ableism

Attitudes and behaviours society uses that privilege non-disabled people. This includes when negative assumptions are made about the skills, capacities and interests of disabled people, and when their lived experiences are denied.

assimilation

Government policy referring to the process through which individuals and groups of a minority culture are made to change their attitudes, beliefs, practices and ways of life and must acquire the habits, attitudes and ways of life of the majority culture.

audism

A discriminatory belief that the ability to hear makes one superior to those who do not hear.

borstal

Institutions for young offenders (aged 15 to 21), aimed at reforming behaviour and preventing offenders from becoming “habitual criminals”. Borstals ran from 1924 until 1981 under the Prevention of Crime Act (Borstal Institutions Establishment) Act 1924.

deinstitutionalisation

The process of closing institutions that housed disabled people based on government policy.

disablism

Conscious, direct discrimination against people who are disabled, based on their disability.

eugenics

A pseudo-science that aims to improve the genetic quality of the human population. This included altering gene pools by excluding people and groups deemed to be ‘inferior’.

Eurocentric

Reflects a way of thinking that interprets the world in terms of European culture, history, values and experiences and regards it as more important than the culture history, values and experiences of others.

forensic (eg forensic psychiatric services, forensic wards, forensic services) 

A branch of care that exists at the interface of the mental health and criminal justice sectors. Entry into forensic services involves an individual being charged with a criminal offence and being referred to this specialised mental health setting for assessment and treatment. 

institutionalisation 

The state of being placed or kept in a residential institution.  The term can also be defined as a process in which individuals who reside in an institution gradually develop certain unhealthy patterns of behaviour as a result of depersonalised and strict routines that are followed to enable a small group of staff to deliver basic services. 

mental distress 

A mental or emotional state that causes disruption to daily life and that can vary in length of time and intensity.

psychopaedic

Outdated Aotearoa New Zealand term to distinguish people with a learning disability from people experiencing mental distress.

structural racism

A form of indirect discrimination as it occurs when an action, omission, or policy that appears to treat everyone in the same manner, actually creates negative effects unfairly impacting a particular group.

tāngata whaikaha Māori

A reo Māori term for disabled people. It reflects a definition of people who are determined to do well.

tāngata whaiora Māori

A reo Māori term for people who are seeking health.  It can also be used to refer to a person receiving assessment and treatment in mental health, addiction and intellectual disability services. 

whānau hauā Māori 

A reo Māori term for a person with disabilities, which reflects te ao Māori perspectives and collective orientation. 

whānau Turi 

A reo Māori term for whānau of Deaf people who are also Māori.  

whāngai

A reo Māori term for Māori customary adoption or fostering of children or young people.