Airam - Our Fabulous Housing Intern

First in Course Award for POLITICS 774

You may recall, University of Auckland student Airam Magpantay completed her internship with us last year as part of her Master of Public Policy course and wrote a paper "Housing and its Impacts on the Resilience of Disabled People and their Families in New Zealand".

We are extremely proud to share that Airam received the First in Course Award for POLITICS 774 for her internship paper.  A huge congratulations for your achievement Airam!  Click here to read more about Airam's amazing work.

Sharing Lived Experiences at AUT’s Education Programme

On 29 and 30 April, our team of Cultural Disability Advisors (Asoka, Zsuzsa and Jingjing) had the privilege of speaking to future educators who will work with children aged 0-13, at the Auckland University of Technology about culturally inclusive practices for Asian and Pacific disabled children. Through powerful personal stories, we explored how different communities perceive disability, what families truly value in educational support, and practical ways teachers can build trust across cultures. The session sparked thoughtful discussions about everything from the meaning of ‘culture and disability’ to navigating differing views (Chinese and Western) on disabilities.

The lecturer shared that our stories "fundamentally changed how I teach cultural responsiveness" - this is proof that lived experience creates the deepest learning. We're proud to help shape more inclusive educators for Aotearoa!

Preparing for our Transition Expo - Wednesday 3 September

We have been busy working behind the scenes, meeting, planning and preparing for our annual Transition Expo in September.

The Expo is an amazing opportunity for everyone to connect, share information, learn, and ask questions. We are extremely proud to be able to make this happen for our community every year.

Make sure you save the date: 3 September 2025.  Click here to find out more.

Activities Around Auckland During Term Time: Julia

With school holidays coming to an end, classes for term 2 have now started. Some activities we have tried and love include:

• Diverse-ability Gymnastics at Tri Star Gymnastics with Catherine Takle. Catherine is an amazing coach – she is patient, welcoming, loving and full of enthusiasm. We love attending her classes each week.
• Riding for Disabled (RDA) – Horse riding can provide so many benefits including improved muscle tone, confidence, coordination and communication.  A big thank you to all the volunteers at RDA Central for making our weekly sessions possible - RDA is definitely a weekly highlight for us.
• Sports events with Disability Sports Auckland such as swimming, rock climbing, and stunt school - great experiences and lots of fun!  Disability Sports Auckland offer a huge range of activities so make sure you check out their website.

We’re always looking for a new activity to try. Please let us know your favourites and recommendations too!

You can also check our great list of activities across Auckland on our website.

Housing Navigation Service

We are offering a new Disability Housing Navigation Service, first of its kind, here in Auckland. Led and staffed by disabled people and their parents, our free service provides an advisor to support disabled people and their families to research, broker and find a suitable place to live.

Do start early.  If you need help finding a home, email us at: admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz with the word "housing" in the subject line or call 09 636 0351.

The Disability Journey into Adulthood

Real World Living have scheduled 6 more sessions of their informative conversation about leaving school, what you need to know and how to make it happen.

Topics include: Transitioning out of school, ORS vs Non ORS students, Transport Options, Work and Income Supports, Community Engagement / Options / Support, Disability Support Services (previously Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People and Ministry of Health), Living Options, Legal Options, Transition Coordinators.

Click here for more details and to register.  A Facebook page has also been created for these sessions.

Parent to Parent Workshop - Building a Good Life

Are you raising a disabled or neurodivergent child? Learn new approaches and tools to help build a good life for your children and whānau.

When: Tuesday, 13 May and Tuesday, 20 May.  Note: this is a two-part workshop, delivered via Zoom a week apart.

Time: 9:30am - 1:30pm

Click here for more information or to register for the event.

Support Abilities Group

We were devasted to hear about the fire on 24 April at Abilities Group.

Abilities Group is an amazing organisation dedicated to sustainable solutions and they also provide meaningful employment, training and support for people with disabilities.

If you are able, please consider donating to their Givealittle page here.  

IHC Online Friendship Programme

The Online Friendship Programme is free and available to anyone with an intellectual or learning disability. The service is about connecting online or by phone, to have fun and build a friendship. This way you can connect from anywhere in the country! 

All you need is a phone, tablet or laptop.

Spend time getting to know someone living in a different community, share in each other’s interests and make a friend.

For more information, please contact Hannah Verry (IHC Online Friendship coordinator) at Hannah.verry@ihc.org.nz or visit: IHC Friendship Programme

Click here for a copy of the flyer.

Dance & Arts Therapy Classes for Term 2

Dance & Arts Therapy NZ offer a range of classes / therapy for children and adults with a disability throughout New Zealand.  If you are interested, you can visit their website to find out more about their programmes for Term 2.

You can also click here for details about their Drop-In Groups.

Discover Agape’s Vocational Service!

Agape believes in empowering adults with intellectual disabilities to reach their fullest potential. Their holistic approach helps individuals set and achieve meaningful goals through a variety of engaging activities and essential life skills training.

🎨 Creative Expression: Dive into arts and crafts, drama, and hip-hop classes. 

🏃 Active Lifestyle: Enjoy jump jam sessions, regular walks, and refreshing trips to the beach. 

🌱 Life Skills: Learn gardening, self-care, and receive support in seeking employment.

Join Agape and be part of a vibrant community where every individual is valued and supported on their journey to success!  Based in West Auckland.

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM

For more information, visit their website here or contact their Vocational Service Coordinator: Alise Henderson - 0275105125 / aliseh@agapecare.org.nz

St John membership

From just $55 per year for an individual or $75 per year for 2 people living at the same address, a St John Ambulance Membership covers all your ambulance fees in medical emergencies.  What's more, the annual fee is less than the charge for one ambulance trip!

Visit the Hato Hone St John website for more information about the annual Ambulance Membership.

Kera Travel Hoist – New Invention

HT Systems

The Kera Travel is lightest, most portable hoist available.

It is a sit2sit™ hoist designed specifically for people with limited or no mobility, empowering freedom and independence like never before!

Key Benefits

• At under 20Kg, this is the lightest and most portable hoist available.
  
• Configurable for your needs and your environment.
  
• Packs up into a carry case for easy transport on a plane or in a car.

Visit their website for more information.

Flatting Opportunity - Christchurch

Are you based in Christchurch and thinking of flatting?  There is an opportunity to join a community of six individuals of similar ability whose day-to-day home life is largely independent.  

Units are in Hadlow Place, Burnside, Christchurch.

Click here for a copy of the flyer.   

Discussion Document: Strengthening New Zealand’s Emergency Management Legislation

The National Emergency Management Agency is seeking public feedback on options to strengthen New Zealand’s overarching emergency management legislation.

It is important that disabled people and at-risk communities are included, considered, and informed of emergency management process that will directly affect how they prepare for, and respond to emergency events.

Click here to find the discussion document, a summary and information on how to make a submission.  

Submissions close on 13 May 2025.

Beyond the National Curriculum: Whiria te taangata (Research Invitation)

Are you a parent or caregiver of an aakonga/student with an intellectual disability who received ORS funding and has left a Specialist Day School in Aotearoa New Zealand?

Ellie Mackwood is currently studying towards a Master’s of Change and Organisational Resilience at academyEX, and as part of her research, she is exploring how we can create a more inclusive curriculum for aakonga with significant intellectual disabilities in Aotearoa. To do this, she is seeking the voices of those who know these learners best — their whaanau and caregivers.

Ellie would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete an anonymous online survey here.