Bites: August September 2003
Drafting a United Nations Disability Convention
The need for a convention to promote and protect the rights and dignities of people with disabilities was discussed in June, at the second session of the United Nations (UN) Ad Hoc committee in New York.
Gary Williams, DPA Chief Executive, was a member of the NZ Government’s delegation.
Other delegation members were Jan Scown and Tessa Thompson (Office for Disability Issues), Robyn Hunt (Human Rights Commission), former DPA Chief Executive Dave Henderson and two officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
Gary says, "The delegation attended the meeting because Government decided New Zealand would take a leading role in the development of a convention. As an integral part of the delegation, Dave and I were able to ensure that disabled New Zealanders had an influence over what our Government wanted to achieve.
"The first outcome was to ensure that the UN moved on from talking about a ‘proposed’ convention to actually committing itself to drafting one. This was resolved in the first week where the general consensus amongst the countries was that a convention was needed.
"During the second week many hours were spent negotiating a Decision (what should happen next) to be adopted by the Ad hoc committee. The negotiations were closed to everybody except country delegates. I attended these negotiations briefly because the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) were meeting simultaneously and I thought it was more useful to have a handle on what they wanted in a final Decision. Without a formal presence in the negotiations, the NGOs had to rely on country delegates like myself, to articulate what they wanted. As a result the NZ delegation supported and lobbied for the NGOs position, especially in terms of having disabled people as equal and active participants in any future convention deliberations.
"The Decision that was passed said basically that:
- the UN would draft a legally-binding convention, and
- a working group comprising 27 Governments, 12 disabled people and one human rights expert, would be set up to develop an initial draft.
"After the working group completes its task in January, their draft will be circulated so that countries and NGOs have at least three months to consult before the next session of the Ad hoc committee. It is at that session where elements of the convention will be negotiated.
"The draft convention will be circulated among DPA members for consultation during that three month period.
"A fine line was trodden between success and failure and the skill of the Chairman of the Ad hoc committee to get the Decision adopted by all the countries present was impressive. The decision was adopted half an hour over time on the last day. All the language interpreters had gone, the microphones were off and the lights and airconditioning were about to be turned off.
"Even at that point, a single country could have objected and that would have wasted the two weeks and put the process back by a year or two.
"Thankfully, we are moving forward."
The Building Act review
A review of the Building Act was launched about four years ago, but the leaky building syndrome has made the review a Government priority.
Currently a new Building Act bill is about to be released for select committee consideration.
DPA President Bill Wrightson says DPA has made a number of submissions as part of the four year review process.
These are that:
- the disability access requirements are transferred from the present Act to the new Act without dilution
- some form of centralised control is maintained to ensure consistency of implementation of access requirements through-out the country, particularly for lifts in two and three storey buildings
- there are more specific requirements on housing, for example multi-level apartment buildings, and
- New Zealand Standard 4121 is retained as the yardstick for measuring compliance with access requirements.
Bill Wrightson says it’s very important to maintain the current Act’s access provision "that every public building will provide reasonable and adequate access to enable people with disabilities to visit, work and carry out normal activities within the building". Under the present provisions every new building - apart from privately owned domestic dwellings - must have disability access and no exceptions are made.
"The provisions have worked extremely well," he says. "The Building Act is the legal framework for operating the building control system. The 1991 Building Act enshrined legal requirements from the 1975 Disabled Person’s Community Welfare Act and made the access requirements an integral part of building industry control."
"It’s very unusual for an Act such as the Building Act to enshrine human rights requirements and it’s extremely important that requirements remain as strong as they are."
Bill takes inspiration from the original DPA campaigner for disability access rights in New Zealand, Quentin Angus. "Sadly Quentin passed away some years ago, but he used his skill as a lawyer to lay the legislative foundation for what has been achieved and it is vitally important that it’s not lost," says Bill.
Talk policy and PARTY!
Remember to put Saturday November 15 2003 in your diary.
It is of course DPA’s Annual General Meeting and National Assembly, followed by a dance in the evening to celebrate DPA’s 21 birthday.
The venue is the Whakatane War Memorial Hall. The business meeting runs from 10am - 4pm. Accessible accommodation is located nearby.
More detail will be posted out to DPA financial members this month.
Call for nominations
Nominations are now being called for National Executive Committee vacancies and the National Maori Advisor.
Please send your nominations to DPA Chief
Executive Gary Williams,
email: gary@dpa.org.nz
fax: (04) 801 9565
post:DPA (New Zealand) Inc,
PO Box 27-524, Wellington.
Retiring Editor Christine Field says goodbye
"DPA is a great organisation and you should be proud to be part of it!
It is true. As DPA Publications Editor for the past five and a half years I have got to know, enjoy and like a great many fantastic DPA people, some wonderful visionary leaders, some longserving committed advocates, as well as the extraordinary people in the Wellington National Secretariat. And I have seen how much DPA has achieved.
"But time moves on and sadly so must I. I’ve learnt a lot from DPA people. I’m grateful for that and I will miss everyone because you’re like a family.
I particularly enjoyed the last two National Assemblies in Hamilton and Invercargill when everyone came together to talk, strategise, dance, laugh, relax, have fun, debate, share experience, and just be together. I’ll miss those wonderful occasions too.
"All I can say is have fun in the future. Be in there. Live with passion. Participate. There’s lots to do. Enjoy. Rock and roll. You can.
"Goodbye, best wishes and take care"
New Publications Editor Sally Champion
We would like to welcome new Publications Editor, Sally Champion. Sally has worked for over ten years in communications. She has written material for numerous publications and is particularly interested in strategic public relations/ communications planning.
"I look forward to learning more about disability issues and meeting DPA members," Sally says. "I hope I can make a contribution to DPA objectives by using my skills."
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Bill update
The Government is considering whether to make New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) an official language in New Zealand. The Office for Disability Issues is leading work towards a NZSL Bill.
NZSL is the preferred language of New Zealand’s Deaf community. It is a wholly visual language and the main accessible language for Deaf people. A Bill would give recognition to Deaf people’s linguistic rights. It would also assist with implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy by upholding the rights of Deaf people and by removing barriers to participation.
In May 2003 the Office for Disability Issues carried out consultations with key government departments and with the Deaf community, including stakeholders. Consultations with the Deaf community were assisted by a Deaf Advisory
Group. Initial feedback from government departments and the Deaf community was reported on to the Hon. Ruth Dyson, Minister for Disability Issues in June 2003.
The Minister has now directed the Office for Disability Issues to prepare a Cabinet paper on the proposed NZSL Bill and related work. The Office expects to have this Cabinet paper presented to the Cabinet Social Development Committee this month.
New resource available to improve access for blind New Zealanders
Recently the Association of Blind Citizens (ABC) New Zealand launched an access audit in the form of a resource book, called As We See It; Accessing New Zealand Via Non-visual Means.
This is the first time a resource has been produced that focuses on access issues facing blind New Zealanders.
Daniel Frye, ABC’s National Advocate, carried out comprehensive research for the book. He identified both positive and negative access issues facing blind people in seven areas, these are civil rights, employment, education, information, environment, public transport and miscellaneous issues.
Although most cities in New Zealand have audio and tactile pedestrian crossing signals, and tactile tiles at the edge of pavements on intersections are becoming common, as a country we still have a long way to go.
In the United States it is common for Braille signage to be readily displayed in most public facilities, and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are gradually being made accessible with speech and Braille access. All this change is the result of comprehensive legislative and regulatory schemes aggressively implemented because of consumer advocacy.
In the States audio descriptive video is gaining mainstream recognition as an accommodation for entertainment and information access, and legislation specifically addressing this issue is pending in Congress. Audio descriptive videos, films and TV programmes enable blind people to enjoy the visual elements of the story such as a car chase, without having to ask someone what is happening.
Carolyn Weston, DPA National Executive Committee member says, "Blind New Zealanders should be able to independently access our communities in the growing way people in wheelchairs can. ATMs with audio feedback functions and accessible EFTPOS machines allow blind people to bank and shop independently. Braille instructions alongside print instructions on lift controls, allow blind people to travel from floor to floor knowing which floor they are on, and audio descriptive video enhance information access.
"In this technological age, we are confronted with more and more visual gadgets, however with a little foresight and very little extra money such technology can be adapted so everyone, including blind people, can take advantage of it. This book is designed to educate the powers that be to think before developing policies and standards and to ensure that New Zealand is accessible to all its citizens."
You can obtain a copy of this resource from Rose Wilkinson, National Administrator, Association of Blind Citizens, 113 Adelaide Rd, Wellington. Phone: (04) 389 0033 Email: rwilkinson@abcnz.org.nz
Ministry of Health NASC Developmental Review
Over the last eighteen months the Disability Services Directorate (DSD) within the Ministry of Health has been doing a developmental review of Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination Agencies (NASCs).
Two broad areas of competence were identified in the review - technical ability and "passion" or "heart". As well as managers, staff and other agencies, a sample of clients from each NASC was asked for their views.
Although the review found a number of NASCs that were operating well the review discovered a number of constraints which prevented NASCs from excelling. These included continued reliance upon the medical model of disability, demographic pressures and internal structural constraints.
What does it take to make a great NASC? The review has identified some competencies that go towards helping a NASC excel. These included a good understanding of the social model of disability, reflected in both policy and practice, integrated incorporation of the NZ Disability Strategy, and, where relevant, the Health of Older People Strategy. Teams should also be client focussed with a holistic approach and there should be client involvement in NASC service development either at a consultation level, or as a NASC employee.
Where to from here?
The initial stage of the review process has now been completed. The reviews and action plans are being collated by DSD and will be returned to NASCs for updating. The Directorate has made a commitment to establish a national process to support implementation of the NASC action plans. This will include:
- a manual for NASC managers
- the establishment of a national training scheme
- the establishment of a national steering group for consultation, with representation from disabled people, providers and Ministry staff.
Want to know more?
If you need more information from the DPA National Secretariat on any item in Bites simply phone / ITTY us on (04) 801-9100, fax your request to (04) 801-9565, send it email: gen@dpa.org.nz, or to DPA (New Zealand) Inc, PO Box 27-524, Wellington or check our website www.dpa.org.nz