I recently attended a presentation by a local disability organisation to promote a newly developed app designed to provide a connection between people with disabilities, their family and caregivers. The app also encourages the user to be proactive in the disability care conversation.

When opening the day they spoke about our right to accessibility at this meeting. Unfortunately, I found most of the presentation to be totally inaccessible as I have a vision impairment.  Information shared on a PowerPoint excluded the visually impaired and print disabled people. 

When I downloaded the app to my iPhone I discovered it was totally inaccessible using Voiceover. I attempted to use it without Voiceover but still found many of the components inaccessible, including the comments box. 

I mentioned this to my friend Bella who was unsurprised as she initially had found the same organisation’s website to be inaccessible using her speech software. This has now been rectified but she still finds it difficult to navigate around the site.

I believe accessibility legislation would require disability organisations to have websites and apps that are totally accessible using the technology which is readily available for all disabled people to ensure their independence.  

This is my access story, it is one of many. I'm sharing it because I want a law that puts accessibility at the heart of an inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.

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