A new report challenges city leaders to tackle barriers that get in the way for 77,000 disabled Aucklanders.  The report shows that disabled people could play a bigger part in the city if barriers were removed in public spaces, services and buildings, transport and communications, work and study.
About half of disabled Auckland adults have personal incomes of less than $20,000 so increased employment and training opportunities are important for them.  Reliable personal support services are also crucial.
The Step Up Auckland: Decision-makers getting it right for disabled Aucklanders report provides evidence about some of the key issues and aspirations of disabled Aucklanders.  It has been brought together by representatives of the Auckland City Council, Auckland District Health Board, Waitakere City Council and AUT University’s Institute of Public Policy.
Improvements can be as simple as insisting on buildings and footpaths that work well for everyone, including the elderly and parents pushing prams.  It can mean using communications processes that let everyone have their say and take part in projects to improve the wellbeing of all Aucklanders.  It is often simple things like confident, comfortable service by front-line staff.
The Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for Disability Issues, officially received the report and spoke at the launch of the report in early September 09. She said it has been increasingly evident, that there are a number of things that could be done to ensure Government services are accessible to all, and that the targeted disability supports work well, are fair, and give value for money.
“More than anything I want to see that everything I do in the disability portfolio improves the opportunities, choices and responsibilities for disabled persons to fully participate in their community,” the Minister said.
Other accessible formats of the report are available upon request to nmason@aut.ac.nz