One In Five for Sunday 11 October 2009

Adaptive single sculler Robin Tinga didn't quite blitz the field in at this years rowing world champs in Poland. But he came a respectable fifth. And it's the first time a New Zealander has come anywhere near the front ranks of international adaptive rowing competition.

Twenty years ago the idea that disabled people could and should be in open employment was still a bit of a novelty. Back then it was a case of if say people couldn't see or hear, think or learn quickly - then maybe the sheltered workshop was the right place for them. But what if you had a job coach to teach you the right skills? Or a wage subsidy? Convince an employer that with the right support, they could take on a disabled person? Well, that was the approach Mairwen Ladd Sanford says she was trying out. And Rob Warriner says he wasn't far behind. The concept and practice is called Supported Employment. Rob Warriner says it all came down to him asking what his mental health consumer clients wanted.

Talking of which - DPA (Disabled Persons Assembly NZ) is looking for a new chief executive. DPA's the national pan disability grouping that champions the rights of disabled people here and internationally. If you're interested, or know of someone who might be interested in helping to lead a disability owner operated organization then we've all the details here. And you can also go to the DPA Website.