This research report was commissioned by the Ministry to help inform the Review of Certain Matters under the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977. It was one of three reports commissioned for three different consumer groups.
The research report focuses on the experiences of disabled people and provides insights into how abortion health care services are perceived and accessed by this group since changes to the law in 2020.
This publication was prepared under contract to the Ministry of Health. The copyright in this article is owned by the Crown and administered by the Ministry. The views of the authors do not necessarily represent the views or policy of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry makes no warranty, express or implied, nor assumes any liability or responsibility for use of or reliance on the contents of this publication.
Individual themes from the report for disabled people
The over-arching themes from the report for disabled people was that provision of abortion services for people with disabilities is positioned within a wider societal attitude to disability and eugenics. The issue of access to abortion services is framed as a health right and a human right because the research was focused on identifying whether disabled people experienced equitable impacts as a result of the 2020 abortion law reform.
Common themes from the three reports
Three reports were commissioned of three different consumer groups, and a brief summary of the reports below outlines some common themes about abortion health care services since law change.
Changes to the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 have improved access to and quality of care in abortion services
Where comparisons are made to abortion services prior to law change, these changes have improved the experience of the people involved in these reports. The ability to use telehealth, self-refer, and improvements in timeliness are particularly noted across the reports. The use of telehealth appears to be a useful option for some, while others had issues with the technology.
The experience of abortion services is intersectionally dependant
Intersecting layers of societal discrimination and inequity were described as key drivers of experience for rainbow and disabled people.
Abortion is associated with social stigma
Abortion remains a sensitive topic, particularly for rainbow and disabled people. However, providers of abortion services were overwhelmingly perceived to be accepting and non-judgmental, suggesting that the concerns expressed by some people interviewed reflected biases outside of the abortion services.
The availability of information regarding abortion is variable
All groups reported some difficulties in accessing information regarding abortion despite information being available through multiple mechanisms. However, once individuals were engaged with abortion services the quality and availability of information was reported as being adequate.
The needs of individuals regarding contraception advice and abortion counselling is varied and complex
The reports identified a potential issue regarding the availability and timing of abortion counselling. Regarding contraception, ongoing contraception appears to be discussed routinely as standard practice, although some individuals felt they were provided with limited options or not provided with a full explanation of the risks and benefits of the range of options offered.
The other two reports, for Māori and Pacific peoples and rainbow people are available here:
- Abortion Services in Aotearoa New Zealand: The voices of wāhine on improving access
- ‘It Just Adds Another Layer of Stress’: Rainbow people’s experiences of abortion services in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Downloads
Full report
- Large print
Summary
- Te reo Māori
Easy Read summary
- Easy Read
Audio summary
New Zealand Sign Language summary
Publishing information
- Publication date
- Citation
Donald Beasley Institute. 2025. Abortion Is a Human Right and Health Issue: Disabled people’s experiences of abortion services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
