Kōrero for Change | Political & Democratic Processes | 17th June 2026

Welcome to the Kōrero for Change webinar series! Access Matters Aotearoa is facilitating courageous conversations about ableism in key areas of life where individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand face disabling experiences. Our next kōrero in the series focuses on Political and Democratic Processes. We recognise the importance of examining how disabled people experience participation in our democracy - from enrolling and voting to accessing political information and engaging in public decision-making. Too often, democratic systems fail to account for the access needs of disabled people. Barriers across voting processes, polling places, information formats, and civic participation can limit the ability to engage fully and independently. This can result in exclusion, reduced participation, and a system that does not fully reflect the voices of all citizens. For democracy to be truly inclusive, it must be accessible by design, recognising diverse ways of understanding, communicating, and participating. This includes ensuring independent and secret voting, accessible information, and meaningful opportunities for disabled people to engage in political life. Join us for this important kōrero as we explore how we can strengthen political and democratic processes in Aotearoa to be inclusive, equitable, and representative of everyone.