Disability rights in New Zealand

New Zealand became a member of the United Nations on October 24, 1945, and was a signatory in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Although the Declaration started out as having only moral and political authority, unable to create legal obligations like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR),[2] its principles are now widely recognized.

Today, the Declaration has attained a legal force as being part of the customary law of nations, including New Zealand.

In addition, The Declaration has become the authority in interpreting human rights provisions of the United Nations Charter, binding all members.

The convention is aimed at protecting the dignity of people with disabilities and ensuring that they are treated fairly and equally under the law.

[4] It provides these individuals with a voice, visibility, and legitimacy as equal human beings in New Zealand and around the world.

[8] Despite propositions that the NZ BORA has obtained 'constitutional status', it is not supreme law, and it can still be overridden by Acts of the Parliament.

[12] The New Zealand Human Rights Commission provided a formula to help determine whether an activity or a practice amounts to unlawful discrimination.

[17] New Zealand law allows for immigrants to be denied citizenship if they would require expensive treatment from the public healthcare.

These hurdles included inaccessible information and voting papers and a lack of physical facilities where people with disabilities can engage with politicians.

For this reason, The United Nations commended the country on its Concluding Observations for enabling people with disabilities to vote.

[24] The Human Rights Commission claims that New Zealand is a fully inclusive society that recognises and values people with disability as equal participants.

New Zealand information and communications were found to have often been designed for one kind of end user: an individual who is internet-literate, can see and read in English competently, and lacks learning disabilities.

[29] At this event, thousands of bright orange wristbands with "Inclusion Matters" written on them were sent out to organisations throughout New Zealand for the day of celebration and acknowledgement.

The government of New Zealand believes that by wearing the wristband, "you are calling for the inclusion of disabled people into all areas of life.