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Auckland Council is implementing strategies to bridge the gap in disabled leadership representation ahead of October’s local government elections.
The accessibility strategies were presented at a meeting of the Disability Advisory Panel this month and detailed how Council was encouraging disabled Aucklanders to vote and stand for office.
Deliberative Democracy senior advisor Litia Brighouse-Fuavao said she had received feedback from the panel previously around the gap in leadership.
“We are encouraging people with disabilities to stand and an assisted nominations process has been put in place,” Brighouse-Fuavao said.
The assisted participation programme means disabled people can call to set up an appointment and be assisted to fill out forms, Brighouse-Fuavao said.
“We are ensuring diversity in our marketing campaign.”
Making information accessible was through QR codes on election pamphlets leading to New Zealand Sign Language translations and an 0800 number with narrated profiles was also part of Council’s accessibility strategy, Brighouse-Fuavao said.
“There is a large gap in disability leadership, so it is great to see some of those things progressing,” panel co-chair Jason Boberg said.
Nominations close on August 12.
