MEDIA RELEASE
7 September 2007

Collaborative resource set to wake up Councils

Seven not-for-profit organisations have come together to educate and generate awareness about disability issues. A new publication called ‘Inclusive Communities’, has been produced by the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) and CCS Disability Action in partnership with five other organisations: People First New Zealand, IHC, Central Potential Inc, Workbridge and the Deaf Association of New Zealand.

‘Inclusive Communities’ is a resource for councils and district health boards (DHBs), to help ensure the issues of disability are considered and included in local government decision making. Councillors and candidates need a good working knowledge of disability issues; if both are well informed on disability issues it helps strengthen the voice of the disability community.

“Disabled people, their families and whanau are a considerable constituency and all decisions made by councils impact on them”, says Gary Williams, DPA CEO. “For far too long, most of the impact has been negative because we haven’t been consulted.”

Members of the disability community need to be consulted by councils when decisions affecting them are being made. For this reason the ‘Inclusive Communities’ publication is also an important and influential political tool. Voters can use the document to become familiar with issues of disability, and to help identify candidates who are informed and have fair disability policies.

“Disabled people are 20 percent of the population and when families and other networks are factored in, that’s a huge voting power. Savvy candidates need to make us feel included and considered in their campaigns,” says Mr Williams.

The booklet will support councils and DHBs to have closer partnerships with disabled people and their families, leading to a more inclusive society for all New Zealanders. The publication highlights specific ways councils and DHBs can achieve this: by improving consultation between the disability community and local government; providing accessible and properly equipped public transport, and by making disability awareness training mandatory for New Zealand staff.

Peter Wilson, CCS Disability Action National Development Manager, stresses its value. “‘Inclusive Communities’ provides clear and expert information on the issues of disability, and is a must-have resource for all New Zealand decision makers”.

ENDS

REQUEST A COPY
To order copies of 'Inclusive Communities' please email gen@dpa.org.nz or ring 04 801 9100
DOWNLOAD
Click here to download a PDF copy
Click here to download a Word copy

For further information contact:

Peter Wilson
National Development Manger
CCS Disability Action
TEL 027 292 1922
peter.wilson@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
Or
Gary Williams
CEO DPA
TEL 04 801 9100
gary@dpa.org.nz

CCS Disability Action Background Information
CCS Disability Action works in partnership with disabled people, their families, and whanau; ensuring equality of opportunity, quality of life, and by helping to create environments of inclusion.

CCS Disability Action exists to make a difference for disabled people, their families, and whanau by removing barriers to participation, and by offering support to disabled people to access all opportunities in their communities. New Zealand is made up of disabled people, their families, and whanau; CCS Disability Action aims to assist all people who face barriers on the basis of disability.

Reflecting the commitment in the New Zealand Disability Strategy: “Making A World of Difference“ [Minister for Disability Issues, April 2001], CCS Disability Action’s work aims to develop an environment in New Zealand that provides disabled people with the same rights, choices, opportunities and safeguards as other citizens.

CCS Disability Action operates with a National Office and regional management structure, providing services nationally from 16 incorporated societies. We deliver regular services to over 6,000 people with disabilities, making us one of the largest disability support service providers in New Zealand. CCS Disability Action works closely with other disability agencies to ensure we make best use of shared knowledge and resources, helping us to adopt best practice across the sector.