“What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?”: Reimagining Dreams for Disabled Young People in New Zealand
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
It’s a question asked in classrooms, around dinner tables, and at school assemblies across New Zealand. For many children, it sparks excitement and possibility—a chance to imagine being an astronaut, a doctor, a firefighter, or a teacher. But for children and young people living with disabilities, the question can feel more complicated.
Too often, their dreams are quietly shaped—or limited—by assumptions about what’s “possible” or “realistic.” But the truth is: disabled young people have just as many ambitions, talents, and aspirations as anyone else. The real challenge lies not in their dreams, but in the barriers that stand in the way.
The Right to Dream Big
New Zealand is committed to the principles of inclusion under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Every young person, regardless of ability, has the right to education, opportunity, and participation. But for these rights to translate into meaningful futures, we need to ask:
- Are we giving disabled young people the tools and support to explore different careers?
- Are workplaces and industries ready to welcome and accommodate them?
- Are educators and mentors encouraging big dreams—or unintentionally lowering expectations?
When we ask “what do you want to be?” we must be ready to follow up with “how can we help you get there?”
Barriers That Hold Back Dreams
Despite progress in inclusive education and employment, many disabled young people in New Zealand still face systemic challenges:
- Lack of accessible career guidance and mentoring
- Fewer visible role models with disabilities in diverse professions
- Low expectations from teachers or career advisors
- Limited work experience opportunities tailored to their needs
- Physical, communication, and digital accessibility gaps in workplaces
These barriers don’t reflect a lack of potential. They reflect a lack of inclusive structures and mindsets.
Building Pathways, Not Walls
We can’t tell disabled young people to “dream big” if the pathways to those dreams are blocked. To change this, we need to:
- Showcase diverse role models—highlight disabled professionals succeeding in all fields, from business to science to the arts.
- Ensure career education is accessible—provide tailored resources, assistive technologies, and disability-aware career advisors.
- Expand supported internships and work experience—so young people can explore real-world roles with the adjustments they need.
- Challenge low expectations—actively push back against stereotypes that limit what disabled people can achieve.
Beyond Inclusion: True Belonging
Inclusion isn’t just about access—it’s about belonging. It’s about creating workplaces, schools, and communities where disabled young people aren’t just accommodated, but valued for their unique perspectives and contributions.
When we remove barriers and raise expectations, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” becomes more than a polite question. It becomes an invitation to dream freely and aim high.
And when we empower disabled young people to imagine their future without limits, we all benefit from the innovation, diversity, and resilience they bring.
A Final Thought
The next doctor, artist, engineer, or business leader may already be imagining their future in a classroom or living room somewhere in Aotearoa. Let’s make sure that when we ask them, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” we’re prepared to stand beside them—clearing barriers, opening doors, and cheering them on every step of the way.
Because every dream deserves a chance to take flight.
