News

It’s time for access legislation: Let’s make 2020 the year we advance human rights.

John Mulka, Blind & Low Vision NZ Chief Executive, shares his observations from Canada and casts fresh eyes over our state of play.

The annual International Day of People with Disabilities was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. The Day was to promote the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life; political, social, economic and cultural.

“It’s time for legislation”. This was the resounding message that Dianne Rogers, the Campaign Coordinator of the Access Alliance, shared at the #AccessLaw2020 Action Forum. Rogers put voice to a shared desire among various businesses, organisations and community groups the Access Alliance met with. The purpose was to discuss how they could implement accessibility for those with access needs.

As a voice for young people with disabilities, the Cerebral Palsy Youth Alliance launched a ‘Code of Freedoms’ campaign last year that reinforces the freedoms that every individual with a disability has the right to enjoy, choose or have. You can read more about the codes at: https://cerebralpalsy.org.nz/cerebral-palsy-youth-alliance-launches-freedoms-project/

We’re calling for the introduction of an Accessibility Act in 2020 and we need your voice! 

Check out our social media toolkit and message MP's directly from our social media action page. 

Grace Stratton, Accessibility advocate and founder of fashion website All Is For All opened the 2019 NZ Fashion Week with a stunning address. NZ Fashion Week included models with access needs and had forum on diversity and inclusion. In declaring New Zealand Fashion Week 2019 officially open, Grace showed that people with access needs and disability are making a difference to our diverse and sustainable fashion industry.

Media Release: The Access Alliance

Accessibility advocate, Mary Fisher, in collaboration with the Access Alliance and the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, have launched a photo library to encourage the public to notice access barriers in our everyday lives.

Countdown Hawera has re-opened its doors today as the country’s first ‘Be. Accessible’ accredited supermarket, after a significant refurbishment put mobility and accessibility at the heart of the store’s redesign.

Access Matters Advocates gathered to learn about the experience of creating accessibility law in Canada. David Lepofsky, leading Canadian disability rights lawyer, activist and advocate, who has advised on accessibility legislation for over 25 years, addressed the meeting as the Blind Foundation's international guest and as a strategic advisor to The Access Alliance.