One quarter of New Zealand’s population identifies as disabled (Statistics NZ, 2018). Engaging with people who have lived experience of being a disabled pedestrian is the best way to provide insights that are not otherwise apparent to transport professionals. Disability sector engagement can help ensure that processes, plans, and infrastructure for walking are all designed to be as inclusive as possible, of all people.
Statistics NZ 2018 Census(external link)
There are four different groups of people that can be engaged with as described further below. The right group or groups to engage with depend on both the nature of the project, and the nature of the relationships that the project team have with local or national representatives of the different groups.
Further guidance on deciding who to engage with for transport projects depending on the type of project can be found in the Disability Sector Engagement: Good Practice Guide.
Disability Sector Engagement: Good Practice Guide [PDF, 378 KB]
Advisory groups are comprised of people selected to advise central or local government on issues relevant to disabled people. The advantage of advisory groups is that the people involved usually have (or quickly develop) some understanding of transport planning. They are likely to appreciate constraints and challenges in government. Disadvantages of advisory groups include that they do not necessarily represent all disabled people; the members may have particular biases; and consulting the group may be seen by some government staff as providing a comprehensive accessibility assessment of a project or scheme. Therefore, consulting with a disability advisory group is useful but not always sufficient to ensure inclusive access for walking projects.
Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) are groups comprised of disabled people themselves. They provide support and advocacy for people with different specific impairments. DPOs are useful contacts for an overarching policy position or view on a specific project. They can also provide links to members when the views of local people are likely to be helpful. DPOs are described and listed at the link below.
Disabled People’s Organisations (external link)
Disability service providers are groups and agencies that provide support, advocacy, information, and education services for people with different specific impairments. They are not typically or necessarily staffed by disabled people. Service providers, such as CCS Disability Action, Deaf Aotearoa and Blind Low Vision NZ are often central sources of information about the local disability community. They typically have paid staff, some of whom will have specialist interest in transport, or in a specific aspect of transport related to the needs of the people they support.
While these 3 service providers have a particular interest in transport, other service providers may also be engaged with depending on the scope of a specific project.
For projects that result in construction (that is, not strategy or policy projects), it is often valuable to talk with local disabled people who are going to be affected directly. Local disabled people can also highlight low-cost improvements that could be included in the works (such as kerb cut replacements), which could have a significant positive impact on inclusive travel choices for everyone. Disabled Persons Organisations are the most useful way to find local disabled people who may have an interest in a specific project.
The Ministry of Social Development is delivering a programme of work to ensure the public sector is accessible for everyone and inclusive of disabled people.
The programme is delivered across central and local government, including core public sector agencies, Crown entities, District Health Board’s (DHBs), and local authorities and applies to those tasked with developing information and communications for government agencies, including employees, vendors and contractors. It will support your project to meet the needs of all groups in your communities.
You can read more about the Accessibility Charter and how to develop engagement materials for accessible communities on the Ministry of Social Development website.
The Accessibility Charter(external link)
Accessibility guide: Leading the way in accessible information(external link)
Alternate formats – all-of-government process(external link)
