Making sure disabled people get greater opportunities to be more active.
[As published in July/August BayBuzz magazine.]
Enjoying a swim at a local community pool, having fun in a local playground or exploring our walkways and cycleways has been a challenge in the past for disabled residents in Hawke’s Bay.
The region doesn’t rank too highly in the provision of accessible sport and recreation amenities and facilities, but there’s greater emphasis now that an organisation like Sport Hawke’s Bay has a dedicated resource that keeps on the case of facility providers, including local councils and private providers.
Sport Hawke’s Bay disability advisor Blanche Paewai-Ashcroft says there are some standout facilities such as the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre, which has a pool pod that enables disabled users to get in and out of the 50 metre pool easily, while the Napier Aquatics Centre, a much older facility, is “doing amazing mahi through providing inclusive programmes and updating amenities where they can.
“I wouldn’t rate Hawke’s Bay on a whole on accessibility, but I do think that we are progressing in the right direction and seeing more and more facilities, clubs and groups showing interest in providing a more accessible environment.
“We do have some stand out facilities in Hawke’s Bay, like the Regional Aquatics Centre, which as a new build started with a blank canvas and was able to design the facility with an all-abilities lens.
“We also have facilities that are in the process of upgrading and are mindful of providing a more inclusive environment, but have to work around the current standing facility.”
Hastings District Council upgraded its community building (tea kiosk) in 2023 and used the opportunity to invest in a ‘Changing Places’ bathroom which is regarded as a game changer for people with multiple or complex disabilities, where they can get changed in a safe and clean environment with multiple aides to make it easy for themselves and carers.
Cornwall Park is one of only six parks in New Zealand with a ‘Changing Places’ bathroom and Blanche says that families with a disabled member are now staying longer to enjoy the park and its playground. The playground also offers a number of play opportunities for disabled users with ramps, ground level interactive panels, use of high contrast colours for low vision users, high backed swings, a wheelchair swing, carousels that are directly accessible by wheelchair or transfer.
“Before the upgrade a visit to the park would be a quick 20-30 minutes. But since the upgrade, feedback from the Disability Resource Centre, who will take groups out to the park and spend the day there enjoying the environment, says the bathroom has played the biggest role for this group. Also, having play equipment available means they can play and enjoy the park for extended periods of time.”
It’s time for Hawke’s Bay to step up though, both in amenities, programmes and sport and recreation activities for the disabled community. The statistics show 1.1 million (24%) of New Zealand adults identify as disabled, while there’s 95,000 children under the age of 15 (11 percent) with a disability – with half having a condition since birth.
Evidence says that being disabled has a negative impact on participation in play, active recreation and sport.
Disabled people are less likely to participate in any given week. They also participate in fewer sports and activities than non-disabled. Their appetite to participate more, compared with non-disabled, is highest among disabled adults age 25-plus. This is the age when participation among disabled adults begins its steady decline.
But as Blanche explains there is a greater focus than ever before with councils, sport codes and clubs looking to be more inclusive. A recent Sport New Zealand survey revealed that 65% of sports clubs say they provide opportunities for disabled people to engage alongside non-disabled people.
Blanche says it’s important that there are plenty of accessible facilities and amenities for young tamariki, as that improves the chances of life long enjoyment of being active, just the same as able bodied children.
Sport Hawke’s Bay has taken a lead role in this space since 2019 when its board made the call to use its financial reserves to fund a dedicated Disability and Inclusion Advisor role.
Sport Hawke’s Bay chief executive Ryan Hambleton said they could see a benefit in bringing together those from across the disability sector and plan for the future. It was a New Zealand first and a governance group was established to support the development of a regional disability plan.
Sport New Zealand then stepped up to provide funding for the position until this year. When it made the call to pull funding, Sport Hawke’s Bay decided it didn’t want to lose any momentum, so has again decided to dig into its reserves.
“The role has ensured disability and inclusion is embedded throughout all Sport Hawke’s Bay programmes as well as with other major key regional partners such as councils, educators, members from the disability community and sports organisations,” Ryan says.
“While we have some dedicated, passionate and very capable people and organisations in the Bay, this role is an independent voice that can advocate across councils, sports organisations, funders, physical activity providers and back to Sport NZ.”
Sport HB has been able to provide training to develop a regional workforce that understands the needs of children and young people with a range of impairments.
“We continue to advocate for fit for purpose and accessible playgrounds and parks and continue to work to ensure a more inclusive approach to strategy, policy and communication within our partner organisations is in place.
“We want to ensure disabled people throughout Hawke’s Bay can be just as active as non-disabled people,” he says.
Sport HB is committed to funding the role for the next 12 months while looking for alternative funding channels long term.
“We hope this role can be centrally funded in the future. The benefits to the wider community are far greater than what is reported on and as a result we truly believe disabled people in Hawke’s Bay have more opportunities to be more physically active than ever.”
Blanche says the local territorial authorities are committed to the journey, something which is demonstrated by their investment in facilities at Cornwall Park and Anderson Park in Napier. In Central Hawke’s Bay the council has provided an accessible area/bathroom at Pourerere beach, paired with an All-Terrain Wheelchair that can be hired for free through the council and used in rough terrain.
Blanche and other organisations aligned to the disability kaupapa are keeping a close watch on ‘spaces and places’ plans and ensuring they have input.
The development of a regional spaces and places strategy will include a collaborative regional approach for providing an accessible, fit-for purpose regional network of quality spaces and places that support and encourage physical activity (play, active recreation, sport). Regional leadership organisations are working towards achieving a network of facilities that fall within a recognised hierarchy, providing the context for local planning and to guide decision-making about local facilities.
Blanche also sits on three disability reference groups within Hawke’s Bay, in CHB, Hastings and Napier.
“Napier City Council is doing some awesome mahi at the moment where they are working with Lifemark Assessor Ben Hasselman.”
Ben works alongside disability support organisations such as CCS Disability Action and Barrierfree to provide accessibility guidelines for residential housing and retirement complexes. He is examining past builds and evaluating future builds, using examples by Thames Council and Wellington Council. They have introduced incentives like offering a larger build footprint if universal design standards are adhered to, as well as developer funds and reimbursements if universal design standards are used.
With just 12 months of funding remaining Blanche is keen to find ways for the role to continue.
“We have set the standard nationally for creating opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport and recreational pursuits and breaking down any barriers, and we have seen a 25% increase in opportunities for the disabled community.”
Disability programmes enhance movement and confidence
Hastings District Council offers two programmes aimed at improving activity and movement for young children and teenagers with physical and/or intellectual disabilities at the Hastings Sports Centre.
The Inclusive Active Movement (IAM) programme is designed for Year 9 to 13 students with physical, intellectual and/or behavioural disabilities, with students participating in games, activities and challenges aligned to a different basic movement skill. The course also helps students gain confidence and interpersonal skills.
The Fundamental Skills programme is specifically designed for young children with physical and/or learning disabilities, with participants completing circuits and stations specifically designed to stimulate motor development and fundamental brain patterning, which helps children gain confidence and self-reliance.
Napier park an award winner
Napier’s Anderson Park Destination Playground, opened in 2018, includes accessible and imaginative structures for climbing and sliding, flying foxes, swings, water play, and functional artwork with messages in braille and interactive elements, including a xylophone, musical bridge and drums.
The playground won the 2018 New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) Outstanding Park Award.
NCC has also enabled enhanced access to the Marine Parade pathway with a new ramp at Tom Parker fountain.
The ramp was a key action in Napier’s Disability Action Plan and council is also installing a ramp at the Sunken Gardens, which will provide even more opportunities for people with limited mobility to enjoy the beauty of the area.
Local disability portal
Disability Sport and Recreation Hawke’s Bay aims to enhance the lives of disabled people through sport and recreation.
