An uplifting educational element to election campaign pressures, an event involving the public too – Great going guys!
Channel 39 Published on Oct 4, 2016
### channel39.co.nz Wed, 5 Oct 2016
Mayor hopefuls tackle wheelchair challenge
Disability access is on the minds of some of Dunedin’s mayoral candidates. They’ve been participating in a wheelchair challenge orchestrated by a city council candidate with cerebral palsy. And it’s raised questions about the city’s accessibility.
Ch39 Link
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### ODT Online Thu, 6 Oct 2016
Wheelchair experience enlightening
Dunedin mayoral candidates got to experience life in a wheelchair yesterday, and immediately discovered difficult cambers, bus limitations and the problem of negotiating crowds. Jim O’Malley, Cr Andrew Whiley, Barry Timmings and Abe Gray joined council candidate Joshua Perry on a challenge to take a wheelchair two blocks down George St and back, a mission that proved harder than it sounded. The challenge was organised by Mr Perry, who uses a wheelchair.
Read more
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Published by Elizabeth Kerr
Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.
What if? Dunedin... 
Great idea, but the democratic election is already a farce. Lee Vandervis’ very competitive run for the disabled mayoralty has been struck down by sympathy and misreporting.
I would love to see such education for the councillors once elected, but would you get them into a chair at any other time? The answer is no, as is self evident.
Dunedin City Council has a Disability Strategy (2 Jul 2008).
The Strategy is linked to the DCC’s LTCCP. In particular, developing communities where people feel included and connected.
DCC Objective: Disabled people are able to move about the city easily and safely without being limited by physical access issues – including buildings, footpaths and recreational facilities.
The Strategy and Action Plan require further work to come into alignment with the New Zealand Disability Strategy which is currently under revision.
Earlier comments received have been relocated to this thread. -Eds
Gurglars
2016/10/06 at 7:26 am
To what ends grimy politicians will go! I applaud the message, but not the timing and the opportunists in particular B. Timmings and camp follower Wily Coyote.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/wheelchair-experience-enlightening
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Hype O’Thermia – In reply to Gurglars.
2016/10/06 at 11:25 am
Barry Timmings and Joshua Perry have proved themselves to be shrewd “politicians”.
I don’t mean this as a compliment.
### radionz.co.nz 5:54 pm on 5 October 2016
RNZ National – Checkpoint with John Campbell and Ian Telfer
Dunedin mayoral candidates take on wheelchair challenge
Dunedin mayoral candidates spent an hour today in wheelchairs after a council candidate with a disability challenged them to wheel a mile in his shoes. Joshua Perry, who has cerebral palsy, challenged all 11 Dunedin mayoral candidates to a wheelchair race through the CBD today.
Read more
Audio | Download: Ogg MP3 (5′ 17″)
RNZ Published on Oct 4, 2016