Newsletter - 15 July 2024 - Drumming with Chewy, Understanding Disability Supports, Autism NZ Bowling Party


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Disability Connect Newsletter

15 July 2024

Young man dressed with cloak and feathers in his hair, sitting and holding a book called the Seven Kites.

Four people standing in a group, two women, one man and a youth smiling.

Lady wearing glasses standing next to a table making craft.

Young man with black hair and glasses standing and doing a colouring activity

Women wearing a beige dress and green cardigan with her arm over a mans shoulder. Man wearing grey jacket and glasses.

Four bowls with shells inside them. Mussels, paua, scallop and tuatua shells.

Our last Parent Support group was a delight with our families enjoying Indi's storytelling and kite making for our Matariki themed night. Join us next month at one of our support groups below.

Disability Connect Support Groups

Zoom Parents Support Group - Every Monday 7-8pm
Open to anyone seeking advice or support for parenting, upcoming Needs Assessments, starting or leaving school and anything in-between. Robyn would love to meet and chat about anything that is important to you.
Parent Support Group - Wednesday 7th August 2024, 6-8pm.
Guest: Chewy Wilson (Rhythm for the Soul)
Topic: Drumming - Interactive percussion and music session
Location: 3b Olive Road, Penrose.
Registration is essential. Click here for details and flyer.
Chinese Support Group - Tuesday 16 July, 10am to 12noon.
Guest Speaker: Jennifer Chen, from Browns Bay - Bilingual Speech Language Therapist (SLT)
Topic: Communication and SLT for Autism
Location: Lynfield Room, Fickling Convention Centre (546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings)
Click here for English flyer and here for Chinese language flyer.

For more Disability Support Groups click here

Disability Connect Seminars and Workshops

Disability Supports in the Community - Thursday 18 July, 6:30 - 9pm. Zoom only. A presentation from Taikura Trust and Work and Income. Come and find out what financial and disability supports you may be able to access. Email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz to register. For more information click here.
Education Legal Issues - Thursday 25th July, 6:30pm to 9pm via Zoom. Come along and learn about enrolment rights, decision processes around special education, processes around an ORS funding decline, requests to parents for teacher aide funding contributions, requests to parents for funding for student support at extra-curricular camps and activities, stand-downs, use of restraint, and much more.
For more information click here.
To register email: admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz
Planning for Adulthood - Wednesday 21st August 2024 6.30pm – 9.30pm – via Zoom. Click here for more information.
To register email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

Please note some seminars do have a fee. Please let us know if this is a barrier to being able to attend. Clicking on the link will take you to the information.

Image of a 3 mast sailing ship on the ocean with clouds in the sky at dusk. dark silhouettes of the land in the background.

Understanding Disability Supports in the Community

Free for Families whanau and disabled people.

Please note there is a $50 fee for professionals.

To register please email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz before 18 July 4:30pm. Click here for flyer

Transition Expo - SEMINAR at 11 am

Wednesday September 4, 9am - 2 pm.

This year at Expo we will be hosting a one hour long seminar on the Transition process in the upstairs function room, presented by Cherie Cawdron. Cherie is an experienced member of our team who is currently helping her 20 year old son on this journey. Join in to learn about the steps you need to take to successfully move from school life into the community. Q & A time will be available. Expo and the seminar are free.

Click here for more information on Transition Expo.

Kia ora whanau and families,

We have very limited tickets for Autism NZ bowling parties Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th August. Click here for details on how to register for tickets. Please ensure all details are added. Tickets must be picked up from the Disability Connect office, 3b Olive Rd, Penrose between Tuesday 16th July and Thursday 25th July 9am - 3pm. Tickets not collected will be passed on to another family on the wait list.

You will be notified, by email, if you have been allocated tickets.

Photo of a man and women holding a sign and a young women in a wheelchair. The sign reads Give back flexibility, Give me back my voice, Give me back my choice, Ordinary Life outcomes.

Legal options to oppose the March 18th Funding Cuts - DPAC

Disabled People Against Cuts Aotearoa (DPAC) are wanting to hear from people from the disability community who have been affected by Whaikaha’s recent cuts to flexible funding on 18 March 2024 and are wanting to share their stories.

If you have made requests to an Individualised Funding Host, but your requests have been rejected, , or you are willing to share your story and you want advice on your legal options please contact Auckland Disability Law at geraldine.lewis@adl.org.nz

Arial sunset wiew of snow capped mountain range that is home to whakapapa skifiesd. words The magic mountain overlay image. with small black outline of mountain on lower right corner and word Whakapapa below this

Harikoa Life - Testing the Path to Independent Living Workshop

Harikoa Life is testing a new path to independent living. Join our online workshop, give feedback and help us build a more equitable future.

Date: 17^th or 24^th July

Time: 7pm

Where: Online. Click here to register and for more information.

Arial sunset wiew of snow capped mountain range that is home to whakapapa skifield. words The magic mountain overlay image. with small black outline of mountain on lower right corner and word Whakapapa below this

Adaptive Snow Sports at Whakapapa

Adaptive Ski and Snowboard lessons are now available at Whakapapa this winter, open to all ages and abilities. Click here for more details.

Description: Two women chat while enjoying live music in a outdoor setting

Gig Buddies Auckland

A brand-new initiative for Auckland, which aims to combat social isolation and help people to explore their interests, make new friends, and take part in their communities.

We are looking for disabled people who want to get out and about in our city’s cultural life but need a little support to do so. We match people (18 and older) with intellectual disabilities with a volunteer who shares their interests and/or taste in music, so they can go out to gigs and do fun things together. We also provide a monthly Gig Buddies social event so Gig Buddies can meet each other and improve their social skills.

Click here for more details

Auckland Mobility Transport

Auckland Mobility Transport Limited are thrilled to announce a
new addition to their fleet, the impressive Mercedes Sprinter. This spacious van accommodates up to 12 passengers or can be configured for 6 passengers alongside 2 wheelchairs, offering unparalleled comfort and accessibility. For bookings or more information please visit www.aucklandmobilitytransport.co.nz

Community Courses, Seminars and Workshops

West Auckland Enabling Good Lives Hui: SAMS and TAMA warmly invite disabled people and whanau to attend our The 4^th hui aimed at building on previous hui with a focus on continuing to build EGL community leadership and on understanding the structure of EGL core groups. This is an opportunity to make 'Enabling Good Lives' a strong meaningful movement in the West. Where: Titirangi RSA, 502 South Titirangi Road, When: 28 August 2024, 10:00am to 2:00pm (light lunch will be provided). You can read more about this here

Complex Care Group and the Federation:

Staffing – Employing Support Workers. The workshop for July 2024 will be held on Wednesday 31st July, 12 noon till 1.30pm via Zoom. click here for more information and registration.

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Community Group Opportunity:

Term 3 Courses Available: Learn NZSL online for just $20 per course! NZSL4U 10-week courses are starting next term! To book your spot and start your NZSL learning journey. Beginners welcome. Deadline: Tuesday 18^th July for term 3 enrolment.
Email admin@nzsl4u.com or click here to find out more.

Neuro-divergent Parenting Course:

4 week course specifically designed to support families living with autism and ADHD. Learn how to build co-regulation, compassion and connection with your neuro-divergent child.
Teacher: Hannah - NZAC Counsellor working at Rainbow House and in private practice. Dates: 30 July, 13 August, 10 & 27 September. Location: Epsom3333More information in community courses on our website

Activitites in the community

Access All Soccer - Empowering Disability on the Pitch

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to play soccer. Together, we're breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all to experience the beautiful game Let's kick off a future where everyone can play! North Shore, Auckland. For more information email: accessallsoccer@gmail.com

NZ Sign Language Immersion Camps for 2024

Christchurch, Hamilton and Kapiti Coast (near Wellington). Practice and improve your NZSL skills in a day and/or weekend camp. A full schedule of a Panel/Q&A, 2 workshops, lots of NZSL activities and a fun-filled Drama on Saturday evening. Earlybird registrations now open until end of July. For more details click here.

No Limits Netball:

Skills and netball activities for people with disabilities. Monthly sessions. 10 am-12 pm. Age 5+. Free to attend. Auckland Netball Centre, St Johns.
For more information please contact: Caitlin Smardon by email: development@aucklandnetball.co.nz.

Able Tours

Community Notices

FREE Mobility Equipment Repairs through Independent Living:

We can pretty much fix any type of mobility equipment, but we don’t work on ACC or Health NZ equipment as they have their own repairs process.

Check out more info on this great service on our website at or you can print the attached form and email it to us. Or if you would like to know more about this service you can email us at repairs@ilsnz.org or call our team for more info on 0800 625 100.

Your voice matters!

FASD Engagement - Alcohol healthwatch are hosting four engagement sessions on FASD. Dates are: 17 July (6-8 pm), 19 July (10 am-12 pm), 24 July (6-8 pm) and 27 July (2-4 pm). For the flyer click here or more info click here.

Auckland Council Representation Review - Auckland Council’s representation is extremely complex across council, wards and boards. They would like direct input from disabled people and their families as part of their representational review which may include local board reorganisation. To read more, check here.

Survey - An examination of mobility impairment and accessibility to public buildings - PhD research with Margaret Stefanitsis.

Massey University student Margaret Stefanitsis is researching accessibility to public buildings. To read about the research click here or participate in the survey please click the link - https://forms.gle/ALb31Ya4gQt51rc57

Health and Disability Act and Code Review - We want to know what you think about how we can make the Act and the Code better. click here for details and easy read links.

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People - To keep up to date with the latest changes on the 18 March announcements, refer to Whaikaha's website. The latest on purchasing rules are available here.

Make your voices heard by signing both of the petitions below:

Carers NZ Petition - Recognise and protect New Zealand’s family, whānau and āiga carers

Petition: Re-evaluate the Recent Changes to Whaikaha Purchasing Guidelines for Individualised Funding

To have your say, you can also write to your local MP or email us at admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

Great information on our website!

Thermomix® to Support Disability Zoom Info Session - 25 July at 8 pm

A Thermomix® can increase independence for disabled people and is a game-changer for carers. It is also amazing for managing food allergies, intolerances and choking risks. Find out more at my next Zoom session - what is it, what can it do and the process to use disability support funding to purchase.

Book here for Zoom Thursday 25 July at 8pm: https://tinyurl.com/4a4pxp39

We are available Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm

admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

Phone 09 636 0351

We are here to help you with the best information, advice and support for living the best life possible.

Disability Connect can now receive online donations via credit card. We appreciate any donation from you!

Donate now

Disability Connect

3b Olive Road, Penrose, Auckland
New Zealand

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