Know your rights as a disabled person

What are your rights?

When you use a disability service you have rights, and knowing your rights can help make sure you get the service and treatment you deserve.

These rights are called the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights or "the Code".

You have the right to:

• be treated with respect.
• be treated fairly.
• dignity and independence.
• have good care and support that fits your needs.
• be told things in a way that you understand.
• be told everything you need to know about your care and support.
• make choices about your care and support.
• have support.
• decide if you want to be part of training, teaching or research.
• make a complaint.

You can find translations of your rights in different languages external on the Health and Disability Commission (HDC) website. These include audio and text formats.

Their site also provides an Easy Read format with illustrations for each right and a short explanation of what it means and how you should be treated. This can be downloaded from the Code and your rights external section at the HDC website. 

What to do if your rights have not been met

You have the right to complain if you are not happy with a disability service you have received. We want you to feel safe and supported by our services and staff at all times.

• Find out how to make a complaint on the Whaikaha complaints and feedback external page.

Ombudsman New Zealand – Fair treatment for disabled people

Ombudsman New Zealand monitors the rights of disabled people and can investigate related complaints about government agencies.

• Visit the Ombudsman’s website external

Disability Convention

Learn about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and how New Zealand has been involved.

• Read about the Convention on the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha website  external