Napier Disability Strategy 2019-2023

Kei Ahuriri te tohu rangatira mō te manaaki tangata

Produced 2020 by Accessible Formats Service, Blind Low Vision NZ, Auckland

This edition is a transcription of the following print edition:

Published by Napier City Council

Transcriber's Note

If reading this etext on a portable braille device, please note that it is unproofed by touch. Transcriber notes are introduced by tn.

Contents

What is disability? Page 2

Our community Page 3

Who has been involved Page 5

Key stakeholders: Napier Disability Strategy Page 5

Napier Disability Strategy Overview Page 6

Getting around Page 9

Getting involved Page 11

Being included Page 13

Having fun Page 15

Being safe Page 17

Having work Page 19

Strategic links Page 20

How are we doing? Page 21

Appendix 1: Group membership Page 22

Page 2

Kei Ahuriri te tohu rangatira mō te manaaki tangata

Napier City takes pride in its care of people

What is disability?

Disability is something that happens when people with an impairment face barriers in society (See Footnote 1). These barriers can be physical but can also be as a result of people's perceptions of disability.

Footnote 1: NZ Disability Strategy, p12.

There are a number of definitions of disability. This strategy uses the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities definition for a person with a disability as follows:

Those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

People with disabilities refer to themselves in a number of ways (See Footnote 2). Our strategy uses the term "people with disabilities" on the advice of our reference group.

Footnote 2: NZ Disability Strategy uses the term "disabled people" and further explains the language about disability, p13.

Page 3

Our community

One in five (24%) people in New Zealand have a disability.

In Napier there is a higher proportion of people with a disability (27%), 53% are over 55, 36% are over 65 years old.

Main types of disabilities in Napier

Source: Statistics NZ, Disability Survey, 2013

Napier's disability community is growing

As people age, they are more likely to experience disability or chronic illness. Napier has an ageing population with one in four people expected to be over 65 years old by 2031. There will be more people with hearing and vision impairments as over 50% of people with these disabilities are over 65 years. Mobility impairment is also an issue for this age group. Access to facilities and services will continue to be an important focus for Council.

Page 4

Box:

People with disabilities should be able to enjoy the same access, value, respect and inclusivity as others in the Napier community.

This strategy focuses on Napier City Council's activities and services.

End Box.

Page 5

Who has been involved

Napier Disability Advisory Group

A group representing disability service providers, Napier Disability Advisory Group (NDAG), was instrumental in encouraging the Council to develop the strategy and they selected three members to be part of the strategy development team. NDAG will continue to provide advice about the strategy as it is implemented.

Napier Ability Plus

In developing this strategy we established a reference group–Napier Ability Plus (NAPs). The members are people with a lived experience of disability. NAPs has kept the strategy real and provided their insights into the focus areas. They have been a key part of the consultation to date and will continue to guide the strategy and its implementation.

Napier's disability community

It was important to talk with our disability community before developing the strategy. We held workshops for people with disabilities and one for service providers and a focus group with the deaf community. Our disability community were keen to have their say.

Māori

Napier City Council's Kaumatua, Piri Prentice, provided advice on the strategy. Māori are represented on the advisory group and reference group. Engagement with Māori will continue as the strategy is implemented.

Key stakeholders: Napier Disability Strategy

tn: The print shows a diagram of a large circle with two overlapping circles inside it. The large circle is labelled "Disability Community". One of the smaller overlapping circles is labelled NDAG, the other is labelled NAPS, and the overlapping area is labelled Strategy Guidance & Action. End tn.

What our disability community said is important

Page 6

Napier Disability Strategy Overview

Vision: Napier is a city for everyone

Table:

Values

Focus Areas

Key Goals

Council Aims

We value people with disabilities

Getting around

Everyone can go where they want to go

We have enough mobility parks in the right places

Our footpaths/walkways are smooth, wide and unobstructed

Our crossings are safe for all

Council buildings are accessible for staff and customers

There is access to parks and reserves

Blank

Getting involved

Opportunities for everyone to engage

We use a range of communication tools so everyone can participate

We support active participation from the disability community in Council activities

People with disabilities are able to take part in all aspects of civic life

Our community is caring and inclusive

Being included

Services and information are accessible for everyone

We provide a range of ways and formats to access services and information

Blank

Having fun

Something fun for everyone

We lead, deliver and support accessible events

Our facilities are accessible

We support accessible sports and recreation options

Our places and spaces are accessible

Being safe

Everyone is safe

People know how to keep themselves safe

Our communities are connected and help each other

People feel safe in public places

Blank

Having work

A workplace where everyone can fulfil their potential

We encourage a range of people to apply for work within Council

We support our staff to perform to their full potential

End table.

Pages 7-9

Strategy Focus Areas

Getting around

Key Goal: Everyone can go where they want to go

Council Aims:

  • We have enough mobility parks in the right places

  • Our footpaths/walkways are smooth, wide and unobstructed

  • Our crossings are safe for all

  • Council buildings are accessible for staff and customers

  • There is access to parks and reserves

Key Areas:

  • Parking

  • Walkways

  • Access to Council buildings and public spaces

Actions:

  • Barrier Free assessments–buildings/housing (create priority list)

  • Use positive accessibility signage (e.g. language)

  • New designs incorporate accessibility (e.g. universal design–building for everyone)

  • Train in-house advocates/experts

  • Investigate RTS14 (See Footnote 3) guidelines as a potential guide

  • Review mobility parking provision

  • Promote our accessibility achievements

  • Promote the role of service dogs

  • Review use of alleyway staples/bollards etc

  • Review the condition and design of new and existing walkways

  • Review street signage for visual accessibility

Footnote 3: Road and Traffic Standard Series.

Pages 10-11

Getting involved

Key Goal: Opportunities for everyone to engage

Council Aims:

  • We use a range of communication tools so everyone can participate

  • We support active participation from the disability community in Council activities

  • People with disabilities are able to take part in all aspects of civic life (e.g. voting, decision-making processes etc)

Key Areas:

  • Communication

  • Community engagement and consultation

  • Governance (Council representation, decisions, voting etc)

  • Projects

Actions:

  • Confirm Napier Ability Plus as an ongoing reference group for Council activities, plans and projects

  • Encourage Council Representation (both on Council or in other Council forums) to disability community

  • Provide disability supports in governance activities

    • New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters–Council/Committee meetings (potentially use Skype service)

    • Accessible formats for public documents e.g. agendas, minutes, reports

    • Hearing loops in meeting rooms etc

  • Ensure disability supports are available and known for prospective Councillors

  • Investigate online voting

  • Actively communicate with disability community through existing forums (e.g. NDAG, Deaf Club etc), using a range of tools

  • Review current communication channels/tools for accessibility (e.g. text notifications for meetings, website etc)

  • Ensure social media strategy promotes accessibility

  • Provide training for staff to ensure website writing is accessible

  • Review brand and signage guidelines for accessibility

  • Promote positive attitudes–e.g. awareness campaign, International Day

Pages 12-13

Being included

Key Goal: Services and information are accessible for everyone

Council Aims:

  • We provide a range of ways and formats to access services and information

Key Areas:

  • Communication

  • Community engagement and consultation

  • Customer service

Actions:

  • Specialist disability training for customer facing staff

  • Disability training included in staff induction

  • Review information channels to ensure people have disabilities have access

  • Ensure social media strategy promotes accessibility

  • Provide disability supports in customer service approaches and facilities

  • Support staff to complete New Zealand Sign Language training

Pages 14-15

Having fun

Key Goal: Something fun for everyone

Council Aims:

  • We lead, deliver and support accessible events

  • Our facilities are accessible

  • We support accessible recreation options

Key Areas:

  • Events

  • Recreation–passive/active

  • Facilities

Actions:

  • Develop an "accessible event" toolkit–including

    • Information for event organisers

    • Types of supports (parking, communications, interpreter etc)

    • Grants to promote/support accessibility

    • Venue accessibility information

    • How to make an event accessible and safe

    • Accessibility map

    • Where to get more help

  • Promote events that are accessible to disability community

  • Barrier-free assessments at facilities and public spaces

  • Integrate accessible equipment into new and existing playgrounds

  • Signage promoting positive disability language

  • Encourage people with disabilities to actively engage in sports and recreation

  • Provide and promote Council parking for CBD events (weekend)

  • Develop an accessibility map

Pages 16-17

Being safe

Key Goal: Everyone is safe

Council Aims:

  • People know how to keep themselves safe

  • Our communities are connected and help each other

  • People feel safe in public places

Key Areas:

  • Emergency Management

  • Community safety

Actions:

  • "How to help" campaign

    • Training staff and other "out and about" personnel on–"how to help'

  • Civil Defence

    • Get ready: Get through

    • Opt in register for extra assistance

    • Sign language video with Civil Defence tips

    • Neighbourhood support–focus on vulnerable neighbours

    • Promote Council/Civil Defence Facebook page to disability community

    • Promote planning for those in assisted living

    • Promote text alert system to disability sector

    Pages 18-19
  • Having work

    Key Goal: A workplace where everyone can fulfill their potential

    Council Aims:

    • We encourage a range of people to apply for work within Council

    • We support our staff to perform to their full potential

    Key Areas:

    • Recruitment

    • Work experience

    • Jobs/in-work support

    Actions:

    • Review recruitment and induction processes

    • Actively promote ourselves as an EEO employer

    • Offer work experience opportunities

    • Provide disability awareness training for Managers/Supervisors including supports that are available,

    • Share success stories

    Page 20

    Strategic links

    This strategy contributes to local, national and international strategies and conventions. It will intersect with Napier's Positive Ageing Strategy which is under development.

    Napier Disability Strategy–Napier is a city for everyone

    tn: The print shows arrows from the group of items above to three additional lists below, each with its own heading. End tn.

    New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026 (Goal 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8)

    • Employment and economic security

    • Health and wellbeing

    • Accessibility

    • Attitudes

    • Choice and control

    • Leadership

    Council Vision: A vibrant and sustainable city for all; Council Outcomes

    • A vibrant, innovative city for everyone

    • Excellence in infrastructure and public services now and in the future

    • A sustainable city

    • Council works with and for the community

    • A safe and healthy city that supports community wellbeing

    United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006 (Article 3, 19, 21, 27, 29, 30) General Principles

      • Participation and inclusion

      • Non-discrimination–equality

      • Accessibility

      • Respect and dignity

      • Autonomy

    1. Right to live in the community

    2. Freedom of expression and opinion

    3. Right to work

    4. Right to participate in political and public life

    5. Right to participate in cultural life

    Page 21

    How are we doing?

    The strategy includes key goals and actions. The achievement of these will be monitored by the Napier Disability Advisory Group. The reference group, NAPs will provide input into the prioritisation of the actions to develop annual implementation plans and will guide the development of specific projects.

    A review framework will be developed based on the Results Based Accountability Framework. Projects and actions will be reviewed using a method appropriate to their size, cost and characteristics.

    This strategy will be reviewed every five years.

    Page 22

    Appendix 1: Group membership

    Napier Disability Advisory Group

    Membership agencies:

    NZ Blind Foundation (Chair)

    Disability Resource Centre

    Napier Hearing Association

    Deaf Aotearoa

    Workbridge

    Dementia Hawke's Bay

    Idea Services

    Ministry of Social Development

    Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri

    Presbyterian Support East Coast

    Geneva Healthcare

    Napier City Council

    Napier Ability Plus

    Members:

    Tina Braybrook

    Jo Bromley

    Willie Hawkins

    Andrew Hodson

    Nova Hopkins

    Jacqui Lee

    Joanna Leitch

    Alisha McCulloch

    Tessa Selwyn

    Supported by Napier City Council

    The Napier Disability Strategy is also available on www.napier.govt.nz in the following formats:

    NZ Sign Language, Plain Text, Easy read (pictorial), Audio

    Page 23

    Glossary

    Accessibility enables people to participate by removing barriers to participation

    Barrier is something that makes it difficult or impossible for people to do something

    Disability is something that happens when people with impairments face barriers in society that limit their movements, senses or activities

    People with a disability are people who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others (disabled people is a term also used)

    Equality means that everyone gets the same opportunities

    Impairment is a problem with the functioning of, or the structure of someone's body

    Universal design is a good design that works for everyone

    End of Napier Disability Strategy