Abortion is a Human Right and Health Issue: Disabled People’s Experiences of Abortion Services in Aotearoa New Zealand

This research was the first in Aotearoa New Zealand to explore disabled people’s experiences of abortion and abortion-related services. The findings highlighted how disabled people are sometimes treated differently by health professionals when accessing services. Findings from the study can help healthcare providers to ensure the human rights of disabled people are upheld when accessing abortion services.

The findings from the research are helping the government and healthcare providers to address matters of disability rights and deliver more equitable, inclusive and accessible abortion services in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings from this project will directly contribute to the New Zealand Government's 5-year review of the Abortion Legislation Act 2020.

A group of disabled and disability researchers from the Donald Beasley Institute worked on this research. Some of the researchers identify as disabled, and others have worked with disabled people in research for many years. They come from a range of cultures, ages, gender identities, intersectionalities and backgrounds.