Why I Continue This Work

A Lifetime Shaped by Disability

Just after my tenth birthday in 1970, I was involved in a serious accident that changed my life permanently. I spent several years in hospital, missed much of my formal schooling and returned to the community as a disabled child.

Those experiences taught me how quickly a person's future can be shaped by the support, opportunities and attitudes surrounding them. They also taught me that disability does not remove a person's ability, potential or value.

When I returned to mainstream school, some people expected less of me. However, my reading, mathematics, science and biology were all well above average. I left school at sixteen and began an apprenticeship, later qualifying and working as an industrial wireman, appliance serviceman and electronics serviceman.

My life has shown me that disabled people can achieve extraordinary things when barriers are removed and genuine opportunities are provided.

Turning Experience into Action

After more than two decades working in website design, search engine optimisation and digital publishing, I could have chosen a quieter retirement. Instead, I decided to use my professional skills and lived experience to create resources that support disabled people, children, families and communities.

I established Children with Disability NZ to help promote inclusion and improve opportunities for disabled children. Through the charity and its connected website network, I have created information covering disability rights, accessible play, inclusive education, assistive technology, community participation and other issues affecting disabled New Zealanders.

What Motivates Me to Keep Going

Why I Created the Elections 2026 Project

The decisions made during and after the 2026 General Election will affect disability support services, healthcare, education, income, employment, housing, transport, accessibility and the wellbeing of families and carers.

I created this election resource to bring these concerns together in one place. It provides information about the issues facing disabled New Zealanders and gives political parties an opportunity to explain how their policies will respond.

The project is not intended to tell anyone how to vote. Its purpose is to help people find information, ask informed questions, compare policies and understand how political decisions may affect disabled people and their families.

Building Something That Can Make a Difference

Creating and maintaining this network requires a considerable commitment of time. Research must be checked, pages must be written, website systems must be maintained and new information must be added as it becomes available.

I continue because this work has a clear purpose. Each visitor who finds useful information, each family that feels represented and each decision-maker who better understands disability strengthens the value of the project.

The internet gives us the ability to make reliable information available throughout New Zealand. My goal is to use that opportunity responsibly and ensure disability concerns are visible during one of the country's most important democratic conversations.

My Hope for the Future

I want New Zealand to become a country where disabled people are included from the beginning rather than accommodated as an afterthought.

I want disabled children to grow up knowing that they belong, that their goals matter and that their communities expect them to succeed. I want their families to receive practical support without having to continually fight for recognition, funding or basic services.

I also want political leaders to understand that disability policy is about real people and real lives. Decisions made in Parliament can determine whether someone can attend school, remain in employment, live safely at home, participate in their community or receive the support they need.

This Work Will Continue

The Elections 2026 section may now cover the major concerns facing New Zealanders, but it will continue to grow as political parties release policies, communities raise new concerns and the election campaign develops.

I will continue updating the project, publishing relevant information and helping disability issues remain part of the national conversation.

Thank you for visiting Inclusive World, reading these pages and taking the concerns of disabled New Zealanders seriously.