STRIVE meets for self advocacy workshops

The NZDSA’s Self-Advocacy Leadership and Advisory Group, STRIVE, met in Wellington on June 19-20 to focus on gaining more self-advocacy and leadership skills.

While some may think a Funshop is all about fun, Funshops are really about allowing our self-advocates to do lots of important work and gain new skills in a fun and engaging way.

The Funshops are actioned packed and run for a full day, from 9 am until 5 pm.

The focus of all the Funshops is learning more about the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the skills the self-advocates need to share this information with their peers or to advocate for others.

The key focus this weekend was learning more about Article 25, which recognises that people with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability.

The group also spent time on Article 27 which recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.

The self-advocates are in the process of developing their Declaration on Employment.

To explore and discuss these rights further they\ group met with Brian Coffery, Director of Office of Disability, Paula Tesoriero, Disability Rights Commissioner and  Sarah Fuhrer‐ Advisor, Disability. Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner.

The weekend also included work on a piece of research that STRIVE have conducted, learning more about interviewing and presentations skills.

Everyone had a wonderful time.