About DPA Christchurch
DPA Christchurch & Districts was established in Christchurch in 1984. DPA is unique in the disability field in that it is not a service provider, but an advocacy and lobby organisation, made up of individual and corporate members. Corporate members are disability agencies who do provide services to people with disabilities and their families.
The Executive Committee of DPA Christchurch & Districts (which is elected
annually by the membership) is made up of people with experience of the physical,
intellectual, psychiatric and sensory areas of the disability sector.
Anyone who has an interest in issues relating to people with disabilities
can join DPA. Our role is to inform, educate and empower people with disabilities
and their support networks on their rights, and advocate to Government and
other bodies on issues of concern.
In Christchurch, DPA has links, through representation, with the: Christchurch City Council (Disability Reference Group); Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology; University of Canterbury (Disability Support Services); Council of Social Services; National Council of Women, Canterbury District Health Board (Disability Support Advisory Committee); Welfare Advisory Committee of Civil Defence.
DPA has three representatives on the Total Mobility Committee which also comprises of representatives from the Canterbury Regional Council Environment Canterbury, Transit New Zealand and taxi companies. The Total Mobility scheme enables people with mobility impairments, who cannot drive or use public transport, to access vouchers which give them reduced taxi fares. The scheme is administered by Environment Canterbury, and vouchers are issued by accredited disability agencies.
The DPA Christchurch & Districts issues a bi-monthly newsletter
“DPA Action” to members.
Other areas DPA Christchurch & Districts are involved in include:
- Access
- Accommodation
- Advice
- Advocacy
- Health/Disability Support Services
- Transport
DPA Christchurch & Districts also hold forums on topics of current or
general interest, primarily concerning disability. They are often held in
conjunction with the Human Rights Commission Speakers Forum Network and are
open to the general public. For more information, please contact the Co-ordinator
at the DPA office Christchurch.