Human Rights Commission

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan says the decision to integrate a disability action plan with the rebuilding of Christchurch will continue to pay social and economic dividends for decades to come.

Ms Noonan said, “By incorporating principles of universal design from the start, there is a wonderful opportunity to ensure the new Christchurch will be a world leader in terms of its accessibility and support for all those who live there.”

The Cabinet approved the disability action plan last month and it is now being promoted by the Office of Disability Issues. The plan arises as part of the country’s responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ratified in September, 2008.

The plan has three priorities, supports for living, mobility and access and jobs.

By putting the plan in place as part of the rebuild of Christchurch the plan will help to ensure that the rebuild achieves better accessibility for disabled and older people, a more livable city for everyone and inclusive support and services for disabled people.

Work will focus on redesigning disability supports and services and improving accessibility in the built environment. Responsibility rests with a range of government agencies, including the ministries of health, education transport, the Office of Disability Issues and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.

Progress will be reported on every six months to the Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues. Under the framework for the Disability Convention, the Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Ombudsmen and the Convention Coalition have the role of independent monitoring of progress on the rights and responsibilities of people with disabilities.

Click here for details of the Disability Action Plan focused on Christchurch.

Media enquiries: Gilbert Wong 09 306 2660, Margo White, 09 375 8616.