Where’s the community at?
Because I’ve only recently started this blog, I’ve been running a fair few Google searches recently, (seeing where my site pops up upon entering different keywords and all that), and I’ve come to quite an unsettling conclusion. There is very little – if any – proof of an online community for people with disabilities here in NZ. In fact, from the first page of results of a “disability nz” Google search, here’s what I found:
- 6 / 10 of the results were Govt-run websites
- Two are run by Enable NZ, who receive government funding anyway
- One is the Auckland University’s disability site, and the other is the homepage of the DPA.
Kinda depressing huh? In my searchings for sites similar to mine to develop partnerships of some sorts with, pretty much the only one I found was Simon O’Keefe’s fantastic site on wheelchair-accessible travel throughout NZ, who has kindly agreed to share a link to my site. I just hope this is a sign of things to come – we as a collective disability community need to shed our insecure skins and start collaborating on positive ways to make New Zealand a better place for people with disabilities.
Start chatting on our forums now!
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Red, cheers for the mention.
You have a great website going here, this kind of stuff is exactly what people need – real, honest information about the good, the bad and the ugly accessibility issues.
Glad to have you over at nzonwheels!
Kiora Red
I heard about your blog through work and i've been having a lil look around – what a wonderful idea.
I think its great – creating a safe space that encourages open and honest feed-back is awesum – and i just wanted to acknowledge your efforts (i note not too much feed-back yet so i was determined 2 add mine : )
Not to worry i believe in the principle "if you build it – they will come…" keep up the great work and i look forward to future updates.
Kia kaha e tama toa
na Mark
Hi there Red, great site can only hope it takes off as i'm sure it will, give it time mate.
Your site has heaps to offer our communitty, thanks.
Here's a web site close to my sporting heart for you to add a link to please Red – http://www.wheelblacks.com – they are the current Paralympic champs
[...] with other members of the disabled community in NZ, there doesn’t really seem to be much of a community vibe out there at the moment.. So whilst I’m not trying to change the world, you gotta start [...]