Communications, especially those which are private and sensitive between bank staff and people with a sight impairment, continue to show a lack of sensitivity with simple everyday tasks.

I was aboard one of Auckland’s new electric ‘accessible’ trains when the electric wires came down in front of the train while it was travelling between stations.

I am vision impaired, I have retinitis pigmentosa which was diagnosed in my teens. My brother and sister also have RP. When I was at high school I began to wonder what sort of work I could do.

Elaine, Claire and Hannah have recently experienced difficulties getting from A to B via public transport; something most people take for granted.

Jeanette uses a wheelchair for mobility and has a mobility card allowing her to park in disabled parking spaces. She finds that these spaces are usually taken up by couriers, people using the ATM machine or “someone just going to get their lunch.”

In September 1984 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I was 32 and “my life ended on that day”. The next decade was spent either in a hospital, hospice, or some other disability related institution.

Living in a rural area and having a disability makes access to most types of disability service or medical support difficult. Susan tells her story.

John is blind and has difficulty accessing buildings in Christchurch. Many of them have changed since the earthquakes.

I became blind overnight. I now have a guide dog but I have had some very negative experiences.