We actively work alongside other organisations and individuals to identify common disability issues and solutions and to promote these jointly to decision-makers
DPA is open to discussing cooperative projects with all organisations and developing ways to work together.
The DPO Coalition
We collaborate with other recognised Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) as part of the DPO Coalition:
The New Zealand Disability Strategy followed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has helped us find a confident collective voice.
And as we work together with government departments and politicians, to further the interests of disabled people, our voice is becoming strong, clear and consistent.
We have ongoing relationships and collaborate with a variety of other organisations
For example: DPA works, with others, to support Education For All key messages around inclusive education. As a group we have successfully conveyed the message that inclusive education is good for all New Zealanders, not just disabled students. We are now engaging with other education sector organisations like the School Principals Federation, the School Trustees Association, and NZEI.
Other organisations we have collaborated/share allegiance with include:
We are also affiliated with International Disability Organisations
DPA is a member of four international umbrella organisations - the Pacific Disability Forum, Disabled Peoples International, International Disability Alliance and Rehabilitation International. These organisations are at the heart of international disability developments, so we follow their work closely.
Disabled Peoples International
Disabled Peoples International (DPI) is the world's only cross-disability global disabled people's organisation.
Established in 1981 DPI's goal is to achieve full participation of all persons with disabilities in the mainstream of life, through promotion and protection of their human rights. DPI's focus is particularly on those in developing countries who have 80 percent of the world's one billion people with disabilities and 20 percent of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people.
The Pacific Disability Forum
The Pacific Disability Forum acts as a body for disabled people's organisations across the Pacific. They run a wide range of programmes.
International Disability Alliance
An Alliance of 14 global and regional organisations of disabled people. The alliance advocates at the United Nations for a more inclusive global environment for everyone.
Rehabilitation International
Founded in 1922, Rehabilitation International (RI) is a worldwide network of people with disabilities, service providers, government agencies, academics, researchers and advocates working to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. With member organisations in over 100 countries and in all regions of the world, RI provides a forum for the exchange of experience and information on research and practice.
