Ngā kōrero whakamārama mō EGL
Understanding Enabling Good Lives (EGL)
On this page:
Easy Read
Our friends at People First have an Easy Read documents about EGL . Click on the words below to see it
NZSL
Watch the key messages about EGL in NZSL
What is Enabling Good Lives (EGL) ?
Enabling Good Lives (EGL) is a way of thinking differently about disability support so that all disabled people and their whānau can have greater choice and control over their lives and the supports they use.
It is made up of a Vision, an Approach and a set of 8 Principles and is a social movement.
The development of EGL
In 2011 the Minister for Disability Issues at the time, Hon Tariana Turia, invited the Ministries of Social Development and Health to work with an independent working group of disability sector stakeholders to develop a ‘clean sheet’ approach to community participation and day services for disabled people.
This resulted in the development of the EGL Approach.
To support the implementation of the EGL Vision, demonstration sites were established. These sites aim to showcase how the principles-based approach can support disabled people to lead self-directed, meaningful lives within inclusive communities that recognise and value their contributions. The demonstrations also illustrate how the key elements of system transformation (outlined below) can be applied in practice.
The roll out of EGL sites/demonstrations was halted in 2024 however the 3 existing sites (EGL Christchurch, Mana Whaikaha and EGL Waikato) continue their work.
“As we head down the path of change, it is important that disabled people, whānau/family, disabled people’s organisations and the wider disability community are involved in the design and development of these initiatives, and that the work stays closely aligned to the Enabling Good Lives approach.”
Kahurangi (Dame) Tariana Turia. Minister for Disability Issues 2009-2014
A short video on how EGL came about:
Is Enabling Good Lives for all ?
The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach is intended for all disabled people and their whānau to use as a guide how we can think and do things to build what they need to live a good life. It's about having choice and control.
It can be confusing, as some services using the EGL name are currently limited to specific populations due to eligibility criteria.
For example, in Otāutahi / Christchurch, EGL Christchurch Connectors / Kaitūhono are only able to work with those who have received ORS funding at school and their whānau to dream big, make a plan for the future, and connect with their local community. Visit EGL Christchurch.
EGL Vision - what the future can look like
In the future, disabled people and their families will have greater choice and control over their lives and supports and make more use of natural and universally available supports.
EGL Approach
Enabling Good Lives Approach is about disabled people and their family having control of resources so that they can build what they need to live a good life. It is a general guide to how we can think and do things so it will look different person by person, family by family, culture by culture, and community by community.
The EGL Approach has 8 principles that guide thinking about how a good life will look (see below) and are underpinned by some core ideas and beliefs:
-
A strong belief that everyone can and should enjoy their full human rights.
-
A belief that disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori have the answers to how their lives should be.
-
An understanding that family and whānau are (usually) an important part of disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori people’s lives.
-
Disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori should be supported to have those who are important to them involved in planning their Good Life.
-
A belief that everyone is entitled to make their own choices, and everybody has the right to make mistakes.
EGL Principles
1. Self-determination - Disabled people are in control of their lives.
2. Beginning early - Invest early in families and whānau to support them; to be aspirational for their disabled child; to build community and natural supports; and to support disabled children to become independent, rather than waiting for a crisis before support is available.
3. Person-centred - Disabled people have supports that are tailored to their individual needs and goals, and that take a whole life approach rather than being split across programmes.
4. Ordinary life outcomes - Disabled people are supported to live an everyday life in everyday places; and are regarded as citizens with opportunities for learning, employment, having a home and family, and social participation - like others at similar stages of life.
5. Mainstream first - Disabled people are supported to access mainstream services before specialist disability services.
6. Mana enhancing - The abilities and contributions of disabled people and their families are recognised and respected.
7. Easy to use - Disabled people have supports that are simple to use and flexible.
8. Relationship building - Supports build and strengthen relationships between disabled people, their whānau and community.
EGL, Government and system change
System change or transformation is the Government response to the EGL social movement since 2012. Successive Governments have used the Enabling Good Lives Vision, Approach and Principles as a cornerstone of the design and implementation of the delivery of disability services. It is important that system change across all Ministries is consistent with EGL as then disabled people and whānau/family will have real choice and control.
EGL has identified five elements for system change. They are:
1. Building knowledge and skills of disabled people
2. Investment in families to assist families/whānau to best support their disabled family member to have a 'good life' and help them develop a vision and aspirations for what can be achieved
3. Changes in communities to ensure communities, including businesses, workplaces, schools, and religious, cultural, sporting and recreational activities, are accessible and welcoming. Communities also need to recognise the contribution that disabled people can make to enhance cohesion and well-being
4. Changes to service provision to align organisational roles and functions, delivery models, workforce capability, accountability measures, monitoring and evaluation with the vision and principles of the transformed system
5. Changes to government systems and processes to support the system redesign e.g., integrated contracting, individualised funding, flexible outcomes-focused contracting, funding pooled from across Votes (may include Vote structure changes) and involving disabled people and families in governance.