NZ Government Digital Accessibility Forum (GDAF)

To mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People is hosting the Government Digital Accessibility Forum.

This forum showcases accessibility work led by government, with presentations and discussions from across the public service. While the focus is on government practice and initiatives, the forum is open to anyone interested in digital accessibility.

This free event will spotlight practical conversations and discussions about what’s working well, what’s making a difference, and what others can learn from and apply in their own work.

Live captions and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters will be available.

Register today to secure your space!

Speakers, presenters and panellists:

Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY – Opening
Paula Tesoriero is Chief Executive at Whaikaha - The Ministry of Disabled People.  A law, Politics and Public Management graduate from Victoria University, Paula previously worked in private and public practice in law and policy. Prior to her current role, she was the Disability Rights Commissioner.

Paula is also a Paralympian and world champion cyclist who won gold and two bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Games and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cycling, alongside holding a range of leadership roles in sport and governance.

Myles Ward – Keynote
Myles Ward is Deputy Secretary of the Government Digital Delivery Agency and New Zealand’s Deputy Government Chief Digital Officer. He leads all-of-government digital delivery and transformation, with a focus on shared platforms and joined-up public services.

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) accessibility

Presented by James Anderson-Pole, Manager iSign and Translation, Deaf Aotearoa
James Anderson-Pole is Manager of iSign and Translation at Deaf Aotearoa. iSign enables access and participation for Deaf people by providing professional and confidential New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreting services. NZSL Translation provides access and participation for the Deaf Community by providing clear communications for those whose primary language is New Zealand Sign Language. 

Metlink’s accessibility journey

Leigh-Ann Harris, Community Engagement Advisor and Accessibility Lead, Metlink
This presentation shares Metlink’s journey with the disability community to achieve a joint aspiration of a public transport network that is accessible to all with ease and dignity. Following Council’s adoption of the Metlink Public Transport Accessibility Charter in 2021, Metlink co-designed an Accessibility Action Plan with the disability community outlining priorities and initiatives that we can commit to delivering. With this strategic foundation on which to build, Leigh-Ann will share insights and examples of initiatives that have delivered network-wide accessibility improvements, like the new on bus announcement system.

Leigh-Ann Harris is Community Engagement Advisor and Accessibility Lead for Metlink at Greater Wellington. She works alongside disabled people to embed co-design and partnership across the public transport network.

How Whaikaha makes accessibility work
Ginny Baddeley, Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy and Enablement, Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People
This talk shares how Whaikaha approaches accessibility in practice, focusing on small, practical changes that make a real difference for people across recruitment, digital tools, and everyday work. It highlights the importance of building capability, shifting decisions earlier, and creating a culture that supports “born accessible” ways of working overtime.

Ginny Baddeley is Deputy Chief Executive Strategy and Enablement at Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. She leads organisational capability across corporate services, including accessibility, alternate formats coordination, risk, and workforce strategy, and plays a key role in driving the government’s Disability 4‑Point Plan. With extensive senior experience across the public service, Ginny brings a strong focus on building capability and embedding practical, system-wide change.

Panel Discussion

Dr Jonathan Godfrey ONZM
Dr Jonathan Godfrey is President of Blind Citizens NZ and a Senior Lecturer in Statistics at Massey University. He has a keen interest in accessibility of information, both as a consumer trying to get on with life, and as a producer by way of his research interests into creation of more-accessible data insights and data analysis tools. Jonathan is a keen user of Gen AI and any other technological developments that make him more effective and more efficient in all aspects of life.

Dino Zuppa
Dino Zuppa is CEO of Accessibility Standards Canada, leading the development of equity-based accessibility standards informed by research. He has over 25 years’ experience across government and academia.

Amy Clements
Amy is the National Chair of I.Lead, a social change movement focused on empowering the next generation of disabled leaders. Amy's experience growing up with a physical disability has made her incredibly enthusiastic regarding creating a better, more accessible future. Having recently graduated with her Bachelor of Communication, Amy is passionate about using her knowledge and enthusiasm to advocate for accessible digital media for everyone.