MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
14 September 2005
COMMITMENTS TO DISABILITY NEED SUBSTANCE -DPA RESPONSE
As election commitments to disabled people and the disability sector fly from all parties, disabled New Zealanders just
want the politicians to keep their eyes on the prize.
The National Assemble of People with Disabilities (DPA) says the key matter is that tangible actions advance the
interests of disabled people - commitments don’t mean much without actions.
“That means we are looking for concrete actions, backed up by adequate resources. Words like ‘support and ‘encourage’
need to be tied down to specific actions if the commitments are to be taken seriously,” says DPA Chief Executive Gary
Williams.
“Commitments in action will be the responsibility of all parties with seats in the next parliament” says DPA president
Mike Gourley.
“Political parties have always supported the NZ Disability Strategy. So everyone needs to make that support real by
promoting action and better funding for disability. It’s the best way All MPs can show a commitment to the 20 percent of
our population who live with disabilities,” Mr Gourley says.
ENDS
We can
DPA is the national assembly of people with disabilities