8. H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) Link to this
to the Minister for Disability Issues
What has the Government’s New Zealand Disability Strategy achieved since its release 6 years ago?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Disability Issues) Link to this
As the House will well know, the list is long. But today I am very pleased to announce that my colleague Steve Maharey and I have launched the New Zealand Sign Language curriculum for New Zealand schools. Introducing sign language into the school curriculum to support its being made an official language is another world first for New Zealand, and one we should all be very proud of.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can the Minister therefore tell the House what she expects the sign language curriculum to achieve?
The curriculum is another huge step forward in the recognition of sign language as an official language of our country, and will contribute to this Government’s effort towards a more inclusive society. The curriculum will promote sign language as a choice alongside other languages offered in schools, while creating greater access to sign language for both deaf and hearing students, as well as increasing the pool of learners and users of this unique language.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
Why has the Minister used such blatant bullying tactics on the disability sector to get her way, to the extent that the chief executive officer of IHC New Zealand said it had become too politically correct in some areas and that the $140 million comes with a cost and, as a result, 2,000 disabled people lost their choice of job as IHC New Zealand closed all the sheltered workshops?
I remain very proud of my advocacy on behalf of disabled people in New Zealand. Nobody has been denied anything other than improved opportunities in vocational services under our Government’s leadership.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
I seek leave to table two documents. The first is a letter from Ralph Jones, Chief Executive Officer of IHC New Zealand. He writes: “Yes, the IHC has become too politically correct in some areas.”
Madam SPEAKERDr Paul Hutchison Link to this
The second is from an article in the New Zealand Herald, dated 10 February, which states: “Today 2000 disabled people, most of them from IHC … have lost their jobs.”