Bites: June and July 2002

Human Rights

DPA believes that people with disabilities have equal rights to those of all other people in New Zealand society, including the right to participate in all aspects of economic, social and political life. These rights must be protected by the Human Rights Act (1993).

Deaf relay service a coup for Victoria

DPA National Executive Committee member, Victoria Manning, scored a major coup for the deaf community last month when the government agreed to ensure that a telephone relay service would be established by the end of this year.

Provision of the new service, expected to cost about $2 million, will end a seven year battle for Victoria and Kim Robinson, as well as others in the deaf community, who complained to the Human Rights Commission in 1995 that failure to provide a voice / text relay service was discrimination under the Human Rights Act.

The new service will be established as a Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO) under the Telecommunications Act 2001 which requires telecommunications companies to provide services that are defined as TSOs.

The service will give the estimated 420,000 speech impaired, hearing impaired and deaf people in New Zealand access to telephone services.

Human Rights Commissioner Warren Lindberg said the relay decision was a signal that measures to ensure equality for marginalised groups had to be recognised as fundamental human rights.

This is a practical step that will enable a significant number of New Zealanders to participate more fully in society.

Communications Minister, Paul Swain, expects the Ministries of Economic Development, Health, and Social Development, will develop a detailed description of the relay service, in consultation with the disability community and telecommunications industry, and report back to the government by late October.

Robyn Hunt — HR Commissioner

Long time DPA member and disability advocate, Robyn Hunt, has been appointed a Human Rights Commissioner.

Robyn has 20 years of experience knocking down the barriers to human rights and equity, most significantly related to employment equality and disability. She was co-chair of the Disability Strategy sector reference group and has been president of Workbridge Inc. For her services to people with disabilities Robyn was last year made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Other Human Rights Commissioners are: legal practitioner, Joy Liddicoat; Warren Lindberg; Merimeri Penfold; Michael Powles. Former district court judge, Robert Hesketh, is director of proceeds; Royden Hindle, is chair of the review tribunal. Rosslyn Noonan is chief commissioner.

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