Sasanka's Journey - There's Still Time To Vote!

Disability Connect - Short Film

In case you missed it, voting is now open for the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival.

We’re thrilled to share that Disability Connect’s documentary Sasanka’s Journey has been selected in the documentary category!

Runtime: 5 minutes

Watch, share & vote: Sasanka’s Journey

Click here for our Facebook post.

This inspiring film follows Sasanka’s path to meaning and purpose with warmth and insight.

Voting closes 28 July

Thank you for helping us shine a spotlight on disability and hope for parents of disabled people through film.

Meeting with MP’s Highlight Service Gaps

Last Friday, Mike and Board Chair Colleen met with Greg Fleming MP and Joseph Mooney MP, Chair of the Social Services and Community Committee. This committee oversees Ministries such as MSD, Kainga Ora, and Housing and Urban Development.

We raised critical issues where government services are falling short for our community - especially in education, housing, and disability supports. A key concern is the lack of data collection, which leaves our community invisible in policy development and results in inadequate or absent support frameworks.

Spinal Support NZ Gathering – and NZDEN - Sharing Lived Wisdom

Mike attended a recent Spinal Support NZ “Gathering” in Papatoetoe, where people with lived experience of spinal impairments “gather” to share practical tips, equipment advice, and personal stories. The event highlighted the value of peer support in navigating life. Mike encouraged new members to be very real in their Needs Assessments and gained travel tips too— bring a spare cushion cover and clearly labelling cushions ahead of laundry days. It was a warm, insightful gathering that reinforced how sharing knowledge builds resilience and empowers the spinal injury community.

Mike also took a powerful workshop at the New Zealand Disability Employers Network Conference titled “Preparing for First Conversations – Engaging with Tomorrow’s Talent.” He encouraged employers to be courageous, positive, and empathetic—especially when engaging with disabled school leavers and their families. Remembering their own first jobs helps foster meaningful, supportive discussions about a meaningful future.

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with employers at our Transition Expo on Wednesday, 3rd September!

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.

FASD, Inclusive Education & UDL (Universal Design for Learning) Masterclass

Explore how the UDL can help you design flexible and adaptable classroom lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles and transform the educational experience for all students.  This masterclass has a particular focus on
those with FASD.  Click here to register.

📅 Thursday, 31 July
🕛 3:30pm - 5:30pm
📍Online via ZOOM 

The Disability Journey into Adulthood - Free Online Sessions

Planning for life after school? The Disability Journey into Adulthood series is here to help! These free, 2-hour online sessions offer practical advice on transitioning from school, living options, transport, funding, and more.

📅 Multiple dates available:

Tuesday, 19 August -10am

Thursday, 28 August – 6.30pm

Tuesday, 21 October – 10am

Thursday, 30 October – 6.30pm

💻 Free to attend via Zoom

Register for a session here. More details can be found on Facebook.

Our Homes, Our Voices

Online Event Materials

Hua Tahi Flourishing Together recently hosted a 2 hour event exploring the findings from their project.  

Please note that their website will serve as the repository for all publicly available materials over the coming months. You can access a visual summary of the survey results here. A text version and video summary are also available via this link.

SIBLINGS Production: 24-28 July

SIBLINGS unites four Māori and Pacific disabled performers in a bold, disability-led production that balances theatrical experimentation with emotional depth. Developed over three years through talanoa and play, this devised work pulses with connection and care. Now, it’s ready to meet its audience.

📅 24 to 28 July
📍 Te Pou Theatre

Check out their media release and click here for more information or to purchase tickets.  

Upcoming Shows: Grease young@part and Finding Nemo Jr

Students from Glass Ceiling Arts Collective have been working hard and are excited to bring their talent to the stage in two upcoming performances:

🎭 GREASE: Young @ Part
South Auckland | 1–3 August
👉 Click here for more information and to book your tickets

🎬 FINDING NEMO
North Shore | 28–30 August
👉 Click here for more information and to book your tickets

Invitation to Auckland Council open Disability Advisory Panel meeting

The final Disability Advisory Panel meeting for the term will be open to the public.

📅 Monday, 4 August 2025
🕛 12:00pm –3:00pm
📍 In-person or online (link available on request)

Members of the public are welcome to observe. Meeting papers and a recording will be published online.

🔗 Meeting details | 📄 Agenda available 2 days before
📧 To attend, email: Disability.AdvisoryPanel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

FREE Football Taster Session

⚽ FREE Football Taster Session for neurodiverse youth and young adults aged 12–21!

A relaxed, supportive introduction to football with fun games, skill-building, and mini matches.

🗓️ Tuesday 5 August
🕟 4.30–5.30 PM
📍 Albany Football Hub
💬 Small group, sensory-friendly approach
💸 100% Free – limited spaces!

Reserve a spot here.

Trikes NZ Demo Day

Looking to explore adaptive cycling options? See what Trikes NZ can do for you at their Demo Day.  You can try out a range of trikes, hand cycles, and recumbents. The team will be offering demos, adjustments, quotes, and set-ups — plus, there will be funding information available to help you get started.  Details for upcoming event in Auckland:

📅 Wednesday, 6 August
🕛 9:30am - 2:00pm
📍Sommerville Special School, Main Hall - 80A Tripoli Road, Panmure

ATSNZ Disability Expo

If you're ooking for the latest in assistive equipment, the ATSNZ Disability Expo is the perfect place to explore innovative solutions, connect with experts, and learn through live demonstrations, hands-on trials, and expert speaker sessions.

📅 Wednesday, 6 August and Thursday, 7 August
🕛 Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:00pm / Thursday: 8:30am – 3:00p

📍Due Drop Events Centre

Click here for more information.

Experiential Movement & NeuroMovement Lesson Intensive for Kids with Special Needs

Designed especially for Children with Special Needs, NeuroHorizons® Experiential Movement® and ABM® NeuroMovement®, are a focused interpretation and synthesis of the original teachings of Dr Moshe Feldenkrais. These methods are often transformative for kids with developmental challenges.

Rebekah Cozens, Learning Through Movement, trained in these methods in the USA, and is excited to bring these child-specific skills back for NZ kids.

Hamilton 3-Day/6-Lesson: 6, 7, 8 August, 2025
Auckland 4-Day/8-Lesson: 23-26 September, 2025
Hamilton 3-Day/6-Lesson: 2, 3, 4 October, 2025

Click here for the flyer or contact Rebekah: 021 252 0412 / rebekah@learningthroughmovement.co.nz 

Disability Sport Auckland

Parents Quiz event

Join Disability Sport Auckland for an epic afternoon made especially for the amazing parents of DSA and your friends. It’s your time to relax, connect, and enjoy some friendly competition! The event will run like a pub quiz with rounds of questions and different categories.

📅 Saturday, 10 August
🕛 2:30pm - 5:00pm
📍Kolmar Sports Centre

Get your team together and register here!

Free Event for Parents – Thriving Tamariki - Pukekohe

An inspiring evening focused on parenting, building resilience, and awhi (support) with guest speaker Nigel Latta.

📅 Thursday, 28 August
🕛 Doors open: 5:45 PM | Event starts: 6:30 PM
📍Pukekohe Indian Community Centre

Register now: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/YCA

Click here for a copy of the flyer.  For more information email: KiaOraAke@tewhare.org.nz

“Breaking Barriers” Disability Day for Physically Challenged and Low Vision Community

Disability should not be barrier to new experiences and interactions with other young adults. In partnership with Auckland University Canoe Club and qualified instructors from Vector Wero Whitewater Park, Rotary Clubs around District 9920 invite you to join this Day Camp for a fun day of kayaking and other activities.  Free event for the participant.  

📅 Saturday, 11 October
🕛 11:00am to 4:00pm
📍 Vector Wero Whitewater Park, 770 Great South Road, Wiri, Auckland.

Click here for a copy of the flyer.

Spaces are limited. For enquiries and to register your space, please email ainiekwok@gmail.com

Join the Youth Advisory Group – Make a Difference in Mental Health!

Are you 16–24 and passionate about youth mental health? The Ministry of Health is forming a Youth Advisory Group for the Child & Youth Mental Health Study.

You’ll help shape the study by giving input on topics, design, and communication. Your voice matters — and you’ll be reimbursed for your time.

Click here for the flyer.

🔗 Apply now: https://forms.office.com/r/5m3eDV01fZ

Join CBM NZ’s Board of Trustees

CBM is seeking passionate individuals with expertise in finance or law to support its mission of serving people with disabilities in low-income communities overseas. This is a voluntary role with expenses reimbursed.  Click here to view the position description. 

To apply, please submit a cover letter—or a short video (NZSL welcome)—to CEO Murray Sheard at msheard@cbmnz.org.nz. If email isn’t accessible, call 022 675 0942. Alternative application formats available on request.

Look out – here come Auckland’s elections candidates

This election, for the first time ever, candidates will be able to submit their nominations online; and alternatively, hardcopies are available from select Auckland Council Libraries, Election Services or downloadable from Vote Auckland.

Nomination forms must be received no later than midday Friday, 1 August online or in hard copy by the Electoral Office at 167 Victoria Street, Auckland Central (entrance off Dock Street) or at select venues. Doors will be closed to in-person submissions at midday.

To find out more, visit voteauckland.co.nz