5 September 2017

Accessibility and Inclusiveness Panel ready to go

Hutt City Council’s call for qualified and capable people to represent the disability community on city issues has attracted some valuable talent.

The seven Lower Hutt people, recently chosen to serve on Hutt City Council’s Accessibility and Inclusiveness Panel, bring with them an impressive depth and breadth of experience of disability and community work.

The panel will advise councillors on issues that directly affect the disability community, such as the accessibility and usability of Council services and facilities, access to public transport and outdoor spaces and how to make getting around the city easier for those with a disability. The panel will be central to implementing and meeting the objectives of Council’s Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027.

Council Divisional Manager Strategy and Planning Wendy Moore says, given that an estimated 24,400 Lower Hutt residents have a disability, the panel provides an especially relevant and important perspective on designing and implementing services, facilities and infrastructure.

The group’s collective experience covers a range of impairments including visual, motor function and mobility, intellectual and developmental. Some members have worked on several community and disability groups and one panel member provided accessibility advice to Council on the design of the Koraunui Stokes Valley Community Hub.

Panel members are:
Stewart Sexton
Genevieve MacLaughlin
Paul Gruschow
Alexa Masina
Jenna Maguren
Jim Shiels
Lois Ledingham

ends

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