Need for access legislation that delivers

Deaf Action NZ calls on the Minister for Disability Issues to commit to accessibility legislation in the near future. Today the Access Alliance is presenting the Minister with stories that highlight access issues experienced by Deaf and disabled people.

Many of the access issues experienced by Deaf and hard of hearing people are being addressed in an ad hoc manner across a range of issues including buildings, transport, information and services.

Currently Deaf Action is engaged in several conversations about visual fire alarms in public locations, access to elections, civil defence emergencies, access to health services, housing issues and employment barriers. This is time consuming and not as effective as it could be.

Kim Robinson, Chair of Deaf Action says ‘we cannot hide any more, we cannot deny that Deaf and disabled people need real access in New Zealand with legislation that delivers’. The government needs to activate a plan of action to work with disabled people to design a robust comprehensive Act to ensure our community can fully participate in the workplace and within the community. In doing this the economy would increase by an estimated $862 million.

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