Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Disability Responsiveness New Zealand?

A. Disability Responsiveness New Zealand (DRNZ) is a social enterprise. We apply a range of commercial strategies and solutions to maximize improvements in the human rights and life outcomes of the one in four New Zealanders who experience disability issues.

Q. What is the purpose of DRNZ?

A. Our purpose is to provide training and education to remove the barriers to self-determination, participation, choice and control, currently experienced by disabled people. This means encouraging a positive response within society to the same rights and needs disabled people share with the wider community.

Q. What is the mission of DRNZ?

A. Our mission is to assist New Zealanders to fully realise the vision contained in the New Zealand Disability Strategy, of a fully inclusive society.

Q. What is the focus of DRNZ work?

A. Our high-level focus is on the promotion of attitudinal changes in society; and capability-building within the disability sector.

Q. What training is provided and to whom?

A. Training modules are developed and made available through facilitated workshops and in other formats as appropriate, to all sections of New Zealand society, such as:

  • Government Departments/Ministries
  • Local authorities
  • Non-governmental Organisations
  • Community Medical Practices – including Dentistry and Pharmacies
  • District Health Boards
  • Schools
  • Service clubs
  • Sporting groups
  • The retail sector

Q. How does the education and training provided by DRNZ benefit disabled people and the wider community?

A. Disability responsiveness training benefits disabled people through greatly increased access to mainstream community-based and commercial services. These services benefit by ensuring access to goods and services for the one-in-four New Zealanders who experience disability issues.

Q. What Government objectives are met by providing disability responsiveness education and training?

A. All training provided by DRNZ supports the achievement of objectives contained in: the Human Rights Act 1993; the Disability Action Plan (2014-2018); and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2008. DRNZ activities reflect Enabling Good Lives principles and support the aims and objectives of the updated New Zealand Disability Strategy and the ‘Better Public Services’ programme of work, to improve interaction between government and New Zealand citizens.

Q. Don’t other disability sector agencies already advocate for their clients?

A. While many disability-sector organisations promote attitudinal change as an implicit part of service and or advocacy provision, DRNZ is dedicated to the provision of education, training and capability-building as its core business.

Q. Where does DRNZ operate?

A. DRNZ is based in Upper Hutt and provides education and training throughout New Zealand.

Q. What is the structure of DRNZ?

A. DRNZ is owned and managed by Pam MacNeill, who works in association with a number of disability sector experts around New Zealand.

For expert assistance with disability equity and responsiveness issues, or if you have a question and want to contact us, use the booking form on the workshop page