Battle continues for disabled

• Author: James Pocock
• Published date: 25 January 2023
• Publication title: Napier Courier, The

Robyn Dorday, a Napier-based advocate for blind and low-vision people, said most people in her position were concerned about footpaths, and crossing roads without pedestrian crossings in the city

She has retinitis pigmentosa, a type of rare degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment.

“My biggest concern with NCC is the lack of zebra crossing and tactiles [raised, coloured pavers]. In Mārewa, I know of seven vision-impaired, some of whom have lost confidence to cross Kennedy Rd to access their homes or GoBus,” Dorday said.

“This city lacks pedestrian crossings in and around shopping centres.”

She said zebra crossings, brightly coloured raised tactile pavers or even raised courtesy crossings were “essential” for the vision and mobility-impaired, cruise ship passengers, the elderly and children so that drivers will slow down on approach.

“We should be doing it. We have cruise ships, and a lot of those cruise ships carry people with disabilities, but there are no tactiles up there by the Soundshell,” Dorday said.

Ian Cook, an advocate for Napier residents with disabilities, said he was a bit disappointed because he felt there had been a lot of promise in 2022, but not very much material change had yet eventuated.

“They can’t find the money to fix the dangerous crossings and kerb-cuts in town that are dangerous to the disabled; the ones that throw people in wheelchairs on their faces, and all that,” Cook said.

Napier City councillor Greg Mawson, whose portfolio covers accessibility, said it was too early in the year to announce certain specific plans, but the council had some it was working through which would be announced soon.

He said raised courtesy crossings were typically used rather than zebra crossings due to research showing the raised courtesy...