Outcome 5: Accessibility
Outcome 5 contains five work programmes:
- Accelerating Accessibility
- Accessibility Charter
- Accessibility [Policy implementation]
- Ministry of Transport Action Plan
- Waka Kotaki NZ Transport Agency’s Disability Action Programme 2019-2023
Ministry of Social Development: Accelerating Accessibility
Overall status: On track or ahead
Progress against Plan for the period
Actions that were planned for 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 |
Actions completed in the period |
Note any impacts from COVID-19 |
Status |
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June 2020: Cabinet paper - Framework to accelerate progress towards accessibility in New Zealand |
Cabinet paper completed and Cabinet agreed to next steps. |
COVID-19 shifted the timeframe of Cabinet's consideration from April 2020 to June 2020 |
Complete |
Narrative – Any celebrations? What is going well? What is being learned? Any impacts?
MSD officials, in partnership with the Access Alliance, have made good progress on the Accelerating Accessibility work programme and are now working towards accelerating accessibility through the development of a new legislative framework that can act as a vehicle for progressive implementation of a new system of accessibility over time. We intend to seek Cabinet agreement to a complete policy proposal in May 2021. In June 2020, Cabinet agreed to officials progressing further work on the detailed aspects of the legislative framework, such as costs, standards development within domains of accessibility, and institutional arrangements. In light of COVID-19, officials are aware of the risks in progressing this accessibility work too quickly, at a time when agencies and organisations are under pressure and navigating through the recovery period. Accessibility, nevertheless, has the potential to support the overall COVID-19 response and recovery and officials have been directed to identify opportunities within the COVID-19 context that the government can take advantage of, that will help maintain momentum on accelerating accessibility.
Note any impacts on inequities, particularly among disabled Māori, Pacific Peoples, women and children
The proposed accessibility legislative framework, which aims to reduce barriers to accessibility, will help address the challenges of inequity and disproportionate disadvantage experienced by groups such as disabled Maori, Pacific Peoples, older people, women and children. The policy work programme arising from the legislative framework should result in proposals that have positive impacts for these groups, e.g. it will support better social and economic wellbeing and outcomes.
Ministry of Social Development: Accessibility Charter
Overall status: On track or ahead
Progress against Plan for the period
Actions that were planned for 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 |
Actions completed in the period |
Note any impacts from COVID-19 | ||
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Development of Accessibility website |
Completed |
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Development and delivery of monthly training |
Ongoing |
Delayed during COVID19 |
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Drafting of Accessibility Experts Group ToR |
Completed |
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Development and operationalising the All of Government Alternate Formats |
Ongoing |
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Increasing the number of signatories to the Accessibility Charter especially in DHBs and Local Government |
Ongoing |
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Providing advice to agencies |
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Ongoing |
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Six monthly reporting |
Completed |
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Narrative – Any celebrations? What is going well? What is being learned? Any impacts?
The training to government agencies has been well received with very positive comments. The training is full through to October. The Accessibility All of Government process has been well received. One of the issues is the capacity of the DPOs. This is very big for them and they need to be better supported. The number of innovative activities occurring in government agencies as a result of the development of action plans.
Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities: Accessibility [Policy implementation]
Overall status: On track - with minimal risk
Progress against Plan for the period
Actions that were planned for 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 |
Actions completed in the period |
Note any impacts from COVID-19 |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
Stakeholder Engagement |
We continue to engage with:
As part of Kāinga Ora’s responsibilities under the Kāinga Ora — Homes and Communities Act 2019, we are developing a new overarching Partnering and Engagement Framework, which we expect to engage on externally later in the year. The Framework will set the scene for how we engage with our customers and stakeholders. Recent examples of engagement include:
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On track with minimal risks/issues |
Performance Requirements |
We are currently reviewing performance requirements for new build properties in light of the Accessibility Policy. |
The Covid-19 environment has delayed consultation, and the timeframes are to be advised. |
On track with minimal risks/issues |
Asset Data |
We are developing a tool to help provide the level of detail required to ensure that properties can be built and accurately reported on as being universally designed and/or accessible. |
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On track with minimal risks/issues |
At least 15% target' |
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Although implementing this function has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting change freeze, work is underway to build the IT requirements. |
On track with minimal risks/issues |
At least 15% target |
We have referred to the target of at least 15% of public housing new builds meeting universal design standards in Kāinga Ora’s 2020/2021 Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE) document. |
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On track with minimal risks/issues |
Modifications |
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Engagement and initiating this work has been delayed due to Covid-19 |
On track with minimal risks/issues |
Retrofit and Accessibility |
We are continuing to work with our Retrofit Programme team to evaluate the results of the Retrofit pilot so far, and to see how accessible homes will be considered as the Retrofit team rolls out the Retrofit Programme to another 18 new towns across New Zealand. |
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On track with minimal risks/issues |
Narrative – Any celebrations? What is going well? What is being learned? Any impacts?
On track with minor risks that are regularly monitored
During the Covid-19 response Kāinga Ora responded immediately and effectively with Welfare Checks and providing accessible format information to our disabled customers. Kāinga Ora also conducted 47,980 welfare checks to Kāinga Ora customers as part of our Covid-19 response. Welfare Checks (now Welfare visits) continue to occur with a focus reaching those who we haven't yet been able to contact, particularly where there are vulnerable customers, such as the disabled or elderly.
Kāinga Ora recognises there is an opportunity to build on lessons learned during the Covid-19 response, including ensuring there is equal access to information to all of our customers, across all cohorts, including our disabled customers. We will endeavour to implement improvements to our accessible information over the next 12 months.
Ministry of Transport Action Plan
Overall status: Off track - but low risk/issues
Progress against Plan for the period
Actions that were planned for 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 |
Actions completed in the period |
Note any impacts from COVID-19 |
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Accessible Streets regulatory package – publicly consult on the proposed Accessible Streets package and make necessary rule changes to implement the package. |
Public consultation on the proposed Accessible Streets package has taken place. Targeted engagement with a range of groups has also taken place, including with the disability sector, and a disability impact assessment is being completed. |
The public consultation period was extended by four weeks given the impacts COVID-19 had on people’s ability to provide feedback in the original six-week period. This has postponed necessary rule changes being made. |
Strategic assessment of the provision of services for people with different transport needs – initial engagement with the DPO Coalition/key stakeholder groups to develop the scope of the assessment. |
Due to the Government’s response to COVID-19 and reallocation of resources, the commencement of this project has been delayed. It is expected that this will commence after the 2020 General Election. |
See previous column. |
Narrative – Any celebrations? What is going well? What is being learned? Any impacts?
Accessible Streets regulatory package: The package proposes a number of new rules to respond to the rise of micro-mobility devices like e-scooters, and proposes that these devices and bicycles would be able to use the footpath under certain conditions (this is primarily aimed at allowing children to cycle on the footpath). The disability community is concerned that these proposals will create an increased safety risk to disabled people and limit their ability to access places. To address these concerns, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is undertaking targeted engagement with the disability sector, and is conducting a disability impact assessment.
Strategic assessment of the provision of services for people with different transport needs: Despite this project being postponed, the Ministry of Transport has continued to receive feedback from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and councils about issues with the Total Mobility Scheme (a review of the Total Mobility Scheme will take place as part of this work). In addition, Waka Kotahi is scoping a research project on the Total Mobility Scheme. The findings of this project will help inform the Ministry of Transport's review of the Total Mobility Scheme.
Waka Kotaki NZ Transport Agency’s Disability Action Programme 2019-2023
Overall status: On track or ahead
Progress against Plan for the period
Actions that were planned for 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 |
Actions completed in the period |
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OPERATIONAL POLICY |
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Three-yearly review of the Requirements for Urban Buses. |
Consultation with bus operators and manufacturers held in December 2019. The third RUB consultation meeting with regional councils and bus operators and industry stakeholders was held on the 9th July. |
Review and update the Pedestrian Planning and Design Guide, which provides guidance and best practice examples for the walking environment for all users, including those with mobility impairments |
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NZ Public Transport Design Guidelines Review. The guidelines are intended to help support regional and local councils in delivering high quality public transport by providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ of high quality, best-practice guidance, specifically suited to New Zealand’s regulatory and operating environment. |
1.bus stop design 2. corridor clearance 3. bus layover design 4: getting to and from public transport: the first and last mile received
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Work with regional councils to develop a next generation public transport ticketing solution called ‘Project NEXT’, which aims to design, build, implement and operate a nationwide ticketing solution and related services that enables and processes payments for journeys on public transport. |
This project is currently in the detailed business case and procurement phase, with a Request for Proposal in the market now, and a decision point in mid-2021 with respect to whether the project will move into implementation. |
Review of bus driver training unit standards (with Motor Industry Training Organisation, Careerforce, and MoE). |
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The IDMF review of the strategic alignment workstream has drafted a social equity policy as part of the new investment policy suite. This was to be finalised by mid-2020, however COVID-19 has delayed this process. Work is also continuing on the best approach to ensure social equity is incorporated into the overall business case approach as well as ongoing assessment of the various transport programmes. |
ENGAGEMENT WITH DISABILITY SECTOR |
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Work with DPO Coalition to create a dedicated Disability Advisory Group (DAG).The disability co-ordinator attended meetings with the Disabled People’s Organisation Coalition to discuss the format of the DAG, including setting up a Terms of Reference (ToR) with information for the members to be involved (depending on the topic); payment for time etc. |
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DATA AND RESEARCH |
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Update on analytical data research of disabled people’s access to the transport system. |
Final reporting has been completed and circulated. Insights from this foundational piece of research for NZTA are available for use within the Agency to feed into the data and evidence base. |
ACCESSIBILITY (CHANNELS) |
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Review public facing websites for accessibility benchmarking. |
Project to improve nzta.govt.nz scoped and approved |
Build accessibility into our BAU processes so that we write accessible content and build accessible websites and apps. |
Accessibility advocate identified in our test team, so that accessibility is considered for all new web projects |
ACCESSIBILITY (HR/PEOPLE GROUP) |
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Undertake an audit of the Agency’s internal policies and practices to ensure they are inclusive for employees with disabilities. |
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ACCESSIBILITY (IT) |
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Ensure that new applications meet accessibility standards. |
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During the lockdown, the Total Mobility scheme was provided free up to the regional cap, until 30 June 2020. This was well received by the disabled community.
Read the full report for January to June 2020
- Download the full report as a Word document [DOCX, 1.2 MB]
- Download the full report as a PDF [PDF, 638 KB]
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