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  1. Home
  2. Disabled people
  3. Resources for the disability community
  4. Brief history of disability in Aotearoa New Zealand
  5. Disability activism

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  • Assessment and funding
  • Connect with the disability community
  • Learn about Enabling Good Lives
  • Know your rights as a disabled person
  • Resources for the disability community
    • Definitions, concepts and approaches
    • Brief history of disability in Aotearoa New Zealand
      • Disability unwelcome in colonial New Zealand
      • Influence of eugenics
      • Rehabilitation
      • Institutionalisation and parental advocacy
      • Disability policy: ACC, Social Welfare to Ministry of Health
      • Education and employment
      • Disability activism
      • Medical versus social model
      • Conclusion
      • Disability timeline: Aotearoa New Zealand
      • Bibliography
    • Who we are, our community
    • Supporting the dignity of disabled people – things to know and do
    • New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026
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Disability activism

The global reforming zeal of the 1960s and '70s also encouraged disability activists.

The big changes of the following decades were a result of political activism by disabled people and allies.

It is not surprising that the global disability rights movement developed out of the 1960s ferment which also encouraged women, youth, ethnic minorities, gay people and other marginalised groups to fight discrimination and reclaim civil and political rights.

But for disabled people it was not always easy to organise into a strong advocacy force.

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Updated on 16 May 2025
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