Public Address | Cafe | Access: Who Are Disabled New Zealanders?

Sacha

Sun, 04 May 2014 21:10:40 +1200

Next post – who are disability stakeholders?

BDB Inc

Fri, 02 May 2014 14:51:46 +1200

I initially used the zombie analogy for "unconscious" people (giving me "the look " or avoiding looking )then decided that I was just doing what they were doing if I judged them (by their judging me by appearance).
Now I am open to everyone, if they react negatively I can…

Rosemary McDonald

Fri, 02 May 2014 10:58:07 +1200

My partner and I have the advantage of having spent about eight years after he had to stop working providing care in our home for disabled children and young people.

A wide range of disabilities/impairments/conditions...whatever is the correct terminology today!

Our conclusion? MOH:DSS must, and I mean MUST, start doing…

Rosemary McDonald

Fri, 02 May 2014 10:47:31 +1200

Oh boy...do we know that "Look".

My partner( a pre ACC tetraplegic) and I get about quite a bit....a lot in fact. Peter claims that after 43 years he no longer sees it...unless he looks, so he avoids eye contact. Some days, however, when he's in the mood, he will…

BDB Inc

Fri, 02 May 2014 09:31:12 +1200

As long as you are drawing a breath there is hope for the future.
I mean the experience of ignorance of others to bring unity here.

Feelings of isolation and being alone in this world are common to all (but harder to overcome when it feels involuntary ).
I found…

BDB Inc

Fri, 02 May 2014 08:53:23 +1200

If we all focused attention on one issue at a time to distribute facts and correct what people have been told that is well used spare time and energy (however much anyone has)
" DPA New Zealand is a Disabled Person’s Organisation (DPO) that includes all disability groups." Thats what…

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 21:58:41 +1200

folk can get tunnel vision, only focussing on one issue and usually on their own experience

Yes, it takes more to understand how my experience relates to others like me, and to others unlike me.

Context is another leap again. Takes time and energy. On average, disabled people have less…

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 21:53:22 +1200

that persons 'testimony'

.. led to the closure of the North Shore and (less directly) Auckland branches shortly afterwards. Extremely unimpressed.

Rosemary McDonald

Thu, 01 May 2014 20:49:53 +1200

"Without open honest talking nobody would know that their situation is not a one off thing, that other disabled people in NZ are experiencing the same discrimination."

Exactly.

If the aim is to make one feel alone and isolated....sure has worked!

Methinks BDB Inc...you have been around the block more…

Rosemary McDonald

Thu, 01 May 2014 20:43:58 +1200

I have a copy of that persons 'testimony'. Prior to the case going to the HRRT this person was approached to bring the matter up at a regional meeting...did not happen. Some of what was said I agree with....some was obviously based on possibly personal experience that did not necessarly…

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 20:21:41 +1200

The new director of DPA is someone called Megan McCoy

do you mean the Office for Disability Issues in MSD?

BDB Inc

Thu, 01 May 2014 20:13:51 +1200

The new director of DPA is someone called Megan McCoy, first she was a secretary at the NZ ministry of foreign affairs (not educated in the field no disability study – a political background) then she went to Cambodia (AusAID ). The Cambodian disability programs noted at the conference she…

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 19:30:03 +1200

Without open honest talking nobody would know that their situation is not a one off thing, that other disabled people in NZ are experiencing the same discrimination.

Thank you. That's one of my hopes.

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 19:28:33 +1200

failed to manage anything like a reasonable conversation about this with the top DPO

The then-head of that DPO was a witness for the Misery of Health *against* those parents and disabled people who took the case. #unfrickinbelievable

BDB Inc

Thu, 01 May 2014 19:09:00 +1200

Thats a good and reasonable demand Rosemary, that kind of DPO slander of supportive and loving carers is all about their image & money. They have nothing to support their claims.
DPO's thought up an excuse for the public in order to discredit all the unpaid family carers .

BDB Inc

Thu, 01 May 2014 18:44:53 +1200

But you have already taken action, providing a non judgmental space to discuss issues. No change occurs without the acknowledgment of facts, putting those facts out there is an action.
Without open honest talking nobody would know that their situation is not a one off thing, that other disabled people…

Rosemary McDonald

Thu, 01 May 2014 18:30:13 +1200

"Usually I'd say support existing organisations who are doing that, but in this case I have major reservations about their effectiveness." Sacha

"You can make demands now, what are your demands? "BDB Inc

Agree 100% Sacha....I have reached the point of absolute despair at the lack of effectiveness of existing…

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 17:29:08 +1200

Have reservations about the effectiveness of existing groups/organisations?

That's me, to be fair – not a collective position of any sort.

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 17:24:22 +1200

ah, I see what you mean. Not well enough connected or resourced for action though – yet. :)

BDB Inc

Thu, 01 May 2014 17:09:05 +1200

HUH ?
Is Access not organised?
Is it not a group of people( disabled, loved ones disabled or just great people) ?
Have reservations about the effectiveness of existing groups/organisations?

No better place to voice the changes desired.

Hilary Stace

Thu, 01 May 2014 15:23:58 +1200

Addressing disability abuse is complex. I'm in the process of writing something about it all which I might turn into a post (or more than one).

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 13:40:26 +1200

You and everyone here is part of an organized disability group.

Huh?

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 13:40:07 +1200

how do we organise?

That's worthy of another post. Usually I'd say support existing organisations who are doing that, but in this case I have major reservations about their effectiveness.

BDB Inc

Thu, 01 May 2014 13:22:25 +1200

You can make demands now, what are your demands? You and everyone here is part of an organized disability group.

I think the disclosures of the injustices need to be made public and that is what can be done here and now i. Facts must be acknowledged by the govt.…

Angela Hart

Thu, 01 May 2014 11:16:10 +1200

connect, organise, demand

Words matter but as long as we're not trying to offend we need to be able to speak clearly to get the best understanding. If we trust each other enough to say when something bothers us, communication between us should improve.

Anyway, harking back to the quote…

BDB Inc

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:42:04 +1200

Absolutely they differ and that is OK.
My values are not a socially constructed.
I would not survive a day adopting the socially constructed ideas/values regarding my life or disabilities.

The realization of who you are (or Socrates "know thyself") is key to leading a sane, creative and happy life.…

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 17:39:28 +1200

The only realisation of value is of who you are.

I reckon value is also socially constructed, so maybe we differ on that idea. That's OK.

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 17:38:39 +1200

I'm a bit confuused how this misunderstanding has arisen. You wrote:

the lack of understanding happens when the “disabled ” is placed before the person

and the new Access post was talking about exactly that, so I replied:

Jonathan wrote a post you might like.

Nothing more complicated than that,…

BDB Inc

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:24:59 +1200

Then why did you fwd the importance of words to me?

I never said that as I agree no experiences are the same.

The only realisation of value is of who you are.

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:18:37 +1200

Use whatever words you like. I imagine it's something we'll discuss continually here. There are no right answers but everything we say brings associations with it.

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:16:27 +1200

disabled people( in this case blind) would be offended by the idea of non disabled people experiencing momentary blindness

I never said that. Just that the experiences are not the same (and therefore some valuable realisations are not available).

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:14:18 +1200

I meant it takes more than that to offend me.
Am not offended.

BDB Inc

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 13:58:47 +1200

Yet there was nothing in the words or the idea of humanity being one to be offended by, your misunderstanding made you think other disabled people( in this case blind) would be offended by the idea of non disabled people experiencing momentary blindness. You said they could not as the…

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 12:51:26 +1200

sorry I offended you

hey it takes way more than that. :)

BDB Inc

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 12:44:09 +1200

He does not like the idea of putting back the person before the disability. He said one must be careful not to offend disabled people and to do this by naming specifically each disability you are referring to(like the Maori – self identified and separated by a past ideas of…

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 12:13:18 +1200

the lack of understanding happens when the “disabled ” is placed before the person

Jonathan wrote a post you might like.

BDB Inc

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 12:10:36 +1200

I am sorry if I offended.
My first response was not posted as I was logged off by the mysterious non accessing access post eating blog monster .

I did not explain well the idea, closing your eyes in a moment the sense of vision is gone you are blind…

Sacha

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 09:10:12 +1200

Anyone can easily become disabled at any time; a crucial difference from most other types of difference like ethnicity or gender.

Makes it (scarily) easy to imagine a different life for myself – but usually only compared with my current one. With respect, there's a big difference between the experience…

BDB Inc

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:20:09 +1200

You agree with uncomfortable and that it is due to fear of the unknown.
How to make disabled people known? Do you want to know a blind person who is close to you and lives with you ? Close your eyes and look in the mirror.

Philosophically this understanding others…

Sacha

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 20:26:18 +1200

the DPOs seem focussed on the Convention

Wellington is generally more focused on the United Nations disability human rights convention. National disabled organisations tend to be based there.

Sacha

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 20:23:21 +1200

uncomfortable

a crucial word, yes

BDB Inc

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 08:44:22 +1200

In a speech to the Young Labour conference in Wellington yesterday David Cunliffe said “That we should be judged by how we treat the most vulnerable.”
Cunliffe here is referring to disabled persons, but he doesn't want a judgement as when it is given it is censored. Quick to jump…

BDB Inc

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 17:07:39 +1200

"We’re poorly understood for various reasons"
Yes what about people who are afraid and uncomfortable around 'disabled' people due to ignorance. They do not know how they should think/feel and so they feel uncomfortable as they view the difference not the similarity.
Some people are very fearful of losing the…

Rosemary McDonald

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 15:25:58 +1200

"Similarly, I believe, the various media have been obliged to become very careful and selective with their stories."

The media got the hard word from a certain organisation a while ago to only seek comments from DPO's when reporting on disability issues.

The same organisation recieves well over $500,000 in…

BDB Inc

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 14:57:03 +1200

I am not represented . I did not even get a response (or receipt) of feedback on input on the govts attitude towards the UN CRPWD. They did not accept it what else should I do? Go directly to the UN? done that, guess what the UN don't care about…

Hilary Stace

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 14:41:13 +1200

There are not many disabled people's organisations (DPOs) in NZ and they are all small and not well resourced, unlike some of the disability NGOs which are bigger. It is just my observation that the DPOs seem focussed on the Convention, but it is a bigger task to expect them…

BDB Inc

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 13:57:09 +1200

The state of disabled people has nothing to do with taking advantage and promoting a political party, This article was about awareness of the growing numbers of disabled people and the problems when their voices are silenced by conflict of interests . I do not see the article about using…

Angela Hart

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:28:33 +1200

Yes, I too think the Greens have the right approach and their values have not been subjugated by expediency (yet). They fight hard for their policies, and they haven't done badly while waiting in the wings. Although the Government of the day takes credit, schemes like the home insulation and…

BDB Inc

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 10:22:42 +1200

I don't believe they are UN CRPWD focused, as why would you say this and then acknowledge the disenfranchised state of disabled people in NZ.
Disabled people getting their needs met and being included as an equal is not about just voting. Its great Mojo exposed the govt's discrimination/thinking on…

Angela Hart

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 00:44:09 +1200

Yes, the Problem Gambling Foundation is a prime example of what can happen when you're dependent on Government funding and you displease the Government. The current climate is not that of a functional democracy.
Similarly, I believe, the various media have been obliged to become very careful and selective with…

Hilary Stace

Sat, 26 Apr 2014 16:12:45 +1200

DPA has revamped its website and some branches seem to have become more active lately. Most DPOs are very UN CRPWD focused and how to made those rights real. It is very hard for NGOs to be active advocates for anything in the current climate where those with the loudest…

Angela Hart

Sat, 26 Apr 2014 15:02:57 +1200

umm, yes, I've been wondering for a while whether it's worth putting effort into some of the existing structures. It seems to me that some of them operate more as a dampener for outrage/anger/complaint than as a means to effect change. What I mean is that while groups partner or…

Sacha

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:43:49 +1200

Unsure, but others can testify I've put a fair bit of effort into the current setup and it just didn't work as it should. Comparing with other marginalised groups like ethnic and GLBT communities is instructive.

Angela Hart

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:12:22 +1200

so do you think we need a new organisation to represent the interests of people with disabilities and those who care about a decent society?

Sacha

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:15:21 +1200

Connecting is a bit easier than it used to be, that's not so much of a problem

We'll have some posts on remaining challenges in connectivity.

I was also thinking about connecting as making people aware of our connectedness, the interests we have in common. Disability has traditionally been medicalised…

Sacha

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 12:55:23 +1200

we are 5 months or so away from an election and the only major party with a clear set of disability policies on their website is the Greens. Why?

Because we have been woefully ineffective at organising and demanding better from all of them. And those whose jobs it has…

Sacha

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 12:54:32 +1200

the DPA used to be high profile and politically active

in the 1980s and 1990s, yes.

Angela Hart

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 12:33:16 +1200

Connecting is a bit easier than it used to be, that's not so much of a problem.
Organising though, the DPA used to be high profile and politically active but I haven't heard much from or about them for a few years. We need to organise and be prepared to…

Sacha

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:47:44 +1200

connect, organise, demand

Ian Dalziel

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:24:32 +1200

Wheel world solutions
how do you suggest we start fixing it?
Start ramping things up where you can...

Seriously.

Sacha

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:41:02 +1200

To me those houses say “I don’t care whether people with mobility challenges can visit me in my home”

.. and no future owners of this home will need good physical access for them, their family and friends, or workers. So stupid.

Sacha

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:38:49 +1200

It makes me cross when people building new houses don’t just automatically make at least the main "public" spaces (i.e. entry, access to living space) wheelchair accessible

And you have to wonder why that isn't a basic requirement of building regulations like it is in the UK, despite decades of…

Lucy Telfar Barnard

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:32:24 +1200

Indeed. It makes me cross when people building new houses don’t just automatically make at least the main "public" spaces (i.e. entry, access to living space) wheelchair accessible (unless the constraints of the site make that completely impractical). To me those houses say “I don’t care whether people with mobility…

Angela Hart

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 16:07:29 +1200

how do you suggest we start fixing it?

Lucy Telfar Barnard

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:10:47 +1200

There is certainly a high association. And I agree that people appear to accept impairment in others better if they think it's the result of age. But not everyone who gets old becomes disabled (except of course all of us, in the end). To me "how many are simply suffering…

Sacha

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:11:30 +1200

Maybe it's the implication that disability is an inevitable part of ageing.

There's a high association, to be fair. I've always found that most people have an easier relationship with the idea of ageing as a source of impairment. Guess most of us have watched older family members change and…

Sacha

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:09:23 +1200

Good point.

Lucy Telfar Barnard

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 08:48:29 +1200

Richard, the phrasing of your question bothers me, but I'm not sure I know why. Maybe it's the combination of "simply" and "suffering" (I don't think suffering is simple). Maybe it's the implication that disability is an inevitable part of ageing. Maybe it's my own possibly wrong inference that you…

Kay

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 03:32:00 +1200

Those of us with "hidden disabilities". I'm a university graduate (educated), look and sound completely "normal " but severe epilepsy means no hope of employment and the rest of my life on a benefit, so poor. I consider myself disabled because I can't participate in society as someone my age…

Sacha

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 22:28:59 +1200

StatsNZ report ageing as the cause of impairment for about a quarter of all over-15s (and about half of over-65s).

However their survey design deliberately excludes that cause from initial prompts, so it may be higher.

Say 2 to 3 of the 9. Hard to say how many of those…

Richard_Elwin

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:42:37 +1200

So of the 9, how many are simply suffering from having grown old?

Public Address

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:42:37 +1200

Discussion from blog post.