Have your say: How you can make a difference for disabled people in your community

12 Mar

In 2024, many local authorities will be engaging in community consultations for their Long-Term Plans (LTP). This is a key strategic planning tool that outlines the council’s activities and the desired community outcomes, defines how these activities will be resourced and delivered, and provides focus, accountability, and opportunity for public participation in decision-making.

Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils must consult with their communities on their LPT every three years. With LTPs covering activities over a 10-year period, this is a key opportunity for the disability community to bring disability issues to the forefront of council activities. In light of the various challenges and financial constraints faced by councils around the country, it’s more vital than ever that we express our views on what is happening in our local communities and ensure that disabled people’s voices are heard loud and clear.

While LTP reviews provide a valuable window for this dialogue, it’s important to keep in mind that both individuals and groups can still make submissions to their local councils on key issues throughout the year. These submissions are a chance to present your thoughts and ideas before your council and help them make informed decisions about matters ranging from new development projects to reviews of bylaws and policies.

However you choose to get involved, you can play a part in shaping your community to make it a better (and more inclusive) place for everyone.

Speaking up and making a difference

Kathy Obers, chair of the Southland Local Advisory Committee (LAC) since 2008, is a shining example of how much difference one voice can make. Inspired by a career in early childhood teaching and working with Scouts New Zealand for more than 20 years, Kathy has been a LAC member since 2001.

As a cub leader, Kathy met a disabled child whose mother was a LAC member and discovered how she could drive change for disabled people and ensure their voices were heard by joining the committee. After becoming chair, she learned how to take her advocacy work to the next level when she participated in a seminar run by CCS Disability Action staff on getting involved with your local council and making submissions.

Kathy made her first submission on behalf of CCS Disability Action in 2020, regarding a new parking control bylaw that was causing problems for people with mobility requirements. Since then, she has contributed a variety of other submissions, including one that highlights accessibility issues within the Invercargill City Council’s proposal for the long-term development of Sandy Point.

The LAC is regularly contacted by council representatives for consultation on specific issues, and Kathy has been glad to see that they are generally receptive to suggestions.

“It’s been a learning curve, and of course, I didn’t know how to do it at first,” she says. “It’s taken a few years to get confident with it, but I’ve got a good committee around me with people who are really embracing the work.”

With committee members that include people with a variety of impairments, Kathy knows how important it is to hear the perspectives of those with lived experience.

“Our next strategy is to find a way for disabled people to share their stories with us and tell us what they would like to see in the community.”

Kathy is also passionate about engaging with young people and inspiring the next generation to get involved. She is currently supporting a young committee member with an impairment to take on a leadership role and is excited to see what the future holds.

How to have your say

The elected representatives in your local councils need to hear your views to make decisions about plans, policies and projects that affect your community. Anyone can give feedback or make a submission to the council, whether you are an individual or part of a committee, like Kathy.

The best way to have your say is to contact your local council or visit their website and find out how to make a submission. If your council is still consulting on their LTP, it’s a good time to share your opinions on what they have planned for the next decade. Alternatively, you can keep an eye out for new projects and proposals in your area as they arise for consultation. Some councils also offer online surveys and public meetings where you can share what’s important to you.

If you’re interested in giving feedback to your council, Kathy’s advice is to come up with solutions to make your submission more impactful. For committees and community groups, she suggests inviting council representatives along to meetings so they can understand your perspectives better. Additionally, she feels it’s important to try and make your feedback as well-rounded as possible.

“I always try to think about people with all different impairments and how the issue might affect them as well,” she says.

Ultimately, though, it’s not about having a perfectly written submission or knowing exactly the right thing to say that matters, it’s just about using your voice. While it can be scary, each of us has the opportunity to change our community for the better and make it a place where everyone is accepted, gets their needs met and has choices in their lives.

As Kathy says, “Don’t be afraid to speak up!”