DPA CHRISTCHURCH & DISTRICTS
A REGIONAL ASSEMBLY OF
DISABLED PERSONS ASSEMBLY
(NEW ZEALAND) INC
Christchurch Community House, 141
Hereford Street
CHRISTCHURCH 8001
Phone (03) 379-8525 Fax: (03) 366-8535
E-mail: dpachch@cyberxpress.co.nz
VISION : A Society which provides both equity and maximum opportunity to participate for all people.
MISSION STATEMENT: To enhance and dignify the lives of people with disabilities.
PHILOSOPHY: People with disabilities must have the right and the opportunity to:
DPA has an extensive range of policies which have been developed nationally via the National Executive Committee and the membership
These policies range from disability services, education and employment through to human rights, income, information, legislation and recreation.
DPA Christchurch & Districts was established in Christchurch in 1984. DPA is unique in the disability field in that it is not a service provider, but an advocacy and lobby organisation, made up of individual and corporate members. Corporate members are disability agencies who do provide services to people with disabilities and their families.
The Executive Committee of DPA Christchurch & Districts (which is elected annually by the membership) is made up of people with experience of the physical, intellectual, psychiatric and sensory areas of the disability sector.
Anyone who has an interest in issues relating to people with disabilities can join DPA. Our role is to inform, educate and empower people with disabilities and their support networks on their rights, and to lobby Government and other bodies on issues of concern.
In Christchurch, DPA has links with the City and Regional Councils, Christchurch Polytechnic, Canterbury District Health Board, and the Council of Social Services amongst others.
DPA has representatives on the Total Mobility Committee which also comprises of representatives from the Canterbury Regional Council, Transit New Zealand and taxi companies. The Total Mobility scheme enables people with mobility impairments, who cannot drive or use public transport, to access vouchers which give them reduced taxi fares. The scheme is administered by the Canterbury Regional Council, and vouchers are issued by accredited disability agencies.
Other areas DPA Christchurch & Districts are involved in include:
DPA Christchurch & Districts also run forums on topics of current or general interest, concerning disability. They are intended to inform, and to let people express their views. Feedback obtained from forums can be used in DPA submissions.
For more information, please contact the Co-ordinator at the DPA office (details at the top of the page).
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