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The release of the Annual Report on implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy highlights several significant achievements and gains for the disability community in 2014, says Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner.

Achievements in the Report include:

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner welcomed the release of the ‘Disability and the labour market’ report from Statistics New Zealand, which showed that more disabled people are working, but there is room for improvement.

“Disabled people want to have a job to support themselves and their families, just like all New Zealanders,” Ms Wagner said.

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner says the Christchurch and Waikato demonstrations of Enabling Good Lives mean more disabled people and their families have greater choice and control over the support they receive.

The early evaluation of the Christchurch demonstration has been released and high level design of the Waikato demonstration, to be launched in 2015, has been approved.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner today congratulated the winners of the Attitude Awards, being held on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Mr Lotu-Iiga will present the Attitude ACC Supreme Award at the ceremony in Auckland tonight.

The Attitude Awards recognise the huge number of New Zealanders who live with disabilities, including those with intellectual, physical and mental health disabilities.

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner says the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an opportunity to celebrate New Zealand’s work with disabled people and look forward to what we can achieve in the future.

“The International Day is an opportunity to reflect on issues that affect surprisingly many New Zealanders. Almost one in four – or 1.1 million – New Zealanders live with some form of disability,” Ms Wagner said.