New zones set-up to make Levin Christmas carnival accessible for all

Levin's Christmas parade and carnival will feature special accessibility zones this year to make it more inclusive for all.

Levin's popular Christmas parade and carnival will be more inclusive this year, with special accessibility zones set up to ensure everyone can attend.

The zones are being introduced so that people who would usually find going to the event too challenging can plan their day, sit back and enjoy, organisers Horowhenua District Council said.

The zones will provide parking close to both the parade and carnival so there is minimal walking distance for those with mobility issues, accessible seating areas for wheelchairs and mobility devices, an area for assistance dogs, and at the carnival area there will be accessible toilets.

The final siting of the zones will depend on the number of people who register to use them, with registration ahead of the event compulsory for eligibility, a council spokesperson said.

"The zone is a space for those with high needs, creating a safe space for them and their support people or animal," the spokesperson said.

"Positioning of the zones will depend on the number of registrations. This will be communicated to registered participants in the lead up to the event. Registrations are essential – we want to ensure we have enough space and chairs so that everyone can enjoy the parade and the carnival".

The initiative falls within the council's Community Wellbeing framework as part of access and inclusion concepts, the spokesperson said.

The council's action plan states that people with disabilities should be able to live in accessible and well-designed communities with opportunity for full inclusion in social, economic, sporting and cultural life.

The council is always striving to include actions within its Community Wellbeing framework, the spokesperson said.

"In this case, it was the Events Coordinator who identified an opportunity to make the carnival and parade more inclusive".

To register for the accessibility zones, email hccc@horowhenua.govt.nz or phone 06 366 0999.