Category Archives: Disability Rights

by | February 9, 2009 · 1:22 pm

Eamon Daly 1969 – 2009

One of the very hard things about being part of the disability community is that many people in it do not live to make old bones. We must mourn for people before they nay have finished their life’s work, or before their potential is fully realised, or simply before they reach a proper old age.

Just a few days ago in Christchurch a large number of people from all over New Zealand gathered to celebrate the life of Eamon Daly, who had recently been elected president of DPA among his many other community and social activities. He was close to completing his PHD and lived life to the full, as you would expect from someone who was barely forty.

Sometimes we learn more about someone when they die than we knew about them in life. I had been looking forward to getting to know Eamon better, and working with him in his role as DPA president.

Eamon still had a great deal to give in all aspects of life. He will be sadly missed by many.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Disability Rights

by | February 2, 2009 · 10:37 am

Education for all in NZ… Yeah right!

The world of disability is full of irony and paradox. The past week’s events have been no exception. Media attention has focused on truancy in our schools, with a fair bit of righteous outrage about children and young people who don’t attend school because they are disaffected, school is not where they want to be and it doesn’t engage them, or they think there are better things they can do with their time. What shall we do is the cry? Who do we punish and how? What so we do with these kids?

I am possibly a bit naive to wish that the same level of public indignation and energy could be raised about the disabled children who are denied equal access to their local schools, despite the law. Who but their families and some activists care if they are engaged in learning or not? We are assured it would be too difficult and expensive and ‘we don’t have the resources.’ The children who are truanting also need specialist help and resources I suspect.

It all leads me to wonder how many kids the schools really do serve if thousands are truanting and others are unacceptable.

1 Comment

Filed under Disability Issues, Disability Rights

by | December 23, 2008 · 9:10 am

‘Tis the season… for human rights

This time of this year has a particular focus on human rights. A good idea really when you think about what Christmas is supposed to really be about. December 3 was the International Day of Disabled People, and December 10 was International Human Rights Day.

December 10 this year celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,  the foundation upon which the modern body of human rights law and practice is founded. Despite its age it is wearing well and is worth a read. The print is larger than it was in 1948.

Dignity and Justice for all is the message of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was also the theme for the International Day of Disabled People, with a particular focus on the Convention on the Rights of Disabled People. Sadly dignity and justice for all are not always evident at this time of the year, or any other time for that matter.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Disability Rights

by | June 30, 2008 · 9:28 am

In memory of the Rev. Dr Christopher Newell AM

The disability world has lost one of its finest minds and a stalwart friend. Chris Newell was an internationally noted bioethicist and a respected Anglican clergyman and teacher, a disability rights leader and someone unafraid to stand up, as it were, and be counted when it came to the crunch over a range of disability issues.

Although he is gone his work will remain as a tangible reminder of a man who inspired many with his passionate commitment to the human rights of disabled people, and to living life to the full.

But he was also a husband and father and a friend. He had a particular connection with Wellington and disabled people here as he chose to be a member of Wellington DPA, even though he lived in Tasmania.

He was loved and respected by many. I will remember the pleasure of his company, his generosity of spirit and his humour with gratitude. I am proud to call him a friend. He will be missed by many. I do hope that at such a terrible time for Jill and the girls and the rest of his family they can take some comfort from the many loving tributes to him paid in public, and the many more I am sure they will receive in private.

Farewell Chris. Rest in peace.

2 Comments

Filed under Disability Rights