Understanding Disability Supports in the Community

We had an amazing turnout on Wednesday, 19 March for our "Understanding Disability Supports in the Community" Seminar hosted by Maungarei Community Christian Trust in Mt Wellington.  We understand navigating supports can be challenging and we were extremely happy to receive feedback from participants that they found the session very useful.

Do regularly check the seminars and workshops we hold throughout the year so you don't miss out.  

Out in the Community - Sommerville Special School Open Day, Otahuhu Youth Event and Oaklynn Whanau Day

Mike, Asoka, Yoky and Jingjing attended various events in the community last weekend and enjoyed meeting new families. Connecting with the community is a core part of what we do every day. 

To those new families we recently met - Welcome if this is your first Disability Connect newsletter! 

At these events, parents of children leaving school in the next 2 years told us they have a lot to think about.  Make sure our Transition Expo - Wednesday 3^rd September 9am-2pm is in your calendar.  It is so good to have options to explore in one place.  More information about our Transition Expo can be found here.

March Support Groups

Everyone had a blast at the "Move and Dance with Bex" session organised by Zsuzsa on Wednesday, 12 March.  It was a night filled with joy, creative movement and laughter!  We were so pleased to get feedback that "This was the best meeting I've been to by far. So much fun!".

Yoky's Chinese Support Group session "Building a Secure Circle of Connection with our Child" with Ms Oi-Kuen Tam was also very well received.  Parents told us how the presentation gave them greater insight to parenting as well as the opportunity to reflect on their journey and move forward.

The topics of our monthly support groups change each month and can provide a night of fun or invaluable information. Make sure you have a look at what's coming up so you don't miss out! We look forward to seeing you at our Support Group events!

Housing

Are you looking for a flat? Have you read Four Go Flatting? Seen Managing Support Staff? Are you ready for the next step?

We are planning to organise a workshop for families wanting to explore flatting with our Board Chair, Colleen Brown. Register your interest by emailing admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

Don't forget our New Housing Navigation Service
We are also 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.

Disability Support Services

Reminder: Community Consultation ends 5pm on 24 March

There's still time to take part in the Disability Support Services' community consultation today. Some of our Staff and Board members attended the three sessions in Auckland as well as the provider zoom session. We do need your help by making a submission so the government knows what you want. Even if you have given feedback previously the disability support system won’t change without ongoing input.

Our updated draft submission is on our website here. https://disabilityconnect.org.nz/dss-consultation-feedback/

You are most welcome to copy and paste from it to make your own submission.  For more information check out the DSS website which also has this discussion document.

Make sure your submission is made before 5pm on 24 March.

Kids Day Out Variety Show

2025 Magic Show - Free Tickets

We have a limited number of complimentary tickets for special needs children and their families to attend this event.  

Two sessions available on:

Saturday, 5 April at 2pm - Birkenhead College

Sunday, 6 April at 2pm - Otahuhu College

To request tickets, please complete the online form here.

You will be notified by email if you have been allocated a ticket.

Tickets must be picked up from 3b Olive Rd, Penrose during office hours. We do not post tickets out to families.

Announcing Kaikaranga

From 26 March, Taikura Trust will have a new name: Kaikaranga.

Kaikaranga is focused on delivering effective navigation and connection within the disability support system and assisting other government systems that have a role to play in enabling disabled people to live their best lives.

Click here for the social story about the upcoming change.

ABS x Special Olympics Inclusive Basketball Program

In partnership with Special Olympics New Zealand, Auckland Basketball Service is launching a brand-new Inclusive Basketball Program!

This 4 week program is designed for individuals with an intellectual disability to learn more about basketball, develop new skills, and build confidence on the court. Open to all abilities.

Dates: March 21, 28. April 4, 11 (sessions started last week)

Time: 4:30 - 5:30pm for coaching session.  Free court time until 6.30pm

Venue: Barfoot and Thompson Stadium, Kohimarama

Cost: $10 per session

Age: 13 to 25+

Limited spaces only.  For more information  email: john@auckland.basketball

Meet the MightyKids Rehab Team

Saturday, 29 March

MightyKids Rehab is a community rehabilitation service dedicated to providing specialist care for young people with physical needs to maximise their potential.

The team at MightyKids Rehab are family focussed and take a real patient-centred approach to their work with children and their families. They take a collaborative approach to each child’s treatment plan; working together with family, health professionals, schools, and community providers to create the best solutions. This dedicated team of health professionals work from an understanding that families are the experts on the impact of their child’s health condition on their mobility, motor skills and development.

Meet the team and find out more about their amazing services on Saturday, 29 March: 10am-12pm at Meadowbank Community Centre.

Click here to visit their website and find out more about their events.

IHC Art Awards

Entries open at 9am, 14 April 2025

It's nearing time for the IHC Art Awards entries opening date.  The IHC Art Awards provide artists with an intellectual disability the opportunity to have their talent recognised, their voices heard and to sell their work.

Click here to watch a video from the Art Awards Ambassador, Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet.

Entry forms will be available on the IHC website a little closer to the entries opening date.  Visit the website for more information or email: ihc.events@ihc.org.nz

Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2025/2026: Better feedback options for the neurodivergent community

Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2025/2026 is open for feedback until 11.59pm Friday 28 March 2025.

Auckland Council has developed some options to assist people from neurodivergent community to better engage with the Annual Plan 2025/2026 consultation process:

• Easy Read Documents.  Large print and braille versions are also available.
  
• Creating drop-in sessions during Glenfield Library’s Low Sensory Hour.
• Offering an option to provide feedback via audio recording here.

Have your say and advocate for a more accessible Auckland with infrastructure and events that support disabled people and their families to thrive.

For more information, visit the website or email consultation@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Harikoa Life: Setting Up a Communal Disability Housing Investment fund

Mary parents are sharing a real concern to ensure long-term housing and financial security. Instead of parents purchasing property or setting up a fund on their own, Harikoa Life are looking at doing this as a national group of parents to protect and grow wealth while providing a portfolio of housing options.

It simply makes sense to work together, and Harikoa Life are starting to work with reputable fund managers to deliver this. But they need to hear from you if this is of interest.  Please get in touch before the end of March at wealth@harikoa.org.nz

Visit the website here for more information.