A new deal has been struck between a disability advocacy group and the local council in Whakatāne, New Zealand, with the aim of making the district safer and more accessible for people with disabilities. The Whakatāne Accessible and Inclusive Trust (WAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Whakatāne District Council last week.
The WAI has previously worked with the council to improve footpaths, kerbs, and crossings in key areas around the town. The group also plans to address the town’s red courtesy crossings, which they believe are unsafe for people with disabilities.
As part of the agreement, the council will develop a Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which will be discussed at an upcoming meeting. The council’s chief executive, Steph O’Sullivan, and WAI member Grant Chase signed the agreement.
The Memorandum of Understanding will provide guidelines for the council staff and trust members to work together. The WAI is unique because its members are mostly people who have personal experience with living with a disability. This allows the council to receive specialized advice.
The council’s senior community development advisor, Karen Summerhays, said it has been a pleasure to work with the WAI members. She praised their persistence and patience and acknowledged their valuable guidance.
The WAI has been working with the council for several years, and some of their ideas have already been implemented. In 2018, they made a submission to the council advocating for safer kerbs and crossing places, as well as better access for people in mobility scooters and wheelchairs. These recommendations have been put into action this year.
The group is also currently supporting emergency planning work to ensure that people with disabilities are taken into account during tsunami evacuations. They plan to make a submission to the Long-term Plan 2024-34 regarding their concerns about the red courtesy crossings, which they believe do not meet the guidelines of the New Zealand Transport Authority Waka Kotahi.
