Disabled let down in education and employment - New Zealand

Disabled New Zealanders are getting a raw deal when it comes to education and employment, according to a report from the Human Rights Commission.

Commissioner Judy McGregor said the report, released to coincide with International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, highlighted the need for the Government to act more in the interests of the disabled.

The report showed that only 22.11 per cent of disabled students with high needs gained NCEA qualifications compared with 66.24 per cent of all students.

"A poor education is an indicator for a poor future," Dr McGregor said.

With regard to disabled adults, the report highlighted a persistent gap in employment rates between disabled people and non-disabled people that had continued for more than a decade.

Dr McGregor said unemployment particularly affected disabled Maori adults, with more than half being jobless.