Auckland Disability Law 1 year old !!

Auckland Disability Law had its 1st anniversary in May this year.

It has been an exciting and challenging first year, and we are very happy that our funding has been secured for the next year. We’ve grown in many ways, and there are plenty of changes being implemented to start off our second year.

ADL Welcomes Expanded Legal Team
Auckland Disability Law is pleased to now have 2 lawyers and a legal advocate.

David Hagar has been appointed as our new lawyer, to take on case work

Susan Martell is our legal advocate and will be assisting David with cases.

Dr Huhana Hickey will be conducting legal education workshops and law reform.

David Hagar qualified as a lawyer in 1968 and has been in general practice for over 40 years. He has represented people at all levels of the NZ court system.

David was Secretary of the NZ Howard League for Penal Reform for 15 years and worked alongside Mr Peter Williams QC, the president of the NZ Howard League.

During that time the NZ Howard League was involved in major law reform relating to Human Rights of prisoners, and improvements to the penal system.

Susan Martell has been in general law practise for 6 years. Her legal interests are in

problems arising with new immigrants and people with addiction problems caught up in the criminal justice system.

Prior to becoming a lawyer Susan worked for several years teaching English as a second language.

Dr Huhana Hickey is no longer working directly with clients, so she can focus on our law reform and education work, but she will continue to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with the team.

Community Support

Heather’s new role

Heather has been working for Auckland Disability Law from its inception in October 2007. She has been an invaluable source of knowledge from the beginning.

Heather’s role is now going to be one of Community Advisor in which Auckland Disability Law will utilise her knowledge.

Heather will liaise with community organisations, informing them about the role of Auckland Disability Law. And in turn will be further adding to her knowledge of organisations in the community which will assist in providing information like this to clients.

Heather will be working with Anna Nelson, Auckland Disability Law’s Community Worker, to assist clients by providing information of community organisations and support groups.

If you would like Heather and other team members to come to your organisation to tell you more about Auckland Disability Law, please make an enquiry at:

Welfare Guardianship under the PPPR Act

Welfare Guardianship or how to use the Protection of Personal and Property Rights (PPPR) Act is one of the questions we are most frequently asked. This Act is intended to offer legal protection to people who do not have legal capacity or cannot communicate their wishes, or for people who might find themselves in that situation, and want to have a say in who should make decisions on their behalf in the future.

It is important to ensure that the rights of the person who the guardianship is for is protected and they are kept informed of monies being spent and decisions being made. With the changes to the law in October of 2008, a greater responsibility was made to ensure that people are not ripped off by those making those decisions for them.

If you need some initial advice or information on the PPPR Act, or would like us to organise a workshop about it, we can help you. We cannot represent you through the process, but we may be able to find you a lawyer who can represent you.

If you would like to discuss this issue then contact us at the office and we can help you or direct you to someone who can assist you further.

Incorporated Society

Auckland Disability Law has become an incorporated society.

This means that we are now a separate legal entity, registered with Companies

Office.

We decided to become an incorporated society because we want disabled people

and those that support our aims to become members.

Members will be able to participate in general meetings, nominate and vote for people to be on our Steering Group and help shape the future of Auckland Disability Law.

In our next newsletter we will give full information about how to join Auckland

Disability Law Incorporated , how to nominate people to be on the Steering group,

and the details of out first AGM.

If you want to know more about how to incorporate check out this website!

http://www.societies.govt.nz/cms/incorporated-societies/starting-an-incorporated-society

Monthly Clinics

We have monthly clinics where clients can meet with one of our Lawyers, Community Worker or Community Advisor to discuss issues.

Our monthly clinics are at:

Waitakere Community Law Service.

Te Roopu Waiora.

AUT Akoranga campus (North Shore).

Information links

Survey: Disabled peoples experience of using public land transport services

The Human Rights Commission is conducting a survey of disabled people who have used or tried to use buses, trains or taxis in the last year.

Go to the following website to have your say and complete the survey, by Friday 31st July.

http://www.hrc.co.nz/home/hrc/disabledpeople/inquiryintoaccessiblepubliclandtransport/whatsnew.php

A Free Confidential Help Line!

0800 211 211

Support services for you and your family.

For more information go to this website.

http://www.familyservices.govt.nz/documents/our-work/access-information/211-helpline/0800-flyer.pdf

New Independent Police Conduct

Authority website

The Authority has re-launched its website – http://www.ipca.govt.nz – in order to better inform the

public about its role and functions, and about how complaints against the Police are handled.

ends

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