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Two successful workshops
Wendi says “The workshop we held in Christchurch was just wonderful. Disabled people did some tee shirts that will be a great addition to the clothesline, and disabled and non-disabled supporters alike signed the sheet. We had both sheets there, with one hanging on display and another on a trestle table to sign. The idea was proposed that when we get enough tee shirts we can hang them in Cathedral Square in a triangle between the cathedral, the chalice and the John Robert Godley Statue. That sounds so good. Need a few more tees yet though.”
“We held another workshop in Hamilton that was held in conjunction with a People First Book and Video Launch. Bronwyn Hayward led it. Like the Christchurch event it was great and energising. People are responding well at these workshops and doing some really cool tee shirts. Thanks to all who put up their creativity in tee shirts and sheet-signing.”
We need more tee shirts, and more supporters. Want to run a workshop? Want to know more? Contact us
Celebrating a life
Artist, activist, friend and one of our staunchest Clothesline supporters passed away last month. Wendy Randall was well known for her beautiful textile work, her paintings and her penguins with attitude.
She was also known to disabled people as a friend and supporter, and a campaigner for justice for others as well as herself. Even near the end of her life when she was very ill she still worked to improve services for other disabled people.
Wendy believed so strongly in the importance of this project that she asked that we display our tee shirts at her funeral, which we did. Her death notice invited disabled people to decorate and send a tee shirt to us.
We celebrate her life and mourn her loss
Supporters signing up
Supporters of the Disability Clothesline project are signing our sheets. Our first supporters sheet is hanging on the line.
As well as signatures from people supporting the project there is a braille message which says "It's not OK."
Contact us to add your supporting signature and/or message.
Positive media coverage of Clothesline launch
We were pleased with the positive media coverage we received from the launch, and the supportive speech made by the Associate Minister for Disability, the Hon Pansy Wong, The Hon Pansy Wong's speech
there was also a great photograph and a strong story in the Dominion Post
Wendi was interviewed on Access Radio then scroll down to the We Recommend heading
Tee shirts at Te Papa
Come and join us at Te Papa to celebrate the International Day of Disabled People on Saturday December 5th. We will be there with the clothesline and will be speaking about the project at 2 10 pm. See you there!
Violence against disabled people is never OK
Tomorrow, White Ribbon Day sees the launch of New Zealand’s first Disability Clothesline, a visible statement of the ‘silent epidemic’ of abuse and violence against disabled people in New Zealand.
Pansy Wong, Associate Minister of Disability Issues, will launch the Disability Clothesline project at 10.30 am at the national office of NNSVS, Wellington. The project is a clothesline strung with t-shirts that showcase messages by and about disabled people who have been hurt, or in some cases murdered.
The Disability Clothesline will be launched on 25 November to complement the White Ribbon Day message that violence against women is not OK.
Disability Clothesline Project co-coordinator Wendi Wicks says “It’s time these issues came out from the shadows.
“Disabled people are New Zealand’s largest minority, and we’re subject to abuse and violence at shockingly high levels, which is poorly acknowledged. This project is about raising awareness of the issues and taking action to show that violence and abuse is never OK.”
Co-coordinator Robyn Hunt points to the origins of the Disability Clothesline in an innovative partnership between disabled peoples’ organisations and organisations working in the mainstream of family violence services.
“The Disability Clothesline will showcase the tee shirts disabled people have decorated with their stories of abuse and violence."
“We can finally focus on the ways abuse and violence affects disabled people in a clear, direct, visible way,” she said.
Workshops get the ball rolling
Two successful workshops have resulted in the creation of some powerful stories of violence and abuse experienced by disabled people.
Those courageous disabled leaders enjoyed a friendly, fun and supportive atmosphere which resulted in not only beautiful creations telling moving stories, but some personal resolution for people. One person said that she felt lighter and could almost forgive her father for his violence towards his family.
We challenge disability leaders, and particularly disabled men, to tell their stories of violence and abuse, and contribute to the project.
Our thanks to Vincents Art Workshop for their support
