As Auckland's sweeping changes gather pace, its disabled citizens are determined to be heard. Joseph Barratt finds out more
It is immediately obvious why Barry de Geest wants to meet at Manukau's Supa Centa.
There are plenty of ramps on the kerbs for wheelchairs, and plenty of easy-to-see pedestrian crossings make the carpark easy to navigate. These are exactly the sort of features Mr de Geest is worried about losing when the super-city goes ahead.
If anybody knows about support for disabled people, it is this man. He is disabled and has worked for more than 30 years in the sector, including the past eight as director of the Renaissance disability support company.
All this experience has given him a fair understanding of how local and national government policy can affect disabled people.
When the super-city was announced, he knew the disabled needed to have a say. He's concerned disabled people could be forgotten in the sweeping changes.
``Manukau and Waitakere have good disabled community support. They pay attention. In Auckland, it's much different. We need to ensure places stay accessible.'
Mr de Geest joined other people working on behalf of the disabled who were concerned to organise a forum to help people have that say.
The disability forum will explain what's at stake and how to write an effective submission to the Government.
``Some people are still caught up with trying to stop the super-city. We realise we can't and, instead, are working on making sure it goes in the right direction. We want disabled voices to be heard.'
Another organiser is Otara Community Board chairman Tunumafono Ava Fa'amoe, who originally tried to liaise with representatives from the different cities of greater Auckland. Unfortunately, they pulled out.
However, he says people from all over the region are welcome and he'll help anyone else wishing to launch a forum in their own areas.
``We cannot sit on the fence with this. People need to have their say,' says Mr Fa'amoe. ``Disabled people are ratepayers, too, and it will impact them just as much as everyone else, if not more.
``This will provide a place where they can have the space to articulate their ideas effectively.'
Submissions close on June 26, which doesn't leave much time for communities to organise, says Mr Fa'amoe. ``Normal process, you would get six weeks, but because they pushed it through Parliament, we only have two or three.'
Auckland Disability Law is also helping Auckland's disabled people with their submissions.
``We have received a lot of calls from disabled people worried about the super-city and how it was going to affect them,' says Nicola Owen, from the service. She says the service can help people put together submissions and ensure they are in the correct format.
``We're here to assist the disabled community and make sure they get a say.'
Auckland Disability Law is running an open day to help with submissions and it welcomes email inquiries.
SUPER FORUMS Disability Forum: June 19, 11am-1.30pm, Otara Music and Arts Centre, ASB carpark side of Otara Town Centre. More info: ph 027 680 7973 or email acfaamoe@f5enterprise.co.nz
Auckland Disability Law: June 23, 10am-2pm, Mangere Community Law Centre, Unit 9, Shop 27, Mangere Town Centre. Wheelchair access available. Please confirm attendance by phoning 257 5140 or emailing info@adl.org.nz
18 06 2009
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