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Tag Archives: Auckland Disability Law

Consultation on Changes to Benefits 25 October 2012

October 19, 2012 11:14 pm ⋅

Paula Bennett has set out her latest proposals for changes to welfare benefits for consultation.  These will mean changes to sickness and invalids benefits, the way disability allowance is paid, and the DPB CSI.

Auckland Disability Law invites you, your whanau and friends to a Community Hui to discuss the proposed changes and to learn how to make a submission.

The hui will look at these changes from a Rights based framework and will incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Government’s obligation under this convention.

Come and share your views and ideas.

Please let ADL know if you are coming and if you need and NZSL interpreter. Numbers limited

Full information about the select committee process can be found here: http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Legislation/Bills/5/2/a/00DBHOH_BILL11634_1-Social-Security-Benefit-Categories-and-Work-Focus.htm

Submissions are due Thursday 1 November.

Thursday 25 October 2012,

9.30am – 12pm (tea and coffee from 9-00am)

Mangere Community Law Centre, off Waddon Place, Mangere

Posted in: Community Participation, Disability Issues, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Disability Law Delivers Open Letter to Minister Collins

August 27, 2012 6:44 am ⋅

In positive news, ADL handed over an open letter to Minister Collins at a National Party public meeting last Friday (August 24th).  The Minister responded to our questions by confirming that she does not intend to close Auckland Disability Law.  She also publicly acknowledged the need for disabled people across New Zealand to be able to have access to specialist legal services.

ADL had a very productive meeting with Minister Turia on Thursday, who is supportive of the need for the services of Auckland Disability Law.

Ongoing support has enabled ADL to demonstrate the clear need for specialist disability services and has kept this on the agenda, and ADL thank everyone for everything they have done to send that message to the Ministry and the Minster so far.

The next step is to meet with the Ministry of Justice to talk about the shape of those future services.  We will keep you updated on those discussions, and will be calling for the Ministry to involve disability community in those discussions.

The latest media on the issue is this interview from One in Five on Sunday night: http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/oif/oif-20120826-1906-one_in_five_for_26_august_2012-048.mp3

Posted in: Community Participation, Disability Issues, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

SAVE DISABILITY LAW Update

August 10, 2012 12:29 am ⋅

An update from Auckland Disability Law

Friday 10 August 2012

A successful hui was held last Monday, 30th July at Western Springs Community Hall.  ADL had around 80 people attend to hear from our esteemed speakers.  Huge thanks to everyone who attended and to Esther for filming and editing the highlights for us.

Some highlights from the hui click below for some video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5t152AQ9s8

See link below for the article Aucklander magazine

http://m.theaucklander.co.nz/news/uncertain-future-for-auckland-disability-law/1488478/

Article on 30 July talking about our public hui

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/14401570/push-to-keep-specialist-disability-law-service-going/

Find out about our campaign in NZSL

Thank you Seeflow.co.nz

https://seeflow.co.nz/service/nzsl_letter/action/present/service_id/1695/

It’s not to late to sign the open letter to Justice Minister Judith Collins

How to sign:

Email your name to info@adl.org.nz and we will add you as an email signatory to our list.  If your organisation has not yet signed, ask them to support us.

Post it to us at Auckland Disability Law, PO Box 43 201, Mangere, Auckland

Fax it back to us on 09 275 4693 or scan it and email to info@adl.org.nz

Finally, you can print it out and post it directly to Minister of Justice, Judith Collins http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith-collins

If you are signing on behalf of an organisation, please be sure that you have authority to do so.

If you have already written to Justice Minister Judith Collins directly, thank you for the support.  Please let us know if you have done this – we would like to add your name or organisation to the open letter with all the names and logos of our supporters that we will present to the Minister.

What else you can do

You can write your own letter to Minister of Justice Judith Collins http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith-collins or to the Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Tariana Turia

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/tariana-turia

Lobby your local MP, Councillor or Local Board

You can lobby, write to or talk to your Local MP.  Click link below for list of MPs http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/

Click here to find your local board (Auckland Council): http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/LocalBoards/Pages/Findyourwardandlocalboard.aspx

Let us know how your communications with them were received.

Write to the newspapers, or put out your own press release

Contact us for further information

Follow on Facebook

Search and click the ‘like’ button on the Auckland Disability Law Facebook page

Milestone for the Campaign 

A huge thanks to the more than one hundred individuals and all these groups and organisations that have signed so far (please let us know if you have signed and we have accidentally missed you off the list):

  • 155 Community Law centre, Whangarei
  • Association of Blind Citizens NZ
  • Auckland Action Against Poverty
  • Auckland Branch of the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand
  • Auckland Disability Providers network
  • BDBInc
  • Buckingham Law
  • CCS Disability Action
  • Chair, Homeworks Trust
  • Citizen Advocacy Auckland Inc.
  • Citizens Against Privatisation
  • Community Law Canterbury
  • Community Law Centres o Aotearoa
  • Deaf Aotearoa
  • Deaf Christian Community Services –
  • Disabled Persons Assembly Dunedin
  • Disabled Persons Assembly NZ
  • DSAG Disability Strategic Advisory Group – Auckland Council
  • EDGE Employment
  • Elevator Group
  • Employment Dispute Solutions
  • Engage Aotearoa
  • Green Party of New Zealand
  • Grey Power Community
  • Home and Family Counselling
  • IHC
  • Justice Action Group
  • Kaitaia Community House
  • Mana Tangata Turi O Tamaki Makaurau
  • Mangere Community Law Centre
  • National Foundation for the Deaf
  • National Secretary on behalf of New Zealand Public Services Association
  • Niu Ola Trust
  • Parent and Family Resource Centre
  • People First
  • PHAB Pasifika
  • PSA Deaf and Disabled Members Network
  • Pukenga Consultancy
  • Regional Consumer Network
  • Rotorua District Community Law Centre
  • Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
  • SAPOLU LAW
  • Service and Food Workers Union
  • Shine – safer homes in NZ everyday
  • Social Issues Community Team
  • Socialist Aotearoa
  • Southland Community Law Centre
  • Tamaki Ngati Kapo inc
  • Taranaki Community Law
  • Te Roopu Waiora Trust
  • The Asian Network Inc.
  • The Auckland Deaf Christian Fellowship
  • The Wilson Home Trust
  • Unite union
  • Vaka Tautua – Carmel Sepuloni CEO
  • Waitakere Community Law Centre
  • Working Women’s Resource Centre
  • Youthlaw
Posted in: Community Participation, Disability Issues, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Service-User Movement ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Update on Cuts to Community Law Centres

July 23, 2012 8:31 am ⋅

Less than two weeks to go!

The Ministry of Justice has said that it will stop consulting with Community Law Centres by 1 August.  That makes the next two weeks a really important time to explain to the Ministry exactly why we need direct specialist legal services.

Here’s what you can do to help:

Come to the “Save Disability Law” public meeting

  • 1pm – 3pm on Monday 30th July 2012
  • Western Springs Community Garden Hall, 956 Great North Road

RSVP by phone 09 257 5140 or email info@adl.org.nz

Venue is wheelchair accessible and NZ Sign Language interpreters have been booked.  Please tell us if you have any other access or dietary requirements.

Please tell your whanau, friends and workmates to come along too.

Check out the media coverage

It’s not too late to sign the open letter to Justice Minister Judith Collins

How to sign:

Email your name to info@adl.org.nz and they will add you as an email signatory to our list.  If your organisation has not yet signed, ask them to support ADL.

If you are signing on behalf of an organisation, please include your logo.

Post it to Auckland Disability Law, PO Box 43 201, Mangere, Auckland

Fax it back to ADL on 09 275 4693 or scan it and email to info@adl.org.nz

Finally, you can print it out and post it directly to Minister of Justice, Judith Collins http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith-collins

What else you can do

You can write your own letter to Minister of Justice Judith Collins or to the Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Tariana Turia.

Lobby your local MP, Councillor or Local Board

 

Write to the newspapers, or put out your own press release

Contact ADL for further information

Follow on Facebook

Search and click the ‘like’ button on the Auckland Disability Law Facebook page

Huge thanks to the more than one hundred individuals and all these groups and organisations that have signed so far:

  • Altus Enterprises
  • Auckland Action Against Poverty
  • Auckland Branch of the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand
  • Auckland Disability Providers network
  • CCS Disability Action
  • Chair, Homeworks Trust
  • Citizens Against Privatisation
  • Community Law Canterbury
  • DPA Dunedin
  • DSAG Disability Strategic Advisory Group – Auckland Council
  • Employment Dispute Solutions
  • Engage Aotearoa
  • Green Party of New Zealand
  • Justice Action Group
  • Kaitaia Community House
  • Mana Tangata Turi O Aotearoa
  • Mangere Community Law Centre
  • National Secretary behal of New Zealand Public Serrvices Association
  • Niu Ola Trust
  • People First
  • PHAB Pasifika
  • PSA Deaf and Disabled Members
  • Pukenga Consultancy
  • Rotorua District Community Law Centre
  • Service and Food Workers Union
  • Socialist Aotearoa
  • Tamaki Ngati Kapo inc
  • Taranaki Community Law
  • Te Roopu Waiora Trust
  • The Asian Network Inc.
  • The Auckland Deaf Christian Fellowship
  • Unite Union
  • Youthlaw

Previous media coverage:

 

Further Information

If you require any further information or you are able to help the campaign in any way, please contact us:

Nicola Owen

Development Manager

Auckland Disability Law

 

Posted in: Community Participation, Disability Issues, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Auckland Disability Law Still Needs YOU

July 13, 2012 3:15 am ⋅

Public Launch of Open Letter

The Public Launch of Auckland Disability Law’s open letter to Minister Judith Collins held on Thursday 5th July 2012 at Trades Hall was a positive success.

A crowd of over 30 people attended.  Many of them signed as individuals and on behalf of their organisations.

As a result of this hui, the Herald featured a story about disability law, featuring Steering Group Chair Person, Martine Abel,

Click link below for the article

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10817730

You can also listen to Nicola being interviewed on Checkpoint last week: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2524294/auckland-disability-law-fights-against-closure

A week ago, Auckland Disability Law released and launched their campaign, Save Disability Law.

Since the launch, over 100 individuals have signed up to support Disability Law, and we have received support from these organisations (in alphabetical order):

  • Auckland Action Against Poverty
  • CCS Disability Action
  • DPA Dunedin
  • Green Party of New Zealand
  • Homeworks Trust
  • Kaitaia Community House
  • National Secretary on behalf of New Zealand Public Services Association (PSA)
  • People First
  • PSA Deaf and Disabled Members Network
  • Pukenga Consultancy
  • Service and Food Workers Union SFWU
  • Tamaki Ngati Kapo Inc
  • Te Roopu Waiora Trust
  • The Asian Network Inc.
  • Unite union
  • Youthlaw

It’s not too late to sign!

How to sign

Email your name to info@adl.org.nz and they will add you as an email signatory to our list.

If you are signing on behalf of an organisation, be sure to include your logo.

If your organisation has not yet signed, ask them if they would like to support the cause.

You can also save and print a copy of the Open Letter yourself and send it directly to Minister of Justice Judith Collins http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith-collins

What else you can do

You can write your own letter to Minister of Justice Judith Collins.

You can lobby, write to or talk to your Local MP.  Click link for list of MPs http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/ Don’t forget to let Auckland Disability Law know how your communications with them were received.

Write to the newspapers, or put out your own press release

Contact Auckland Disability Law for further information

Follow on Facebook

Search and click the ‘like’ button on the Auckland Disability Law Facebook page

Come to the “Save Disability Law” public meeting

  • Monday 30th July 2012
  • Time 1pm – 3pm
  • Western Springs Community Garden Hall, 956 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland

Further Information

If you require any further information or you are able to help the campaign in any way, please contact us:

Nicola Owen, Development Manager, Auckland Disability Law

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Community Participation, Human Rights and Legal Issues, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Ministry of Justice Proposes Cutting Disability Law Services

July 7, 2012 1:49 am ⋅

Help Save Disability Law

The Ministry of Justice is proposing to withdraw funding for direct specialist legal services for the disability community from June 2013.

This will mean that there will no longer be a community law centre specialising in the complex legal needs of disabled people.  There will be no Auckland Disability Law.

Auckland Disability Law is calling for the Ministry of Justice to rethink this proposal.

At Engage Aotearoa, we think there should be specialist disability law services available to disabled people throughout New Zealand, including Auckland Disability Law. We frequently refer people to this service.

Your Help is Needed!

Key Things You Can Do:

Sign the Open Letter to Judith Collins, the Minister of Justice as an individual or on behalf of your organisation (attached (right click the link to save the document) and available on Auckland Disability Law’s Facebook page or by email from info@adl.org.nz).  Email to sign the letter and send your organisation’s logo.

Come to the “Save Disability Law” Community Hui

Send a message to the government that we are serious about saving disability law through the continued funding of Auckland Disability Law and extending specialist legal services nationally for disabled people.

  • When:  Monday 30th July 2012, 1pm till 3pm
  • Where:   Western Springs Garden Community Hall, 956 Great North Road
  • Invited speakers: Mojo Mathers, Sue Bradford, Clive Lansink

Other Things That You Can Do to Help

Write your own letter to Justice Minister Judith Collins

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith-collins

Write to the newspapers, or put out your own press release

Contact Auckland Disability Law for further information

Follow Auckland Disability Law on Facebook

Search and click the ‘like’ button on the Auckland Disability Law Facebook page

Further Information

If you require any further information or you are able to help the campaign in any way, please contact, Auckland Disability Law:

Nicola Owen, Development Manager, Auckland Disability Law

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Addiction/Substance Abuse, Community Participation, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Support ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , ,