More asking, less doing to

There is a resource we can use to help us evaluate what policies political parties and local candidates are going to support to see if they are going to be "Enabling Good Lives approach", or EGL for our disabled communities. 

The approach by Enabling Good Lives (EGL) is "a framework designed to guide positive change for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, whānau, families, communities, and governance structures. The EGL principles are a set of statements that form the foundation of how disabled people, their families, and whānau want to experience their interactions with others, including supports and services. These principles aim to shift authority from the system to disabled people and their families as experts in their own lives and leaders in their communities" (Farrar, 2026). 

We can all check out the resources available on the EGL website here. There is a handy flier which we can use as an aide memoire when attending any political events. 

We need to be active with this: it is important that support is "developed by disabled people, families and allied providers" and is "grounded in New Zealand's cultures and communities and reflect[ing] how the Crown can practically and successfully respond to the stated needs and aspirations of the community" it is actually serving (Farrar, 2026). We should not be imposing our ideas of priority and service on these communities: we should be asking what they see as being their needs, and walking alongside them to deliver that.

Of course, that doesn't mean we shouldn't ask about other delivery possibilities, just in case the community is not aware of a new service or product. However, realistically, it is more likely that the community being served will be aware of new products or services long before we are. Those inside the tent are more likely in the know than those outside.

The power - and decision-making - needs to lie with those people and communities which are being served, simplifying "the system, and focus[ing] on real life outcomes" which will hopefully make "New Zealand fairer, healthier, and more efficient" society (Farrar, 2026). This emphasises an approach which prioritises "self-determination, beginning early, mana enhancing, person-centeredness, and mainstream first" (Farrar, 2026). 

We must stop DOING things to people, and start ASKING what the need is. 

Sam

References:

Farrar, J. (2026, May 28). A resource for assisting local, regional and national community leaders to promote the Enabling Good Lives approach (EGL) when interacting with political parties and local candidates. Enabling Good Lives. https://www.enablinggoodlives.co.nz/negl/nationwide-resources/a-resource-for-assisting-local-regional-and-national-community-leaders-to-promote-the-enabling-good-lives-approach-egl-when-interacting-with-political-parties-and-local-candidates/