Media items
New campaign launched: Be. Accessible
Implemented on: 06 May 2011
Be. Accessible enriches the lives of all people, by inspiring and enabling greater accessibility for all. See the possibility, seize the opportunity and Be. the change.
- View event video highlights on Youtube.
- Also check out John Allen's inspirational speech on Youtube.
- View event photographs on Flickr or Facebook.
- The new Be. Accessible website aims to be deliver accessibility information about various locations around New Zealand – accommodation, transportation, entertainment, retail and public places.
- Contact by email: campaign@beaccessible.org.nz
Consultation report: International Disability Report available for public comment
Start: 03 November 2010, 8:00am.
Finish: 17 December 2010, 5:00pm.
Description: The Office for Disability Issues is seeking comment on a draft report about the rights of disabled people in New Zealand. The Office would like to hear the views of disabled people and their families. You can comment from 3 November 2010 to 17 December 2010. It is the chance to shape and add value to the Government's new disability action plan, which seeks to actively implement the Convention's obligations. This consultation is about the rights of disabled people. Go to http://haveyoursay.odi.govt.nz register and have your say. All information about the Convention, discussion documents and the meeting schedule is there. You can write as little or as much as you like and make comment as an individual or a family member.
Visit The Office for Disability Issues website to have your say.
Article: Deaf staff add diversity
Article from: NZ Herald
Article date: October 13, 2010
Description: The Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand (Danz), a national not-for-profit organisation based in Avondale, Auckland, promoting the interests of the deaf community and NZSL, held a recent conference, which brought employers together to talk about the roles their deaf employees fulfil and to encourage employers to look at ability, rather than disability.
Awareness: 2010 Flourishing for everyBODY - Mental Health Awareness Week 4-10 October 2010
Article from: Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Article date: October 4, 2010
Description: Flourishing for everyBODY is the theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, Monday 4 October to Sunday 10 October. The Mental Health Foundation says that flourishing is a measure of mental health that has been developed within the last decade and can be used to determine the level of positive mental health in populations. "Flourishing is about focusing on the good things in life. It's about the things we aspire to, both as individuals and as members of a wider community."
Legislation Act: The Equality Act 2010
Retrieved from: Government Equalities Office, UK website
Implemented on: October 1, 2010
Description: The Equality Act 2010, which came into force on 1 October 2010, brings together nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it in important ways to help tackle discrimination and inequality. One area of interest is health and disability during recruitment: questions and answers for the employer and the applicant.
Read the FAQs about health and disability related enquiries during recruitment
Read the act regarding Disability: Equality Act 2010 Chapter 15: part 2, chapter 1, section 6
Article: Launch of LGTB digital stories on mental health (September 27, 2010)
Article from: Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and PrideNZ.com
Article date: September 27, 2010
Description: Rainbow Touchstones are a series of online video stories looking at mental health experiences from within New Zealand's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities.
Read the article and view digital stories
Speech: Hon. Tariana Turia, Minister for Disability Issues, Thursday 23 September 2010; 5pm Employers Disability Network Special Function at Parliament
Article from: Scoop Independent News website
Article date: September 24, 2010
Description: The Employer's Disability Network was officially launched on Thursday 23 September 2010. The speech was delivered by Hon. Paula Bennett on behalf of Mrs Turia.
Webcasts: Judy Bailey Presents Helpful Information On Suicide Prevention
Retrieved from: Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (SPINZ)
Article date: September 21, 2010
Description: These are six different webcasts about suicide prevention from Suicide Prevention Information NZ (SPINZ). Topics covered include risk factors, warning signs and myths about suicide.
Article: "Blind woman says federal websites discriminate against the visually impaired."
Written by: Laurie Monsebraaten
Article from: Toronto Star
Article date: September 19, 2010
Description: This made headlines in Canada. Donna Jodhan, who is blind, is taking the federal government to court because government websites are not accessible to blind and partially-sighted Internet users. She wants the government to make job application forms and other major services accessible for these users, and says the necessary changes would not be difficult or expensive to implement.
Blind internet users visit websites using a piece of software called a screen reader, which converts text to a usable format such as audible speech. But in order for screen readers to work properly, a web page’s html code has to include tags that organize the information on the page – explaining for instance, how form fields match up with their corresponding labels. Otherwise, the page comes out as a garbled, unusable mess, as currently happens with many government web sites handling employment, passport applications and other important services.
Article: "An inclusive Manukau."
Written by: Manakau City Council
Article date: August 2010
Description: ‘An inclusive Manukau where we can all participate’ is Manukau City Council’s mantra to how they approach disability in the workplace and in the community.
Article: "Diversity is good for business."
Written by: Robyn Webb
Article from: New Zealand Herald (Auckland)
Article date: May 29, 2010
Description: It is good business sense to embrace the skills offered by disabled people. Benefits include diversity in the workplace; inclusiveness and innovation; improved office space; creative problem solving skills; disability awareness attracts new customers; and employer brand is enhanced with recognition.
Download the article (
PDF, 1.28MB)
Newsletters: EEO Trust
The EEO Trust publishes a monthly bulletin filled with events around New Zealand and useful information. These are available for viewing on their website.
Newsletters: The Australian Network on Disability
The Australian Network on Disability publishes a monthly bulletin. These are available for viewing on their website.