Like all New Zealanders, people with an intellectual disability have the right to a good life; to live, work, play and contribute to their local community. They have a right to have their say and make decisions. Sometimes additional supports are needed so that this can happen. People with an intellectual disability have the right to good support so they can have a good life.
Sadly, many people with an intellectual disability face barriers to full and valued participation in their communities. Often, they experience both direct and indirect discrimination. They are excluded from many things that other New Zealanders take for granted – accessible information, transport, public facilities and recreation groups. They may be unable to choose where and with whom they will live, or be unable to get a job or participate in meaningful, satisfying activities during the day.
Hikoi Te Korero
‘Walk the Talk’ – a perspective from New Zealand
Global report on living in the community 2010 – 2012
Promoting the right to live and be included in the community
IHC New Zealand undertook a coordinating role in gathering information to contribute to Inclusion International’s Global report on living independently and being included in the community.
This report details experiences from a New Zealand context in contributing to Inclusion International’s Global Report on Article 19, and had focused on
• What does it mean to live and being included in the community for people who have an intellectual disability and their families?
• What exists now, and how does it compare to our vision?
• What needs to happen to achieve our vision?
The title of the report came from a group of young people with an intellectual disability who participated in the interviews as part of this project. They felt the title chosen represented the strong message of why countries and governments need to translate Article 19 of the CRPD into realisable actions and government legislation. “We have had enough of discrimination, Hikoi Te Korero (Walk the Talk) of Article 19, let’s join hands and walk together now.”
