Tukua Te Ringa Aroha Reclaiming evaluation for all of us

<p><strong>Evaluation research can make a vital contribution to positive transformation for Disability Communities’. All those involved have a stake in how data and evidence is generated and utilised to inform decisions about what, if any, investment, development or adaption is required to enhance programmes, policies and systems. However, when those who are most impacted are not included in decision-making—in the context of this thesis, Disabled Peoples’ and Whānau in Aotearoa—it is less likely that decisions and actions reflect the maxim ‘nothing about us, without us’.</strong></p><p>This thesis grappled with the realities of power within research and evaluation paradigms. The pervasive nature of colonialism, ableism and other marginalising beliefs and practices were named and challenged to create the space in which to weave a generative evaluation research paradigm. By seeking to be in relationship, versus in opposition, I explored the potential of an alliance within Indigenous, Kaupapa Māori and Disability research and evaluation paradigms, and present Ranga Haumi. As an evaluation research paradigm, Ranga Haumi, makes explicit the interconnections and intersectionality as oppressed Peoples’, and our ability to amplify and eloquently express ways of knowing, being and doing that embrace transformation through emancipation. Ranga Haumi provided the foundation to investigate the key question: How might an evaluation ecosystem be developed with Disability Communities’ to contribute to their self-determination across Disability ecosystems?</p><p>Through the processes of wānanga and Āta, which demonstrate and enable kōtahitanga, we - Disabled Peoples’, Whānau and allies of Disability Communities’ and evaluation communities of practice - created space to Wayfind. Taking single moments to connect or many over months, we attuned all our senses to notice, observe and reflect through collaborative discussion and making meaning of the insights shared. What emerged is the importance and worth of evaluation for Disability Communities’ by Disability Communities’, in local through to global contexts. Furthermore, it has become clear that evaluation research can be a voice mechanism and contribute to the self-determination of oppressed peoples’. They have the right to express their experiences, values, beliefs, needs and aspirations to help facilitate systemic shifts from colonisation to emancipation, from marginalisation to transformation. The voices of Disabled Peoples’ and Whānau shared through evaluation can determine what matters and for whom, as well as the extent to which positive outcomes are achieved or not. When these insights are utilised by Disability Communities’, they can influence, advocate and activate transformation. Reflection on the insights revealed that there was strong alignment with evaluation capability building literature and the necessary capabilities required to develop organisational evaluation capacity. The opportunity was then taken to test and affirm through wānanga that these capabilities could also apply to communities, namely Disability Communities’. This thesis brings forward four interconnected evaluation capabilities— demand, supply and structural, which are most commonly focused upon — and explicitly adds the fourth, relational capabilities, for evaluation ecosystems that are Disabled Person- and Whānau-led. Such ecosystems that are interconnected, and community determined and led, would mean they are no longer reliant on others, particularly government agencies, to produce and share evaluative evidence that may or may not reflect the values and realities of Disability Communities’. Disabled Person-and Whānau-led evaluation ecosystems have the potential to enable Disability Leadership to drive evaluation agendas and utilise evaluative evidence in critical decision-making processes at all levels. Fundamentally, this will centralise the leadership and experiences of Disabled Peoples’ and Whānau within the very systems that are to serve Disability Communities’.</p>