Funding for disabled students insufficient

Funding for disabled students insufficient

Disabled young people are not receiving enough support in New Zealand’s education system and are twice as likely to leave school without a qualification as young non-disabled people, according to a new report released today.

The Journey to Work report by CCS Disability Action and Workbridge reveals disabled children and young people face widespread barriers in their drive to achieve academic and social outcomes.

The research outlines the need for an inclusive education policy and recommends that targets are set to measure and increase the number of young disabled people achieving in NCEA.

These targets for academic achievement among disabled students should also be included in school charters.

Viv Maidaborn, chief executive of CCS Disability Action, said the report demonstrated the barriers for disabled people seeking employment and highlighted just how early these barriers are created.

“From an economic perspective, this doesn’t make sense. We are creating benefit dependency for hundreds of New Zealanders. It is crucial that these barriers to education and employment are addressed as a matter of urgency.

“We also need to ask ourselves, do we value disabled students? And how can we best support them?”

She added: “The Government’s Special Education Review is a starting point to consider some of these recommendations, but we are looking to the whole of government to consider the solutions provided in the report.

“Government agencies need to provide a better and coordinated approach to focus on lifting the performance of young disabled people in education and employment – by identifying and overcoming current barriers that limit the educational and employment achievement of disabled people.

“For society to truly value the contribution of people with disabilities, we need more leadership across the whole business, government and community employment environments.”

The report recommends the development of a strategy and targets to significantly increase the numbers of young disabled people employed in the state and private sector, with particular emphasis on addressing barriers to recruitment and retention.

Grant Cleland, chief executive of Workbridge, said the report showed many employers undervalue the contribution disabled people make to the country’s workforce.

“Disabled people with a tertiary qualification are employed at about the same rate as non-disabled kiwis with no qualification.

“The biggest barrier is that many employers focus on disability, rather than seeing the potential and ability of disabled people. Ironically, Statistics New Zealand figures show that 75% of people with impairments don’t actually need any additional equipment or support to do their job.”

The report highlighted the widespread need for more employer education and a public awareness campaign to promote the inclusion of disabled people in community life, including education and employment, he said.

ENDS

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