Disability Strategy

Around 24 percent of all New Zealanders have a disability. Many of these people are unable to participate fully in the community because of barriers they face on a daily basis.

These barriers range from physical barriers, such as the ability to access a building or cross a road with ease, to attitudinal barriers imposed by others.

The New Zealand Government (along with the governments of many other countries) has agreed to follow the Disability Convention. To meet the obligations of the convention the New Zealand Government adopted the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026 and the Disability Action Plan 2019-2023. Whilst there is no legal requirement for local authorities to give effect to these documents, the strategy and action plan does acknowledge that local authorities have a significant impact on the lives of disabled people by the decisions they make. We agree with this view, and for that reason, in 2012 the Thames-Coromandel District Council decided to develop a Disability Strategy for our District. In 2020, Council resolved to retain the strategy.

Although we recognise that, as Council, we have a significant impact on the lives of disabled people, we also acknowledge that there are many positive and meaningful services being provided already by community and social organisations within the local disability sector. We would like to work alongside existing service and support providers to improve accessibility for disabled people in our District and better enable their full participation in society by addressing barriers where they exist.

Disabled people have the same basic rights and freedoms belonging to all people - to be treated fairly and equally, with respect and dignity.

Everyone has a right to:

Be safe and protected from hurt
Make their own decisions
Have a good life
Be involved in their community and society.

We recognise that, as a local governing body, we have a part to play in upholding the rights of disabled people in our communities.

This strategy has been developed collaboratively with a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations in the local disability sector, including individuals who have lived an experience of disability. We value and consider this input essential to the development of our Disability Strategy to ensure it is relevant and will make a meaningful difference for disabled people in the Thames-Coromandel District.

The strategy will be used to guide Council decisions on considering the impacts on people with disabilities. It can also be used by community groups implementing initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of people with disabilities.

Accessibility Audits

Accessibility audits of the streets network in our main CBDs were done in 2014 and help us with planning future works.

The audits look at how we can make our physical environments more accessible, especially for disabled people and the elderly. The audits were conducted by CCS Disability Action, a partner in our collaborative Disability Strategy, and Steve Taylor of Taylored Accessibility Solutions.

The audit process started in 2013 with Thames as a pilot project. We were able to undertake a further five audits in 2014 in Coromandel Town, Whitianga, Tairua, Pāuanui and Whangamatā thanks to the Government's Social Development's Making a Difference Fund.

Public meetings were held in each area to help identify issues people face getting around, and this was followed up with on-the-ground assessments. The audit reports discuss accessibility issues that have been identified and make recommendations for how they could be addressed. The recommendations are broken down into three sections: serious safety risks, significant concerns and minor concerns.

While the Council is under no obligation to carry out the recommended work, the reports help inform current and future work programmes to help improve accessibility in our main centres.

Disability Strategy

Accessibility Audits

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