3 July 2009 - Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker yesterday launched a comprehensive, easy-to-use accessibility map of the central city for people with disabilities.

The A2 fold-up map, put together by the Council's Disability Advisory Group, marks services in central city which provide access to people with disabilities. It also has a grading for the level of accessibility at each service.

"As we rebuild the central city we have a unique opportunity to be proactive in putting in place an urban lifestyle with a friendly and supportive environment," says Mr Parker.

"Let's build a city that opens its arms more to opportunities for greater engagement for all its residents; that allows us to unlock the potential that is inherent in you," Mr Parker told the gathering of organisations representing people with disabilities.

The Council was focussing on providing those things that help people with disabilities not only cope in enjoying the facilities of the city but allowing them to be more productive and highly engaged in the life of the city, he says.

People with disabilities constitute nearly 20 percent of the Christchurch population and the Council is consistently looking for more opportunities to engage them.

"They can make a massive contribution to the community," says Mr Parker. "The tremendous resources in the central city offers great opportunity to engage more people with disabilities."

The accessibility maps will be available for locals and visitors alike from convenient points around the city, including the airport, iSites, service organisations and stores. The Disability Advisory Group (formerly the Disability Reference Group) is a first point contact for the Council to liaise with the wider disability community on issues of equity and access .It provides a forum for people with disabilities to participate in the planning of council services, projects and activities in order to ensure that the needs of the wider disability community are taken into account.