Public Address | Cafe | Access: The Paralympics and visibility https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/ en-us Copyright (c) 2026 Public Address Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=375169#post375169 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=375169#post375169 a Paralympian replaces Paul Gibson (policy expert) as our Disability Commissioner. I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise a la Susan Devoy, but have to wonder who else applied, who appointed, and what the selection criteria were? ]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2017 10:45:20 +1200 Angela Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366655#post366655 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366655#post366655 At grassroots level Parafed is by far the more important organisation for physical disability sport and recreation. Halberg has focussed on high performance and that has resulted in high visibility this year, largely because of Attitude Picture's coup in getting the screening rights here.

But without appropriate support at grassroots,…

]]> Thu, 22 Sept 2016 15:26:48 +1200 Hilary Stace https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366642#post366642 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366642#post366642 Thu, 22 Sept 2016 13:22:56 +1200 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366638#post366638 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366638#post366638 But there are a couple of things that worry me about the Paralympics. A few years ago the Hallberg Trust decided to spot and nurture potential Paralympians. That has been a successful strategy, but it meant the Hallberg Trust no longer funded things like swimming lessons for young autistic or… ]]> Thu, 22 Sept 2016 12:45:33 +1200 Howard Edwards https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366636#post366636 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366636#post366636 But there are a couple of things that worry me about the Paralympics. A few years ago the Hallberg Trust decided to spot and nurture potential Paralympians. That has been a successful strategy, but it meant the Hallberg Trust no longer funded things like swimming lessons for young autistic or… ]]> Thu, 22 Sept 2016 12:23:41 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366635#post366635 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366635#post366635 Attitude has supported disability sport for many years

The programme has been fixated on elite sport since its inception, which has really affected their framing of disability.

But yes, good to see the Paralympic team outperforming many ordinary Olympic athletes, and getting media coverage for it. Hopefully that will be…

]]> Thu, 22 Sept 2016 12:12:42 +1200 Hilary Stace https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366634#post366634 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366634#post366634 Attitude TV should be congratulated for their excellent coverage of the Paralympics that was shown on TVNZ. The interviewers and front people were former Paralympians. Attitude has supported disability sport for many years, including with several annual Attitude awards.

The Paralympics aren't particularly new. They go back a few decades.…

]]> Thu, 22 Sept 2016 11:12:44 +1200 Angela Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366630#post366630 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366630#post366630 There's a welcome home parade planned for tomorrow, Friday, at the AUT Millennium Centre on the North Shore

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/313890/paralympic-heroes-return-home-from-rio-games

]]> Thu, 22 Sept 2016 10:29:44 +1200 Angela Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366629#post366629 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366629#post366629 Great post Paul, I couldn't agree more.

At the moment because of yet another battle we are fighting, the line

As well as investigating and holding to account those who make decisions which are important in disabled people's lives.

resonates particularly strongly. In the world of disability support the system…

]]> Thu, 22 Sept 2016 10:22:08 +1200 Public Address https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366628#post366628 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-paralympics-and-visibility/?p=366628#post366628 Discussion from blog post.

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