Are you concerned about access in and around the Central Business District?
Have you fallen over recently or know of someone who has fallen over due to the slippery tiles in the Strand Arcade or Quality Street or anywhere else in the CBD?
Tiaho Trust has received a number of complaints about access issues especially the slippery surfaces in the CBD. On rainy days it is likened to a skating rink.
Accidents or injuries were the most common cause of disability for adults aged between 15 and 64 years of age (From 2006 Statistics NZ Disability Survey). Northland has a high rate of accidents compared to other regions.
Tiaho Trust has distributed a petition to the Disability Information Advisory Service groups in Whangarei as a means of gathering evidence of usability issues of the Central Business District. If you have an issue or complaint about access you can make a comment at the bottom of this article, sign one of the petitions or write a letter stating your concerns either to Tiaho Trust or to the Disability Advisor, Kim Silvey at the Whangarei District Council.
Your comments and letters will be put before the next Disability Sector Reference Group meeting.