New Zealand’s national museum has apologised for being ill-equipped to cater for people needing wheelchair access.
It comes after Disabled Persons Assembly NZ senior kaituitui Chris Ford was invited to speak at the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand at Te Papa last week but the lack of wheelchair access to the stage prevented him from presenting to the crowd as planned.
He said Te Papa’s staff were asked by the event organisers if it could cater to wheelchair users, but they were unable to set one up on the day.
An event held at Te Papa has highlighted accessibility issues at the museum which has since apologised for.
While senior management contacted Ford directly and apologised, he said Te Papa would need to make changes to its facilities to ensure they were accessible, or could be made accessible, to everyone at all times.
“It’s a human right to be able to access the same spaces and places as other people,” he said.
