walking . is . overrated

So I’m on my way to University in the rain this morning, and I’m thinking, “Oh great, I’ll park right outside the AUT tower so I won’t get too wet”. Well, bugger me when I see four disabled/mobility parks cordoned off, emblazoned with massive Telecom NZ logos, in preparation for their big XT brand launch […]

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Interesting piece this. Taken from The Aucklander
“Sorry lass, we can’t pull up outside. We’ve had to park 200m that way,” says the driver to the woman in the wheelchair.
Pushing and pulling the wheelchair over kerbs past the disabled parking spots, the driver manages to help his disabled customer to the van. It happens all the […]

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Here’s an interesting conundrum that a lot of able-bodied people struggle with.
How “helpful” should one be towards a disabled person, without appearing to be condescending, or patronising?
Every now and then you might see a wheelchair user struggling up a curb or a step. Do you offer to help, and risk offending him/her, or do you […]

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Cassi sent me this sweet little poem from the perspective of someone who is deafblind, and I thought I’d post it up here Cheers Cass!
TALKING HANDS
Graceful movements
expressions are relayed
many languages are involved
Hand on hand, block letter, braille sign
Deaf, Deafblind and Hearing alike
Mothers, Fathers, Interpreters
Sign Language, Talking Hands

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Ah, if only all mobility parks were put to such practical uses, this sort of discussion would be completely unnecessary!
Ha.

Cheers to Matt from CCS Disability Action for the great pic!

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Following on from the discussion regarding the overzealous clamping of cars displaying mobility parking permits, Matt sent me a few pics detailing his latest encounter. While Matt admits his permit had expired, he says he had no idea, and was never sent a reminder notice, despite CCS Disability Action finding it within themselves to send […]

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Lately I’ve been getting all kinds of reports regarding overzealous parking wardens clamping/towing cars showing a valid mobility permit for almost no reason at all, or because the permit was “partially obscured”. Have you any experiences you wish to share? Also, have a read of the story below (and note the way the reporter describes […]

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I’ve written about Auckland’s Re-Li-On-Us Mobility Taxis before, who are - in my humble opinion - the best mobility taxi option around, but as part of our latest iPod competition, here are Saphiya’s thoughts…

They have a toll-free number - 0800 025 999
I especially liked the service as it was appreciating and was naturally friendly.
ARTA’s Total […]

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I’m sure many of you have seen the latest ad from Land Transport New Zealand, promoting cars with side airbags as helping to prevent brain injury during a crash. What you might not have realised, however, is that the woman in the advertisement is actually an Australian actress. Admittedly, she is very convincing, but is […]

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Well mark this down in the ‘never-thought-it’d-happen’ file, but a bloke over in the UK has built the world’s first motorbike designed specifically for wheelchair users, and boy is it impressive. The bike is actually being shipped over here and donated to the CatWalk Trust, to be auctioned off to raise funds for spinal cord […]

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