Auckland Disability LawCommunity Survey

Introduction & Purpose

Auckland Disability Law (ADL) is the only community law centre (CLC) which solely provides disability related legal services and activities to disabled people and the wider disability community. We work with disabled people around their disability related legal issues, and provide legal education and law reform work within the community.

The Ministry of Justice, our primary funder, is currently doing a Community Law Funding Review of the 24 CLCs in Aotearoa New Zealand. CLCs have had a funding freeze for the last eight years. Since we were established nine years ago in Auckland, we have been increasingly working with disabled people and organisations from across Aotearoa New Zealand. Finding the funding and resources to meet this increasing demand is problematic.

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While ADL now works across Aotearoa New Zealand, we are still primarily funded at the same level as when we only worked in Auckland. We believe that there is a need for a properly resourced national disability legal service, and that ADL should be adequately funded to fulfil this role.

We are keen to hear from disabled people and the wider disability community about their needs and wants around disability related legal services and activities. This survey asks if you agree with ADL’s position and for your feedback on what you would need from a national disability legal service going forward.

This survey will close 14 March 2018

Thank you!The ADL Team

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Instructions

This survey contains 4 sections and a total of 11 main questions, some of which have follow-on options. Please follow the prompts given for the answers you have selected.

You may print this document and complete the survey on paper by ticking the answers that apply.

You may also complete the survey electronically. For each question, please:

keep the response option or options that apply; and delete the response option or options that do not

apply.

Each response option begins on a new line. You may keep more than one response option where applicable.

We have an audio format of the survey on ADL’s website at ADL Community Survey or we can send you a copy on CD by request. We also have the survey in braille format and we will send you a copy by request.

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Instructions

When you have completed the survey, please either:

Post to Auckland Disability Law, PO Box 43201, Mangere, Auckland 2153; or

Save or scan the document and return it to info@adl.org.nz

If you require assistance completing this survey, please phone 0800 ADL 001 [0800 235 001] or text 027 457 5140. When you phone or text, please give us your name, phone number, and tell us if you need assistance with filling out the survey or wish to request the survey in a format mentioned above.

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Section 1: Previous Experience Using Legal Services

In this section, we are interested in your previous or current experience accessing legal services and activities around disability related legal issues.

Disability related legal issues refer to legal problems that are connected to a person’s disability. Examples include disability discrimination (where people are treated differently because of their disability), issues with disability support services, and problems with modifications to homes.

Examples of legal services includes any information, advice and assistance provided by a lawyer. Examples of legal activities are legal education sessions or law reform work.

1. Have you had contact with Auckland Disability Law (ADL)? Yes – go to Question 1.1 & 1.2 No – go to Question 2

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1.1. In what ways have you connected with Auckland Disability Law (ADL)? Please tick or keep all options that apply. I have been a client of ADL I have contacted ADL for information, advice and

assistance for myself I have contacted ADL on behalf of another

person about their disability related legal issue I have referred someone to ADL I have attended legal education delivered by ADL I have attended an ADL event, e.g. ADL Annual

General Meeting I have had contact with ADL through community

engagement and networking opportunities I have worked with ADL on disability related law

reform or campaign activities I am a member of ADL I have connected with ADL in another way –

please specify:

1.2. Overall, did you find your contact with ADL helpful? Yes – go to Question 1.3, then Question 2 No – go to Question 1.4

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1.3. In what ways was ADL helpful to you? Please tick or keep all options that apply. ADL’s service and communications were

accessible ADL’s staff understood my disability and the

disability community ADL was able to assist in dealing with my

disability related legal issue ADL’s education session or event was

informative, useful and accessible ADL linked me with other legal services and

organisations that could help me ADL was helpful in other ways - please specify:

1.4. Please tell us how ADL can be more helpful to you:

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In the next set of questions we ask you about other legal organisations, specifically community law centres (CLCs) and private lawyers.

Community law centres (CLCs) provide free legal services to people who cannot afford a lawyer or have legal issues where there is no lawyer available. There are 24 CLCs across Aotearoa New Zealand. The majority of the CLCs provide legal services and activities within a geographical area. ADL is one of the CLCs that has no geographical boundaries and is contacted by disabled people and organisations from all over Aotearoa New Zealand.

Private lawyers are those who you pay to get advice and assistance from about your legal issues.

2. Other than ADL, have you had contact with other legal organisations for disability related legal issues or activities? Yes – go to Question 2.1 No – go to Section 2

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2.1. In what way have you had contact with other legal organisations? Please tick or keep all options that apply. I attended a legal education session run by

another community law centre I contacted another community law centre for

information, advice or assistance I attended another community law centre’s

community event or activity I contacted a private lawyer for information,

advice or assistance I connected with another legal organisation in

other ways – please specify:

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Section 2: A National Disability Legal Service

We believe that there is a need for a properly resourced national disability legal service. We believe that this should be run by ADL. This is because we specialise in disability related legal issues, meet the access needs for those using our services and activities, and are already increasingly working throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that ADL can run the national disability legal service, and work with local CLCs and private lawyers.

This section asks if you agree, and for your feedback on what you would need from a national disability legal service.

3. How important is it for you to have access to a national disability legal service which is properly resourced to meet your needs regardless of where you live in Aotearoa New Zealand? Very Important Important Not Important

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4. What should a national disability legal service offer disabled people and the disability community? Please tick or keep all options that apply. Provide disability related legal information, advice

and assistance directly to clients Support other CLCs and legal professionals to

develop their knowledge and expertise around providing disability related legal services which are accessible to the disability community

Deliver legal education programmes on disability related topics within the community. For example, disability discrimination, welfare guardianship and supported decision making.

Engage in law reform activities around disability related legal matters. For example, community campaigns and submissions on proposed law changes that impact the disability community.

Participate in community activities. For example, disability and community organisation networking opportunities.

Assist with the production of accessible legal information on disability related content

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4.1. In addition to the functions mentioned above, please let us know briefly if you have other thoughts on what a national disability legal service should offer.

5. Should ADL be properly funded to run a national disability legal service, and work with local community law centres and private lawyers working with disabled people? Yes No

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As our funding currently limits some of our work to the Auckland region, we are interested in hearing what it would mean for people who live out of Auckland to be able to access the full range of ADL services and activities.

6. Do you live in Auckland? Yes – go to Section 3 No – go to Question 7

7. Please tell us what it would mean for you to have access to disability legal education or a legal service which can assist with disability related legal issues regardless of where you live in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Section 3: Please tell us a little about yourself…

8. Which geographic area do you live in? If you do not see your location on the list, please tick or keep the area closest to you. Taitokerau, Whangarei & Northland Auckland Waikato Taranaki Whanganui & Aotea Tauranga & Whakatāne Central North Island (Rotorua to Taupo) Manawatū, Horowhenua and Tararua rohe Gisborne, Wairoa & East Cape (Pōtaka to

Matawai) Hawkes Bay Wairarapa Porirua & Kāpiti Wellington & Lower Hutt Nelson, Tasman and Buller Bays Blenheim Canterbury & West Coast (Grey and Westland

Districts) Otago Southland, Kingston and Tapanui

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9. Do you identify as either a Disabled Person or Deaf Person? Yes – go to Question 9.1 & 9.2, then Section 4 No – go to Question 10

9.1. What is your disability or impairment? Please tick or keep all options that apply. Physical or mobility impairment Blindness or sight impairment Deaf Person or hearing impairment Dementia Physical illness or injury Mental illness Learning disability Neurodiversity Brain injury Something else – please specify:

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9.2. What do you need when using disability related legal services and attending education sessions? Please tick or keep all options that apply and then go to Section 4. Information in advance Information in accessible formats, e.g. electronic,

large print or braille Information in Easy Read or plain language NZSL interpreters More time and help to understand legal terms

and processes Wheelchair access or lifts Something else – please specify:

10. Are you connected with disability in another way? Please tick or keep all options that apply. I have a friend who is disabled I have a family member who is disabled I work within the disability community I am not connected with the disability community

in any way I am connected with disability in another way –

please specify:

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Section 4: Additional Comments

11. Please tell us any other thoughts you have about disability legal services and activities?

[End of Survey]

Please save or scan the completed survey and email it to info@adl.org.nz or post to Auckland Disability Law, PO Box 43201, Mangere, Auckland 2153.

Thank you for sharing your time and experience, and helping legal service funders and providers to better understand your needs.

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