New Zealand is a country proud of its diversity—strongly steeped in Maori tradition but eager to embrace the cultures and ideals of immigrants from around the globe.

However, there is one segment of this population which may be significantly underrepresented in this diverse tapestry that weaves Otaroa together, the disabled.

Disability is the only minority that anyone of any race, age, or gender can join at any time.

According to the Office of Disability Issues, one in four New Zealanders are limited by a physical, sensory, learning, mental or other impairment.

• 35 percent of disabled people are over the age of 65
• Disabled people are more likely to have lower incomes than non-disabled people
• 45%of disabled adults are employed compared to 72% of non-disabled adults
• 26%of the Māori population were identified as disabled, compared to 24% of the total New Zealand population
• Disabled children are less likely to do social things, such as playing in a sports team
• 34%of disabled women have no educational qualification, compared with 15% of non-disabled women

As an immigrant to NZ, I’ve found New Zealand to be a country of contrasts in the way it handles disability issues.

On one hand, audible traffic signals and ramps are a feature at most intersections, universal health care provides for the basic needs of even the most medically fragile New Zealanders, a plethora of social services and trusts, and cabinet and council posts concern themselves with the issues surrounding disability.

However, there is Little if no braille signage in buildings throughout the country, some government agencies continue to fail in providing important materials in accessible formats, some disability agencies refuse to appoint qualified persons with disabilities to senior management positions, universal design for physical and electronic environments is inconsistent, and media outlets lack responsible reporting on disabled Kiwis and disability issues.

In this blog, I will explore contemporary issues facing disabled Kiwis through the lens of a disabled aspiring journalist.

I will draw from news articles, statistics, publications, and blogs by disabled people and professionals in the health and disability sector to show that issues faced by the disabled population are issues faced by the entire population.