World News from New Zealand

"A society where everyone, regardless of background or disability, feels welcome, included and supported"

Disability conference a first for NZ

(31.10.11) At the end of November the University of Otago hosts New Zealand's first major conference focused on Disability Studies, Every Body In. The event, which runs from 27 to 30 November, aims to provide a forum for people with diverse life experiences and from different professions, academic disciplines, government, business, community organisations and the education, legal and healthcare sectors to share their knowledge and research. It has attracted speakers and delegates from around the world, including a keynote presentation and public lecture from geneticist, sociologist, bioethicist and WHO advisor Tom Shakespeare. Other presenters include Professor Patricia O'Brien from the Royal Rehabilitation Centre in Sydney, Paul Gibson, newly appointed Disability Commissioner, and members of various disability self-advocacy groups. Co-convenors Dr Gill Rutherford and Donna-Rose McKay expect the conference will draw attention to the growing international interest in Disability Studies and the far-reaching benefits for society of inclusive practices. More than 90 papers will be presented at the conference by New Zealand and international speakers, to a range of local and overseas delegates. The volume and standard of papers submitted exceeded expectations so much, Ms McKay says, that the programme extends across five streams. Indeed the diversity of the programme - which includes a panel discussion on accessible tourism, a paper on the economic benefits of inclusive employment practices, and numerous education presentations involving students, teachers and others working in the educational sector - reflects the interdisciplinary nature of Disability Studies and the way in which disability issues touch on every aspect of life. Ms McKay hopes that the conference will be the first step towards the establishment of a Centre for Disability Research and Teaching at Otago. In the meantime, she is continuing to seek sponsorship funds to support members of the disability community to participate in the conference. "It's called Every Body In because everybody has a part to play in ensuring that every member of society is treated equitably and with respect - that every body matters."

Source: www.voxy.co.nz/

Disabled campaigners not allowed on Jetstar flight

(NZPA, 13.04.11) Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia has criticised the airline Jetstar after two disability campaigners in wheelchairs were not allowed on a flight.

Tanya Black and Dan Buckingham - presenters of TVNZ disability show Attitude - were due to board a flight from Auckland to Wellington but were told they were not allowed on the aircraft without their own caregivers, The Dominion Post reported.

The pair, who were flying with an able-bodied colleague, said they were told to wait at the plane's door and after a 20 minute wait decided to fly with Air New Zealand instead.

Mrs Turia said Jetstar's treatment was "unacceptable" and the Government had a campaign targeting issues such as this. Eventually they were told they could fly on the plane if they did not go to the media, but by this time they were fed up with the treatment they received.

Jetstar said the airline's concern had been how the pair would get to the toilet. It would be apologising to the pair and refunding their fares.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

Learning difficult for the most offenders

(By Rebecca Todd, The Press 11.01.10) Most Kiwi youth offenders have a learning disability, and a quarter have suffered a head injury as a child, new research shows.

More than half of the mothers of offenders in Christchurch and Wellington youth units had used "medicines, alcohol or cigarettes" during pregnancy, the Canterbury University study also showed.

Co-author Dr Julia Rucklidge, a psychologist, said 92 per cent of youth offenders had at least one learning disability.

The results showed the "they'll be all right" attitude to children struggling to learn to read could have a major long-term impact.

Support had improved since study participants were at school in the 1990s, but schools still lacked the resources to help those with learning disabilities, Rucklidge said.

It was important to help children early, as by the time they hit their teens it was an "uphill battle".

The longitudinal study interviewed and tested 60 people in youth units, and then researchers rechecked them four years later.

Of the study participants, 92 per cent had at least one learning disability, while 42 per cent had difficulties in all three areas examined – reading, maths and oral language.

A quarter of the young offenders had had head injuries while young, while nearly 60 per cent of the mothers said they had used medicines, alcohol and cigarettes during their pregnancy.

The offenders' IQs were also below average.

Those with the worst reading comprehension generally committed more serious offences, and were repeat offenders, Rucklidge said.

More than half had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms as well as learning difficulties, but less than a fifth had been diagnosed with the condition.

A general group of young people was tested to allow comparison of the results.

The rates of learning disabilities were 30 per cent higher among youth offenders.

However, youth offenders were receiving "inconsistent educational programming".

"Observations while on site indicated that many of the youth tested had been suspended from the prison school," the study said.

Rucklidge said the research showed education and rehabilitation programmes in youth units needed to take into account the prevalence of learning disabilities.

Many programmes required a lot of reading material that was not much use if offenders could not understand it.

"Learning disability contributes significantly to risk of future anti-social behaviour in incarcerated youth," the research said.

"Our results suggest that educational interventions need to take into account the wide range of learning difficulties apparent in the sample.

"The effects of such behaviour problems and delinquency are far-reaching and concern not only the child and his or her family, but also teachers and peers, and pose serious clinical and social problems," the study said.

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/