Appendix 2 - Total Mobility Scheme Review

The Total Mobility Scheme

Appendix 2 - Summary of Consultation Process

Introduction

The Total Mobility Scheme Review consultation processes sought to capture the views, experience and insight of the people most closely associated with the Total Mobility Scheme. These people are:

1. the local authorities which operate the Total Mobility Scheme around New Zealand
2. the transport operators involved with Total Mobility
3. the disability and assessment agencies and, most importantly
4. the users of the Scheme

The views of the local authorities were gathered through meetings held specifically for this purpose during the development of the possible options for improvement in the consultation document late last year.

The processes designed to gather input from users, agencies and transport operators were through submissions and consultation forums. Regional council officials were also given the opportunity to be part of this process. The submission process was intended as the 'universal' process to which all interested people anywhere in New Zealand could contribute. The consultation forums were intended to be a supplementary 'sampling' which could, through dialogue and debate, add further depth and substance to the submission process.

The consultation process was targeted at those currently involved with the Scheme, this was due to the fact that the Scheme is already under considerable pressure. It was not anticipated that the consultation process would raise the profile of the Scheme, and thereby attracting more potential users.

There are currently approximately 43,000 registered users of the Scheme around the country. It was not possible for the Ministry to consult with all users, therefore it was agreed that a representative sample size of users in each region would be sent a consultation pack directly.

Launch
The consultation document and process had a low key launch on 14 March 2005. A small press release was prepared at the request of the Minister's office, who took responsibility for circulating it. The information on the consultation phase of the Review also went live on the website on 14 March 2005.

The Office for Disability Issues sent an email out to the recipients of their 'participate' newsletter informing them of the consultation phase. This email was sent to approximately 2,500 people and organisations involved with the disability sector. In addition, information was sent to approximately 1,600 people - a mixture of government and non-government people as part of the Office for Disability Issues email update.

Submissions

The Total Mobility Scheme exists for the benefit of people whose transport options are otherwise constrained because of an impairment. It was, therefore, important that the submission process allowed for a range of impairments. Accordingly, the submission document was available in a variety of formats including large print, plain language, electronic and audio versions.

Distribution
The consultation packs were distributed widely amongst those involved with the Total Mobility Scheme: regional councils, assessment agencies, transport operators and those who use the Scheme. The consultation pack could also be accessed electronically from the Ministry of Transport website.


Regional Councils

• Each regional council was sent approximately twenty consultation packs for internal use and the remainder were requested to be available for those involved or interested in the Scheme.

Assessment Agencies

• Regional councils provided the Ministry with information on contact details of assessment agencies. Up to 10 consultation packs were sent out to assessment agencies. In all cases, this appeared to be sufficient for their needs.

Transport Operators

• Regional councils provided the Ministry with information on contact details transport operators involved with the Total Mobility Scheme. Up to 10 consultation packs were sent out to transport operators. In all cases, this appeared to be sufficient for their needs.

People who use the Scheme

• Regional councils were sent stamped and enveloped consultation packs to send onto a representative sample of people who use the Scheme (this was determined based on a ratio of users per region to total users in the country) and were asked to forward these on to a random selection of their users.

Consultation forums

• When people requested to attend meetings, they were sent a copy of the consultation packs. In addition, consultation packs were also available at the consultation forums.

Approximately 8,000 consultation packs were distributed as part of the consultation process.

Response
Just over four hundred submissions were received as a result of the consultation process, with the majority of the submissions being from people who use the Scheme.

An issue was raised around there being no free-phone number for people to call with queries at the first consultation meeting. This was dealt with in several days and publicised as widely as possible.

Feedback on the accessibility of the consultation pack was positive. Many encouraging comments were received on the number of accessible formats the pack was available in.

Consultation forums

The consultation forums were organised in half-day pairs. Morning forums were primarily for assessment and disability agencies and transport operators. Afternoon forums were primarily for Scheme users. Each forum was of 3 hours duration.

A total of 16 forums were held, in the following centres:

• Wellington: one for agencies and operators, one for scheme users
• Hamilton: one for agencies and operators, one for scheme users
• Christchurch: one for agencies and operators, one for scheme users
• Dunedin: one for agencies and operators, one for scheme users
• New Plymouth: one for agencies and operators, one for scheme users
• Central Auckland: one for agencies and operators, one for scheme users
• Howick, Auckland: one for agencies and operators, one for scheme users
• Papatoetoe, Auckland: one for a mixed group of agencies, operators and scheme users
• Royal Oak, Auckland: one for a mixed group of agencies, operators and scheme users

Each forum had an independent facilitator who was responsible for the process of the forum. The Ministry of Transport officials with responsibility for the Review were in attendance at every forum, and Land Transport NZ was represented at some of the forums.

The process followed at each forum was designed to maximise the input of forum participants. Introductions of all participants included a preliminary description of their thoughts of the current Total Mobility Scheme. Next, the Ministry of Transport team gave a brief presentation which outlined the background to the Review, the Review's purpose and terms of reference, the component elements of the Review process, and an introduction to the consultation document. The six areas identified in the consultation document (purpose, eligibility, entitlement, assessment services, administration and transport operators) were the focus for the rest of each forum. Parallel small working groups were formed to reflect the priorities of the participants at each forum. The small groups worked through the relevant questions in the consultation document within their chosen priority areas. Each group discussed, debated, and recorded their views around these. A report back from each small group allowed for further input from the wider group. Each forum concluded with an acknowledgement of the value of the input from the participants, and an undertaking to provide all participants with a copy of the forum's proceedings.

The process at each forum also endeavoured to address any communication barriers associated with specific impairments, especially sensory ones. Material was available in large print format. All visual material, e.g. overhead transparencies, was also spoken. The Ministry of Transport personnel were available to assist as scribes for small groups. Sound systems were used when needed, and sign language interpreters were available if requested prior to the forums.

The style of each forum was informal, welcoming and respectful.

Participation in the forums
The numbers attending each forum ranged from a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 35. Only two forums had fewer than 12 participants. Most had more than 20, and several had more than 30 people present.

There was a wide representation of Scheme users at the forums. These people also represented the diverse range of impairments which make the Total Mobility Scheme so vital. Every forum included some participants using wheelchairs. Most forums had guide dogs in attendance. Participants spoke of the transport constraints that they experienced resulting from epilepsy, stroke, MS, intellectual impairment, blindness, Parkinsons, and a number of other conditions and impairments.

The forums were successful in ensuring that the experience of the Scheme users was a core part of the Review.

Response
Those who participated in the consultation meetings were very grateful and appreciative of the opportunity they where given. There was support for the structure and content of the meetings.

Unfortunately, due to logistical issues, consultation meetings could not be held in every region that runs the Scheme. A number of requests were received from regions such as Northland, Southland, Bay of Plenty etc to hold additional consultation meetings in their regions. It was considered that the cities/towns that the meetings were held in provided sufficient coverage of views, including both rural and urban.

Issues were raised regarding the accessibility of some venues - especially with regards to car parking. At the time of selecting the venues, efforts were made to find fully accessible venues for the forums was in order to ensure that the venues would not be a barrier to participation. Regrettably some of the venues were disappointing in some of their detail. Some people also requested travel costs to and from the meetings be paid, or transport be organised. Due to funding constraints, this was not possible.

Additional meetings

Several additional meetings were held as part of the consultation process and wider Review of the Total Mobility Scheme, these meetings ranged in purpose and audience

Pre-consultation meetings
During September to November 2004 the Ministry of Transport held a series of meetings around the country with local authority transport managers and Total Mobility Co-ordinators. A meeting was also held in Wellington with some assessment agencies. These meetings aided in the development of the possible options for improvement outlined in the consultation document.

National Disability Organisations
Prior to the official launch of the consultation pack, a meeting was held with national disability organisations to inform them of the consultation process and the detail in the consultation document. The purpose of this meeting was provide the disability organisations with sufficient information on the consultation process to enable them to filter the information down through to their regional offices and staff. Additionally, it enabled Ministry staff to gather feedback on the accessibility of the document and consultation process.

Government Reference Group
The Review's government reference group (including representative from Health, Education, Social Development etc) also met prior to the official launch of the consultation process. This was to outline the possible options for improvement in the consultation document and inform them of the consultation process (and gather their feedback).

Invercargill City Council
Invercargill City Council runs the Scheme on behalf of the Southland Regional Council. They have recently reviewed their Scheme and have a unique system in place. A meeting was held to explore their systems further.

Taranaki Regional Council
Representatives from the Ministry attended the council's Regional Land Transport Committee meeting to inform local politicians of the Review and further discuss the possible options for improvement in the consultation pack.

Horizons Regional Council
At the request of the regional council, representatives from the Ministry met with officials and several politicians from the Regional Land Transport Committee to discuss in further detail the possible options for improvement in the consultation pack.

Greater Wellington Regional Council
Representatives from the Ministry attend the council's Passenger Transport Committee meeting to inform local politicians of the Review and outline the possible options for improvement in the consultation pack.  


<< Previous  | Contents | Next >>

• Total Mobility Review (PDF v7.0, 161kb)