Let me detail the gross under-representation of disability issues on the campaign trail so far:

• Public meetings held at inaccessible venues (read: heaps of stairs)
• No mention of disability in any of the main candidates manifestos/policies
• No reassurance that current disability advocate roles within council will exist under the new Auckland Council

Quite simply, disability isn’t on the agenda. And given that the Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, not only is it an embarrassing omission by the mayoral candidates, it’s also downright stupid. You can expect many of the visitors to our shores next year will use a mobility aid of some kind, whether it be a wheelchair, cane, or even glasses. And don’t forget they’ll be bringing family and friends with them, so by ignoring accessibility issues (let alone making them a priority!) a huge economic opportunity is being wasted.

Have you heard any of the Auckland Supercity mayoral candidates mention anything around accessibility, or disability issues?

The Disability Issues portfolio has been transferred from Paula Bennett to Tariana Turia, Prime Minister John Key has announced.

In addition, Pansy Wong will be appointed Associate Minister for Disability Issues. The changes take effect immediately.

“The change has come after a request from Paula Bennett for the transfer of the portfolio to another Minister so she can better concentrate on the Social Development and Employment portfolio,” says Mr Key.

“There are big challenges in this portfolio, especially given the increasing workload on the Ministry of Social Development from unemployment.

“The National-led Government is determined to do all it can to help people who have lost their jobs and assist them to find new employment.

“Tariana Turia immediately accepted the important Disability Issues portfolio when I approached her to see if she was interested.

“There are many synergies between this portfolio and her other portfolios, and I believe she will do an excellent job.”

Paula Bennett says this is not a decision she has made lightly.

“The impact of this recession on the lives of New Zealanders is becoming clearer, and I am determined to do all I can to help those who have lost their jobs find new employment.”

CCS Disability Action Northern Region will join the hikoi/march on Monday 25 May in support of IHI Action Group (Iwi Have Influence). This action group is leading the opposition to the establishment of Auckland Super City without reserved Maori seats as proposed by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Auckland Governance.

Linda-Lee Odom, Chairperson of the Local Advisory Committee of CCS Disability Action, Auckland believes that this is a great opportunity to show our support and make our partnership with Ngati Whatua and Orakei Marae one that counts.

“Like many people in Auckland, disabled people are worried about the impact a Super City will have on our lives and whether our voices will still be heard and so it is easy for us to support Tangata Whenua and the recommendations made by the Royal Commission for reserved Maori seats”, said Ms Odom.

CCS Disability Action recognises Maori as Tangata Whenua, and is committed to being in relationships with Hapu and Iwi so that we continue to develop our ability to support disabled Maori and their whanau.

Ms Odom says “this is a great opportunity to show our support of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our partnership with Ngati-Whatua. CCS Disability Action has a solid relationship with the people of Orakei Marae and Ngati-Whatua. Kaumatua/ Kuia have supported us in many ways enhancing the mana of the work we do, especially with disabled Maori and their whanau”.

Being mindful of access issues, CCS Disability Action supporters will be meeting at 10.30am at the corners of Commerce and Galway Streets, Central Auckland and then march together with everyone up Queen Street to the Town Hall.

What do you think?

ps. An interesting diatribe on this faux pas can be found over at bad cripple

On TVNZ’s Close Up programme Rodney Hide recommended that a Christchurch businessman should break the law and not follow accessibility guidelines in building regulations because it was too costly.

CCS Disability Action, the largest pan-disability support provider in New Zealand, believes Mr. Hide’s comments were irresponsible and based on ignorance of critical issues in peoples lives and relegate disabled people to second class citizens.

“This is discriminatory leadership at its worst. Disabled people make up a large proportion of the population in New Zealand, roughly one in five people have a disability, and ignoring the issues and the law around access in this way is unacceptable,” says Viv Maidaborn, CEO of CCS Disability Action.

Rodney Hide’s comments come less than a year after New Zealand ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“Mr. Hide’s comments go against at least 5 of the UN Convention’s 8 guiding principles. This is an embarrassment for the Government. New Zealand has long been seen as a leader in disability rights and these comments represent a huge step backwards,” says Viv Maidaborn.

Rodney Hide’s comments aside, CCS Disability Action agrees that building regulations need to be made easier for all New Zealanders.

“For a long time building designs have excluded disabled people. Up and down the country there are homes, workplaces, shopping malls and community resources like libraries that are off limits to disabled people because they aren’t accessible,” adds Viv Maidaborn.

CCS Disability Action has been active in this area setting up an organisation to tackle this very problem. Represented by former Consumers Institute CEO David Russell, Lifemark, aims to promote building designs that feature usability, adaptability, accessibility, inclusion and lifetime value without significant costs.

“This isn’t just about one workplace at a fixed point in time. A building that is made accessible for disabled people is also going to be useful for big people, families with pushchairs, elderly people with limited mobility and anyone who has ever picked up an injury playing rugby,” adds Viv Maidaborn.

This is a press release from CCS Disability Action

It really is a disappointing pricing policy, in my opinion. So many other venues, for both sport and other forms of entertainment, offer discounted wheelchair tickets or a buy-one-get-one-free policy, as more often than not wheelchair users have to bring a friend or support person of some description. At $350/ticket (which is what Eric Clapton’s wheelchair-using fans were asked to fork out), it makes a good night out roll in at around $700, not to mention taxis/food/drink.

What are your thoughts? Should the govt legislate that all entertainment venues must provide discounted ticketing options for disabled patrons? Leave a comment below.

On Thursday the 14th of August, there will be a pre-election forum with all of the political leaders who will shape the future of the disability sector in Auckland. Representatives from Labour, National, NZ First, United Future, and the Maori party will be in attendance, all there to discuss the topic:

What support will Auckland Disability Providers receive from a Government led by your Party?

Anyway, the details are:

When: Thursday 14th August, 2008 @ 1:30pm
Where: Barrycourt Hotel and Conference Centre, Parnell

If you or your organisation would like to attend, or have any questions you would like to be put to the MPs, please send an email to info@adpn.org.nz, who will be happy to answer any further questions.

Should be an “interesting” afternoon!