In February 2023, we released  our first Disability Action Plan 2023 – 2027, which establishes priority areas of action for reducing barriers that may impede tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their whānau from achieving better outcomes.

As part of our responsiveness to improve accessibility for people we manage with visual, hearing, learning or reading impairments we are pleased to release the Plan in a number of accessible formats to ensure it reaches all those who have an interest in it.

The plan is now available in te reo Māori PDF, 826.1 KB, plus five accessible formats, including:

Improving accessibility is vital in supporting tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori disabled) /disabled people to achieve fundamental human rights. Accessibility means ensuring all communication is accessible to all people regardless of their level of impairment. Having accessible information and communications recognises the diversity of New Zealand and allows tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people to participate and contribute on an equal basis with non-disabled people.

Where people in prison experience a disability, these are often pre-existing at the time they enter prison. However, some people may also develop a disability while in prison. High-quality health and disability support services in prison are critical in addressing inequitable health and wellbeing outcomes and in ensuring continuity of care when reintegrating back into the community.

Our Disability Action Plan 2023 – 2027 PDF, 1.1 MB establishes priority areas of action for reducing barriers that may impede tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their whānau from achieving better outcomes.

“Developing accessible formats of the Disability Action Plan is one way we can support our aspirations for improvement in this area,” says Lead Adviser Disability Elyse Taylor.

These formats of the plan are available on our website.

Hardcopies of the Easy Read format will be available from Health Centres in prisons, and staff are encouraged to provide access to any person in prison who wants to access alternate formats of the plan.