Mr Baker relies on a four-wheel-drive wheelchair to get around. Earlier this month, the Bay of Plenty Times reported that Mr Baker used his chair to block a Bay Hopper bus driver from returning to his seat.
His action was in protest against the fact that in the last month or so he had twice been denied access to local buses because of his chair.
While it is great that Tauranga has wheelchair-accessible buses, which are low-floor and with ramps, this investment in modern infrastructure is wasted if disabled people, such as Mr Baker, are denied access. In reading reports of his reaction, the impact of the two incidents was profound - with Mr Baker describing the way in which he was treated by the bus operators as "embarrassing", "disgusting", leaving him feeling "victimised".
I have a vision that Aotearoa New Zealand can be a truly inclusive nation - a country in which no one is left out. As Minister for Disability Issues, it is my responsibility to do everything possible to influence attitudes and behaviours to become an enabling society rather than a "disabling" society. By this, we mean a nation that values the lives and continually enhances the full participation of disabled people.
Access to transport is critical to enabling any person to go to work, education and participate in their community. Being disabled should not mean being disqualified from having access to every aspect of life. With that I have some basic expectations about the quality of life we should all be entitled to have.
I look to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for leadership to ensure that no disabled person will be unreasonably denied access to any of its public transport services. The council is responsible for ensuring a quality experience is given by its contracted providers, without discrimination on any grounds such as disability.
I look further to the specific bus operator - Go Bus. It needs to take immediate action to ensure that all its staff, particularly bus drivers, know how to provide good customer service to every user and that they must not refuse service to any disabled person, including wheelchair users where a bus is accessible. Additionally, I believe that Go Bus, the bus service operator, should monitor driver behaviour to ensure every bus user is treated fairly.
People with disabilities often tell me it is not their disability that is the problem, but rather it is the way the disabilities are viewed by others. While I am pleased Mr Baker has referred this incident to the Human Rights Commission to initiate a formal review of the case, there are changes that we can all make, right now, to create a truly inclusive community.
I am, of course, aware that the incident that occurred in Tauranga will not be an isolated experience. It might be useful for other travel operators to seek the advice of local disability and older people's groups to at least initiate the discussion around being accessible.
But, as a bottom line, I would hope we might all have the conversation about what it will take to enjoy a great life. I read a statement from deaf-blind activist Helen Keller that seemed to sum it up. She said "one should never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar".
Absolutely. Bus by bus, community by community, let's start making the changes to ensure all people can soar to their heart's content.
Noho ora mai ra.
Hon Tariana Turia is Minister of Disability Issues
