Join our Team! Are You Our Next Community Disability Information Advisor?

Work alongside Denise, 15-20 hours per week in this exciting role. Applications close end of April. Click here for more information and to apply.

Denise at Wilson School Whānau Workshop

For those who know Denise - our Community Disability Information Advisor, you will know she is in her element when she is out in the community meeting and connecting with families. 

Denise had an awesome time meeting with families and staff at Wilson school along with Autism NZ and CCS Disability Action at the Wilson School Whānau Workshop on 27 March.

Planning for Adult Seminar with Nan Jensen on 27 March

Last week, we hosted the Planning for Adulthood seminar with Nan Jensen (a Barrister/Solicitor and specialist in Disability Law). Nan discussed Welfare Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Property Management, Estate Planning and much more.

A big thank you to Nan for partnering with us and running regular seminars to educate the community and share her expertise in important matters around education and future planning.

As a parent myself, I have found Nan's seminars invaluable and highly recommend everyone attends to learn more about what you need to do secure your child’s future and protect their rights.  

To find out more about these seminars, scroll down to "Disability Connect Seminars and Workshops".  

Meeting with Valentina Pereira - Insurance / Financial Advisor

Disability Connect had a visit from Valentina Pereira who shared her personal journey of navigating financial planning when raising a child with a disability. As a Financial Advisor, she offered some thought-provoking encouragements that challenged us and raised awareness of the need to consider financial planning when planning for the future and when we are no longer here to care for our children.  This was very timely as we just hosted the Planning for Adulthood seminar with Nan Jensen.  Have you sorted out your finances? 

Meeting with Emma Cooper-Williams - Health and Disability Advocate

Did you know the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service offers free, independent and confidential advice and support to help you resolve issues with health and disability services?  

We had an informative meeting with Emma who spoke to us about their advocacy service and process.  It was an excellent opportunity to make new connections and learn more about their free service.

To find out more about their advocacy service or to make a complaint about a health and disability service, visit their website here or call 0800 555 050.

Big Shout Out To The Unsung Heroes At Greenlane Eye Clinic: Asoka

This is one of those very happy stories I am glad to share with our disability community because hospital visits are usually not pleasant, and many families have had such adverse experiences. Thankfully not us!

My big boy Sasanka who is neurodiverse is 30+ and have been frequenting Greenlane Eye clinic in Auckland ever since he was little. We were fortunate that Sasanka was under the care of Dr Justin Mora as he was growing up. Recently, Sasanka had to undergo eye surgery. Hospital visits are extremely unsettling and anxiety provoking for him. In Sasanka’s own words, “ it sucks to have my eye operated on, but I am very grateful to Dr Shenton Chew, Dr Mia Zang and the surgical team, and Dr Andrew and the anaesthetic team and all the nursing and affiliated staff who supported me with genuine kindness and understanding and accommodating of my special needs. Thank you for caring for me with patience and helping me feel calmer by answering all my questions and concerns. It made such a big difference in helping me manage my worry and anxiety and facing this ordeal. I really appreciate your medical expertise. But you have no idea how much your thoughtfulness, understanding and kindness meant to me and my mom. Thank you so much.”

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.

Bladder and Bowel Health Success For Anyone With Additional Needs

Continence NZ is Going on Tour

Presented by expert Continence Nurse Lisa Smith, these education days are designed to equip health professionals, whānau, teachers, parents, disabled people, and carers with the essential knowledge to support people in their care with continence.  Auckland event:

When: Wednesday, 16 April

Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm

Location: Butterfly Creek, Papillion Room, 10 Tom Pearce Drive, Auckland Airport

Click here for a copy of the flyer.  Register for the event here.

Continence NZ would also like to share their Toilet Tactics for Tamariki with Additional Needs webinar series. This seven-part series covers everything you need to know to support young people in your care with continence.

They also have two free Disability and Continence courses which aim to give you practical knowledge and tools for supporting people with additional needs to achieve their best level of continence and improve their overall quality of life.

My Business Starter Course

CCS Disability Action

The next My Business Starter course begins on 29 April. If you’re a disabled person looking to build your very own business, this programme will give you the knowledge and support you need to achieve your goals. 

Spaces are limited so make sure you register your interest ASAP. You can find out more and how to get in touch here

RUN4AUTISM Charity Event

Join ASD Dads on the 12th of April for their RUN4AUTISM charity event, raising funds to provide free speech therapy for autistic kids and hold free community events for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

When: Saturday, 12 April

Time: 8am: Elite runners / inclusive session.  10am: Walkers session 1. 1pm: Walkers session 2.

Location: Brylee Reserve Takanini

Click here for more information.  Learn more about ASD Dads by visiting their website or instagram.

South Auckland Have a Go Day

Sense Rugby

Sense Rugby is an occupational therapy led rugby program designed to help tamariki and rangatahi with disabilities, neurodiversity or developmental differences.

South Auckland Have a Go Day is an excellent opportunty to experience what Sense Rugby is all about.

When: Wednesday, 16 April

Time: 10am - 1pm

Location: Manurewa Rugby Club 

Click here for more information.  RSVP to info@senserugby.co.nz or 0221884816

STARS – Inclusive Dance Workshops for Tamariki & Rangatahi!

Dance & Arts Therapy NZ

DTNZ is excited to relaunch STARS, a fun and inclusive dance movement workshop designed for tamariki and rangatahi with disabilities.

The workshops runs in North, South, East, and Central Auckland with up to 10 participants per group, ensuring a safe and engaging experience.

Email clients@dancetherapy.co.nz or visit their website
for more details.

Cornwall Park Community Garden - Weekly Sessions

Join the Cornwall Park Community Garden and be part of a growing initiative to create a sustainable, community-driven green space!  Whether you’re a keen gardener or just want to connect with others, there’s always something to do.  

There is ramp access to the gardens for people with wheelchairs and/or walking aids. The site is very accessible.

When: Every Monday, 4-5pm

Where: Cornwall Park District School Gardens

Click here for more information or to register.

Ideas for the upcoming school holidays

Looking for something fun to do over the school holidays? Discover a huge range of events and activities to keep the kids entertained:

OurAuckland

Auckland Council Kids Crew - School holiday events

Auckland for Kids

Auckland Libraries: Events

Kidspot guide

Parks that are easy for everyone to get around

IHC Media is a new platform with content for and by people with intellectual disabilities

Make sure you also check our website for more activities in Auckland.

Down for Love (series 3) Airing 10 April

The team at Attitude Pictures Ltd are excited to announce that Down For Love (series 3) will be airing Thursday 10th April, at 7:30pm on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+.

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

Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi: The Early Years Kete.

The team at the Cerebral Palsy Society is delighted to share with you a toolkit they created.

The Early Years Kete includes information about Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi, the services available in Aotearoa New Zealand, and examples of different organisations to connect with.  It also covers early interventions, education and looking after the wellbeing of parents and wider whānau.

Click here for the toolkit.

The Educator (focussing on 200 years of Braille)

The January 2025 issue of The Educator (focusing on 200 years of Braille) has just been released.  A copy can be found here.

Look out for the article by our Board Member Martine Abel-Williamson!  Martine is the president of the World Blind Union and a board member of several other organisations.  We're extremely proud to have Martine as part of Disability Connect.

Review of Adult Decision-making Capacity Law

The focus of the review is the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act (PPPR Act). It is the primary piece of legislation relating to decision-making capacity.

In April last year, the Law Commission published their Second Issues Paper. They are now working on the Final Report of this project, which will be published later this year.

Click Review of adult decision-making capacity law for more information.

2025 Local Elections

Stand as a candidate, voting related updates / short video clips

Auckland Council will be holding candidate information sessions, for anyone interested in standing for elections. The first event will be a FREE webinar: Become a candidate in Auckland's Local Elections 2025.

As part of the programme, Auckland Council have created eight short, animated videos, which are being translated into 7 languages including NZSL.

1. Why be a candidate
2. How to be a candidate
3. What would I do if elected
4. Why do we have a council
5. What are the Auckland local elections
6. Why vote in Auckland elections
7. Enrolling to vote
8. How to vote

For more information you can visit voteauckland.co.nz

Local elections enrolment support

Local elections are being held in 2025 to elect members of city, district and regional councils. Each local council runs its own local elections.

Click here for some voter enrolment information with links to enrolment information in sign language, easy read documents, audio documents, braille format and more.  

Te Punanga O Te Rangimārie is Looking for Flatmates

Maratoto Valley

Two to three rooms for rent in rural Paeroa, where you would be sharing a large accessible house with a disabled 29 year old man.

There could be a possibility to share some support.

Click here for more information. Send your expression of interest to: tepunanga.maratoto@gmail.com

Accessible Air Travel Survey

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand want to make their services more inclusive and accessible for everyone in the long term. 

If you have flown with Air New Zealand in the last year (12 months) and have access needs or support someone with access needs including disability, neurodivergent, mental health needs, long-term health condition please complete this survey which will take 15 to 30 mins: Air New Zealand air travel survey

Survey runs until 25^th April 2025.

Survey participants can enter a draw for one of 20 prizes of $100 in Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars.