Search for 'accessibility' advocate for Motueka

January 8th, 2016
[by David Armstrong]

Motueka's sole representative on the combined councils' Accessibility for All (A4A) forum is stepping down and wants to find a replacement.

A4A is a Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council combined effort to address issues regarding accessibility for people with all disability types - vision, hearing, mobility etc - within our region.

A number of years ago Motueka Valley resident Marion Edwin read about it and joined the group as an 'unofficial' Motueka representative, as she had noted that no Motueka people were involved.

Marion says she saw a few significant access issues at the time that she felt needed addressing, including access to shops and public facilities.

"My background as an occupational therapist for the first 15 years of my working life, and now as a human factors professional with an ongoing interest in the suitability of our environment for human performance, including having completed a large portion of the training for Barrier Free Assessors, gives me more knowledge than the average punter on accessibility issues," she says.

However her own work commitments means she is unable to continue being the 'ears' of the town on these issues and attending the regional meetings, which are held four times a year.

She feels that none of the likely relevant groups within Motueka - such as the Community Board, Our Town Motueka or Vision Motueka - have yet embraced the issues.

"I am not a 'mad supporter of the cause at all costs', but do believe it is an element of our local landscape that we should have cognizance and understanding of as we plan for the future and make changes," she says.

"There is lots of relevance to many local businesses, and certainly to all future planning efforts. The A4A Forum allows the development of understanding and across-agency problem-solving and addressing of a wide range of issues.

"I have in the past had contact with the Motueka Community Board over this issue but gained little apparent traction, despite that other community boards in our area do have representation."

Marion hopes that someone connected to the business/community progress groups within our area becomes the Motueka contact person(s).

"I am happy to act as background support/knowledge base for this person, but don't have the desire/time to commit to the meetings and passing on of the information at this time."

Marion believes good planning and PR could see Motueka as an "accessible hub" for those with disabilities wanting to holiday or live.

"Beach chair with fat wheels at Kaiteriteri for use by those with impaired mobility, well identified accommodation that meets accessibility standards, well identified restaurants and other facilities for those with disabilities - they and their families sure need to holiday somewhere."

The A4A Forum meeting dates for 2016 are Friday 5 February, Friday 13 May, Friday 12 August and Friday 11 November. They run from 10am to 12 noon at the TDC in Richmond. Agendas and minutes are sent out, and often there is a speaker and topic to kick off, then the meeting.

Anyone interested in taking on this role may contact Marion directly or .

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