DPA's Information Exchange - 30 May 2020

• Climate organisations support disability justice
• Total Mobility card issues
• Disability Faith Zoom meeting
• Proposed 111 Contact Code
• Systems Transformation Programme Lead vacancy

Climate organisations support disability justice

DPA and SustainedAbility have gained the support of Greenpeace New Zealand, Oxfam New Zealand, 350 Aotearoa, 350 Pacific and OraTaiao: New Zealand Climate and Health Council in calling for all infrastructure projects, including green infrastructure and transport, to be fully accessible and uphold the rights of disabled people.

The climate organisations have signed an Open Letter urging the government to respect its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities when considering infrastructure development, ‘Shovel Ready Projects’, and the Accessible Streets Package.

The letter says:

"We recognise that action on infrastructure, especially transportation infrastructure, is necessary to meet our emissions reduction obligations – both internationally, in terms of our commitments under the Paris Agreement, but also locally in terms of our commitments to the needs and rights of communities at home.

However, we also understand that the built environment, and particularly transportation infrastructure, is inaccessible for many members of our communities who are disabled.

 We therefore ask that all infrastructure projects, including green infrastructure and transport are fully accessible and uphold the rights of disabled people – including their participation and engagement in decision making and design."

This follows earlier support for the rights of disabled people from Generation Zero in their stance on the Accessible Streets Package, stating "let’s listen to disabled people when designing streets so that they are truly accessible for everyone."
 

-Read the Open Letter signed by climate organisations

-Read DPA's Submission on the Accessible Streets Package

Total Mobility card issues

Total Mobility trips remain free until June 30 (up to the regional up to the regional fare subsidy cap).

However, we have heard that the Total Mobility Cards have been playing up in Christchurch and some members have been charged full fare after their cards didn't work. 

Environment Canterbury have advised that the drivers need to first try resetting their machine, and if that doesn't work the driver needs to manually take down the full details of the persons Total Mobility Card and the driver will be paid.

If you are charged in other areas and a driver is not willing to take down your Total Mobility details for payment, we suggest that you keep your receipt and contact your Total Mobility provider to request a refund.

Disability Faith Community Zoom meeting

The Disability Faith Community invite you to their Zoom meeting tomorrow, Sunday 31 May from 2-4pm. 

The topic is: Our learnings from the lockdown/Rahui.  What do we want to take forward? What are we thinking about?  

If you would like to attend, please email Rev Vicki Terrell - vterrell@actrix.gen.nz and she will send you the link for the Zoom meeting. You can also let her know if you have done any writing and that you would like to share, and if you want to discuss anything else too.

Proposed 111 Contact Code

The Commerce Commission is seeking feedback on their draft 111 contact code (pdf).

Under the code, home phone customers on new technologies like fibre and fixed wireless, who have no other way of contacting 111 and who consider themselves as being at greater risk of needing to call 111, may qualify for extra support. 

It’s proposed that these customers: 
•    can apply to their home phone provider to be supplied with an alternative way of contacting 111 at no cost to them
•    will, if they qualify, have a backup provided by their provider in the event of a power cut.

The code also requires telecommunications providers to regularly remind their customers that new technologies will not work in a power cut, how to protect themselves and what further support is available.

This short overview (pdf) of the proposed code also suggests ways consumers can protect themselves.

Feedback on the 111 Contact Code is due by 5pm, Wednesday 17 July 2020 can be provided either by completing the online survey or by making a submission.

Systems Transformation Programme Lead vacancy

The Ministry of Heath is currently advertising the role of Systems Transformation Programme Lead.

"As a key member of the leadership team within the Disability Directorate, you will engage directly with several stakeholders including Ministers, disabled people and whānau, providers, care and support workforce and other government agencies.  

You will champion system transformation engagement across government, work closely with the prototype transformed system in Midcentral and the Enabling Good Lives approaches in Christchurch and Waikato, and lead engagement and collaboration with the disability sector."

For more information and to apply visit the Ministry of Health website.

Applications close 8 June.