Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Reasonable Accommodation- lessons from Canada

During his visit to New Zealand, renowned Canadian disability rights advocate David Lepofsky shared key strategies for implementing reasonable accommodation laws, urging necessary legislative action and drawing on lessons from Canada’s accessibility reforms to inspire systemic change.

About the project

During his 2025 visit to New Zealand, Canadian disability rights advocate Professor David Lepofsky delivered a compelling series of talks at Law Schools across the country and presented at the 35-year anniversary Bill of Rights Act conference, entitled Bill of Rights Act: Legacy and Lessons – Where to now? urging lawmakers and legal professionals to adopt bold, enforceable accessibility legislation. Drawing on his pivotal role in shaping Canada’s Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Lepofsky emphasised that voluntary policies are insufficient to dismantle systemic barriers. He argued that only mandatory laws, backed by strong enforcement, can ensure real change. He challenged New Zealand to follow Canada’s lead. With an estimated 17 percent of New Zealanders identified as disabled in 2023, Lepofsky’s message is important: accessibility must be a legal obligation, not a recommendation. His message was clear, New Zealand must legislate inclusion to truly break barriers. His visit was organised by the University of Canterbury, Te Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law.

The full audio of Professor Lepofsky’s presentation at the anniversary conference is available here.

 

Grant amount

$20,000 in 2025

About Te Kaupeka Ture at the University of Canterbury

The Faculty of Law | Te Kaupeka Ture at the University of Canterbury is one of New Zealand’s leading law schools, renowned for its academic excellence and innovative legal education. Established in 1873, it offers a strong foundation in traditional legal disciplines while also exploring contemporary intersections of law and a robust clinical legal programme. The Faculty is home to the Institute of Law, Emergencies and Disasters (LEAD) and of New Zealand’s only Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree.

Contact

Dr Petra Butler, Executive Dean, University of Canterbury Faculty of Law petra.butler@canterbury.ac.nz