disability Archive

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  Nasty surprise in Disability Commissioner bill? - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  The Government has introduced legislation to establish the permanent position of Disability Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission – or has it? read more
  October 25, 2011 10:15 am - 1 Comment
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  Saints or support workers? Rodney Hide on special education - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  In the middle of his other troubles, Associate Education Minister Rodney Hide spoke at our Select Committee on Wednesday about the Review of Special Education. It was apparent that his 6 month journey with this portfolio has included some transformative moments, as documented in TVNZ’s Make the Politician Work. He has been open about the [...] read more
  May 5, 2011 5:21 pm - 2 Comments
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  Autism awareness breakfast - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  World Autism Awareness Day falls on 2 April each year, but as that was on a weekend, we held a breakfast to acknowledge it during the week in Parliament. It was an honour to be asked by Autism New Zealand to host the event, which was well attended by MPs from across the political spectrum. [...] read more
  April 14, 2011 11:00 am - 5 Comments
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  Thoughts on Jetstar’s discrimination - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  When Jetstar refused two people the right to fly because they use wheelchairs and didn’t have two caregivers, it raised the endless and ongoing issue of discrimination against people with disabilities. The debate is not new. It has taken years for disability activists to work with the airlines to ensure access onto all kinds of [...] read more
  April 13, 2011 5:24 pm - 8 Comments
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  Disability and paying carers who are family - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  This week I hosted a forum at Parliament for a very challenging campaign. I invited all MPs, but only the Green MPs supported it. Maybe the others were all very busy, but many from Labour and National seem to find it hard to meet the families who have called for their help in vain for [...] read more
  March 25, 2011 12:23 pm - 2 Comments
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  Advertising for a disability champion - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  I’m delighted to announce that the Human Rights Commission is now advertising the position of Disability Commissioner on their website. People with the relevant skills and passion for inclusion can now apply for the role. I am thrilled that my Bill contributed to this moment, and pleased that the Government has supported the immediate creation [...] read more
  March 2, 2011 9:10 am - 7 Comments
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  Another podcast with a transcript - by frog

  
  
  
  Yay, the momentum is building and we have a transcript for another of our podcasts, thanks once again to a very awesome writer who’s been transcribing them for us! This one’s from a few weeks back, but it’s been super-popular, so click through to listen or download the transcript of Gareth Hughes talking about his [...] read more
  October 29, 2010 4:14 pm - No Comments
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  Establishing a Disability Commissioner - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Before I came to Parliament I thought making change happen was all about passing legislation and getting the numbers in the House. In many ways, that’s true, but sometimes it’s about even stranger twists of politics. Take the example of the member’s bill I placed in the ballot last year to establish a fulltime Disability [...] read more
  October 28, 2010 9:00 am - 4 Comments
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  Employment inspiration in Mental Health Awareness Week - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  This morning I attended a very positive event in Thames hosted by the Like Minds Like Mine team from Te Korowai Hauora O Hauraki. It was a breakfast for employers to network with agencies like Workwise and Workbridge on the theme of the benefits of employing people with impairments. One of the town’s largest employers, [...] read more
  October 6, 2010 12:27 pm - 2 Comments
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  Captioning the Rugby World Cup - by frog

  
  
  
  It was pleasing to discover yesterday, via a question from Catherine to Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman, that the seven Rugby World Cup matches screened live on TVNZ next year will include live captioning for the deaf community – after all, we promised the world a ‘stadium of 4 million people’, and this ought to include [...] read more
  September 23, 2010 2:25 pm - 2 Comments
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  Inclusion blues – the ERO Report on schools and special needs - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  For once I agree with Heather Roy! We do need trainee teachers to have experience working with children with special needs in schools. I was shocked when the answer to my written question confirmed that trainee teachers can opt in for special needs education but that it is voluntary. It’s not just about working with [...] read more
  July 23, 2010 5:01 pm - 8 Comments
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  Sign Language Sabotaged - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Last year the Minister of Education was repeatedly asked in the House if there would be cuts to New Zealand Sign language education during the night class debacle. If you read the Manawatu Standard yesterday, it has started to happen, in that region at least. read more
  February 5, 2010 9:22 am - 7 Comments
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  You can’t have your human rights because they cost too much - by frog

  
  
  
  The Government says it’s appealing against a ruling of the Human Rights Review Tribunal because the country cannot afford to pay people to look after their own severely disabled family members. What’s next, I wonder? Repeal the Equal Pay Act so employers can pay their women workers less and claim it is justified discrimination on the grounds that it would improve productivity? read more
  January 26, 2010 11:26 am - 69 Comments
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  TVNZ – step up to the Convention - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  TVNZ might be at risk of becoming blasé about complaints to the Human Rights Commission. After all, it is becoming a regular occurrence thanks to their ongoing support for Paul Henry’s barking and dog whistling. Henry is willing to incite prejudice and contempt for women who are not Barbie and people with intellectual impairments. read more
  December 3, 2009 6:41 pm - 59 Comments
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  Minister of Discrimination? - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  It was pretty bizarre hearing Rodney Hide, Minister of Local Government, encouraging a business to discriminate against employees who might have impairments. Between Rodney and the builder we heard pretty much all the classic arguments that reinforce negative attitudes towards removing the disabling barriers. In case you missed it, a business was planning to put [...] read more
  February 9, 2009 4:13 pm - 25 Comments
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  The Attitude Awards – A TABS Wake up Call - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Yesterday was World Disability Day, and last night the inaugural Attitude Awards ceremony was held at Sky City. The TVNZ programme “Attitude” that celebrates the achievements of people living with impairments created the “Attitude Awards” which were sponsored by a range of businesses and ACC. One in five people in Aotearoa live with an impairment, [...] read more
  December 4, 2008 4:37 pm - 139 Comments