News Release
September 2nd, 2009

Bring the barriers down, leaders challenged

A new report challenges a number of leading Auckland organisations, to tackle barriers that get in the way for 77,000 disabled Aucklanders.

The report shows that disabled people could play a bigger part in the city if barriers were removed in public spaces, services and buildings, transport and communications, work and study.

About half of disabled Auckland adults have personal incomes of less than $20,000 so increased employment and training opportunities are important for them. Reliable personal support services are also crucial.

The report will be officially launched on Thursday September 3 at AUT where the Minister for Disability Issues, the Hon Tariana Turia, will speak.

The Minister greatly welcomes the initiative taken by the Auckland City Council, Auckland District Health Board, Waitakere City Council and AUT University Local Government Centre, in providing a snapshot of life for disabled Aucklanders.

The Step Up Auckland: Decision-makers getting it right for disabled Aucklanders report provides evidence about some of the key issues and aspirations of disabled Aucklanders. It has been brought together by representatives of the Auckland City Council, Auckland District Health Board, Waitakere City Council and AUT University’s Institute of Public Policy.

The report found that disabled Aucklanders love Auckland and they want to contribute more actively to the social and economic fabric of the city. Step Up Auckland challenges decision-makers in key public agencies to help make that happen.

Improvements can be as simple as insisting on buildings and footpaths that work well for everyone, including the elderly and parents pushing prams. It can mean using communications processes that let everyone have their say and take part in projects to improve the wellbeing of all Aucklanders. It is often the simple things like confident, comfortable service by front-line staff.

Researchers were surprised to hear from participants that having a qualification was not enough on its own to guarantee increased income. Further research is needed, including a closer focus on particular parts of the city where improvements are being made.

The report also found:
• Getting around the city is still problematic for disabled Aucklanders because of barriers in transport, the built environment and public spaces.
• Support services play a critical and fundamental role in many disabled people’s lives and the quality of those disability support services remains a significant concern. The quality and reliability of personal support services can ‘make or break’ securing a job, undertaking study opportunities or other necessary economic and social commitments
• Local employers need to understand that hiring disabled people will in fact attract high-calibre, loyal employees.

With a rapidly ageing population and disability on the increase, there is even more pressure on city leaders to plan for the thousands of disabled people who want to live, work and play in Auckland now and in the future.

On Thursday September 3, the Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for Disability Issues, will officially receive the report and speak at the report’s launch hosted by AUT.

ENDS

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