Disability & accessibility policy
Upper Hutt City Council
My commitment
Upper Hutt thrives when everyone can take part in civic, cultural, social and economic life. As Mayor, I will lead a Council that removes barriers, co-designs solutions with disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori, and meets—then exceeds—national standards for accessibility and inclusion.
1) Co-design & governance
Establish a Disability & Accessibility Advisory Panel (with DPO representation and tāngata whaikaha Māori), reporting directly to Council committees.
Co-produce an Accessible Upper Hutt Plan with measurable targets for the built, digital and social environment, reviewed biennially.
2) Built environment & public places
Adopt universal design as our default: step-free access, continuous accessible routes, seating every 100–150 m on key pedestrian corridors, shaded rest points, quiet/sensory-friendly spaces, high-contrast wayfinding, and accessible toilets in all major parks and facilities.
Bake accessibility into all capital works and renewals (roads, footpaths, parks, libraries, sport facilities) and require NZS 4121-aligned outcomes in consents, design briefs and audits.
Apply CPTED with inclusion (lighting, sightlines, call-for-help points, and safe crossings) to improve safety for people with visible and non-visible disabilities.
3) Transport & movement
Partner with Greater Wellington/Metlink to improve accessible bus stops, shelters, real-time information, and continuous footpath links to stops and stations.
Prioritise kerb-ramp upgrades, tactile indicators, crossing timings that reflect diverse walking speeds, and accessible parking close to destinations.
4) Digital, events & communications
Make Council’s website, online services and public information WCAG 2.2 AA compliant.
Require accessible events: NZSL interpreters and/or captions where appropriate, quiet spaces, accessible venues/routes, accessible emergency information, and plain-language/Easy-Read options.
5) Services, procurement & workforce
Introduce an Accessibility in Procurement policy: suppliers must demonstrate accessible design in products, services and venues.
Work with the CE to ensure all Council staff and contractors have a higher level of disability awareness, understand reasonable accommodations, and provide inclusive customer services.
Be a disability confident employer: targeted internships/apprenticeships, accessible recruitment, and workplace adjustments by default.
6) Accountability & investment
Publish an annual Accessibility Scorecard (co-authored with the Advisory Panel), reporting on: accessible footpath kms delivered, kerb-ramp upgrades, accessible playgrounds/toilets, digital compliance audits, event accessibility, complaints resolved, and satisfaction of disabled residents.
Promote the reporting accessibility barriers identified by residents (e.g., missing kerb cuts, signage) so that these can be prioritised and included in maintance schedules.
How I will work
I will uphold the Human Rights Act and NZ Bill of Rights and fully meet our LGA consultation duties by engaging in ways that suit people’s needs—online, in person, and in accessible formats. Above all, I will provide the leadership needed to partner with disabled people to make Upper Hutt welcoming, safe and easy to navigate for everyone, every day.
