Guides and toolkits

Including a Disability Perspective - A toolkit for policy makers

Any decision by government may have an impact upon disabled people and their families. This online resource helps policy makers incorporate a disability perspective in government policy – in such things as drafting laws and regulations, developing policies, strategies and initiatives, and making changes to or developing new services – so we can contribute to making New Zealand an enabling, inclusive society.

Effective Communication with Deaf People - A guide to using New Zealand Sign Language interpreters

In this guide, you will find advice on how to achieve effective communication with deaf people, through your contact with service users, work colleagues, or generally as citizens. Working with sign language interpreters is usually critical to making effective communication happen. Written English is not a suitable substitute for many deaf people.

Key actions covered include what interpreters do and how to book one, what your responsibilities are when booking sign language interpreters, and common things that can affect communicating well with deaf people. Government agencies need to ensure services and information provided to the public are accessible to deaf people. This responsibility is stated in the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006, which has principles to guide government agencies in their interaction with deaf people (section 9). It is also stated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (article 21).

A guide to making ‘easy-read’ information

Easy-read information is information that is easy to read and understand. It is different from plain English or plain language, which is writing that is clear and jargon free. IHC believes everyone has the right to receive information they can understand. This is essential for people to be able to make decisions as a community member. Many people now miss out on vital information because it is written in ways that do not work for them. IHC would like government agencies, schools, local councils and other groups to provide more information in an easy-read format. Easy-read is useful for people with intellectual disability as well as older people and people with English as a second language.

Key points on running an accessible meeting

Planning to make sure your meeting is accessible begins at the earliest stage of organisation – and not as an add on a couple of days before it happens. This includes such things as finding a suitable venue, creating the agenda, and designing communication materials and publicity. The goal is to make the most of people’s time and ensure everyone is able to participate as much as possible, and people’s diverse needs are accommodated. Physical, communication and environmental barriers to people’s participation are varied and will depend on an individual specific needs. Some barriers can be unintended, while others can be avoided. For example, booking a venue on multiple levels with the only access being stairs, and you have people using wheelchairs attending. This list provides some basic steps you can consider. You may find that inclusive measures you put in place to ensure the participation of disabled people will also benefit the rest of the participants, for example plain English communication.

Further resources

Kia Rangatu (Moving Forward)

Kia Rangatu is a training package designed for disability service providers that fosters staff understanding of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. Kia Rangatu is an essential training resource for organisations and an asset to their staff training programmes. It was developed by the Auckland Disability Providers Network and the University of Auckland to equip provider staff with knowledge that challenges attitudes towards disability, the barriers disabled people face, and leads towards an inclusive society for all.