Aotearoa Disability Law

15/10/2026

Queenstown Lakes District Council need your input!!
A great opportunity for the Deaf and disabled Community to have their say
see below for more details
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Kia ora,
As part of Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Accessibility & Disability Inclusion Programme, we're holding engagement sessions in Queenstown and Wānaka, and we'd like to invite you to take part.

At a glance

Help shape QLDC’s Disability Policy and Accessibility & Inclusion Action Plan.
Queenstown (Lake Hayes Pavilion) – Thursday 22 October
Wānaka (Wānaka Community Hub) – Friday 23 October
• Four 90-minute discussion sessions throughout the day
• Attend one session or several
• Bring a support person or whānau member
• Tell us about any support you need to help you participate
• Register by 19 October

Why we are doing this

In August and September, we invited the community to complete an Accessibility and Inclusion Survey. Thank you to everyone who took part. These workshops are the next step in the process and will allow us to explore some of the themes and ideas raised through the survey in more detail.

We're particularly interested in hearing directly from people with lived experience, their whānau, support people and representative organisations.
QLDC is currently reviewing its Disability Policy and developing a new Accessibility & Inclusion Action Plan. Together, these documents will help guide how Council supports, advocates for, and responds to the needs and aspirations of disabled people across the district.

We want to ensure our work creates meaningful and positive outcomes for disabled residents and visitors. To do that, these documents need to reflect the experiences, priorities, and perspectives of disabled people, their whānau, support people, and representative organisations. That's why we are seeking your feedback and input.

If you are attending on behalf of an organisation or group, we encourage you to invite a person with lived experience from your network to also join the session(s). Please make sure that all members of your party are registered, through the registration link or per email (more details below).

Why should you attend?

Your experiences and ideas can help shape future accessibility and inclusion priorities for the district. We want to hear what's working well, where barriers exist, and what changes would make the biggest difference for disabled people, neurodivergent people, whānau and support people.

How the day works

Join us for one session or several. There is no need to stay for the whole day. The same four sessions will run in both Queenstown and Wānaka, so you can choose the location that works best for you.
• Session 1: 9:00–10:30 – Getting around outdoors
• Session 2: 10:45–12:15 – Buildings, facilities & venues
• Session 3: 1:15–2:45 – Sensory & neurodivergent needs
• Session 4: 3:00–4:30 – Being heard

Each group session is 90 minutes long. You are welcome to bring a support person or whānau member. Please let us know if there is anything that would help you participate.

What each session covers

Getting around outdoors 9:00am –10:30am

Ever had to change your plans because you couldn't park, cross the road safely, or get down a footpath or track? Join us to discuss parking, footpaths, crossings, parks and trails.

Buildings, facilities & venues 10:45am – 12:15pm

Struggled to get into or use a library, the recreation centres, pool, gym, playground or community hall? We'd like to hear what would make QLDC's buildings, facilities, venues and events easier to access and use.

Sensory & neurodivergent needs 1:15pm – 2:45pm

For people who are neurodivergent or experiences sensory barriers related to noise, light, crowds or unpredictable spaces. Help us understand what makes spaces feel welcoming and inclusive, and how we can create more sensory-friendly places across the district.

Being heard – decision-making & advocacy 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Share your ideas on how disabled people can be better involved in QLDC decision-making and discuss where you'd like QLDC to advocate for changes on issues such as public transport, housing and accessibility.

Register

Register here for the accessibility and inclusion sessions
Alternatively, you can register by replying to this email or calling Marie on 027 507 0080 and letting us know:

1. Which sessions you'd like to come to, and which town (Wānaka or Queenstown)

2. What would help you take part

3. How you'd like us to contact you

Please register by 19 October. If you can't make it in person, please let us know and we'll talk about other ways you can provide feedback.
More detailed accessibility information and venue guidance will be sent to registered participants before the event.

Prefer a private conversation?

If a group setting isn't for you, or your situation doesn't fit neatly into one topic, tell us and we'll talk about other ways you can have your say.
We hope you'll be able to join us.

Ngā mihi,
Community Partnerships Team

25/09/2026

Voting is easier when you know what to expect ✅

Join one of the Electoral Commission's accessible online information sessions to learn about:

- what's different this election
- how to enrol
- how to vote
- support available for disabled people.

These sessions are designed for Deaf and disabled people, carers, whānau, and community.

You'll also have the chance to ask questions and get the information you need to feel confident about taking part in the election.

All sessions will include captioning, and an NZSL interpreter will be present.

Find out more and register for a session by heading to the link in the comments 🔗

Electoral Commission NZ

Image description: A purple graphic with a yellow banner across the top that reads “2026 General Election”. In the centre is a white text box with black text that says: “Questions about enrolling or voting? Join an online session for practical information to answer your questions.” Underneath, smaller text says “Find out more”, followed by “vote.nz” and the phone number “0800 36 76 56”. Beside the text, the Electoral Commission’s Orange Guy character points towards the message. The Electoral Commission logo appears in the bottom left corner of the graphic.

25/09/2026

✨ Online session alert ✨

Taking part in the 2026 General Election feels easier when you know what to expect.

If you are disabled, a caregiver or a support person, then you may have questions about the accessible options available to enrol and vote.

Join one of our online sessions to get practical information and ask the questions that matter to you.

1️⃣ Session 1 - Wednesday 30 September from 1pm - 2pm - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Jpy7zMxAX/

2️⃣ Session 2 - Thursday 15 October from 6pm - 7pm - https://www.facebook.com/share/1KETCKDvWA/

3️⃣ Session 3 - Tuesday 20 October from 6pm - 7pm - https://www.facebook.com/share/1HDV2imZXs/

NZSL interpreters will be present at the online events.

Find out more and register here: https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/resources/information-in-accessible-formats/accessible-online-information-sessions

25/09/2026

25/09/2026

📢 Our General Election 2026 webpage is now live!

The 2026 General Election is coming up, and we've created a dedicated webpage with information to help Deaf people get ready to enrol and vote.

Find key election dates, NZSL resources, accessible events, NZSL-interpreted leaders' debates, and information from the Electoral Commission all in one place.

Visit the webpage: 🔗 https://www.deaf.org.nz/general-election-2026/

🗳️ Get informed, get enrolled, and get ready to have your say.

V/D:
Graphic promoting the 2026 General Election in NZSL. A yellow banner at the top contains the text “2026 General Election”. Overlapping a large white panel is the text “in NZSL” in bold black lettering. On the right, the Orange Guy character is shown with black eyes and an upward-curved black mouth, wearing the Electoral Commission logo on the chest and raising one hand. The background is light purple.

16/09/2026

We want all New Zealanders to take part in democracy and have their say. To help do this, we have a plan to deliver accessible services in the upcoming election.

We’ve published Access 2026 today - an action plan listing the accessible services available to support Deaf and disabled people, tāngata Turi, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their whānau, carers and communities to take part in the 2026 General Election

Access 2026 has information about what we’re doing this year to support people to work at the election, get election information, enrol, vote and stand as election candidates.

Ngā mihi ki a koutou and thank you to all those who provided feedback and advice to develop Access 2026.

Find out more at https://elections.nz/access2026

09/09/2026

Congratulations to Chris Blum, ADL's National Community Educator, receiving the Health and Wellbeing Award at the Disability Connect Enabling Good Lives Awards Ceremony yesterday.

The ADL team are incredibly proud to see Chris's hard work, dedication, and commitment recognised in this way. This award is a testament to the positive impact he makes through his work and the difference he creates for the people and communities he supports.

26/08/2026

Accessibility and inclusion is everyone's business.

Can you access information, use public spaces and facilities, or have your say on local issues?

QLDC wants to hear from disabled and neurodivergent people, people with access needs, their whānau, carers, supporters, and anyone with an interest in accessibility and inclusion.

Your experience will help us understand what’s working well, where barriers exist, and what improvements could make the biggest difference.

• Survey open until 20 September
• Takes around 10–20 minutes
• Need support to participate? Alternative participation options available.

Head to our Let’s Talk page (see comments) to find out more and have your say.

25/08/2026

For some disabled people, standing for Parliament can come with extra costs that others don't face.

The Election Access Fund helps reduce disability-related barriers for disabled people seeking selection or standing as candidates in parliamentary elections.

The Fund supports disabled people who are:

- seeking selection as a candidate
- campaigning as a candidate
- standing for a parliamentary general election or by-election.

Funding may be available for things like NZSL interpreters, support workers, accessible transport, adaptive technology, and other disability-related supports.

Learn more about the fund by visiting the link in comments 🔗

Electoral Commission NZ

Image description: A pale yellow graphic with the text “Election Access Fund 2026”. To the right of the text are three abstract shapes: a purple and a blue square with one curved edge, and a mustard-coloured circle. The shapes are grouped together on the right-hand side of the graphic.

25/08/2026

We are looking for our next cohort of summer interns. Meet Lottie, one of our interns from last year and see what she has to say about the internship experience at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Are you keen to serve New Zealand and ensure fairness for all? Apply for one of our four internship positions, including the Kiingitanga and Lived Experience of Disability streams.

Visit the website to learn more and apply: https://nz.seek.com/job/94158794