisions for
themselves, choose unique life styles and control their
lives.
- invite each individual to participate in giving
feedback to our services.
- invite individuals to help the public understand
intellectual disability.

2. We promote social justice

Over the next two years, we will:

- respect diversities and differences and support plan
each individual to make a unique plan.
- provide opportunities of participation in social,
cultural and community activities and events.
- provide employment and education opportunities
based on the abilities and strengths of individuals.
- provide information of benefits, social services and
resources; and advocate with individuals and
families for applications.
- liaise resources and services with other
organisations for each individual.

We do not provide services or products.

We promote human rights and social justice.
We do not assess risks of individuals to the society.
We focus on the abilities and strengths.
We do not take care of individuals.
We only support them to achieve their own goals