RDNZ's submission on Accessibility For New Zealanders Bill

Oct 17, 2022, 12:06 AM
Accessibility

Rare Disorders NZ made a submission on the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill. This bill aims to address accessibility barriers experienced by disabled people, tāngata whaikaha and others, enabling them to live independently and participate fully in all areas of life.

Rare Disorders NZ does not believe that the current bill will remove barriers or deliver real progress for disabled people. We have therefore made a submission expressing our opinions and recommendations around what the bill should look like.

We would like to encourage you to also make a submission if you have any thoughts or recommendations about the bill. 

Click here to go to the web page where you can make your submission.

Below you will find step by step instructions on how to make a submission, as well as a template that you can use. You are welcome to copy and paste this template into the online form, but we recommend that you personalise aspects of it to reflect yourself or your group.

STEPS FOR MAKING A SUBMISSION

  1. Follow this link to go to the web page.
  2. In the yellow box, click make a submission.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click I am ready to make my submission.
  4. Choose if you are submitting as an individual or on behalf of an organisation, and if you wish to make an oral submission.
  5. Fill in your details.
  6. Upload a submission or fill in the text boxes.
  7. On the next page, confirm privacy statement and submit.
  8. Please email [mailto:kim.mcguinness@raredisorders.org.nz%20]Kim when you have made a submission.

SUGGESTED SUBMISSION TEMPLATE

There are two sections to fill in on the online submission form: one for comments and one for recommendations. The templates below are based on the submission that Rare Disorders NZ has made.

I/we wish to make the following comments:

[Sentence about who you/your group are, who you represent]

[Name of group/individual] doesn’t believe the Government Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill will remove barriers, so that that every New Zealander has the opportunity to learn, to get a job, and to take part in community and social life.

We don't believe this legislation will deliver real progress or improvements because the Government Bill:

  • Has no means of enforcement.
  • Only applies to central government and is NOT applicable to the private sector.
  • Has no standards.
  • Has no regulator.
  • Has no dispute-resolution process.
  • Has no obligations or timeframe.
  • Only creates a new advisory committee – which does not require an Act of Parliament – and will only perpetuate the slow and fragmented system currently in place.
  • Relies on the values, priorities, and decisions of future Ministers.

I/We wish to make the following recommendations

[Name of group/individual] would like to make the below recommendations.

The Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill should:

  • Provide a means of enforcement.
  • Apply to all sectors including central government and private sector.
  • Have a set of standards.
  • Have a regulator.
  • Provide a dispute-resolution process.
  • Commit to obligations and a timeframe.
  • Require an Act of Parliament.

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