Ronelle Kiterangi Baker

Chief Executive, Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand, Auckland, NZ

 

An emerging leader in the health and disability sector, Ronelle will tell you that one of her favourite leadership quotes is by former US pro basketball coach John Wooden - “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.”

Following a varied 20 year career that includes DHB and NGO settings, Ronelle became the first CEO of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand to have lived experience of a neuromuscular condition, in February 2016. 

Presenting a consumer perspective at HealthTech Week 2017, Ronelle will draw from personal and professional experience to describe the impact that technology has on enabling freedom and quality of life for New Zealanders with progressive physical disabilities. 

Technology as an Enabler for Freedom and Quality of Life 

Technology plays a vitally important role in the lives of our community members and we know it can enhance freedom and quality of life across multiple domains. 

From recreation to functional mobility, communication, breathing support and smart design for independent living, innovative technology solutions can lead to improved outcomes and increased productivity. 

However, there is a lot of unmet need in our community. Greater value must be placed on the social and economic contributions made by disabled people and it would be helpful if the New Zealand health and disability system was oriented in a proactive and preventative way, rather than focusing on essential need in the here and now. 

Systemic barriers to accessing technology, such as lengthy needs assessment and equipment trial processes, as well as funding and resource constraints, could be addressed by eliminating waste in the system and allowing flexible use of resources for better results.

In our community, the impact of living with a progressive condition means that the need for health and disability related supports increase over time. Symptom progression can be highly individualised – often bringing the need for customised solutions. 

We appreciate the innovators working in the health technology field. Our community is also full of innovation and it makes good commercial sense to involve end users early in the product development cycle. Competitive choice and product affordability is also important when it comes to supply as many people consider self-funded technology solutions.