Welcome to our next lunch about ‘Making Workplaces Accessible’

Disabled people make up a significant and diverse part of Aotearoa. 1 in 4 New Zealanders have a physical, sensory, learning, mental health or other disability, and many people have multiple impairments. 

Many systemic issues affect disabled people’s full participation in society, especially in employment. This includes societal attitudes, transport, digital inequity, and the discriminatory devaluation of disabled people. As of June 2023, 39% of disabled adults are employed compared to 82% of non-disabled adults. 40% of disabled women are employed compared to 78% of non-disabled women. 

Source: Office for Disability Issues

Everyone benefits from workplaces that prioritise accessibility and universal design. Organisations have the potential to enrich their diversity, access the whole labour force, ensure employees feel valued, and provide their services to all customers. Research has shown that accessible businesses will see a boost in productivity, morale, customer base, brand loyalty, and revenue. It is crucial that access is a business priority. 

Our next lunch event invites a panel of experts to discuss: 

• What are the challenges disabled people face in the workplace? 

• How does accessibility intersect with gender? 

• What can people do to be allies and support disabled people? 

• How can workplaces become more accessible? 

We will also have time for Q&A with our knowledgeable panellists: 

• Dr Huhana Hickey MNZM (Ngāti Tāhinga, Whakatōhea) - ia/ia
  Dr Hickey is an academic and disability rights lawyer. She has multiple sclerosis, was the first openly disabled Housing NZ board member, and is an unflinching advocate for whānau hauā and all disabled people. Dr Hickey is a member of the New Zealand Human Rights Review Tribunal and Director on the Odyssey House board, holds multiple advisory and consultancy roles, and became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015 for services to people with disabilities.

• Pieta Bouma - she/her
  Pieta Bouma is a disability rights activist and athlete. Since becoming a paraplegic at 18, she has excelled in various sports and is a vocal advocate for disability inclusion. She has consulted with government and corporates who want input from disabled people. A recent graduate from UoA with a degree in Global Studies & Health Sciences, Pieta is also a consumer representative of the NZ Spinal Cord Injury Registry and the secretary of the Auckland wheelbreakers wheelchair basketball team.

• Rachael Parkinson-Turner - she/her
  Rachael is a dedicated advocate for accessibility and inclusion, serving as the Marketing, Communications, and Events Manager at the NZ Disability Employers’ Network (NZDEN). In this role, she works at the forefront of efforts to drive systemic change in workplaces across Aotearoa, helping employers develop more inclusive and equitable hiring practices and fostering environments where disabled and neurodivergent individuals can thrive.

  Rachael’s early career spanned over 25 years in graphic design and communications, where she mastered the art of creating impactful visual content. In 2020, her professional focus shifted, igniting a passion for ensuring that all communications and marketing content are both accessible and inclusive. This transformation marked a turning point in her career, where her dedication to accessibility now shapes everything she creates and she welcomes opportunities to share this knowledge with others.

  As a neurodivergent individual herself, Rachael brings a personal perspective to her advocacy, grounding her work in lived experience. She is driven by the belief that dismantling barriers and ensuring equal access for all will cultivate environments where every individual can thrive and be valued for their authentic self. This belief is further informed and enriched by her role as a proud mother to her neurodivergent son, inspiring her deep empathy and dedication.

We look forward to seeing you there!