Can people with a learning disability serve on a board?
Shane McInroe already does. The Christchurch trustee wants to challenge assumptions about who can govern and open doors for others.
Easy Read Governance Information
Developed by IHC in partnership with the Institute of Directors, this Easy Read guide helps make governance more accessible and inclusive for people with intellectual disability.
Good governance benefits from different perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking. But for people with intellectual disability, accessing information about governance and participating fully in board decisions can present challenges.
Easy Read Governance Information, developed by IHC in partnership with the Institute of Directors (IoD), aims to help remove these barriers and support more people with intellectual disability to take up governance roles across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The illustrated guide explains governance in accessible language, covering the role and responsibilities of boards, conflicts of interest, getting onto a board, and recognising the strengths individuals bring to governance. It also provides practical advice on making board meetings accessible, working with meeting assistants and understanding leadership in te ao Māori.
Developed with input from people with intellectual disability, the resource includes advice from Shane McInroe, a board member with learning disability, and practical board templates to support participation.
The guide is designed for aspiring and current board members, as well as boards seeking to create more inclusive environments where everyone can contribute to discussions and decisions.
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