DPA

DPA Press Release 27/02/13

The rail accident in Auckland that saw a wheelchair user seriously injured should be a wake up for local body governments, says DPA New Zealand.

DPA CEO Rachel Noble believes the accident at Morningside Station where the woman’s wheelchair got caught on the tracks is the result of lack of engagement with disabled people. “This woman was out being a normal person in the community, but due to lack of foresight by planners became a victim of guesswork.” Ms Noble says.

She feels local body governments need to engage better with the disability community when they are planning and implementing changes, and then should be having continued input through monitoring of those implementations.

“If they don’t include us in this, we will continue to be second class citizens in our own communities.”

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