Stories

I have relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. I was originally diagnosed in 1984 with primary progressive multiple sclerosis and have been required to undertake most of my rehabilitation independently.

I recently visited Government House in Wellington on one of the free tours they regularly offer to the public. I had added to my application that I am vision impaired and use a guide dog.

My husband and I are both blind and we have two children. I am responsible for the family finances and pay the majority of the bills.

Hi I am Gavin, I am a power-chair user from Hamilton. 

This is #MyAccessStory what's yours?

I am very fortunate to have friends and whānau who have grown with me and my vision impairment. They support me every day to overcome the many barriers in my community that limit my ability to venture independently from home.

I have keratoconus, an eye condition that effects the shape of ones’ corneas. 

Kia ora, ko Hannah ahau, no Invercargill tāku kainga.  I was diagnosed with Glaucoma at a couple days old and up until 25 years old I had partial sight until my retinas detached leaving me completely blind.  I am now 34 years old and have been totally blind nearly 9 years.

All through my life there have been challenges and different access issues but these are a few of the day-to-day challenges my guide dog Cora and I face. 

Kia Ora my name is Janene, I am a wife of 15 years and mother to two young daughters.  At the age of 4 and ½ years old I caught a virus that attacked my spine and left me paralyzed from the waist down T10 leaving me wheelchair bound for the rest of my life.

Creating accessible environments for those living with disabilities is often framed as a social issue occurring outside the business community.

I live with Asperger’s Syndrome and am unemployed. Even before I was diagnosed I found the possibility of an interview distressing and always failed to get the position.

I live in Ponsonby where many of the buildings don’t have lifts.