May 12, 2014
Marae need to cater to disabled
The Minister for Disability Issues wants marae to be more accommodating for those who are blind, deaf or have mobility problems.
An Otago University study of disabled Maori in Southland identified a need for advocacy services for haua Maori.
It says service providers should better understand their Treaty of Waitangi obligations, the importance of tikanga Maori practices and the need to include Maori when they develop policy.
Mrs Turia says she also sees problems with the way marae make it difficult for disabled people to participate, from the lay-out of paths and steps to the way tikanga is interpreted on questions like seeing eye dogs and speaking rights.
"There has been an instance where somebody in a wheelchair was been told they could not speak on the marae because they were'nt standing. I cant believe our people would be so insensitive and would think that that was something that acted against tikanga. If it is, then the tikanga should change to accomodate that," she says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TARIANA TURIA CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTc5ODk=
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd