Critical Disability Studies Research Network - University of Otago

National Disabled Students' Association (NDSA) is very proud to announce the launch of the survey for disabled tertiary tauira to allow NDSA and the interagency group to understand best practice in Aotearoa!

This survey launched on 19th of July and will be open until 16th of August for responses.

It can be found here -> https://bit.ly/43riVYk
(Note: NZSL translations of the overview and survey are both available on the website)

NDSA's definition of disability following the Social Model; “diverse and complex phenomenon,” which reflects the interaction between an individual’s impairment and the barriers of their environment. This definition includes, but is not limited to, physical impairment, mental health and psychological conditions, learning and/or sensory forms of impairment, neurodiversity, chronic illness, individuals within the Deaf community, etc”.

The National Disabled Students' Association (NDSA) approached the Ministry of Education NZ to commission this research project with NZQA and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). This has been a great partnership to discuss the diverse set of needs that are not being met by the current system, but to be able to address these barriers with fit-for-purpose policy change, we need evidence and reliable data.

NDSA is leading this survey with the Ministry, NZQA and TEC to help make it happen.

WHAT'S NEXT?
After the survey and focus groups have finished, the Ministry of Education will publish a report on the findings. The report is aiming to be published early next year.

Please share this post, our poster and tell your friends or colleagues who identify as disabled and is currently at tertiary level education to fill out the survey. We look forward to what this may lead to and will keep you updated throughout the process!

Wonderful news! Our application for the Inaugural University of Otago Research Network Round has been accepted/approved!! Four years’ funding, $10,000 per year. Thanks to everyone, we keep going on our journey!
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Donald Beasley Institution recently released the Disabled Person-Led Monitoring of the UNCRPD reports!

Disabled person-led monitoring | Donald Beasley Donald Beasley Institute conducts inclusive and accessible research that enables disabled people to share with us their experiences of human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. From the project lead and research assistant to monitors, transcribers, and participants, this project embodies the disability....

One step (or more) forward!
We had a progressive meeting today with lovely foods! Many thanks, Gill, for organising the meeting and many thanks to all of you who support our active movement with your big warm hearts 💗 Apologise for missing many of our lovely faces here🙏

The government launches new ministry disabled people! Any thought? 👂

Check it here:

Government launches new Ministry of Disabled People In what is a milestone day, the Government has launched Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People, and New Zealand’s first Ministry that will have a NZ Sign Language name, as well as Te Reo Māori and English names.

Mānawatia a Matariki!

For thousands of years, the coldest and darkest time of the year is also one of its most special times for Aotearoa.

Matariki signals the arrival of the Māori New Year! It is a time to gather together and remember the past—those who have gone before us and the legacy they have left us with. It is a time to reflect on where we are as a community and where we want to be in the future.

by Hana Seddon (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa) (c) 'War Cry' magazine, 30 June 2018, p. 3

An event organised by researchers from Social Anthropology, Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology, as part of the 'Tagging In' project.

The first phase of this project focused on interviewing social media admins from disabled, chronically ill neurodivergent, and/or q***r and rainbow online communities.

This next phase invites these and other social media admins to come and give feedback on initial findings, have question time with expert guests, and swap and share wisdom with each other.

If you are the admin/mod for an (NZ-based) online community, group, or page, you can register to attend the hui here: https://forms.gle/vc2Xknq6TYLQRPGy7

Kia ora koutou
Professor Nicki (University of Otago) shares this media story (about 3 min long) regarding research about autistic students in NZ being three times more likely to be stood down and suspended: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/autistic-students-in-nz-three-times-more-likely-to-be-stood-down-suspended-new-research/KB7MJR2WPAB7KDXQPLTO3JG6NU/

Highly relevant to our Network interests and concerns!

'Punished for their disability': Autistic students three times more likely to be stood down Government funding helps lower suspension odds - but there's not enough for everyone.