Here is the transcript and the audio of my presentation to the 2023 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind.     Together Living Blindfully Address delivered to the National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind, …

My Address to the 2023 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind Read more »

With so many of us with accessibility needs having made the move to mastodon recently, the divisive question of the #a11y hashtag has been raised once again. I’d like to offer an updated version of a previous article I have …

The #a11y hashtag is harmful to the #accessibility cause. As we start afresh on Mastodon, it’s time to let it die Read more »

An update late on 16 January New Zealand time. Aira’s CEO, Troy Otillio, has published a brief statement on Aira’s website, acknowledging the widespread concerns many of us have about how difficult it has been to find out how much …

Aira’s astounding communications fail, or how to lose friends and alienate people Read more »

I felt moved to write this article after reading a post on Mastodon this morning. I am paraphrasing the post’s contents, because it’s not my intention to call out or embarrass any individual. I am sure it’s a sentiment shared …

For me, it’s a matter of conscience. I can’t use Twitter anymore Read more »

Today I gave by far the most difficult submission I’ve ever given to a Parliamentary Select Committee. I want to share it with you. You can read the text, or listen to the audio. Thank you for the opportunity to …

My oral submission to the Social Services and Community Select Committee on the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill Read more »

Submissions on the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill close on Monday 7 November 2022. You can make a submission here and the process is fully accessible.   I am including my submission here in the hope that it might inspire …

My submission on the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill Read more »

Introduction I’ve been actively campaigning for a more inclusive, accessible society since I was a child, and in a more formal sense since I was 16. Advocacy and activism results in no progress most of the time, almost imperceptible progress …

Multiple breaches of international law. New Zealand’s local government voting system discriminates against disabled people Read more »

Introduction For more than five years, a coalition called the Access Alliance has been advocating for the introduction of new accessibility legislation. The Bill, now before the House and open for public submissions, is not the bill the coalition asked …

Transformational change. Let’s pull the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill and go for a disability rights act instead Read more »

Introduction The third Thursday in May of each year is Global Accessibility Awareness Day. For my contribution this year, I am drawing from my experience as a lifelong advocate for disability rights and former technology product manager to reflect on …

Reflections for Global #Accessibility Awareness Day #GAAD: Our past success wasn’t inevitable, our future success is not guaranteed Read more »

I have blogged previously about the difficulties I had obtaining an access code for completing New Zealand’s 2018 census online. The issue is important in itself given that completing the census is compulsory for everyone in the country on census …

Text of my remarks to the Governance and Administration Select Committee on the need for a public inquiry into New Zealand’s 2018 census Read more »