Disability Data and Evidence Advisory Group and Community of Practice
This section presents information on the Disability Data and Evidence Advisory Group (DDEAG) and the Disability Data and Evidence Community of Practice. These groups provide a platform for engagement with disability data experts and other government agencies to improve disability data and insights in New Zealand.
About the Disability Data and Evidence Advisory Group
The Disability Data and Evidence Working Group (DDEWG) was established in 2015 to progress the collection and use of disability data in New Zealand and to work to meet the Crown’s obligations under Article 31 (Statistics and data collection) of the UNCRPD. A key success of the group since its establishment is the consistent adoption of the Washington Group Short Set (WGSS) of questions in a wide range of surveys across government. This has led to an exponential improvement in the availability of data that allows us to compare outcomes for disabled and non-disabled people.
In 2023, DDEWG split into a smaller Disability Data and Evidence Advisory Group and a larger, government-focused Community of Practice.
The Advisory Group includes representatives from the DPO coalition, Te Ao Marama o Aotearoa Trust (TAMA), the Donald Beasley Institute, and the New Zealand Disability Support network, alongside representatives from key government agencies (see full membership below). The group meets on an as-needed basis several times a year to provide advice and support on ongoing work to improve disability data and evidence across the data system. Meeting minutes are available at the bottom of this page.
A larger Community of Practice (CoP) meets monthly to connect colleagues in government agencies who work in disability measurement and outcomes monitoring. The CoP includes over 100 members from over 30 different agencies.
Membership of the Disability Data and Evidence Advisory Group
The selection of representatives for the Advisory Group was based on ensuring that participants have the rights skills and experience to address the complex challenges of collecting and analysing data on disabled people. The membership includes representatives from government agencies, Disabled People’s Organisations, disability sector non-government organisations, and universities.
- Stats NZ (co-chair)
- Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha (co-chair and management)
- Ministry of Social Development
- Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora
- Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry for Pacific Peoples
- ACC
- Oranga Tamariki
- Disability Rights Commissioner (Observer)
- Te Ao Marama o Aotearoa Trust (Tāngata Whaikaha Māori Representative)
- New Zealand Disability Support Network (Provider Advisor)
- Disabled People’s Organisation Coalition (Community Partner)
- Donald Beasley Institute (Academic Advisor).