Country Comparison of Ageing and Disability Policies

Country Comparison of Ageing and Disability Policies Similarities: All policies address fairness and equality without discrimination, harassment and victimization. All of them cover education, employment and public service. Both China and NZ address a specific act or law aim at disability, they cover and clarify more aspects such as welfare, culture, rehabilitation and environment. Differences: The Equality Act 2010 of UK replaces the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 addresses discrimination against age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy, maternity. Services must provide fair and appropriate accommodations to comply with the law. Disability is one of the act, and the act focus on equality, mainly against the discrimination. The act specially mentions accessibility for disabled pupils and assistance dogs. The UK values the education condition of minor disabled persons, protects the right of using assistance dogs. The law in China does not use â€Å"long term† to define â€Å"Disabled persons†. We can find many â€Å"special† in the law, that shows the society still treat disability as a special group, the government and social organization show their sympathy to disability, offer assistance to them, state the equal rights. However, based on the institution, normal disabled persons are fostered by their legal fosterers whom usually are their parents, special assuranceà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’ treatment and pension will be provided to those disabled persons while on duty or for protecting the interests of the State and people. China has the National Day of Assisting Disabled Persons to show the value of disabled persons. The New Zealand Disability Strategy addresses that what individuals have are impairments, disability is a social problem that one group of people create barriers by designing living ways. The strategy does not only prevent discrimination and offering assistance, but also encourage and support the disabled persons and their families, promoting participation. Similarities: All of the policies address positive aging without discrimination, harassment and victimization. All of them cover participation, pension, housing and public transport. Both China and NZ address a specific act or law aim at aging, they cover and clarify more aspects such as health, rural and opportunities. Both of them address the elderly is very important for the society and they can make huge contribution. Differences: The Equality Act 2010 of UK addresses discrimination against age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy, maternity. Services must provide fair and appropriate accommodations to comply with the law. Age is one of the act, and the act focus on equality, mainly against the discrimination. The act specially mentions pension, it more focuses on funding while others quality of life in the community. The law in China defines the age group which is above the age of 60. The governments use the community publicity and education to establish the social values of respecting the elderly. The governments award who have scored outstanding achievements in respecting the elderly. The governments mainly rely the elderly’s family to provide for the elderly. China has done well on enriching the elderly’s cultural life by encouraging non-governmental organization organizes cultural, sports and recreational activities of a mass character. Free or discount of public transport is not a compulsive requirement in this law, it is in light of local condition to supply. The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy promote supporting older people to age in place and have a good quality of life in the community. Guide government agencies to provide services for older people. It involves a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations, and the strategy is keep on developing. The governments modify and improve the strategy frequently to suit new circumstance. The strategy covers the most wide field of all the three acts or laws. Similarities: All service delivery policies address fairness and equality without discrimination, removing or minimizing disadvantages, fostering good relations and promoting understanding. All service delivery policies involve central governments, local governments and educational bodies. Both UK and NZ address the advance of opportunity, their service delivery policies also involve private agencies, hospitals and health services. Differences: UK involves armed forces and police in the service delivery. China does not involve the private agencies in the service delivery because of the institution. China only plans to establish medical rehabilitation departments in hospitals to help disabled persons to rehabilitate. Chinese governments, departments and CDPF rarely supply practical help, their assistance stay at very low levels such as contacts, representing and consultation. Most key services should be paid by the disabled persons. NZ’ services provided by district health boards, GPs and other agencies. And the authority of decision-making is wide span. territorial authorities and non-departmental public bodies are involved to make service delivery policies, it helps to improve the service delivery polices. The New Zealand Disability Strategy will be full reviewed after five and ten years to develop. Similarities: All service delivery policies address fairness and equality without discrimination, removing or minimizing disadvantages, all of them include voluntary service and pension schemes. All service delivery policies involve central governments, local governments, educational bodies, public hospitals and private facilities. Both China and NZ emphasize to increase opportunities of the elderly for their community participation and growth. Both of them value the cultural and spiritual life of the elderly and mainly rely non-governmental organization to achieve. Both UK and NZ have complete public medical security, funds government and community agencies to provide services for older people. Differences: Based on the condition, China only provides basic public medical security. The main pressure of the elderly’s health security is put on their family. The governments encourage that non-governmental organization provides variety of activities, and NGOs did, but mainly concentrates in urban areas, the service delivery in rural parts is poor. Most of services only consider the elderly’s demand, ignore young generation’s feeling, it begins to cause conflicts between some older persons and some young persons. The quality of elderly healthcare is irregular in China, there is no uniform standard and lack of monitor. The law always address in light of local condition. The governmental organization in China protecting the elderly’s rights is neighbourhood committees in city, villagers committees in rural areas NZ’ government funds community agencies to provide services for older people, the service delivery policy has clear key actions and standards, has strict third-party supervision to ensure the service delivery quality. There are specialized organizations such as age concern and Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services to help older persons. The strategy is reviewed frequently and is developed as well. That’s why the elderly and young generation can participate activities at the same time and get along so well. Zhen Chen