The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) is also involved in reducing discrimination.

The main aim of the ODI is to help bring about the vision of the New Zealand Disability Strategy by promoting the participation and inclusion of disabled people in our society.

The strategy is a long-term plan for removing barriers that prevent disabled people (including people with experience of mental illness) participating fully in their communities. The ODI works to promote the strategy to ensure it is understood and accepted by everyone who needs to play a part to implement it. The ODI also has a key role in developing partnerships between disabled people, central and local government, communities and support agencies.

The ODI has three main roles:

• Lead, monitor and promote the New Zealand Disability Strategy;
• Provide policy advice on disability issues, and lead strategic and cross-sectoral disability policy across government; and
• Support the Minister for Disability Issues.

To learn more about the ODI, go to www.odi.govt.nz.