Public Address | Cafe | Access: The Problem with the Greens’ Disability Policy – A Description https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/ en-us Copyright (c) 2026 Public Address Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321091#post321091 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321091#post321091 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:30:44 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321089#post321089 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321089#post321089 need to be able to deliver a smart coherent campaign before we can leverage public support

It used to be that the 'average' Kiwi had little to do with disability in its many and varied forms.

But it seems these days just about every person we speak to on our…

]]> Sat, 23 Aug 2014 18:56:13 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321076#post321076 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321076#post321076 NONE of them have made clear commitments that I have asked for

Just because a party does not write something in detail into its policy platform before an election doesn't mean they won't do something about it once elected. Getting back in touch once they're in office is a good…

]]> Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:38:11 +1200 Angela Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321067#post321067 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321067#post321067 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 14:54:22 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321066#post321066 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321066#post321066 So what can we do. I am tired of sending emails to MPs and candidates of parties, who are all primarily only focused on winning votes, and that primarily from the large “middle ground”, which though has sadly other priorities than sick, injured and disabled with their serious challenges have.… ]]> Sat, 23 Aug 2014 14:30:07 +1200 Marc C https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321062#post321062 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321062#post321062 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:55:48 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321043#post321043 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321043#post321043 are we going to let it win?

If I said..."methinks the system has won.... small, individual, isolated voices may as well fart in a strong wind for all the impact we have"....I'd be accused of defeatism.

Which would be, at times, true.

However, I'm too committed to give up....because before…

]]> Sat, 23 Aug 2014 09:08:49 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321040#post321040 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321040#post321040 but the system is set up to divide us all into wee groups, setting one in competition with the other....competing for limited resources

it is. are we going to let it win?

]]> Sat, 23 Aug 2014 05:34:48 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321039#post321039 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321039#post321039 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 05:31:52 +1200 Angela Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321032#post321032 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321032#post321032 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 22:28:12 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321025#post321025 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=321025#post321025 Ditto to the wry smile.

The Complex Carers Group is predominantly involved with children with very high and complex needs. Jan Moss has worked long and hard to gain real traction with MOH, with no small success. To her eternal credit she fronted up to the High Court in Auckland…

]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2014 21:39:52 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320966#post320966 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320966#post320966 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 17:14:58 +1200 Angela Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320953#post320953 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320953#post320953 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 16:49:29 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320952#post320952 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320952#post320952 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 16:45:33 +1200 Angela Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320949#post320949 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320949#post320949 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 16:34:32 +1200 Ezekiel Robson https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320938#post320938 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320938#post320938 comment on this very dilemma as it emerged in discussions, following my earlier post. We all bear a responsibility to approach each other with generosity and open mindedness, to reflect and amplify collective views. We all win, or none of us win. ]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2014 15:54:26 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320838#post320838 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320838#post320838 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:50:24 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320829#post320829 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320829#post320829 Who gets to speak for disabled people?

By 'disabled'...are you meaning those with high/very high care needs, those with significant physical impairments for whom top quality hands- on care is essential in order to stay alive?

I have been waiting for those people to come forward, speak out, hit the…

]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:10:23 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320815#post320815 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320815#post320815 focussing on the more able disabled

We could easily do a post on that as a long-standing tension in disability politics. Who gets to speak for disabled people?

]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2014 22:22:34 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320809#post320809 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320809#post320809 Marc C...you raise some very valid issues, perhaps you should take Mojo up on her suggestion and flick her an email?

On the PHDAct/Family carers issue I have so far emailed the Greens twice, and sent a quite emphatic 'please explain'to Mojo the other day.

I have not received any…

]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:27:52 +1200 Marc C https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320665#post320665 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320665#post320665 Hallo Mojo –

Thanks for your comments and your links that you provide to further information on the Green Party's disability policy. I had a read through it, and while it appears positive and good in general wording, I am a bit disappointed. There are many forms of disability, both…

]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:32:05 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320523#post320523 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320523#post320523 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 21:35:47 +1200 Isaac Freeman https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320517#post320517 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320517#post320517 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 21:13:37 +1200 Jonathan Mosen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320281#post320281 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320281#post320281 Hi Mojo, thanks for taking the time to reply during what I'm sure is a busy election campaign. I appreciate that.
Your use of "captioning" and "audio description" in the same sentence several times in your reply is exactly the kind of inclusive language I would like to have seen…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:34:25 +1200 Mojo Mathers https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320265#post320265 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320265#post320265 http://blog.greens.org.nz/2014/08/18/access-inclusion-faq-part-1-captioning/ ]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:19:33 +1200 Mojo Mathers https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320262#post320262 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320262#post320262 Hi Jonathan

Thank you for your feedback on our disability election policy we released last week. I really appreciate that you have obviously considered it in detail. I hope it will help if I clarify afew things. Firstly, the election disability priorities (employment, captioning, housing and independent travel ) that…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:04:37 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320244#post320244 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320244#post320244 Funding for personal disability support services was shifted from social welfare to health portfolios to help Ruth Richardson make certain political claims at the time.

This may well be....but....under Social Welfare, until about 1986(can't put my hand on the doc immediately) there was no funding available for those with significant…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 14:30:44 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320239#post320239 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320239#post320239 It isn’t hard, and it’s not expensive. It takes minimal resources.

Unfortunately that is true for many other solutions – and I agree it can’t be more than an excuse for not pursuing them. When our self-anointed representatives purr about securing a sub-inflation increase in disability funding, we’re in trouble.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 14:13:48 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320238#post320238 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320238#post320238 No offence intended. I’ve laid out the language I use in previous posts. Other people are free to use whatever labels they want.

For me, people with impaired vision includes low vision and blind, just as people with impaired hearing includes Deaf and hard-of-hearing.

I get that there are important…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 14:10:56 +1200 Jonathan Mosen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320230#post320230 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320230#post320230 Precisely, this is not about resources, the appropriations are tiny. This is about squeaky wheel politics and it's bad public policy.
I also object to Sacha repeatedly defining me as a "person with impaired vision". I am not. I'm a blind person and I would like my right to define…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:46:14 +1200 Isaac Freeman https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320229#post320229 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320229#post320229 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:46:04 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320228#post320228 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320228#post320228 It might be that the hearing impaired make more political noise, due to sign language and the associated culture.

only in the last decade. it comes in waves.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:45:19 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320227#post320227 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320227#post320227 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:44:28 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320226#post320226 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320226#post320226 each disability type perhaps needs to advocate for itself

That benefits those with an historic advantage like the blind community, certainly. But it is largely what has been going on for decades, so I think we can make some judgements about how well it works overall by now.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:43:36 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320224#post320224 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320224#post320224 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:41:35 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320223#post320223 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320223#post320223 being so dismissive of the needs of blind people in this case

Two of the three options I suggested as priorities meet the needs of people with impaired vision. Who else's needs do you reckon are less important?

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:39:40 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320213#post320213 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320213#post320213 and asking political parties to be specific about how much they’re committing to.

Good luck with that.

Sincerely.

Sometimes, its like herding cats.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:07:41 +1200 Jonathan Mosen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320210#post320210 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320210#post320210 Hi Rosemary, it's an interesting idea, but I see a number of problems with this.
Audio description is great because it equalizes the TV watching experience. Just as with captioning, disabled and non-disabled people alike can sit around the telly and share the experience.
Providing access to a script means…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 12:57:51 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320207#post320207 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320207#post320207 I think all this is proving is that each disability type perhaps needs to advocate for itself, and that my suspicion is correct that cross-disability advocacy just doesn’t work

Unfortunately 'advocacy', of the steel toe cap boot wearing variety has been replaced with CEOs of government funded organisations having 'conversations'…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 12:39:40 +1200 Jonathan Mosen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320200#post320200 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320200#post320200 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:59:20 +1200 Jonathan Mosen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320197#post320197 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320197#post320197 Hi Sacha, you seem to be looking for a problem that doesn't exist. Audio description is readily achievable. It isn't hard, and it's not expensive. It takes minimal resources.
I think all this is proving is that each disability type perhaps needs to advocate for itself, and that my suspicion…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:57:25 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320191#post320191 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320191#post320191 “the voice of all disabled New Zealanders”

which it has never credibly been.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:31:53 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320190#post320190 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320190#post320190 If they were able to work together, we would see a stronger political voice, and a stronger set of outcomes across all disabilities.

Quite. Inadequate leadership and lack of investment in the infrastructure to support such collaboration. I lobbied – and worked hard – to solve that for many years,…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:31:03 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320189#post320189 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320189#post320189 For those disabled with high and very high and complex support needs “participation, socialisation and inclusion” are impossible without having these basic core care needs met.

And meeting those needs must be high priority, yes, on the basis they have no other options.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:29:31 +1200 George Darroch https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320188#post320188 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320188#post320188 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:24:40 +1200 Rosemary McDonald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320187#post320187 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320187#post320187 ". Many parties still seem fixated with medical issues which, while important, belong in a health policy. The Greens get it. Disability policy should be about participation, socialisation and inclusion."

For those disabled with high and very high and complex support needs "participation, socialisation and inclusion" are impossible without having…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:23:55 +1200 George Darroch https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320185#post320185 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320185#post320185 We will also introduce quotas for audio-description and New Zealand
Sign Language content.

Isn't this (pdf) the referral you are asking for?

That isn't a cop out. It states a strong commitment, in the context of the policy. The blind community should work with the Greens and other parties to…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:20:31 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320183#post320183 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320183#post320183 It should either be done properly, or not done at all.

With respect, I believe such a politics of perfection has held back progress because agencies are afraid to even start improving things. Because of the complexity of disability, there’s no way every initiative can work for everyone. If we…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:17:41 +1200 Jonathan Mosen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320177#post320177 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320177#post320177 Hi Sacha, while public policy is of course about competing priorities, if the Green Party think it is important to make something accessible, then good policy dictates that it should be universally accessible. It should either be done properly, or not done at all.
And let's face it, audio describing…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:31:05 +1200 Patrick Xavier https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320170#post320170 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320170#post320170 Mosen, Public Policy Benchmarks for Equality of Opportunity for People with Disabilities (1999) ]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:02:11 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320168#post320168 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320168#post320168 Can you link to your thesis, Jonathan. I for one would be interested to read it.

Though ideally there would not be any rationing of resources or policy attention, the number of New Zealanders with impaired hearing greatly outnumbers those with impaired sight. The Greens also have that internal mana…

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 09:43:01 +1200 Christopher Dempsey https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320164#post320164 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320164#post320164 Great post thank you.

As a member of Ngati Deaf you can imagine that I'm well pleased at the emphasis on captioning. But I agree with you when you suggest a focus instead on universal design.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 09:08:38 +1200 Public Address https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320163#post320163 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/access-the-problem-with-the-greens-disability/?p=320163#post320163 Discussion from blog post.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2014 09:08:38 +1200