International Day of Persons with Disabilities at ZEALANDIA

International Day of Persons with Disabilities at ZEALANDIA

Wellington, NZ - Ask those involved in the New Zealand disability sector about the use of the word ‘disability’ and most will say it is a word that conjures up negative connotations and is often misused to represent the 24 per cent of our population, a figure based on the Statistics New Zealand findings (2013).

The Hutt Valley Disabled Resources Trust (HVDRT) is all too familiar with the stigmatism around “disabilities” and has opted to concentrate their focus from just supporting adults with physical, intellectual, neurological and sensory impairments — to supporting whole communities into becoming more inclusive.

The 3rd of December marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and this year six HVDRT service users who have a vocational interest in tourism and/or native birds and animals have been given an opportunity be ‘visitor guides’ for a day at Karori wildlife sanctuary, Zealandia. Zealandia is a ground-breaking, community-driven eco-restoration project and education facility, and a must-see visitor attraction for all ages.

Zealandia is celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities by promoting and encouraging inclusive communities to come and visit and what better way is there to experience a fantastic day at Zealandia, than to have a member of your own community be your guide?

In preparation to be a visitor guide, the HVDRT service users had a training day earlier in the week, where nature enthusiast Jason Taylor commented, “I was caught by surprise when the kākā flew in between us. They would have to be my favourite bird there and everyone should get to see them. I think I will be a good visitor guide because there are so many interesting birds I can show people.”

At one point during the visitor guides’ training day, trainee Kirstina Forrest believed she had the kākā bird’s call down pact and proceeded to demonstrate loudly, which prompted the rest of the team to try their hand at kākā calling — all together … at once. After the sudden silence from trees, it was decided by all to leave the bird calls to the birds.

Zealandia is open every day except Christmas, from 9am to 5pm. More information can be found on their website at www.visitzealandia.com

ENDS

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