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Disability
Inclusivity Hub
What is disability?
Disability is defined as any long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder the full and effective participation of disabled people in society on an equal basis with others.
The experience of disability is influenced by the nature of a person’s impairment. Gender, age, ethnicity and culture can also have a profound and sometimes compounding effect on an individual’s experience of disability.
Download Spotlight on Disability (PDF)Disability in Aotearoa
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| Walking, lifting or bending | Using your hands to hold, grasp or use objects | Learning, concentrating or remembering | Hearing, even when using a hearing aid | Seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lens | Communication, mixing with others or socialising |
Some common impairments are listed above. Many impairments can’t be easily identified by others (invisible), and some people who experience an impairment may not identify as being disabled.
1 in 4 New Zealanders identify as disabled, including 11% of young people under the age of 15. Just over half of all disabled people in New Zealand experience more than one type of impairment.
‘Tangata Whaikaha’ is a term that can be used to reference Māori with a disability. ‘Whaikaha’ is a strength-based term that means ‘to have ability’ or ‘to be enabled’.
Hear from young people
Hear from the youth panel at the 2023 Sport NZ Disability Hui.
Watch Braydon’s experience of dance and performance.
Key contacts
Contact these organisations for connections and training.
Organisational inclusivity
Improve your organisational policies, procedures and strategy.
Practice inclusivity
Improve your practices when working with diverse groups of participants.
Community stories
For more information
Additional resources, stories and insights.
Read:
Cripple Media: Gen-z owned and run online magazine written by and for disabled young people
The inclusion spectrum, planning sport activities for everyone
Fundamentals of inclusive sport programs
James’ experience of physical activity and his hopes for the future or Download full document
Three case studies of Australian organisations creating inclusive active experiences or download full document
Watch:
What is the inclusion spectrum
Uplifting and life-affirming short-film: ‘SAM’ about Jolt Dancer Sam Stevens
Zye’s experience of Scuba therapy
Using Universal Design to Embrace Difference in Sport Planning
Listen:
What’s wrong with you? Podcast: Tackling the big questions about life with a disability.
References
- Disability in New Zealand today | Office for Disability Issues
- Accessible and Inclusive Sport and Active Recreation | Central Coast Council AU
- What is Intellectual Disability? | Special Olympics
- Spotlight on Disability – Key Findings | Sport New Zealand
- Active NZ - Spotlight on Disability | Sport New Zealand
- Whāia Te Ao Mārama 2018 to 2022: The Māori Disability Action Plan | Ministry of Health
Add to the Hub
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a complex space and we are determined to continually evolve the Hub so the content remains up-to-date, relevant and useful. If you would like to submit an addition to the Hub for consideration, please let us know.
If you require an accessible version of any content on the site please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
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