• Matters frequently included in submissions to local authorities
• Would you like to help?

The Foundation makes submissions to local government and health agencies on matters of importance to its membership nationally or at a local level. Submissions are in response to an annual or strategic plan, or on particular issues as they arise. (For instance, in April and May 2005 the Foundation made a submission on draft waste bylaws proposed by three councils. The Foundation sought to confirm that the bylaw which had been developed to deal with the depositing of unsolicited advertising in letter boxes would not prevent charities sending out direct mail letters or appeal envelopes.)

RNZFB Community Committees and consumer organisations are a valuable lobbying presence. They are invited to participate in and use the Foundation's submissions.

Matters frequently included in submissions to local authorities

New Zealand Disability Strategy

Awareness of and demonstrating commitment to the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

Understanding of sensory disability

Staff training to ensure that paid staff and volunteers are confident and competent in working with people who are blind, deafblind or vision impaired. For example, people who cannot receive information visually will not be able to follow directional instructions conveyed by gestures and vague "over there" statements.

The Foundation's "sighted guide" training conveys the techniques for guiding a blind, deafblind, or vision-impaired person safely and with dignity. Its communicator guides programme is a service to assist deafblind people with their unique communication needs.

Within a hospital setting staff who have received training in blindness and deafblindness issues will be well placed to orient clients to the layout of waiting areas, clinics, and rest rooms, inform them of food and drink options, and assist them to know what food has been served. Patients who are known to be blind, deafblind or vision impaired will not be expected to read and respond to exercise charts and other visual information, locate food trays that have been delivered, etc.

Universal design

The common experience of blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people is that unless public facilities and services are designed with their needs in mind, those needs are easily overlooked. The cost disincentive of subsequently adapting public places and redesigning services means that "retrofits" are not done. Inaccessible places and services prevent blind, deafblind, and vision-impaired people from participating fully in their local community.

Accessible communities and routes

Accessible routes and public transport systems. Pedestrian safety guidelines.

Measures to ensure that disabled people do not disproportionately bear the cost of making inaccessible process and places accessible for all.

The information barrier

Many people with impaired vision have difficulty reading signs on which the letters are too small or not clearly contrasted against the background. Signs placed at an unsuitable height, in shaded or in unevenly lit places are problematic. Ensuring reasonable access to public places and the built environment includes having appropriate signage outside buildings. Braille and large, tactile print letters in lifts are required. Audio renderings of signs in key public places are helpful at bus stops and to relay route information on buses and trains.

Many organisations could usefully develop guidelines for the production and use of accessible documents. Guidelines would cover large print and tactile signs in public places and tourist venues, and large print documents in a suitable font and consistently clear contrast between font and background (e.g. text which is not obscured by artwork). The latter is particularly important for people whose use a hand-held magnifier or closed circuit television magnifier.

Guidelines could also cover the need for some people to receive information in audio form, as a physical recording or via the Foundation's Telephone Information Service.

Many blind, deafblind and vision-impaired computer users continue to face difficulties in using documents in PDF format. Of course, these people cannot easily check the PDF against its print equivalent. Accessible information guidelines would therefore prompt the organisations to follow best practice and offer all documents available online in another format (Word, HTML or plain text) in addition to the PDF.

Employer awareness

Reasonable accommodations in line with the Human Rights Act 1993 should be made to enable disabled individuals to secure and hold a job on the basis of their ability. Local authorities can partner with other organisations to increase the employment opportunities available to disabled people.

Ensuring the voices of blind, deafblind and vision-impaired citizens are heard

Disability reference groups and designated liaison staff provide an opportunity to profile the issues faced by disabled people and the workable solutions to problems.

Would you like to help?

Are you a Foundation member or supporter who would like to participate in the submissions process? For more information, email: submissions.