Ableism: Ableism is “discrimination or prejudice against people with lived experience of disability”187 and a value system that considers certain typical characteristics of body and mind as essential for living a life of value.188 Ableism leads to social prejudice, discrimination against, and oppression of, persons with disabilities, as it informs legislation, policies and practices. Ableist assumptions lie at the root of discriminatory practices.189 Everyday ableism can be understood as being: …embodied in negative attitudes to disability and the frequent power imbalances between disabled people and those who control the resources we need190. They say: Accessibility means that information, goods, and services can be used by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others… Accessibility in this context may include: • disseminating information related to GBV [gender-based violence] in accessible formats such as digital formats accessible to screen readers, braille, sign language, plain language, and Easy-Read formats • providing sign language interpretation in police stations and courts • providing accessible helplines, including offering text service • ensuring victims/survivors have physical access to accessible shelters that include ramps, railings and elevators and are close to where victims/survivors live • ensuring that services are free or lowcost • and providing training on disability inclusion to all the staff working in GBV related services.193 and The effect of a system of classification based on ableist beliefs is to assist dominant, nondisabled groups to render the existence and concerns of disabled people either invisible, or subject to the exercise of patronage and benevolence. At the same time the benefits of being not disabled remain invisible and seldom acknowledged.191 Disability activists use the term ableism to describe: …discrimination against people with disabilities, including the expression of hate for people with disabilities, denial of accessibility, rejection of disabled applicants for housing and jobs, (and) institutionalised discrimination in the form of benefit systems designed to keep people with disabilities in poverty.192 Accessibility: Women Enabled International (2021) provide a checklist to ensure that tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people are not disadvantaged by lack of access to information about violence, facilities or access to services. 62 Human Rights Commission Accessibility of services: Being an accessible violence prevention or response service means providing not only physical access to buildings (toilets, bathrooms and all other spaces), but offering fully accessible information in a range of formats including access to NZ sign language users and interpreters. It means all organisations must develop policies and procedures in conjunction with tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people that specify and teach the competencies required to understand who disabled people are; the dynamics and dimensions of violence against tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled women, men and children; and how to constructively respond to this violence, including a knowledge of available services and processes. This right is described in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.