Election questions for political parties
We wrote to the registered political parties ahead of the 2011 General Election to ask about their policies on issues affecting blind and partially sighted people. Our seven questions are below. We will post responses from parties online as we receive them. You can also listen to these responses on the Telephone Information Service at option 7 3 2.
We have received responses from:
Election questions for blind and partially sighted New Zealanders
1. New Zealand has committed to ensuring that blind and partially sighted people experience the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. What measures would your party put in place to ensure that New Zealand's commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are implemented?
2. The rebuild of Christchurch provides an opportunity to create an inclusive city that is fully accessible to everyone. What policy would you implement to ensure that blind and partially sighted people are fully consulted and included in the Christchurch recovery?
3. The Welfare Working Group suggested increasing work expectations for blind and partially sighted New Zealanders, as well as increasing supports for them to find work. How will you ensure that disabled New Zealanders are not disadvantaged by any changes to the welfare system?
4. Blind and partially sighted New Zealanders cannot drive, and often face barriers to using the public transport that they rely on. How would you ensure adequate access to public transport for blind and partially sighted people?
5. Success for All, the Government's response to the 2009 Review of Special Education, identified a need to improve our schools' ability to include disabled students. How would you ensure blind and partially sighted students are fully included in education?
6. Less than 5% of printed information is available in formats that blind people can read. In New Zealand, the main barriers include limited Government funding for accessible format producers like the RNZFB, low uptake of web accessibility standards, and international copyright barriers that prevent importing of braille and other accessible books from overseas. How would your party increase access to information for blind and partially sighted New Zealanders?
7. New Zealand has committed to the World Health Organization's VISION 2020 goal to eliminate avoidable blindness in New Zealand by 2020, but has not implemented a specific plan or budget to ensure this goal is met. What measures and policies will you put in place to work with the eye health and disability sector to eliminate avoidable blindness in New Zealand by 2020?