Restricting disabled peoples’ access to tertiary education and employment does not make economic sense according to CCS Disability Action chief executive, Viv Maidaborne.

“We are creating benefit dependency for hundreds of New Zealanders. It is crucial that these barriers to education and employment are addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Ms Maidaborn’s statements to the Otago Daily Times follow the recent release of the CCS report Journey to Work, which reveals disabled young people face widespread barriers in the academic and social world.

The report notes that between 1996 and 2009, government funding to universities and polytechnics for support of tertiary disabled students with high support needs contributed to a significant increase in the number of disabled students participating in tertiary education. However, the rate of participation by disabled people is still estimated to be less than a quarter of the participation rate for other students.

Principal of Sara Cohen School, Raewyn Alexander, told the Otago Daily Times many of her pupils would like to enter the workforce or tertiary education but, because of their physical and intellectual disabilities, would require a support person to be with them.

Associate education minister, Hon Heather Roy, said the government had identified the need for better support for pupils with special education needs and would continue to make it a priority.

“This does not necessarily mean there is a need for more funding but, rather, a need to ensure that the current funding is being used in the best way,” said Mrs Roy.