In November last year, the World Blind Union (WBU) funded Thomas Bryan in his role as Chair of WBU’s Global Built Environment Working Group to attend the World Urban Forum12 in Cairo. He is also one of Blind Citizens NZ’s two country delegates to WBU. Martine Abel-Williamson, WBU Global President also attended. They were both involved in the WBU Workshop that promoted two valuable advocacy resources.

Thomas and Martine each shared with the Board of Blind Citizens NZ, the value of the resources they were involved in promoting during the World Urban Forum 12. Blind Citizens NZ is sharing details of these two documents for readers to check out. The resources are:

• Accessibility – Go! A guide to action: WBU in the same way as Blind Citizens NZ is doing, is raising awareness about the accessibility and inclusiveness of services and the environment to disabled people and within communities. This valuable open-source resource has been developed by WBU and CBM Global Disability Inclusion.

The following two links are where you will find this resource: Accessibility = Go! A Guide to Action and https://tinyurl.com/4t2yaxdx

• Advocacy Brief | Inclusive and Accessible Urban Development: the following content is taken directly from this resource which “…offers information and guidance on the New Urban Agenda and why it’s important for cities to be inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities. It is designed to help World Blind Union (WBU) members and disability organisations in their efforts to adapt global development goals to local needs, following the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).”

Blind Citizens NZ is reviewing our public-facing advocacy material including briefs and position statements. So, while we are promoting WBU advocacy material, this is a call-out to members with a specific interest in and knowledge about issues such as accessible elections and websites, Total Mobility, and audio description to name but a few. Let us know by sending an email to admin@blindcitizensnz.org.nz or call us on 0800-222-694.