Enact Robust Legislation for Accessible Housing and Built Environments
Why this petition matters
A fully inclusive society recognises, and values disabled people as equal participants. Housing and the built environment significantly impact the quality of life for people with disabilities, enabling them to live independently and participate fully in society.
Worldwide, there is a movement to provide better access to housing and public buildings for those with access needs. Accordingly, legislation and best practices have become excellent in countries such as the USA, Japan, and Sweden. Unfortunately, Aotearoa New Zealand does not rank among these countries.
Aotearoa New Zealand is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), but we are certainly not in compliance.
There have been sporadic attempts to modernize our legislation, and we now have a network of laws, standards, and regulations that are neither coherent nor adequate. There is also no clear means of enforcing accessibility requirements. Specifically, the problem has not been laid conveniently before the legislators with a clear way forward. Consequently, the problem has been recognised but not solved.
Aotearoa New Zealand has an international reputation for innovation, and it should strive to earn a reputation for inclusivity while benefiting from increased tourism.
We respectfully submit this plea, seeking redress for the current deplorable situation. We list nine actions that can be taken to achieve these aims. It is wise practice to introduce these changes gradually over time.
These measures will not only improve the quality of life for the 1.1 million New Zealanders with disabilities and our growing aging population but also create a more equitable society for all.
- Update the Building Code and relevant standards so that accessibility and Universal Design are mandatory in all social housing.
- Revise the Building Code to create an accessibility standard for new homes (equivalent to Lifemark 3-Star). This would bring New Zealand in line with new build standards already introduced in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
- Revise the Building Code to provide coherent and clearly defined accessibility standards for all of the built environment.
- Provide incentives, such as government subsidies, for builders, developers, and councils to improve accessibility.
- Ensure that local councils have the resources and authority to enforce accessibility requirements in their districts.
- Implement “Changing Places” (fully accessible public bathroom) facilities throughout New Zealand.
- Provide a mechanism for enforcing compliance by adding accessibility assurance into the Building Warrant of Fitness, similarly to how fire safety is mandated.
- Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of accessibility and Universal Design.
- Provide training and resources for architects, builders, and planners to foster a culture of inclusivity in the building industry.
It is neither wise nor desirable that Aotearoa New Zealand should lag so far behind world leaders in an area that is so important to so many of our citizens.
The Access Matters movement includes professionals with expertise in this area who would be pleased to provide clear steps toward improving accessibility in New Zealand’s buildings.
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