David Matthews on the 2018 Disability Survey

David Matthews Chief Executive CCS Disability Action gives his opinion to Liam Butler regarding the cancellation of the 2018 Disability Survey.

David Matthews: I am very concerned about the government’s recent decision to cancel the 2018 Disability Survey, and move to a 10 year cycle of surveying disabled people. The Disability Survey provided valuable information for government and the disability sector alike and included older people who have acquired impairments over time. What we know is that the disabled population is increasing, through age and if we cannot regularly survey what their needs are and how they can be supported, we will potentially create gaps and more inequality within New Zealand. With population growth in places like Auckland and the upper North Island as well as the uneven impact of the aging population, it’s imperative planners have up-to-date data to make good decisions around access and transport.

Assuming this decision will not be changed, the pressure is now on for the government to come up with alternative ways to collect equivalent data. For example government could consider adding relevant questions to the regularly reported Household Labour Force Survey and the General Social Survey. Additional questions around ageing and disability could also be included in the Census.

What we need is clear, transparent information which is readily available to help build a platform for future planning. Trying to understand why this decision to cancel the survey was made is really difficult. It just makes common sense to have reliable and effective data on which to base future planning.

David Matthews was appointed to the role of Chief Executive CCS Disability Action in September 2011. David has worked for CCS Disability Action for 11 years - his previous roles were Regional Manager for the Upper South Region as well as Deputy Chief Executive. Before joining CCS Disability Action, he was a manager at a local and national level for Special Education Services, now part of the Ministry of Education.

Liam Butler is a Nelson based Social Worker who contributes to insitemagazine.co.nz by asking leaders in the health and disability sector their opinion on issues affecting New Zealand’s aged care and retirement sector.

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