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| ACCESSABILITY
FOR TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES
VISITING
NEW ZEALAND WITH A DISABILITY
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Visiting
New Zealand with a Disability
New Zealand led the negotiations that resulted in
the creation of the UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities adopted in 2006, which
states that persons with disabilities must be able
to enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms. New Zealand
has already paved the way for the integration of
people with disabilities, since it has had sign
language as its third official language since 1996.
To continue in its policy of inclusion, a deaf woman
was elected to Parliament in 2011.
Some buses,
especially the most modern ones, are equipped to
accommodate wheelchairs. Improvements are being
made in buses, with the introduction of audio announcements
on passenger request by pressing a simple button,
as well as signs in Braille at bus stops. In Auckland,
New Zealand’s largest city, you shouldn't
have any problems accessing trains, but this will
be more difficult in Wellington where not all trains
or stations are accessible. There, it's also possible
to rent equipped cars, and the "Total Mobility"
programme allows people with disabilities to get
a 50% discount off the price of taxi rides.
New Zealand law requires that all new buildings
have "reasonable and appropriate" access
for people with disabilities. So during your trip
to New Zealand, you'll find access ramps in most
buildings, as well as wide pavements and sound systems
in major cities to help blind people get around
more easily. Museums and other tourist attractions
usually have a good accessibility rate regarding
any type of disability. With regard to lodging,
a percentage of rooms in hotels must also be equipped
to accommodate disabled persons. If you choose a
hotel that meets this requirement, there's a good
chance that you'll have a pleasant stay and your
needs will be met.
First of all, don't forget to go to the Disability
Resource Centres when you arrive in New Zealand.
They are found in all the major cities |
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TRAVEL
WITHIN NEW ZEALAND
Some buses, especially the most modern ones,
are equipped to accommodate wheelchairs. Improvements
are being made in buses, with the introduction
of audio announcements on passenger request
by pressing a simple button, as well as signs
in Braille at bus stops. In Auckland, New Zealand’s
largest city, you shouldn't have any problems
accessing trains, but this will be more difficult
in Wellington where not all trains or stations
are accessible. There, it's also possible to
rent equipped cars, and the "Total Mobility"
programme allows people with disabilities to
get a 50% discount off the price of taxi rides.
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AIR
NEW ZEALAND
Flying with a disability - We're committed to
helping you travel with ease.
From mobility assistance to navigating airports
and aircraft with a disability.
If you or someone you're travelling with has
a hidden disability, you can wear a Hidden Disability
lanyard which indicates to our staff that you
may like some extra assistance or care.
Click
Here For Website
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Visiting
New Zealand with a Disability
Don’t let a disability put you off travelling
to New Zealand and enjoying many of the tourist
attractions New Zealand has to offer. At Freedom
Mobility, we want to put you in a disability-modified
vehicle that will make touring New Zealand fun
and easy. We
want to help you discover our backyard; a place
where you can relax and enjoy your holiday.
Let us know what you’d like to see and
we will do all we can to get you there.
Click
Here For Website
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AIR
NEW ZEALAND
Flying with a disability - We're committed to
helping you travel with ease.
From mobility assistance to navigating airports
and aircraft with a disability.
If you or someone you're travelling with has
a hidden disability, you can wear a Hidden Disability
lanyard which indicates to our staff that you
may like some extra assistance or care.
Click
Here For Website
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TOTAL
MOBILITY AROUND NEW ZEALAND
The guide provides an overview for Total Mobility
scheme users and contact information for regions
operating the scheme in New Zealand. Scheme
users are issued with an electronic card or
a book of vouchers. You can obtain an electronic
card or vouchers from the relevant regional
council. Total mobility subsidies can be claimed
anywhere in New Zealand where the scheme operates.
The
subsidy per trip is 50% of the fare, up to a
maximum subsidy. The maximum subsidy varies
between regions; these costs are available under
the regional information in this guide. If the
total fare is more than the maximum subsidy
you must meet the additional cost.
Click
Here For Website
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Provisions
for Travellers with Special Needs
It is best to check availability prior to arrival,
or to contact the Disability Resource Centre (phone
number at the end of this section), which will have
a list of the accessible facilities and services
at your destination. Some major carriers have excellent
provision for people with disabilities, but all
prefer advance notice of your access needs so they
may prepare in advance.
If you are a tourist from outside of New Zealand
and propose to acquire and use a car for your stay,
Mobility Parking Permits are available from branches
of New Zealand CCS, which are in all the main centres.
Addresses are on their website www.ccs.org.nz. These
permits also allow parking in other time-limited
parking areas for an extra period that varies with
each local parking authority. These concessions
do not apply in privately owned parking facilities.
Under New Zealand law, guide and hearing dogs may
accompany you anywhere there is public access. Tourists
from the UK, Australia, Sweden, Singapore, Ireland,
Hawaii and Norway do not have quarantine restrictions
on service dogs. Animals from other countries must
complete up to six months preparation in the country
of origin before arriving in New Zealand.
Further information can be obtained from Disability
Resource Centres. Enable New Zealand, National Office:
Ph: 0-6-952 0011 Email: info@enable.co.nz
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Travel
to New Zealand. You will find a diverse range of scenery and
conditions from sub-tropical to a little colder down south in
the winter time. New Zealand can be enjoyed at a pace to suit
every age group. Grab a cheap flight to New Zealand for a game
of golf, Buy a map, hire a rental car, have an adventure and
fill your lungs with the smog free air New Zealand has to offer.
Accommodation from backpackers, bed and breakfast to luxury
hotel. |
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