Kia ora
Register for the Back to the Future! Access Alliance 2021 International Day of People with Disabilities Webinar and join the discussion with David Lepofsky, Áine Kelly-Costello and other disability rights trailblazers, this Friday 3 December at 9:00am.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Four years on from the launch of the Access Matters Campaign, and our nationwide speaking tour featuring renowned Canadian lawyer and disability advocate David Lepofsky, we reflect on where we are now and where need to get to.
Where are we now?
On 29 October, Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Disability Issues announced that the Government will introduce accessibility legislation into Parliament by July 2022. The announcement is a milestone for everyone involved with the Access Matters Campaign, and a positive first step. See the Accelerating Accessibility Cabinet paper on the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) website for more information.
“Five out of thirteen ain’t all that flash!”
We’ve carefully looked at what the Government is proposing. Our initial assessment is that their legislation, as currently outlined, will partially deliver on only five of the 13 Principles that the Access Alliance wants to see in a future bill. These principles are based on what you have told us you need and want.
What do we need to do now?
The theme for the 2021 International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD) is:
“Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”
We can all be part of insisting that the new accessibility law will do what we need it to do. Join me for a very important online discussion as we reconnect with David Lepofsky, Áine Kelly-Costello and other disability rights trailblazers, to brainstorm what leadership and participation in the creation of an inclusive, accessible and sustainable future means for us all.
Date: Friday 3 December
Time: 9.00 - 10.00am
Registration: https://blindlowvision.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErf-6qrzgrHtR2drdp2A_fB5Ugx8y9a0SR
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing information about joining the meeting. The webinar will be interpreted into NZSL and have captions.
Now is the time for us to stand united, with our passion ignited, ready to do whatever it takes to get the change we need.
Ngā mihi nui
Juliana Carvalho