Hauatanga
...Disabled People with Authority!
Newsletter of
Whanganui Disability Resources Centre
October 2011
New Disability Commissioner at Human Rights Commission
Highly regarded disability advocate Paul Gibson chose to start his job as the first
Human Rights Commissioner with responsibilities for disability issues on 26
September, the day, three years ago, when New Zealand ratified the UN Convention
on the Rights of Persons with disabilities. In his new role Paul is charged with
advocating for the rights of disabled people.“I’d hope that in the years to come more
people realise the significance of this day. It’s the day we accepted that the one in
five New Zealanders with a disability have a voice backed by international law that
says they are part of the mainstream and should expect to share the same rights and
responsibilities as any New Zealander.”
Paul has a Masters degree in Public Policy, a degree in physics and grew up on a
farm in Taranaki. He has a sight impairment. A past president of the Disabled
Persons Assembly (DPA), Paul was involved in the work of international NGOs
advocating for the convention. Complaints to the Human Rights Commission on the
grounds of disability continue to be the largest single ground of complaint. “That’s not
good enough”, says Paul. “There’s new impetus in New Zealand, driven by the
Disability Convention to make sure New Zealanders with disabilities have equal
opportunity to take part in all aspects of life and society”.
Wendy Neilson, President of DPA, says that the creation of a Disability Commission
is a major development in realising the human rights for disabled people. She says
that having someone with a lived experience of disability is critical to the role in
advocating for the human rights of disabled people. Minister Tariana Turia said at the
Powhiri to welcome Paul in to his new role “I expect and invite Paul to be
courageous; to be free and frank with us all about how well we are doing in
addressing some of the challenges that disabled persons face.”
Disability Information web site www.weka.net.nz
Weka is New Zealand's disability information web site, for disabled people, their families, whanau and
caregivers, health professionals and disability information providers.
Editorial
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Soon the Rugby World Cup will be over and the only thing between us and the end
of the year will be the Election! Will you vote? If you need information about voting
and the electoral process the Electoral Commission has produced a number of good
resources to assist disabled people to learn more about how the system works and
what the referendum about the voting system means (See page 5). Now is the time
to give some thought to who you will vote for. Who do you think will offer disabled
people the best outcomes? There may be changes to the benefits system but which
parties are choosing to be creative? How can we increase the number of disabled
people in employment?
This month there is also a new opportunity to let Wanganui District Council know
your views on local issues. They are inviting people to become part of a text focus
group. If you have a mobile phone and this interests you see page 5 for further
information. Marian
Gym Access in Whanganui
The old UCOL gym is under new management and has reopened as “Inspire” Gym.
This is one of the few accessible gyms in Wanganui. Disabled people are welcome
to join “Inspire” but the gym has not yet been able to employ a trainer who would be
dedicated to their needs. If you are disabled and wish to use the facilities at “Inspire”
you need to have a support person with you at the gym. A group is looking to try and
see if it is possible to recruit a trainer qualified to support disabled people who could
work in the gym, but they need to know how many people would attend “Inspire” and
require the assistance of such a trainer. If you have a disability, previously used
UCOL qym and would be interested in beginning again or if you, or someone you
know, has a disability and would like to use of “Inspire” please contact Carol or Mary
at the Multiple Sclerosis Society, phone 06 345 2336 or email
mswanganui@xtra.co.nz
Fire Safety in the Home
It really feels like spring has arrived at last with warmer temperatures and longer
evenings. The clocks have gone forward and with it the reminder that we check the
batteries in our smoke alarms. It is important that we all feel safe in our homes, but
for some disabled or elderly people checking their smoke alarms and changing
batteries can be difficult. We can’t all climb a step ladder to reach the smoke alarm.
Did you know that the Fire Service will come and check your smoke alarms and
replace batteries for free? You will need to provide the batteries. They will also install
smoke alarms but again you will need to purchase these yourself. At the same time
the firemen can also answer any questions you may have about fires safety or
potential fire hazards in your home. Call Wanganui Fire Station on 348 0103.
The Whanganui Region Disability Strategy One Year On
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The Whanganui Region Disability Strategy was launched a year ago by the Hon.
Tariana Turia on the 22nd October. It is good to report that there has been some
progress towards achieving some of the 15 Goals of the Strategy even if they are
small steps.
One action for Goal 1 “Disabled people are highly valued and participate fully in all
aspects of life in the Whanganui Region” and also for Goal 2 “The rights of disabled
people are understood, respected and protected by everyone” was to re-establish
the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) to advocate for the rights of disabled people
and to take a lead role in monitoring the Strategy. DPA is now meeting again in
Whanganui on a regular basis and new members are welcome.
Another action for Goal 2 was to Provide training for disabled people to be self
advocates. People First New Zealand is a self advocacy organisation run by and for
people with a learning disability. This year People First Whanganui has run a 40 hour
course over 20 weeks for 9 people with learning disabilities to promote leadership
and self advocacy. This was very successful.
The provision of accessible transport options to enable disabled people to participate
fully in community life was an action point for Goal 8 “Disabled people have a choice
of lifestyle and accommodation options and can participate fully in the life of the
community in the Whanganui Region”. Early next year all Wanganui Tranzit buses
will be wheelchair accessible.
Access to culturally appropriate services for Pacific Peoples is an action point for
Goal 12 “Disabled Pacific people participate in the community in the Whanganui
region and access cultural responsive services”. The Frangipani Pan Pasifica of
Whanganui Trust was recently established to support the Pacific peoples in
Whanganui to access services. Many Pacifica people in Wanganui are unaware of
how to obtain services including disability supports. For more information about the
Trust email Silo on silo.naqasima@gmail.com
It is good to learn of Wanganui District Council’s new Home Library Service (see
below) since this, along with the mobile library, improves access to library books and
resources and contributes to Goal 9 “Disabled people have equal access to
recreational and cultural activities in the Whanganui region.”
There is still much to be achieved so that the Whanganui Region becomes a more
inclusive community where the rights of disabled people are recognised and
respected. We will continue to report on how the Strategy is being implemented in
the Whanganui Region. If you have information about how the goals of the Strategy
are being achieved then please let me know so that we can publicise them. Phone
Marian on 06 347 1176 or email mariand@whanganuidrc.org.nz.
Wanganui Library Home Service
Can’t access the library? Let the library bring books to you.
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The Library Home Service provides items from the library to your door for free, kindly
delivered by volunteers. If you have a disability that prevents you going to the library,
or have had a recent operation, or have decreasing mobility due to age or illness you
may be eligible for this service. If you think the Home Service could benefit you or
someone you know please contact Carol Tong on 349 3203
Disabled People Urged to “Get Ready and Vote”
Having a say on election day is the right of all New Zealanders,” says Chief Electoral Officer
Robert Peden. “On November 26, not only will New Zealand be voting for the politicians and
political parties who will lead the country, we’ll also be voting on the system we use to
choose those politicians, so getting informed is more important than ever. The goal of the
Electoral Commission is to make sure that everyone gets the information they need, (to vote)
in the way that best works for them.” To this end a range of resources have been produced
by the Electoral Commission to support disabled people.
Resources for the vision-impaired
The Electoral Commission has been working closely with the Royal New Zealand
Foundation of the Blind to produce information about the Election and Referendum in
accessible formats. For more information or to access these resources (including large print
and braille formats), see www.rnzfb.org.nz/members/useful-resources/2011-general-
election-and-referendum-brochures For more information about obtaining a copy in
accessible formats please email: general@rnzfb.org.nz or call 0800 24 33 33.
Resources for Deaf people
A DVD resource “Voting for Deaf New Zealanders” has been developed. This is fully signed
in New Zealand Sign Language, and subtitled in English. The DVD “Referendum on the
Voting System: is subtitled in English and Maori. Hard copies of both DVDs can be ordered
from the Electoral Commission (details at foot of page). You can also watch the NZSL video
on Youtube.
Plain English Guides
Plain English guides introduce enrolling and voting in the 2011 General Election and
Referendum on the Voting System in simple, everyday language. They are suitable for those
with reading difficulties, English as a second language, schools, libraries and community
groups.
Resources for People with a Learning or Intellectual Disability
A new DVD resource has been produced called “Get Ready to Vote”. It gives good
information about why we vote and how to vote. The section on the referendum about the
voting system is particularly well done. The new DVD follows a group of friends as they learn
about New Zealand’s government, find out where to get the information they need to make
their choices, and experience enrolling and voting.
For further information about these resources and to order copies go to the Electoral
Commission website http://www.elections.org.nz.
Cerebral Palsy Society NZ
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NEW getPhysical Programme
Cerebral Palsy NZ is offering its members an opportunity to maintain, or improve, their
physical ability and fitness. Vouchers are supplied up to the value of $500 to successful
applicants. The vouchers are for physical activities such as gym fees, physio sessions, yoga
classes, rehab clinics etc. The vouchers cannot be used to purchase equipment or for
medical purposes (i.e. massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, doctors visits, etc). The user
must be an active participant (not passive). For more information Phone: 0800 503 603,
email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz. wwww.cpsociety.org.nz
Television Going Digital Should Improve
Services to Hearing and Sight Impaired People
Digital TV should bring an improvement in television services to people with hearing or sight
impairments as digital TV makes it easier for broadcasters to provide subtitling for people
with hearing impairments and audio description for people with sight impairments as well as
services such as onscreen TV guides. Almost 8 in 10 New Zealand homes are already
watching digital television and benefiting from these additional features.
If you already watch Freeview or SKY, you have already gone digital. If not, you will need a
set-top box that plugs into either a UHF aerial or a satellite dish, depending on where you
live. Freeview is the free-to-air digital TV service, while Sky provides digital TV for a monthly
fee. Digital TV will also provide better pictures, more channels and extra features like an on-
screen TV guide. New Zealand will be going digital between September 2012 and December
2013, with Manawatu and Whanganui changing for good on 29 September 2013.
Robin Winter, is the Going Digital Manawatu and Whanganui Community Adviser. She can
be contacted on 027 540 2314 or by emailing robin.winter@goingdigital.co.nz. There is also
a free-phone helpline on 0800 838 800 and a website, www.goingdigital.co.nz. You can also
ask your local retailer for advice and information on what is the best option for you.
Join the Council’s Feedback Community
Wanganui District Council is taking part in an innovative trial in community consultation
through the Texsys cellphone database system. This is a real-time, any-time method for the
public to have its say on a host of key issues and, best of all, it's free!
How does it work?
When you free text the word "Wanganui" to 5002 your details will be added to the council’s
community feedback database.
You will receive a confirmation text welcoming you to the council's feedback community.
When council wants feedback on a particular issue it will send a text to all registered users
seeking their input – you can pick and choose the topics you respond to based on your
interests and your reply. Texts you reply to will always be free.
Every response received will be entered into a regular prize draw. This is an opportunity to
ensure that all sectors of the community are represented in the decision-making process in a
way that makes best use of modern technology. This is a six-month trial. So if you want to
join this feedback community, text "Wanganui" to 5002 now.
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DPA Whanganui
Next meeting: Tuesday 8th November 1pm to 3pm
At Whanganui Disability Resources Centre, 28 Churton St Wanganui. All welcome.
For more information phone 06 347 1176 or 0800 780 654 or email:
wdrc@whanganuidrc.org.nz
Crohn’s and Colitis NZ Support Group
Next meeting Thursday 24th November 5pm to 6pm
All Saints Church Hall 70 Moana St Wanganui
Guest speaker Dr Gerard Bonnet (Surgeon).
“Surgical Procedures for Crohn’s and Colitis”
For more information contact Jane on (06) 343 8700 or Marian at Whanganui
Disability Resources Centre (06) 347 1176 or 0800 789 654
Email: Whanganui@crohnsandcolitis.org.nz www.crohnsandcolitis.org.nz
Age Concern Wanganui
Expo 4 info
Find Discover Learn Enjoy
Friday 4th November 2011
10 am to 3 pm
Wanganui Race Course
Free Entry
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