DISABILITY SURVEY INFORMATION
Introduction
Statistics NZ is conducting a survey on disability, starting in July and running until the end of November 2006. This is the third time the survey has been run. It was previously carried out in 1996 and 2001.
Key objectives of the survey are:
· to measure the prevalence of disability among the resident New Zealand population living in households;
· to measure the prevalence of disability among adults (15 years and over) living in residential facilities; and
· to provide data that is comparable with the 1996 survey and the 2001 survey.
What information will be collected?
The Disability Survey will collect information on how many people have a disability, what type of disability they have, the severity and the cause of the disability. It will also collect information on current and unmet needs for services and assistance, employment, transport, education, accommodation and special equipment.
How will the information be used?
This survey will provide an estimate of how many people in New Zealand have disability and will provide information on barriers faced by people with disability. This information will be used by government departments and disability service providers to review the effectiveness of services for people with disability and to help guide the development of new services.
Who will take part in the survey?
A random sample of children and adults will be chosen based on answers given to questions in the 2006 Census. The Census forms had a note which explained that the questions would be used to select people to take part in a Disability Survey.
Adults living in residential facilities (e.g. rest homes, disability units and long-stay beds in hospitals) will also be interviewed. A random sample of people in residential facilities will be selected and this is not based on responses to the Census questions.
People without disability may be asked to complete the survey. This will provide information to compare with people with disabilities. For people without disability, the survey will be quite short.
What will happen if I am chosen for the survey?
If you are chosen for the survey, an interviewer will contact you to arrange a suitable time for an interview. Most of the interviews will be carried out by telephone and the rest will be carried out face-to-face. In the interview you will be asked to give information about yourself or a child you are a caregiver for.
How will my privacy be protected?
Only people authorised by the Statistics Act are allowed to see your individual information, and they must use it only for statistical purposes.
Your information will be combined with information from other people to prepare summary statistics about groups. Statistics New Zealand makes sure no individual can be identified when the results are published.
When will the results be available?
Results from the 2006 survey will be available at the end of May 2007. Information from the 1996 and 2001 surveys is available on the Statistics NZ website (see links below).
Further information
For enquiries and information requests, please contact the Statistics NZ information centre on freephone 0508 525 525, or by email to info@stats.govt.nz.
If you would like more information about the 2006 Disability Survey please call the Statistics New Zealand toll free number: 0800 104 744
Information on the 2001 Disability Survey:
http://www.stats.govt.nz/people/health/disabilities.htm
or see the Ministry of Health publication “Living with Disability in New Zealand”.
www.moh.govt.nz
Information on the NZ Disability Strategy: http://www.odi.govt.nz/nzds/
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