Auckland, New Zealand – Access Matters Aotearoa (AMA) welcomes the introduction of the Accessibility Standards Bill by New Zealand First, a Member’s Bill in the name of Jenny Marcroft, as an important opportunity to build cross-party support for lasting accessibility reform.
AMA Co-Chair Amy Hogan says disabled people and those with access needs deserve accessibility planned from the outset, rather than relying on goodwill, exceptions and workarounds.
“For more than three decades, disabled people, advocates, families and community organisations have called for stronger accessibility legislation.
Accessibility affects participation in education, employment, housing, healthcare, transport, information and community life. Good accessibility standards benefit everyone.
The Accessibility Standards Bill is an opportunity to advance practical reforms, making accessibility simpler, fairer and more consistent across New Zealand.”
Dr Rebekah Graham, AMA Co-Chair, says today’s announcement is a constructive step towards improving a system that has left too many New Zealanders facing avoidable barriers.
“Too often, disabled people are expected to adapt to systems, environments and services that were never designed to be accessible in the first place.
Stronger accessibility standards help prevent barriers before they even happen and provide government agencies, businesses, service providers, and communities with clearer guidance on what accessibility looks like in everyday situations.”
Through its Kōrero for Change programme, Accessible Futures Summit, policy research, and engagement with lived-experience leaders, AMA has worked alongside hundreds of participants and organisations to identify practical solutions to improve accessibility across New Zealand – many of which are addressed in the first draft of the Accessibility Standards Bill.
Hogan says AMA encourages all political parties to engage as the Accessibility Standards Bill progresses.
“Accessibility reform belongs to all New Zealanders. Lasting change will require broad support across Parliament and across society.
We welcome New Zealand First’s commitment, and encourage all political parties to work together toward a more accessible New Zealand, one that works better for disabled people, people with access needs, older people, families, carers, businesses and the wider community.
As the Bill progresses, we look forward to constructive engagement with disabled people and people with access needs, community organisations, businesses, and government agencies, as we work together towards a more accessible New Zealand.”
About Access Matters Aotearoa
Access Matters Aotearoa is a solutions-driven, non-partisan advocacy trust working to secure strong accessibility legislation so everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand can participate fully.