<Day Date Month Year>

Dear <Name>, <Political Party> Member of Parliament for <Electorate> / <List MP>

[If the MP is a Minister: Dear Minister <Surname>]

My name is <Your Name>. I am a member of your electorate in <your electorate / suburb>. I am also a person with <disability/access need> / who is an ally to the disabled community / who is a carer for a disabled person and have been since <year> / birth.

We all want to live in a country where every New Zealander can fully participate in society. Back in 2018, the Government committed to creating a fully accessible Aotearoa New Zealand through Accessibility Legislation. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation in the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill falls well short of what New Zealanders need and deserve.

The legislation framework we want has five key ingredients:

1. Accessibility legislation
2. Access standards
3. Independent regulation
4. A notification and barrier identification process
5. An effective dispute resolution process.

I am asking you to show your support for #AccessLawRightNow by:

1. Highlighting the fact that the proposed legislation falls short of the requirements of people with access needs
2. Persuading your parliamentary colleagues to redraft the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill to include, at the very least, standards for accessibility.

We have a chance to make history. Please don’t let this opportunity pass by. Getting this law right has huge potential for addressing issues of equality, social cohesion and economic growth, but the consequences of getting it wrong will take decades to unwind.

I am requesting a meeting with you to discuss Accessibility Legislation in further detail. Please reply to me at <email address> / <phone number> / <postal address>.

Warmest regards 

<Your Full Name>

Access Matters Campaigner