Hey Nicky Wagner! Your words matter

A painful history of disability being seen as a burden is added to by her comments.

I never signed up for the vocation I have, one that I was born into, if you like.

Being repeatedly confronted by a world that has not been designed with me and my needs in mind can wear me down. It is not always smooth sailing, and I cannot walk away from it.

When Nicky Wagner flippantly tweeted that she would rather be out on Auckland Harbour than in meetings in her capacity as Minister for Disability Issues, the supposed sense of humor in her comments was not seen. A disregard for the significance of her role and its importance for the community she represents was observed.

Wagner has since been quick to tweet her apologies, stating she did not mean to cause offense.

Intent or no, a better awareness of their disabled constituency should be shown by both these politicians. People with disabilities, our potential contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand, and our engagement on a civic level should be valued in words and actions.

Historically, disability support fell to families rather than the state. The right to attend schools alongside our peers, though legislated for, is all too frequently ignored.

For people with disabilities, who face barriers to their access to wider society, the internet can play a huge part in how they interact with the world and stay politically involved.

Labour and the Greens have called for Wagner’s resignation. This seems unlikely. However, the disability community is worthy of braver, bolder political leadership. Profound incompetence should not have to be dealt with when it comes to people whose job it is to be our voice on a national stage.

Cover image: Luke McPake/The Wireless using photos from RNZ/123RF/Twitter