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Advocating for an accessible New Zealand

Blind Low Vision NZ is passionate about having a New Zealand that’s accessible for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision. We know that’s good for all Kiwis. Our advocacy work influences the government to take action and improve access to information, buildings and public spaces, transport and more. We want to fix things once and for all, for everybody.

So how do we do that? We mainly focus on influencing central government policy,  using our understanding of issues facing people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision. That’s coupled with research to be a credible voice.

Our team also works with local government, policy developers and other disability organisations to create change. And we have a voice on the international stage, working closely with the World Blind Union on major projects such as the Marrakesh Treaty.

Sign the petition for a National Eye Health Survey
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Our Purpose statements

Find out where we stand on issues related to blindness, deafblindness and low vision.

Blind Low Vision NZ believes every New Zealander should be able to fully participate in society, have the opportunity to learn, to get a job, and to take part in community and social life. We believe open minds and inclusive attitudes, supported by legislation, will help New Zealand create the changes it needs to become fully accessible.

Why it matters

New Zealand signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007. Our country has an obligation to implement it, and to do so we need to become as accessible as possible.

Right now, people, including New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind or have low vision, face barriers that exclude them from being able to participate fully and equally in society. Difficulties brought about by unnecessary barriers are in every part of life: from getting around, to accessing information, technology, employment and buildings, to attitudinal challenges, and even the ability to vote independently in all elections.

These barriers create inequities and impact on productivity and participation, and ultimately our nation’s wellbeing. Accessibility matters to everyone, and the one in four New Zealanders who have a disability can speak with experience on what is and isn’t working.

The future we want

We want a future where everyone, including New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind or have low vision, can participate fully and with dignity, in how they go from place to place, in the facilities and services they interact with, in the education path they choose to follow, and the careers they wish to forge.

We want a future where the examples of accessibility and inclusion we find today, become simply the norm. We want to remove barriers holding us back from flourishing as a fair country, one that recognises all of our fundamental human rights and improves the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

We seek a fully accessible Aotearoa, which we have described in partnership with the Access Alliance.

Our role

We are actively and passionately driving change that will make New Zealand accessible for all. Over recent years Blind Low Vision NZ, independently and as a member of the Access Alliance, has turned up the dial on advocating for accessible and inclusive communities at both systemic and grass roots levels.

By working together with others who have common goals, we are:

  • Working with government through a partnership agreement driving the work programme to accelerate accessibility in New Zealand, and advocating for the essential role of new legislation, as part of the Access Alliance.
  • Providing solutions to plug the gaps such as initiating the Access Advisors consultancy and the Accessibility Tick programme[KR1] , our accessible formats production and library services, and accessible signage guidelines.
  • Advocating and advising on accessibility best practice working alongside local councils, government and businesses.
  • Committing internally to our accessibility goals that support employees and customers, including through the Accessibility Tick programme and other internal initiatives.
  • Speaking out about accessibility injustices and creating opportunities to help educate New Zealand about the importance of accessibility alongside the change we are making.

We also have a number of position statements on specific areas of accessibility, including access to information and communication, access to public transport and access to employment.

Blind Low Vision NZ believes everyone who is blind, deafblind, or has low vision should have the opportunity to be self-reliant and do the things they need and want to do in life.

For that to be possible, our world needs to be accessible and inclusive, and people who are blind or have low vision need to have the skills and knowledge to make the most of an inclusive world. We need open minds and inclusive attitudes, laws and regulations that support accessibility, and health and disability systems that support good eye health and vision rehabilitation.

We want to change what it means to be blind, deafblind or have low vision.

Why it matters

Today Blind Low Vision NZ, New Zealand’s main provider of vision rehabilitation services, supports an estimated four out of 10 people living in New Zealand with blindness or low vision to continue to be self-reliant, to stay connected and in work, get around independently and live life with dignity. This means some people miss out on practical and emotional support to live with sight loss. The journey needs to be smoother for people to access support.

Then, there are the many unnecessary barriers imposed by systems, structures and people that make it harder for those who are blind or have low vision to live life how they want to. Indicators in important areas such as education, employment and mental wellbeing tell us there is some way to go in making sure people who are blind or have low vision have the same opportunities available to others in life.

The areas of eye health and accessibility in New Zealand need to change before living with blindness or low vision can become fairer.

The future we want

We want a future in which people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision can live their lives without limits; feeling they can do the things they need and want to do with self-reliance, confidence and optimism. We want people who are blind or have low vision to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to have access to the whole world, the same as everyone else.

There won’t be dismal statistics like there are today, pointing to gaps like the rate of unemployment for people with disabilities being 50% higher than the rate for the total workforce, and reports that there is three times as much clinical depression amongst people with blindness or low vision than those without.

We want a future where the shining examples of accessibility and inclusion we find today, go unnoticed, as they become simply the norm. Barriers to education, employment and accessing timely eye health services will not exist. Blind Low Vision NZ’s service will be integrated into New Zealand’s health system and it will be sustainably resourced and easily accessed by those who need it.

Our role

Our role is to be a support and enabler for people who are deafblind, blind or have low vision.  We do this by:

  • Working one-on-one with individuals and their families to provide personalised vision rehabilitation support to teach new skills for everyday living and at key transitional moments in life.
  • Working with like-minded organisations, businesses and government to drive process and systemic change that supports the future we want.
  • Building awareness and education that supports changing attitudes and opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision.

Despite the challenges present, today many people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision are leading full lives. They are beacons that guide others following in their path.

Sources of information

Supporting our purpose statement on a fully accessible New Zealand, we also have a number of position statements on specific areas of accessibility, including access to information and communication, access to public transport and access to employment. Read our position statements to find out where we stand on a range of topics.

We’re Stronger When We Work Together

Blind Low Vision NZ works collaboratively to bring about the change that people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision want and need in society. We’re proud to be a member of two organisations working to remove barriers and to improve eye health in Aotearoa New Zealand. We make the biggest difference for the people we serve when we work together.

Eye Health Aotearoa

Eye Health Aotearoa is a multi-sector collaborative of representatives from across the eye health sector. Blind Low Vision NZ is thrilled to be a part of this important group.

We’ve banded together to ensure that all New Zealanders can access equitable, quality eye health services and prevent avoidable vision loss. Our plan is affordable and achievable. It will significantly improve New Zealanders’ eye health and reduce costs elsewhere in the health system. It targets high-risk communities who are unable to access eye health services.

Learn about Eye Health Aotearoa
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The Access Matters Aotearoa logo

Access Matters Aotearoa

Access Matters Aotearoa establishes, operates and promotes the rights, participation and inclusion of people with access needs in Aotearoa New Zealand. It drives the Access Matters movement for strong and effective accessibility legislation to create the conditions to make Aotearoa New Zealand accessible for everyone.

The Access Matters movement is comprised of nearly 20,000 individuals, organisations, and business champions. Blind Low Vision NZ is proud to be a foundation member of Access Matters Aotearoa.

 

Learn more about Access Matters Aoteroa
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Advocacy in Action

  • The Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill was introduced in 2022. This bill establishes a new legislative framework that addresses systemic accessibility barriers that prevent disabled people, tāngata whaikaha and their whānau, and others with accessibility needs from living independently and participating in all areas of life.
  • Published the “Clearing Our Way Guide” in 2021 to encourage people involved in design to think before they proceed with plans because it is far more cost effective to build in accessibility in the planning stage.
  • In 2019, the Copyright (Marrakesh Treaty Implementation) Amendment Bill was passed. This bill amends the Copyright Act 1994 to allow New Zealand to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled.
  • In 2017, New Zealand joined the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled.

 

Statement of political neutrality

Blind Low Vision NZ is a for-purpose, incorporated society which is independent of all political affiliations.  We will not participate in any activity which furthers the interests of any political party or secures either support or opposition for political reasons.

Our approach is to remain politically neutral and respect the democratic process.  We recognise all parties, whether they be in government or in opposition, with respect and in a politically neutral manner.  We will continue to advocate to all the parliamentary parties on the issues of utmost importance to people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision.  We will maintain our independence as a trusted advisor who provides evidence-based policy solutions to benefit the people we serve.

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