Voices of the disabled need to be heard

Our voices need to be heard is the cry from New Zealanders with lived experience of disability to the announcement that National Radio is replacing Mike Gourley with two non-disabled producers of the OneinFive programme.

DPA NZ Chief Executive Rachel Noble says her organisation has been inundated with members complaining that the “much respected” Mike Gourley is being replaced by non-disabled producers for the only dedicated radio programme focussing on disability issues in New Zealand.

Ms Noble says the insights Mike Gourley brought to OneinFive as a person who has lived experience of disability could not be underestimated.
“Mike’s involvement has always meant the disability voice could be heard and understood.”

She acknowledges the two producers are experienced journalists but feels receiving some training around disability issues can not replace any lived experience.

“The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and New Zealand’s own Disability Strategy place an emphasis on persons with disabilities having the opportunity to be actively involved in decision-making processes about policies and programmes, including those directly concerning them.”

Ms Noble says DPA members liken the situation to that of having a non-Maori producing a Maori programme.
“It just wouldn’t happen.”

Ms Noble is hopeful National Radio will listen to the disability community and continue an excellent programme with people living with disability at the forefront.

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