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4 | InTouch WINTER 2025 FSHMD Group Meetings If you or a family member have FSHD, there is an online support group who meet every second Wednesday of the month on Zoom, from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@mda.org.nz for more information. NEWS ROUNDUP DPO Key Messages: March 2025 The DPO Coalition’s primary role is to increase the collective impact of DPOs to achieve Disability Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Disability Convention or UNCRPD) and associated treaties and documents. The DPO Coalition’s March 2025 Key Messages summarize its The DPO Coalition’s vision is: “Full achievement of Disability Rights equality in Aotearoa New Zealand”. engagements with various agencies to improve outcomes for disabled people in New Zealand. These meetings focused on accessibility, rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and inclusive policy development. Payments NZ The Coalition met with Payments NZ, including CEO Steve Wiggins and Senior Business Analyst Andrew Weaver, to discuss enhancing the accessibility of financial transactions for disabled individuals. The emphasis was on building confidence in both in- person and online payment systems. Stats NZ Discussions with Stats NZ covered insights from the 2024 public consultation and preparations for the upcoming Census. The focus was on improving data collection concerning disability communities. Human Rights Commissioners Initiated by Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker, the Coalition met with Race Relations Commissioner Dr. Melissa Derby, Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr. Gail Pacheco, and Senior Human Rights Advisor Frances Anderson. They discussed the importance of an intersectional approach to disability rights and the relevance to each commissioner’s portfolio, including topics like the MinimumWage Exemption. Minister for Disability Issues In a meeting with Hon. Louise Upston, Minister for Disability Issues, along with Chris Bunny (Deputy Chief Executive, Disability Support Services, MSD) and Ben O’Meara (Deputy Chief Executive, Policy and Strategy, Whaikaha), the Coalition discussed the future of disability support services, accessibility legislation, and the development of a five-year Disability Strategy. The Minister encouraged continued engagement with Disability Support Services and Whaikaha. Ministry for Women The Coalition engaged with the Ministry for Women regarding their consultation on online harassment and abuse. They provided anecdotal evidence and trends highlighting the intersection of online abuse with disability rights, contributing to the Ministry’s Online Harm Report. Donald Beasley Institute (DBI) The Coalition received updates from DBI on their ‘Disabled People Led Monitoring’ work, including the release of “The Whaikaha Report” on March 31, 2025. A new three-year project titled ‘What does an adequate standard of living look like?’ was announced, focusing on the cost of living for disabled people in relation to Article 28 of the UNCRPD. DBI was also congratulated for receiving the 2025 Zero Project Award. Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People A workshop with Whaikaha officials, led by Ben O’Meara, contributed to the development of briefing papers for five working groups tasked with formulating actions for the next Disability Strategy. The Coalition provided context and resources to assist these groups. For more detailed information, you can access the full Key Messages document here: https:// tinyurl.com/bdzhv56t