Facilitated by the Disability Information Service and including representatives of a broad range of local organisations, the gathering was a chance to air concerns ahead of today’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities commemorations.
The housing crisis in New Zealand and Dunedin was a major issue, as disabled people faced even more difficulties with finding suitable, affordable accommodation than the wider community, advocates said.
East Taieri Church representative Marion Maxwell said a system overhaul was needed so more land could be made available for building, while it was vital that universal design principles for accessible housing were followed.
Dunedin City Councillor Jules Radich suggested to those at the meeting they should lobby the council to free up land for building social housing, and make submissions to the annual plan.
"There is a lot of enthusiasm in the council for social housing and there is work happening [in this area]," Cr Radich said.
Discussion about plans for the future of George St led to heated debate, with Southern DHB advocate Johnnie Potiki saying the disability community had been closely involved in the original design and expressing disappointment at the changes.
However, significant push-back from the community and retailers, as well as input from an urban design specialist had resulted in a new plan, which was still under discussion.
Mr Potiki said it was disappointing that the mental health community had been fully included in the original plan, but had then been excluded.
"When you get excluded, you don’t engage again," he said.
Disability advocates had also raised the issue of the major banks’ removal of cheques as a means of payment, which disadvantaged people with disabilities, the elderly, along with clubs and organisations.
Speaking after the meeting, Disabled Persons Assembly kaituitui/administrator Chris Ford said being able to secure accessible, affordable housing was the number one issue across the disabled community.
He understood about 60 disabled people locally were looking for homes right now.
"It is absolutely crucial, and the Government needs to engage with Disabled Persons Organisations and the wider community to address this crisis," Mr Ford said.
"Speaking personally, I feel it needs to be addressed through a significant, mass state house build.
"And 70% to 80% of those houses should be built to universal design principles, so they are accessible to all — not the current figure of 15%."
The needs of the homeless community and people with mental health issues, who faced exclusion and discrimination, also needed to be front of mind.
"If you have decent housing, it contributes to better health and wellbeing," Mr Ford said.
Disability Information Service access adviser John Marrable said the disability community had been heartened that Labour had committed to introducing Accessibility for New Zealanders Act.
"However, we need an Act that has significant teeth, and that can create an accessible, inclusive society.
"It also must focus on the major issues of housing and employment," he said.
