Posts by Sacha
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Hilary Stace,
I can give you some references to papers about the semantics if you would like.
as long as they're not American. :)
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Mikaere Curtis,
This is a clear case where we get to see who walks the talk when it comes to concrete action around disability issues
Quite. Though it wasn't the best answer, I have to salute Winston for coming out so promptly and practically in support. Has current government Disability Minister Tariana Turia said anything at all? Links welcome.
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,
One Paragraph after pointing out that individuals have impairments and not disabilities, is probably not the best time to point out that we've confirmed the rights of persons with disabilities
Yes, some of our colleagues need to be better with the basics. Impairments *are* the same as "disabilities".
Backwards Americanisms like that snuck back in via the UN Convention process and a lack of strategic nous and leadership here has let that stand when we were leading the world in our thinking. It's hard to be harsh with silly old fools like Lockwood in those circumstances.
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
I’d like to think that if my partial hearing loss gets any worse, I won’t have to put up with this kind of nonsense from future employers.
There are similar problems in workplaces, yes. Has anyone been drawing those links while I've been offline?
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Russell Brown,
I've seen two hearing-able people use sign as fast private communication in a crowded room. It was kind of badass.
Excellent. Not so private if there are other NZSL users in the room, but. :)
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
Would Smith have made such a knob of himself if the PSC had been aware of the note-taker issue, taking soundings and advised Mr Speaker there was no opposition to them being funded out of the Clerk's Office appropriation?
I understand that Mojo and colleagues negotiated with PSC and the Clerk's office from the get-go and they've been helpful despite some key staff being away over Christmans/New Year.
Equipment will be purchased but not people to drive it - that seems like pretty typical petty bureacracy about traditional funding rules, but fair enough if it requires rules to be updated. Waiting for that, though? - ridiculous.
As I said upthread, the Speaker seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding that it's Mojo being supported personally, rather than the whole of Parliament. The loudspeaker system, seats and lightbulbs support the whole organisation's functioning, even though some disabled MPs wouldn't need to use all of them. Hoiwever, each MP was not billed for upgrading the loudspeakers, or replacing chairs or bulbs.
It's not an uncommon assumption so Lockwood may be fairly reflecting the attitudes of ignorant New Zealanders - but thankfully not of many others who reckon he's being a knob.
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Heather Gaye,
Thank you
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Hard News: This Is Not A Complicated Issue, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,
Like anything, the people who would most benefit from this sort of service need to keep on pushing for it.
and like most things, disabled people have the least resources to do that with.
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I understand that Parliamentary Services and co have been good about engaging since November to make changes.
Willingness to pay for it seems the biggest problem. As it often is - brings the matter of disabled people's value into sharp focus, though you can guarantee most of those conversations have been happening silently inside people's heads where old attitudes lurk and wreak mischief.
If a Member of Parliament has trouble justifying what they add, imagine what it's like for the rest of this country's disabled citizens?
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As Andrea Vance notes:
How about seeing the "problem" in a different way? The Te Reo translation service is funded by Parliamentary Service because it is a service "for all MPs".
Isn't having Mathers fully participate in the House also a service to all MPs?
I don't think Lockwood has his head around that - but to be fair, neither do most people. Without a proper widespread education effort, attitudes won't improve anywhere near fast enough to keep up with social and economic changes.
Disability has always been a normal part of human existence, and we need everyone's contributions without silly barriers like this one being put in the way.