Footpaths are for people

On Monday 6 to Friday 10 March 2006 an education campaign took place to raise awareness of problems caused by obstacles on footpaths.

Obstacles such as rubbish bins, overhanging branches, sandwich boards and vehicles can limit access to the footpaths for all pedestrians, especially blind people, vision-impaired people, wheelchair users, and pushchairs. It can also make it difficult for blind and vision impaired people to move around their community safely and independently.

The campaign took place in Newmarket, which has one of the highest populations of blind and vision impaired people in New Zealand. A survey taken in Newmarket identified 447 obstacles which were obstructing the footpaths.

During the week the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind led a walk through the Newmarket town centre pointing out obstacles on footpaths and explaining their dangers.

A second walk will take place on 22 March 2006. Following the second walk, a survey will take place in Newmarket to count the number of obstacles still obstructing the footpaths, and assess the success of the campaign.

The campaign is a joint initiative by Auckland City, Royal New Zealand Foundation Of The Blind and Communities Living Injury Free.

For information about creating a fully accessible Auckland and the Access Auckland access map see Disability innovations