Submission on the Future Operation of the Courts and Justice Services draft Long-term Insights Briefing

Rare Disorders NZ has made a submission on the Future Operation of the Courts and Justice Services draft Long-term Insights Briefing.

People living with a rare disorder may or may not identify as disabled, but they often have complex and misunderstood conditions and needs, including accessibility needs.

RDNZ appreciates that the draft document recognises that disabled people are overrepresented in both victim and offender statistics, yet court information, processes and physical spaces still do not sufficiently address their specific needs.

We are pleased to see acknowledgement in the disability and health barriers section that work will need to continue towards developing more effective and sustainable therapeutic pathways. RDNZ asks this is expanded on and that there is a commitment to meaningfully integrating Enabling Good Lives principles into this work.

A comprehensive approach linking education, disability, health, mental health and social supports is essential to ensure early intervention and sustained prevention of both entry and re-entry into the justice system.

RDNZ would like to ensure that, as required by the 2024 Rare Disorders Strategy, people and their whānau living with rare disorders are one of the population groups that is being thought about when designing system improvements such as this.

Read RDNZ's full submission here.