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Kapiti Disability Reference GroupKapiti Disability Reference Group’s (KDRG) members have a broad range of impairments and provide comment and advice to Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) on issues that affect people with disabilities. They meet every second month with appointed member Councillor Tony Lester and advisers from KCDC’s social wellbeing team and Kapiti Disability Information and Equipment Centre. Members take part in considerable consultation and activities between meetings and are represented on KCDC groups that advise on road safety, walkways and pathways and on Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Accessibility Reference Group. Current issues on the KDRG agenda include access to aircraft at Kapiti Airport, provision for impaired users at the Aquatic Centre project, redevelopment at Raumati Beach shopping centre, planning for KCDC’s Civic Building upgrade and accessible housing for older people. The growth of the over-65 segment in Kapiti, now leading NZ with more than 25 percent of district population, is a strongly motivating factor in KDRG interests: As people age their impairments increase as does the need for the community around them to be as open and as inclusive as possible. The group was formed 10 years ago and in 2010 it agreed on and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with KCDC that outlines expectations of Council and KDRG around the quality of advice on disability matters and the adoption of accessibility awareness in Council’s policies and planning. The KDRG also channels to appropriate Council staff concerns such as steep kerb crossings, difficult pedestrian crossing approaches, rough footpaths, inadequate signage and lack of mobility parking locations: “Some of these worries are due to old infrastructure and work that has escaped attention over the years,” says KDRG chair Jim Webber. “However we believe that Council staff do their best to ensure that accessibility issues are recognized. The Building Code provides a compliance base-line for new work and although it doesn’t require older buildings to be upgraded unless there is a change of use it does indicate the way for existing premises to become disability-friendly. “We have some interesting developments coming up early next year such as a mobility scooter Expo and forum discussions aimed at helping people with impairments enjoy better access to public places, parking and facilities throughout the region.” One of the strengths of KDRG is that its members are well experienced in living with a range of disabilities. They include functional and mobility disabilities, vision and auditory impairments, communication problems and stroke consequences. Some members also belong to health and disability networks that help them stay well informed about current attitudes and concerns in local, regional and national communities. Disability Help GuideKDRG has published a Disability Help Compendium with the support of KCDC’s Community Grants Scheme. It provides useful advice, contacts and references relating to disability, funding and services, daily living aids and equipment, support groups and the Total Mobility Scheme. It is well written and researched and an excellent community resource. Disability Help Guide: KDRG_Help_Compendium.pdf If there are any errors or updates that need to be made please contact: Kapiti DRG If you would like more information on the KDRG or have any issues or suggestions you can also contact: Jim Webber (KDRG Chairperson)
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© Copyright 2011, Disability Information & Equipment Centre
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