March 21, 2018
Job aspirations key for tangata haua
Employment Minister Willie Jackson and Disability Issues Minister Carmel Sepuloni have welcomed today's release at parliament of guidelines for supporting disabled people into work.
Development of the Practice Guidelines was led by the New Zealand Disability Support Network, bringing together representatives from the disability sector, provider groups and government agencies.
Mr Jackson says for many disabled people employment is a key aspiration, enhancing their mana, financial security and quality of life.
The booklet will help achieve that.
"Informing our tangata haua about their rights, about where they can go to look for employment, what kind of plan and strategies they can put in place, it's all in this booklet. I think it is well overdue," he says.
Mr Jackson also paid tribute to disabled advocate Bill Wiki, who died last week on the eve of his 85th birthday after his wheelchair was hit by a car while crossing a road in Otara.
The former army gunner and unionist was awarded a Queen's Service Medal in 2005 for his long service to the Otara community.
The Employment Support Practice Guidelines can be found on the NZDSN website atwww.nzdsn.org.nz.
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