Health & Disability Consumer Rights
The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights establishes the rights of consumers, and the obligations and duties of providers to comply with the Code. It is a regulation under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act.
Accessible Information
You have a right to accessible information in a way that you understand.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) started the Accessibility Charter, which a number of other Government agencies and organisations have committed to. It means they have all promised to make their information easy for everyone to access.
Information should be provided in alternate formats if any of these conditions apply to the communication:
- It’s for disabled people
- Your rights or responsibilities are affected
- Your decisions or payments are affected
- You’re involved in consultations or surveys
- Information is private, personal, or legal
- You ask for information in a different way
This means if you’re asking for information from a Government agency, you have the right to be able to get it in a way you can understand. Alternate formats include New Zealand Sign Language, Large Print, Braille (an organised pattern of bumps on a surface which our vision impaired community use to read), Audio and Easy Read (a picture-based language with simplified wording).
