Access Tourism NZ TOURISM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SENIORS, AND AGEING BOOMERS IN NEW ZEALAND AND WORLDWIDE

A news release on 3 September 2009  reports challenges to a number of leading Auckland organisations to tackle barriers that get in the way for 77,000 disabled Aucklanders.  The report shows that disabled people could play a bigger part in the city if barriers were removed in public spaces, services and buildings, transport and communications, work and study.
 
Minister for Disability Issues, the Hon Tariana Turia, received the report and greatly welcomed the initiative taken by the Auckland City Council, Auckland District Health Board, Waitakere City Council and AUT University Local Government Centre, in providing a snapshot of life for disabled Aucklanders (speech).
 
The Step Up Auckland: Decision-makers getting it right for disabled
Aucklanders report  provides evidence about some of the key issues and aspirations of disabled Aucklanders.  It  found that disabled Aucklanders love Auckland and they want to contribute more actively to the social and economic fabric of the city. Step Up Auckland challenges decision-makers
in key public agencies to help make that happen.
 
The report found that getting around the city is still problematic for disabled
Aucklanders because of barriers in transport, the built environment and public spaces.  With a rapidly ageing population and disability on the increase, there is even more pressure on city leaders to plan for the thousands
of disabled people who want to live, work and play in Auckland
now and in the future. Improvements can be as simple as insisting on buildings and footpaths that work well for everyone, including the elderly and parents pushing prams.