2023 11 DDEAG meeting summary

Stats NZ will need to nominate a co-chair for DDEAG in 2024 

2. Disability Data and Evidence Advisory Group vs Community of Practice  

Opportunity to review how the CoP is progressing and different from Advisory Group 

Rec 58 

Jonathan – as current chair of IMM, note that Rec 58 from the UNCRPD examination is all-of-government focused rather than centered on Stats NZ.  

Robbie confirmed that while Stats has responsibility to drive this mahi, and doesn’t know what that will look like, need to work closely with Whaikaha. Focus of social statistics – needs to be able to describe outcomes for disability + Māori + children + rural to deliver from a data and evidence point of view.  

Looking back at 2023 

Not a productive year, stagnation. Concern no strategy to show Minister why we have relevance (although input Disability Data Framework is encouraging). DDEAG needs a new strategy, to function at a higher level. 

Fiscal environment and resourcing 

Concern about the fiscal environment within which we are operating. 

Where Disability Data sits within Stats context 

Stats is going through a restructure and is trying to hardwire the disability Kaupapa as part of the transformation of the data system conversation (so the disability data suite is not siloed off). Framing this as rights-based, UNCRPD & Te Tiriti for tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people of Aotearoa.  

Disability measurement 

Does DDEAG actually concern itself with the measurement of disability? i.e. the mechanisms of disablement, societal factors, sources of prejudice. How do agencies determine differential outcomes for disabled people? This focus is more likely to lead to transformation vs. just measurement of disability itself. 

Split into Community of Practice and Advisory Group 

The split will enable progress of work, a smaller decision-making group will provide the opportunity to be more aggressive/focused. Meeting more frequently will enable progress. Note churn in the sector and need to teach a new cohort on disability measurement. 

Strategy for DDEAG 

DDEAG to support development of the Disability Data Framework, explore development of data standard, interpret findings of Census & Disability Survey. Does this include working towards a potential budget bid to progress this work? What dedicated resource to deliver what the disability community needs? Note, premature to do a needs analysis until we realize the offerings coming through the 2023 collections with the Census and Disability Survey insights. 

Clarity on who is DDEAG advising? Each-other? Stats and Whaikaha? All members of the Community of Practice (30+ agencies). 

Equity in DDEAG 

Not all community members receive an honorarium for participation.  

Progressing a disability data standard 

Is it possible to have a standard aligned with the social model of disability? Impairment data standard vs. disability data standard? Some invariant & variant components. Potential to workshop this idea, test feasibility. Two half day workshops. Current advice on ODI website has the potential to be more thorough. 

Admin first approach to data 

Stats to consult with disability sector and explore tolerance for losses & gains of this approach. Short-term impacts vs long-term gains. Making sure admin data is not the only data collected (risk with disabled people having less contact at points in the system). Potential to repurpose Census funding. 

PPNHI concerns 

This project does not have sustained resources at Te Whatu Ora, and may not be ready to go out into the field. At risk. Not designed fully for tāngata whaikaha in mind. What is the role of Whaikaha on this Kaupapa of value to the disability community? Role of DDEAG in this mahi? 

 3. Approve 13 September 2023 meeting summary  

 4. Action Points