Auckland Council has updated its action plan to create a more accessible Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Council's Disability Advisory Panel has reviewed the Mahere Mahi mō te Hauā Disability Action Plan [6.51MB] which is being relaunched with a fresh focus and new actions to drive change.
Find out more on the work of the Disability Advisory Panel, read the Disability Action Plan and the plain text version.
Bringing transport into the mix
While a focus on accessible transport is not new, the refreshed Disability Action Plan now includes a separate transport section, reflecting the important progress and ongoing work to improve accessibility in this space, such as Auckland Transport’s Accessibility Action Plan.
Actions here also include providing New Zealand Sign Language videos at a number of regional facilities; ensuring buses, trains and ferries have audio-visual announcements; step-free access and regular training for staff.
Plan details
In 2023, the Household Disability Survey estimated 14 per cent of Aucklanders live with a disability, representing more than 200,000 of the region’s residents.
Co-chair of the council’s Disability Advisory Panel, Martine Abel-Williamson, says the plan helps to promote disability responsiveness and foster a sense of belonging.
“All Aucklanders should learn about others’ needs and requirements. That’s what the action plan is about – promoting disability responsiveness through lasting changes.
“There are possible ‘quick wins’ included in our plan, but it goes much deeper than that; it commits us to actions with positive long-term impacts.
“Every Aucklander – disabled or not – can have access to this plan and help create a welcoming, accessible Tāmaki Makaurau. We all need to own it,” she says.
Louise Mason, General Manager of Policy at Auckland Council says inclusion is a fundamental part of the council’s work.
“Cities and services should be designed for everyone. The Disability Action Plan is a tangible way that we are contributing to the council’s vision of an inclusive Auckland – one where we can all fully take part in all aspects of community and civic life.
“The council whānau has a big role to play in the region through providing facilities, events, public spaces, services, information, communication and public transport.
“The action plan holds us – Auckland Council – accountable for working to remove barriers to make sure these services are accessible to everyone to enjoy them,” she says.
What has been achieved so far?
Since the action plan was first developed in 2015, good progress has been made to make buildings, places and spaces more accessible. The Auckland Design Manual, developed by the council, plays a key role by promoting the use of universal design in the building and property industry for improved access to buildings including community venues and housing.
Auckland Council’s Principal Specialist in Universal Design, Elise Copeland, says the manual is one way the council advocates for environments that work for everyone.
“Our role helps to ensure developments are designed to cater for the diverse needs of our population. Auckland is a growing city and we’re regularly updating our guidance with the council’s universal design forum to reflect new policies and building practices. Our advocacy needs to keep pace with these changes, so that our urban environments are accessible and inclusive for everyone,” she says.
An example of this in practice is Plan Change 79, an update to the Auckland Unitary Plan proposed by the council and focused on pedestrian access and safety. It will require many residential developments to provide pedestrian access for a wide range of users, including those who use mobility equipment such as crutches, wheelchairs, and assistance animals, as well as emergency responders.
Later this year, the council will also publish research on the lived experiences of disabled people and their whānau living in medium density housing.
More power to bring about change
With this refresh, the Disability Action Plan now sits under Ngā Hapori Momoho, the council’s Thriving Communities Strategy, strengthening its mandate to make change happen. Progress will be reported twice a year to the council’s Disability Advisory Panel.
Barry De Geest is a co-chair of the panel and says reporting will focus on how the action plan is helping create a fairer, more accessible Tāmaki Makaurau where every Aucklander feels like they belong.
“The Disability Action Plan does this across five themes: accessible buildings places and spaces; knowledge, communication and engagement; events and services; our workplace; and transport.
“This is my first term on the Disability Advisory Panel and working with other panel members – and across all the council advisory panels – on this action plan has been a fantastic experience,” he says.
From action plan to business-as-usual
Alongside the projects listed in the plan, the council whānau embeds disability-related initiatives into day-to-day practice – some starting out in the action plan.
Disability Advisory Panel member, Áine Kelly-Costello, says this is where the action plan does its job best.
“When actions become ‘business-as-usual,’ it shows how effective the plan is – that’s when it’s truly making a difference,” they say.
Easy Read, and audio versions of the plan and this story will be available in coming months.
