1 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: Kiyota. 2 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,119 Speaker 2: I'm Chelsea Daniels and this is the Front Page, a 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 2: daily podcast presented by the New Zealand Herald. There are 4 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 2: huge inequities facing at least one hundred and eighty three 5 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 2: thousand New Zealanders and not much as being done about it. 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 2: New data from Blind, Low Vision and Z reveals how blind, deaf, 7 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 2: blind and low vision New Zealanders face not only higher costs, 8 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:39,720 Speaker 2: but also the emotional strain of barriers most kiwis never encounter. 9 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 2: Stats and Z figures show that fifty eight percent of 10 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:47,840 Speaker 2: disabled New Zealanders earn thirty thousand dollars or less a year, 11 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 2: compared with thirty three. 12 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 3: Percent of non disabled people. 13 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 2: So what does government need to do to make sure 14 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: this community doesn't keep falling through the cracks? Today on 15 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 2: the front Age, Blind, Low Vision and Z Community and 16 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 2: Inclusion General Manager Dan Shepherd is with us to speak 17 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 2: about his own lived experience and. 18 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:10,199 Speaker 3: How we might be able to help. 19 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:17,679 Speaker 2: So, Dan, everyone is struggling with the cost of living 20 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 2: crisis at the moment, But how are these financial pressures 21 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 2: compounded for those who are blind, deaf, blind or low vision. 22 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think in terms of the cost of being 23 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 1: blind deaf, blind, or low vision. There there is more 24 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: than just the financial cost of being a disabled person. 25 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 1: There is the emotional cost, the cost on your time, 26 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 1: the cost on your energy. When the barriers are in 27 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: front of you, when you just want to make choices 28 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: to live your life. 29 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 3: What are some of those barriers? 30 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 2: Can you give me an example of perhaps something that 31 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 2: we might take for granted. 32 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely, Well, Look, I like to use the example 33 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: of something as simple and every day is getting your 34 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: groceries for somebody who's blind or somebody who's low vision 35 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: like me, it takes time to prepare yourself for a 36 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 1: trip to the supermarket. I've got to get Isra my 37 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 1: guide dog ready, I need to book my taxi. I 38 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: need to count count on the fact that the taxi 39 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: that comes to pick us up is going to want 40 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: him in their car and not drive away like some 41 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: ubers or taxis can do. Then you get to the supermarket, 42 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: and as somebody with low vision, you're going to need 43 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 1: some support to find the things you need. So you're 44 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:37,239 Speaker 1: counting on awareness and support from others to get your groceries. 45 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 1: And then you've got to do all the things, and 46 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: that's process and reverse to. 47 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 2: Get home gosh, and I see that blind low vision 48 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 2: and Z has reported that clients are skipping GP appointments 49 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 2: because travel is becoming unaffordable. 50 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:54,960 Speaker 3: What kind of financial help does the community get at 51 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 3: the moment and is it good enough? 52 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: Yea. So there is some support and play place from 53 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 1: schemes like the total Mobility scheme whereby there is subsidized 54 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 1: public transport or taxi travel. But again again that that 55 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 1: cost that comes into it is the time it takes 56 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: to then book your taxi, to wait for your taxi 57 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: hope that they will give you access to their car 58 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 1: to get you where you need to be. 59 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 2: So there are some drivers that will simply just drive 60 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 2: away if they see your dog with this absolutely. 61 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, look absolutely. As a guide dog user, myself, Ezra 62 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: and I, we have had instances where we can clear 63 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 1: an entire taxi rank of drivers because the drivers don't 64 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: want the dog in their car. 65 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 2: And could it be as simple as changing the rules 66 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: as to you know, being able to say you have 67 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 2: to accept somebody no matter what their circumstance. 68 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, look, and there is legislation that supports Ezra's access 69 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: as a guide dog as a service animal. We are 70 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 1: faced with the challenge of driver behavior. Really, that's what 71 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 1: it comes down to in terms of a driver's individual 72 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: view of a dog and look, as an empowered client, 73 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: I will stand there and I will cause a scene. 74 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 1: I will quote legislation around his rights. But the excuses 75 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: you get back can sometimes be quite laughable. 76 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 3: God, what are some of the excuses? 77 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:37,279 Speaker 1: Oh? Look, coming back to the supermarket scenario, I was 78 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: outside a popular Auckland supermarket one afternoon, needed a ride 79 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:47,600 Speaker 1: back to my hotel. At that stage, standing there with Ezra, 80 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: a driver gets out of his car. I said, can 81 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: you take us to our hotel please? And he said, oh, no, 82 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 1: dog's in my taxi And I said, yes, dogs and 83 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: your taxi you're acquired by or to let my service 84 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:04,359 Speaker 1: animal in your car. Oh no, no, my company doesn't 85 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: do that. He said, well, I know your company does 86 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 1: do that, and I'm aware of the fines and the 87 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: standdown period from work that you'll incur if you don't 88 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 1: let us in your car. So then the then the 89 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 1: excuses start coming. Oh I'm sorry, sir, but my car 90 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: is too small for your dog. And I said, well, 91 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: I've got all this other stuff to take with me 92 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 1: as well. Perhaps I could leave my dog and my 93 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 1: other stuff, but outside the supermarket and you could just 94 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:32,840 Speaker 1: take me to my hotel. He said, no, no, no, 95 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,919 Speaker 1: you don't understand. My car is too old for your dog. 96 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: And at that stage, I've got a bunch of customers 97 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 1: watching me outside this particular supermarket who are there for 98 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 1: the show. And I looked at him. I said, the 99 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 1: only thing that's old here is your attitude. Are you 100 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: going to take me to the hotel? And he drove 101 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: off without a passenger. 102 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 3: Wow, I mean deez. 103 00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:01,359 Speaker 2: And that's just one example of how something so small 104 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 2: can inconvenience your day and then your life. I see 105 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 2: that there are also reports of clients delaying treatment because 106 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:14,280 Speaker 2: forms or health information isn't available in formats that they 107 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 2: can read. 108 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:17,599 Speaker 3: Have you encountered anything like that? 109 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:23,400 Speaker 1: Yeah? And I think in all these scenarios, we as 110 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 1: a community where our clients are making decisions not to 111 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: attend GP appointments because when you get there, you're going 112 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: to be handed a piece of a four with twelve 113 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 1: point font on it saying can you fill this? Can 114 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 1: you sit down over there and fill this out please? 115 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 1: It's access to an accessible way of filling out the 116 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 1: form would make it so much easier. It's expecting those 117 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: sorts of barriers to be put in front of you 118 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: when you leave your home. That is leaving so many 119 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: of our clients not leaving their home and making the 120 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,960 Speaker 1: decision to not be overwhelmed by those sorts of barriers. 121 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 2: Tell me about the community and the challenges that they 122 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 2: face in the workplace. 123 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think there are barriers in terms of seeking employment, 124 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 1: in terms of the accessibility of recruitment processes and the 125 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: attitudes towards towards people with disabilities or in our case, 126 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: people with low vision or who are blind. If you 127 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: can access or get through a recruitment process, you then 128 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: have to go through the process of disclosing your disability, 129 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:32,680 Speaker 1: and that can scare a lot of employers off in 130 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: terms of this belief that this person is going to 131 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: cost me more than a non disabled person. 132 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 4: People with disability fees so much challenges when you look 133 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 4: for a drop fit, and foremost to have a social 134 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 4: stickmak because a lot of our people have a misunderstanding 135 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 4: about what people with disability can do, to focus on 136 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 4: what they can't do instead of focusing what they can do. 137 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 4: The second thing is the employment of recruitment framework needs 138 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 4: to change in New Zealand, asking questions like you know, 139 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 4: do you have a disability and what are your medication? 140 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 4: That itself is actually a rope bluff and the LOTO 141 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 4: in four years will actually cut off the candidate simply 142 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,679 Speaker 4: because they have a disability. 143 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 2: I see that one in six New Zealanders identify as disabled, 144 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 2: sixty percent are unemployed or underemployed for blind, low vision 145 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 2: and Z clients, fifty one percent of working age members 146 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 2: are without a job, and seventy four percent of youth 147 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 2: clients have never had a part time or summer job. 148 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 3: Now that's to me, the right of passage. 149 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:51,080 Speaker 2: Is to you know, get a summer job or something 150 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 2: during high school or UNI or something like that. I mean, 151 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 2: how can we make this happen as a community, as 152 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,080 Speaker 2: a society to make sure these kids are getting those 153 00:08:59,160 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 2: kind of experience. 154 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 1: And I think that does come into that awareness piece. 155 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: If you are an employer or if you have an 156 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:10,559 Speaker 1: opportunity for somebody to volunteer with you, that you're making 157 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 1: those opportunities available to everybody be inclusive, because those volunteering 158 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 1: opportunities that you pick up as a young person that 159 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: can turn into part time work, they turn into aspiration, 160 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,440 Speaker 1: and they turn into careers moving down that person's journey. 161 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 2: And obviously we've spoken about the financial pressures and a 162 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 2: little bit about that emotional toll, but tell me more 163 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:32,319 Speaker 2: about that. 164 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 3: Because the thought of people just. 165 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,840 Speaker 2: Not wanting to leave their homes because it is simply 166 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 2: just too difficult to exist, that's really not good. 167 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 1: No, look, it really isn't. And it does come down 168 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: to I guess, our communities seeing seeing the barriers that 169 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:55,839 Speaker 1: they're putting in front of blind, deaf, blind and low 170 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 1: vision people, and those people are members of their community 171 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: as well. We should be able to access our communities 172 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 1: without barriers. It was only this morning on our walk 173 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: into work that I had to stop at four different 174 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:12,079 Speaker 1: sites to have a conversation with a with a construction 175 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: company or a tradesman who had parked their van or 176 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: their car over the footpath. Now, for that person, it's 177 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,079 Speaker 1: not an inconvenience. Somebody should be able to walk around 178 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: their car. But for a blind person who's using a 179 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:28,680 Speaker 1: guide dog, my guide dog has to be able to 180 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 1: find me safely around that vehicle, and you know, it 181 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 1: compromises our safety. So that leads me to think, well, tomorrow, 182 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 1: do I just work from home or do I need 183 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 1: to have those conversations again tomorrow morning. 184 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:43,719 Speaker 3: Yeah? 185 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 2: And I mean, I guess do you think that there's 186 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 2: a feeling of, oh, it doesn't affect me. And like 187 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 2: you said with that tradesperson as well, he hasn't obviously 188 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 2: hasn't even thought about how it may affect somebody with 189 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:57,599 Speaker 2: low vision or someone who's blind or deafblind. Do you 190 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 2: think it's because of that, because it's affects a small 191 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:03,679 Speaker 2: part of the population. 192 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely. I mean in the vision loss community, we 193 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: have a funny saying that vision loss is the disability 194 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: that nobody sees. And for one, you don't see it 195 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: because we're not out in community, because we are making 196 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 1: choices not to include ourselves or to not to participate 197 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:27,679 Speaker 1: in our communities because of the barriers. But you know, 198 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,240 Speaker 1: disability is one of those things that if it's not 199 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: in your immediate circle, it doesn't exist to you. It exists. 200 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 1: Disability exists to all of us, and it's in our communities. 201 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 1: We need to be aware of it. 202 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:41,719 Speaker 2: Well. And the fact here, I've got some numbers here. 203 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 2: The census data shows that the number of people reporting 204 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 2: no or limited site that affects daily activities has risen 205 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 2: by about eight percent since twenty eighteen, from just over 206 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:55,959 Speaker 2: one hundred and sixty nine thousand to nearly one hundred 207 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 2: and eighty three thousand and twenty twenty three. 208 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 3: So this means there's actually a rise in demand for 209 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:03,239 Speaker 3: support services. 210 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:08,320 Speaker 2: Hey, is anything being done alongside this increase? 211 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 1: Yeah? I think as an organization Blind at Blindlow Vision, 212 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: we are seeking to ensure we have the resource available 213 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 1: to meet demand. We're in an aging population and vision 214 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 1: loss is a disability that you acquire with as you age. 215 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: So months like Blindlow Vision Month are so important because 216 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:32,880 Speaker 1: so much of what we are able to do comes 217 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: from the donations of the public. 218 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 2: Well, isn't it about eighty percent of the organization's income 219 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 2: comes from donations. 220 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 3: Wouldn't it be good to get more government support? 221 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,480 Speaker 1: Look were at Blindlow Vision, We would love more government 222 00:12:47,520 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: support because we are dealing with what is becoming an 223 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:54,199 Speaker 1: aging population and that one hundred and eighty thousand is 224 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: set to grow over the next ten years. More government 225 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 1: support is great, but you know, the generous donations of 226 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: the public also really supports us to be able to 227 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: help people to make their own choices and live in 228 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: their communities the way they want. 229 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 2: If you could change something tomorrow, whether it be big 230 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:16,000 Speaker 2: or small, what would you do first? 231 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:19,720 Speaker 1: I think I think the easy the first thing to 232 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:26,600 Speaker 1: change is attitude towards disability. When we are aware as 233 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 1: a society that people with disabilities are accessing and participating 234 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: in our communities. So many of the barriers are so 235 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 1: easy to remove the people they don't come at a 236 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 1: cost to remove. It's easy for a tradesman to park 237 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,640 Speaker 1: their van on the side of the side of the 238 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 1: road rather than over a driveway, and for their inconvenience, 239 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: that's only three extra steps to their van. So I 240 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 1: think awareness and changing attitudes is a good first step 241 00:13:57,520 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: towards a barrier free New Zealand. 242 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 3: Why don't you think it's happened yet? 243 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 1: Look, I think I think we are on a journey 244 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:09,839 Speaker 1: in organizations like blind, low vision like ours, we need 245 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 1: to do a better job of getting in front of 246 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: our communities and there is some responsibility on ourselves, as blind, deaf, 247 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: blind and low vision people to seek that inclusion and participation. 248 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 2: Are there any workplaces or companies that are doing a 249 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 2: good job. 250 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 1: Yeah? Look, there are plenty of workplaces that are doing 251 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: a good job, but a lot that could do a 252 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 1: better job, and a lot that need to start that journey. 253 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: So at Blind Low Vision, we're we're here to support 254 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: that journey as well. 255 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 3: Thanks for joining us, Dan. 256 00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 1: Hey, you very welcome. Thanks for your time. 257 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 2: That's it for this episode of the Front Page. You 258 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 2: can read more about today's stories and extensive news coverage 259 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 2: at nzadherld dot co dot nz. The Front Page is 260 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 2: produced by Jane Ye and Richard Martin, who is also 261 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 2: our editor. I'm Chelsea Daniels. Subscribe to the Front Page 262 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 2: on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts, and tune 263 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 2: in tomorrow for another look behind the headlines.