Activist scores partial win on access

PARTIAL VICTORY: Disability activist Julian Emmett , with a photo of himself and his late wife Felicity, is pleased with the select committee's decision on disability access. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO A-200215WCSMEMMETT1

A Wanganui disability activist is claiming a partial victory in his fight to have disabled access to buildings enshrined in law.

Julian Emmett was one of several people who made submissions to the local government and environment select committee, arguing the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill would unfairly discriminate against people with disabilities.

The original clause 23, section 133AX of the bill would have removed the requirement for building owners who had to earthquake strengthen their buildings to provide disability access. It would not apply to new buildings.

Mr Emmett made two submissions to the select committee, which had originally recommended that the clause remain.

However, Mr Emmett discovered this week the select committee had changed its mind, watering down the clause so that a building owner must now show that including disabled access would be "unduly onerous".

"It's not quite what we wanted, but it's better than nothing. I'm pleased we managed to get a partial victory - it's better than nothing," Mr Emmett said.

He said it was hard for able-bodied people to understand how crucial something like having a ramp entrance to a building could be for people with disabilities. The original clause would also have affected elderly people with mobility issues and parents with prams.

Mr Emmett's fight began with his late wife, Felicity, who also had a disability and started a petition against the clause in 2013. The petition attracted 1400 signatures and was presented to Parliament in December 2013.

Mrs Emmett died last October and her husband vowed to continue her fight.