In the June 2017 quarter, 42.3 per cent of disabled youth aged 15–24 years were not in employment, education, or training (NEET). This was more than four times the NEET rate of non-disabled 15–24 year-olds (10.0 percent). NEET is made up of those who are: a.) unemployed – not in education b.) not in the labour force – not in education and caregiving c.) not in the labour force – not in education and not caregiving. The group that contributed the most to the higher NEET rate for disabled youth were those not in the labour force, not in education, and not caregiving (35.8 percent). Employment for disabled people is often limited by opportunity and people's attitudes rather than disability. Back to top. Housing – Article 28 There appears to be a lack of accessible housing in New Zealand.23 This includes owneroccupied housing, housing in the private rental sector, state housing (housing stock of HNZC), and social housing. A recent report24 released by the Salvation Army concluded New Zealand needs to build about 2,000 more social houses per year over the next decade to adequately respond to unmet demand. According to the report, disabled people make up a large proportion of long-term social housing tenants. The Ministry of Health does offer Housing Modification Grants but only to the owners of houses or if the owner agrees to the modification: so unless a disabled person can persuade their landlord to apply for a grant then houses in the private rental market are very unlikely to be modified for a disabled person. There is poor data on the number of modified or accessible houses, and the waiting time for modified state or community housing. 23 24 For example, ‘Lifemark’, a company which offers advice to designers and builders on how to ensure homes are usable by people of different ages and abilities, reports that less than 2% of New Zealand’s current housing stock is accessible. http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/research-media/social-policy-and-parliamentary-unit/latestreport/TakingStock2017 Page 17