Submission to RUB Consultation

This submission responds to the Requirements for Urban Buses in New Zealand (RUB), for consistent urban bus quality (2020) Draft for consultation. Our submission identifies areas the RUB 2020 Draft for consultation should in our view be strengthened to recognise (and meet) the diverse needs of users of public transport, which includes blind people. We suggest oversights may contribute to a breach of human rights, and/or a failure to implement the “gradual realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, ratified by New Zealand in September 2008.

Blind Citizens NZ Accessibility Campaign – Transport Animation

Visual

Blind Bob, a yellow circle with stick arms and legs, wearing sunglasses and with a white cane slung across his back, zooms diagonally downwards while holding on to grappling hook. The wire extends as far as a bus stop sign mounted on a pole. Bob lets go of the hook and drops down on to the narrow tip of the pole. With his arms outstretched, he balances precariously on one leg, then the other.

Audio

Just getting on the right bus can be a tricky balancing act for our blind citizens.

Visual

Blind Bob manages to awkwardly remain upright with both legs on top of the pole.

Audio

But there are lots of ways we can all make a blind bit of difference. Check them out at blindcitizensnz.org.nz.

Visual

Blind Bob leaps off the pole, morphing into a plain yellow circle with the words ‘a blind bit of difference’ in the middle of it. Text reads: Blind Citizens NZ. White braille on a black background appears next to the circle.

Are you walking the “talk”?

This briefing document is a supplement to the Great Barrier Brief and concisely explains what blind and vision impaired people need from today’s telecommunications companies. The phone takes on a particularly important role for people who are blind or who have other disabilities as many of us have limited access to urban transport. Information is given in areas including standard Phone Lines, mobile Phones, telephone directories, accessible information, websites and staff training.

Are we being taken for a ride? Total Mobility – Equitable Access to our Environment and Local Communities

This briefing document is a supplement to the Great Barrier Brief and calls for a nationally consistent and equitable Total Mobility taxi subsidy scheme in order that people with disabilities can live in, work in and have full access to today’s urban environment.

Is this the right bus? Public transport – trials and tribulations of the blind traveller

This briefing document is a supplement to the Great Barrier Brief and concisely explains what blind and vision impaired people need as pedestrians who rely primarily on public transport to get around. Areas covered include taxis, buses, trains, staff training, transport facilities and pedestrian travel.