Our Framework
Our framework is consistent with the EGL approach
Ara Poutama Aotearoa values and recognises people are part of whānau and/or community systems. It further recognises the value of engagement, and that engagement is built on relationships of trust, authenticity, reciprocity and transparency. This is consistent with several of the principles of EGL.
EGL is an approach co-designed by tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their whānau, and disability support providers. It promotes use of existing community services and disability supports and supports tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their whānau to increase the choice and control they have in their lives.
The overarching principles of EGL will be operationalised for use in an Ara Poutama Aotearoa context. For instance, the principles of self-determination and ordinary life outcomes operationalised in a prison context, will be different to these principles applied outside of this context.
The principles outlined in EGL are:
- Self-determination - Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people are in control of their lives.
- Beginning early - Supporting whānau and community approaches that promote self-management and interdependence rather than waiting for a crisis before support is available.
- Person-centred - Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people have supports that are tailored to their individual needs and goals, and that take a whole life approach rather than being split across programmes.
- Ordinary life outcomes - Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people are supported to live an everyday life in everyday places; and are regarded as citizens with opportunities for learning, employment, having a home and family, and social participation - like others at similar stages of life.
- Mainstream first - Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people are supported to access generalist services before specialist disability services.
- Mana enhancing - The abilities and contributions of tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their families are recognised and respected.
- Easy to use - Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people have supports that are simple to use and flexible.
- Relationship building - Supports build and strengthen relationships between disabled people, their whānau and community.
Our strategic focus areas will lead to better outcomes for tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people
We have defined key strategic focus areas and the broad ways in which we intend to act on these. These focus areas are guided by what we heard from tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their whānau, previous action plans and the EGL framework adapted for an Ara Poutama Aotearoa context.
Focusing on these strategic focus areas will result in outcomes that support and empower tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people in Ara Poutama Aotearoa’s management to live better lives.
These outcomes include:
- Equitable access and choices.
- Mana enhancing practice for all tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people.
- Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people led participation - ‘Nothing about us without us’.
These outcomes will be measured through achievement of the actions and through feedback and engagement with tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people.
Strategic Focus Area 1: National Leadership
Ara Poutama Aotearoa recognises that effective oversight and leadership of disability work is required to improve outcomes for tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people under our management.
What this will look like:
- Strong leadership and representation, including tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people, supporting the successful implementation of the Disability Action Plan.
- Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people provide input into relevant design projects.
Strategic Focus Area 2: Using Evidence to Make a Difference
We know that actions we take to get better outcomes for disabled people will be more effective if they are based on good evidence. These approaches will be evidence-based and inclusive of mātauranga Māori.
The current use of WGSSQ may be replaced in the future with a more specialised tool that is specially designed for Aotearoa New Zealand.
What this will look like:
- Accurate ethnicity data is collected.
- WGSSQ (or equivalent tool designed specifically for an Aotearoa context) incorporated in all health screening tools.
Strategic Focus Area 3: Responding to Disability Support Needs
Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people in both custodial and community settings are supported to have access to and choice of responsive appointments, programmes, and activities.
What this will look like:
- Develop roles to support tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people, their whānau and older people.
- Early intervention framework for tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people with disability support needs to reintegrate back into the community, prioritising those with complex needs.
- 0800 number or online means for the whānau of tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people to access supports.
- Disability-friendly (Te Reo, Easy Read, Large Print, Pictorial, NZSL (video)) versions of this plan are available and in circulation.
Strategic Focus Area 4: Developing the Workforce
Workforce development is more than just training. In order to deliver on the plan, we require well-trained, culturally capable staff who can work responsively and effectively with tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people in prison. This will require active prioritisation and enabling of whānau centred and oranga focused policy and practice.
What this will look like:
- Disability awareness training for all staff.
- Volunteer network of site-specific disability champions and advisors.
- Staff have resourcing for and access to learning NZ Sign Language (NZSL).
Strategic Focus Area 5: Research and Evaluation
Ara Poutama Aotearoa supports research and evaluation to improve equity and outcomes for tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their whānau.
What this will look like:
- Research with tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people including neurodiversity research.
- Seek to support Māori research and evaluation methodology.
Strategic Focus Area 6: Working with Tāngata whaikaha Māori/Disabled People and their Whānau
Ara Poutama Aotearoa Disability Action Plan includes the voices of tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and whānau in the policies and design of new systems, processes, and facilities. We will work to ensure that tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people and their whānau are treated with dignity and respect, and their voices are key enablers of improvement.
Ara Poutama Aotearoa enacts ‘Nothing about us without us’ in its mahi.
What this will look like:
- Develop and improve strategic networking with tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people service providers to ensure their voice and direction supports the implementation of Disability Action Plan.
- Link into groups of tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people to support tāngata whaikaha Māori/ disabled people in prison.
- Bi-annual hui with tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people, their whānau and service providers.
Intended Outcomes
Equitable access and choices | Mana enhancing practice for all tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people | Tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people led participation - ‘Nothing about us without us’ |
Focus Areas
Focusing on these areas will result in outcomes that support and empower tāngata whaikaha Māori/disabled people in Ara Poutama Aotearoa’s management to live better lives.
National Leadership | Using Evidence to Make a Difference | Responding to Disability Support Needs |
Developing the Workforce | Research and Evaluation | Working with Tāngata Whaikaha and their Whānau |
The following principles underpin how we will work:
Self determination | Beginning early | Person-centred | Ordinary life outcomes |
Mainstream first | Mana enhancing | Easy to use | Relationship building |
Our Guides
Whakamaua 2020 - 2025 | Hōkai Rangi 2019 - 2024 | Pae ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 | Corrections Act 2004 | New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016 - 2026 | NZ Government Accessibility Charter 2018 - 2023 |
Our Foundation
Te Tiriti o Waitangi |