Directory

Organisations you might find helpful.

Accessibility

Accessable

Company that provides disability equipment and modifications north of the Bombay Hills (Auckland and Northland).
Barrier Free NZ

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Be. Accessible

An organisation focused on inspiring and enabling greater accessibility for all.

CCS Disability Action

Provide support for people with disabilities to be 'in the driver's seat' of their life by having the skills, confidence and resources to influence family, friends, colleagues, society and government.
Cerebral Palsy Guide

Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial options and support for people who live with Cerebral Palsy in the USA.
Deafradio

A Deaf-run creative hub, providing New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) expertise to deliver innovative opportunities for NZSL accessibility and preservation.
Enable

Company that provides disability equipment and modifications everywhere south of Auckland. Enable also delivers a range of services, contracted by the Ministry of Health, ACC and other District Health Boards.
Independent Living Service (ILS)

Auckland’s largest disability information and advisory centre with a focus on independent living.
Radio Reading Service

A not for profit organisation where volunteers read information as it is printed from newspapers, magazines and periodicals. They produce programmes covering a wide variety of topics.
Seeflow

An online translation service specialising in high-quality translations between English and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), making information accessible to the Deaf community.

Disability Organisations

Age Concern

A charitable organisation dedicated solely to people over 65. They promote dignity, wellbeing, equity and respect and provide expert information and support services in response to older people's needs.
Albinism Trust

A voluntary not for profit group dedicated to New Zealanders with albinism.
Altogether Autism

Supply information to people with autism, to parents, educators, support workers, and to any professionals working with adults or children on the autism spectrum.
Alzheimers New Zealand

Provides information, education and support to assist with understanding and living with a dementia diagnosis.
Amputees Federation of New Zealand

A national organisation that provides amputees and their families with new and ongoing support.
Autism New Zealand Inc.

Provides support, training, advocacy, resources and information on Autism Spectrum disorders including Aspergers Syndrome.

Blind Foundation

The Blind Foundation is New Zealand’s main provider of practical and emotional support for the 12,100 Kiwis who are blind or have low vision, enabling them to face their future with confidence.
Brain Injury Association

They have 14 Regional Brain Injury Association offices providing support, education and information services throughout New Zealand.
CCS Disability Action

Provide support and there to strengthen communities so people with disabilities are included in the life of their family/whanau and community.
Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand

The society enhances the lives of people with Cerebral Palsy in New Zealand, by empowering them to make their own choices.
Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand

Provides support and services for individuals and their family's living with cystic fibrosis.
Down Syndrome Association New Zealand

Promote the participation of people with Down syndrome in their community.
eCALD (Culturally And Linguistically Diverse)

Provide services that acknowledge the diversity of cultures and ensure services are accessible, culturally appropriate, effective and safe.

Head Injury Network for Kiwis

Empowering people affected by head injury through the provision of information, education and advocacy support and raising awareness and prevention of head injury in the community.

Hearing Association

Advance the interests and general welfare of all persons with a hearing loss, their family, whanau and all who support them, to improve their quality of life.
Hearing Dogs

Enhance the independence and well-being of deaf and severely hearing-impaired New Zealanders through the provision of specially-trained Hearing Dogs, to internationally recognised standards.
IHC New Zealand

Advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities and support them to live satisfying lives in the community.
iSign

iSign is a nationwide booking organisation providing New Zealand Sign Language interpreters.
Le Va

Helps Pasifika people reach their full potential so that our families and communities can flourish and thrive in Aotearoa.
Little People of New Zealand

A national voluntary society of Little People, families of Little People, and other people interested in their welfare.
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

The Foundation run campaigns and services that cover all aspects of mental health and wellbeing in New Zealand.
Motor Neurone Disease Association New Zealand

A small not for profit organisation whose main purpose is to help support people with motor neurone disease and their carers.
Multiple Sclerosis Society

A non-profit organisation formed to provide on-going support, education and advocacy for people with MS and their support networks.

Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand

A not-for-profit organisation which provides information and support to people affected by neuromuscular conditions.
National Foundation for the Deaf

Promotes the rights, interests and welfare of the one in six New Zealanders with hearing loss. They offer people support to communicate effectively, live positively and achieve to their potential.
Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination Association

The Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination Association (NASCA) is the national association for Needs Assessment Services Co-ordination (NASC) agency managers and other senior NASC team members within the disability and health sectors.
New Zealand Disability Support Network

A network of not-for-profit organisations and some for-profit NGOs that provide support services to disabled people, mainly through contracts with government.
New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders

NZORD welcomes the full extended (patients, family, friends, clinicians and researchers) rare disease community as well as the common disease community by providing support, resources, advocacy and engaging in policy matters that affect the health of all New Zealanders.
Parent to Parent

A nationwide not-for-profit organisation formed in 1983 by parents and professionals to support the families of babies, children, teens and adults with any type of disability or health impairment.
Parkinson's New Zealand

A community based, non-profit organisation providing education, support and publications about Parkinson’s for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.
Sign Language Interpreters Association of New Zealand

A national, non-profit, association that represents professional sign language interpreters in New Zealand. Has a database of qualified New Zealand Sign Language interpreters.
Spina Bifida Association New Zealand

A non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting parents expecting a baby diagnosed with Spina Bifida and parents of children, young adults and adults living with Spina Bifida.

Spinal Trust New Zealand

A support network for everyone with spinal cord impairments, their families, friends, caregivers and health professionals.
Stroke Foundation of New Zealand

Helping and supporting people and their families/whanau affected by stroke.
Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui

Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui is a national centre of evidence based workforce development for the mental health, addiction and disability sectors in New Zealand.
Vaka Tautua

A charitable organisation that aims to help improve the health and wellbeing of Pacific people in New Zealand by providing community support for older peoples, people living with disability and those needing support for mental health.
Weka

A website for the use of disabled people, (their families, whanau, caregivers) and health professionals providing information about equipment, assistance and support.

Cerebral Palsy Guidance

We provide vital guidance and assistance to parents of a child with cerebral palsy.

Disabled Persons Organisations

Organisations governed by disabled people as defined by the UNCRPD

Balance NZ

A charitable trust that promotes the wellbeing of those affected by mental illness through providing information, education, support, training, advocacy and research.
Blind Citizens NZ

This is an advocacy group for blind-related issues in New Zealand. They also provide opportunities for blind peole to connect.
Deaf Aotearoa

Provides information and resources for D/deaf New Zealanders including legal advice, education opportunities and employment issues.
Deafblind New Zealand

An organisation that strives to raise the needs of their members with decision-makers in New Zealand. They provide assistance, friendship and support, and can refer to professional help.
Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA)

This is an advocacy group for all New Zealanders who live with a disability.
Nga Hau e Wha

For people who experience mental illness and/or addiction.
Ngati Kapo

Offers kaupapa Maori based disability support services to Maori with disabilities and their whanau.
People First New Zealand, Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi

Self advocacy group run by and for people with learning/intellectual disability.

Education

4D - 4 Dyslexia

Cohesive and comprehensive dyslexia resources for teachers, schools, family and workplace.

BLENNZ

Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) is a national network of educational services for children who are blind, deafblind or have low vision.
Cerebral Palsy Guide

Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial options and support for people who live with Cerebral Palsy in the USA.
Conductive Education

A specialised programme for maximising the potential of children with motor disorder.
Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand

Provides support, a voice for, and services to, the estimated one in ten New Zealanders who live with dyslexia.
Dyspraxia Support Group of New Zealand

This is a parent-initiated support group for parents and teachers of children with Developmental Dyspraxia.
Education Review Office

ERO carries out reports on education and care of students in schools and early childhood services. You can source and read the reports online.
Hohepa

Based in Auckland, Hawkes Bay and Canterbury, Hohepa offers services for people with intellectual disabilities including schooling and education.
Inclusive Education Action Group (IEAG)

An advocacy group that helps facilitate inclusive education.
Kelston Deaf Education Centre

Provides education services for Deaf and hearing impaired children.
Kiwi Families

Identifies a number of educational resources available for children with disabilities.
Ministry of Education

Information about how the NZ education system works. There’s a separate section called Special Education, which talks about funding, services and support for children with special education needs.
Parent and Family Resource Centre

This Auckland-based organisation assists families to navigate 'the system' and find the right resources and support for their children's educational needs.
Speld NZ

Assists in reducing underachievement in students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
The Champion Centre

Offer a number of different developmental programmes and support for young children with complex disabilities.
van Asch Deaf Education Centre

The van Asch Deaf Education Centre is a residential school for deaf children providing quality educational programmes and related services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and their families.

Employment

4D - 4 Dyslexia

Cohesive and comprehensive dyslexia resources for teachers, schools, family and workplace.

Attainable Trust

Provides employment and community participation assistance for people with disabilities. They’re contracted by the Ministry of Social Development.
Carabiner

Offers a 12-month mentoring programme for young people with disabilities matching them with someone who has experience in their specific field of interest.
Career Moves

Offers information about transition from School to the Community and work for people living with disability.
Catapult

Supports people and matches them with jobs and stay involved for as long as necessary to ensure a successful long-term relationship between employer and employee.
Creative Spirit

This program aims to get New Zealand creative companies to commit to the trial of a person with a disability.
Drake Medox

Supports individuals with a disability to live safely and independently in their home with a team of qualified nursing and support staff across New Zealand. Drake also provide a path to employment for people seeking a career as a carer.
Emerge

Based in Wellington they offer career planning, mentoring, job search assistance and in-work support.
Geneva Elevator

Offers support and guidance in finding and continuing work. They specialise in helping people with disabilities achieve their career goals and aspirations.
Kaleidoscope

Rehabilitation programme focused on getting people with spinal cord injuries, back into work.
Ministry Of Social Development
SPONSORED

Provides social services to New Zealanders – such as Work and Income and Child, Youth and Family.

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The Association For Supported Employment in New Zealand

Works with both employers and people with disabilities to help people reach their career aspirations. They also work to improve and expand inclusive employment opportunities.
Work and Income

WINZ can help you find work and provide additional assistance. Provides support if you have a disability or are caring for someone who does.
Workbridge

Workbridge is an employment service for people with all types of disability. They work at no cost to the jobseeker.

Government

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
SPONSORED

Offers funding if you are disabled through accident or injury, including injury that occurs through medical treatment.

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Education Review Office

ERO carries out reports on education and care of students in schools and early childhood services. You can source and read the reports online.
Health and Disability Commissioner

Helpful information to learn more about your rights as a user of Health or Disability services in New Zealand.
Housing New Zealand
SPONSORED

Provides New Zealanders with access to good quality, affordable homes.

View More Information
Human Rights Commission

This is an advocacy group for blind-related issues in New Zealand. TheyInformation on your rights as a New Zealander living with a disability.
Ministry of Education

Information about how the NZ education system works. There’s a separate section called Special Education, which talks about funding, services and support for children with special education needs.
Ministry Of Social Development
SPONSORED

Provides social services to New Zealanders – such as Work and Income and Child, Youth and Family.

View More Information
Office of Disability Issues

Focal point within government on disability issues.
Think Differently

A social change campaign to encourage and support a shift in attitudes and behaviour towards disabled people.
Work and Income

WINZ can help you find work and provide additional assistance. Provides support if you have a disability or are caring for someone who does.

Independent Living

Accessable

Company that provides disability equipment and modifications north of the Bombay Hills (Auckland and Northland).
CCS Disability Action

Provide support for people with disabilities to be 'in the driver's seat' of their life by having the skills, confidence and resources to influence family, friends, colleagues, society and government.
Drake Medox

Supports individuals with a disability to live safely and independently in their home with a team of qualified nursing and support staff across New Zealand. Drake also provide a path to employment for people seeking a career as a carer.
Enable

Company that provides disability equipment and modifications everywhere south of Auckland. Enable also delivers a range of services, contracted by the Ministry of Health, ACC and other District Health Boards.
Housing New Zealand
SPONSORED

Provides New Zealanders with access to good quality, affordable homes.

View More Information
Idea Services

Is offered through IHC for independent living for people with intellectual/learning disabilities.
Independent Living Service (ILS)

Auckland’s largest disability information and advisory centre with a focus on independent living.
Mental Health Foundation of NZ

This organisations cover all aspects of mental health and wellbeing. They take a holistic approach to mental health, promoting what they know makes and keeps people mentally well. They provide free information and training, and advocate for policies and services that support people with experience of mental illness, as well as their whanau and friends.
New Zealand Spinal Trust

This website supports people with spinal cord injuries to rehabilitate and live independent lives again.
NZFDIC

Centres in your local community for assistive devices and face-to-face advice and service.
PHAB

Provides social experiences for young people with disabilities, with the aim of supporting them to design for themselves meaningful lives through integration, inclusion and opportunity.
Recreate NZ

Enhances the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development and independence of young people with disabilities by running adventure, recreational and social programmes and events.
The TalkLink Trust

Enables people with communication impairments to interact and participate using assistive technology options.

Music & Arts

Arts Access Aotearoa | Whakahauhau Katoa o Hanga

Advocates for people in New Zealand who experience barriers to participation in the arts, as both creators and audience members.
Can-Do Musos

Established to promote and support musicians and bands who live with day disability.
Māpura Studios

Māpura Studios is a creative space offering innovative art programmes for people of all abilities, with particular care given to ensuring those with diverse needs are provided for.
StarJam

StarJam gives young people with disabilities the chance to experience performance, through singing, playing an instrument or dance.
The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA)

An international, for-profit association wholly owned and run by disabled artists. Members paint with brushes held in their mouths or feet as a result of a disability sustained at birth or through an accident or illness that prohibits them from using their hands.
Touch Compass Dance Trust

A New Zealand based professional integrated contemporary dance company. Their performances include dancers with and without disability.

Newly Disabled

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
SPONSORED

Offers funding if you are disabled through accident or injury, including injury that occurs through medical treatment.

View More Information
Health Navigator New Zealand

Offers a range of links and resources on self-help for people who have had a spinal injury.
Imagine Better

Provides individually designed support for people living with disability.
Ministry of Health
SPONSORED

Offers support and funding if you become disabled by illness or a genetic condition.

View More Information
Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination Association

Find your nearest NASC agency to carry out a Needs Assessment
Work and Income

WINZ can help you find work and provide additional assistance. Provides support if you have a disability or are caring for someone who does.

Parenting a child with a disability

4D - 4 Dyslexia

Cohesive and comprehensive dyslexia resources for teachers, schools, family, and workplace.
Carers New Zealand

Carers NZ is a national registered charity which provides information, advice, learning and support for families with health and disability needs.
Cerebral Palsy Guide

Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial options and support for people who live with Cerebral Palsy in the USA.
IHC

New Zealand’s largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. IHC advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability, and supports them to lead satisfying lives in the community.
Parent and Family Resource Centre

This Auckland-based organisation assists families to navigate 'the system' and find the right resources and support for their children's educational needs.
Parent to Parent New Zealand

Provides support and information to families and whanau of people living with disabilities and health impairments. Parents with a lived experience of disability offer a listening ear and can understand the challenges and joy of parenting a child with a disability.
Special Olympics

Special Olympics New Zealand offers sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in over 40 towns and cities around the country.
Strengthening Families

A government funded process where all the people and agencies who could help your family are brought together. Strengthening Families is available for any whānau/ family in New Zealand when more than one community support organisation or government service is or could be required.
The Chariot Project

The Chariot Project deliver regular, ongoing and meaningful sporting programmes to young people with physical disabilities.
The Family Services Directory

Lists organisations that may be helpful to you. You can search by keywords to narrow down the list.
Birth Injury Center

Birth Injury Center was created to raise awareness and shine a light on this important issue. Our easy to navigate and comprehensive website is dedicated to promoting awareness of common birth injuries and their causes. Our mission is to help users find helpful information on devastating birth injuries and their symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Relationships & Fertility

Disability Resources

This website provides information and support around fertility and sexuality for people living with disabilities.
Donald Beasley Institute

An in depth review on the range of relationships experienced by people with intellectual disabilities.

Sport

Blind Sport New Zealand

This is the governing body for blind sports in New Zealand.
Deaf Sports NZ

National organisation responsible for sports for Deaf and hearing impaired players.
Halberg Disability Sport Foundation

Provides opportunities for young people with physical disabilities to participate in sport.
ParaFed

The mission of ParaFed Associations is to 'provide opportunities and encourage all people with physical disabilities to participate in sport and recreation'. There are localised ParaFed Associations operating around New Zealand with links to Paralympics New Zealand.
Paralympics NZ

Our national high performance sports organisation for athletes with disabilities.

Special Olympics

Special Olympics New Zealand offers sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in over 40 towns and cities around the country.
The Chariot Project

The Chariot Project deliver regular, ongoing and meaningful sporting programmes to young people with physical disabilities.

Travel

Ability Adventures

Shares general information for travellers in NZ with a disability, as well as organising tours specialised to suit your needs and wants.
Accessible Journeys

Tips on accessible travel.
Accessible NZ

Provide a specialised service for travellers with physical disabilities. They offer tours as well as information and tips for travelling around NZ.
Disabled World Towards Tomorrow

Lists a number of resources and travel articles on travelling with a disability.
Freedom Mobility

New Zealand’s largest mobility vehicle rental company.
Oyster NZ

Oyster Accessible Travel offers a comprehensive booking site and travel guide for both New Zealand and international travellers who travel with extra mobility needs.

Wheelchair Travelling

This website gives a broad range of travel tips, planning ideas and inspiration for travelling as a wheelchair user.

Your Rights

Auckland Disability Law

A free community legal service focused on helping people with disabilities.
CCS Disability Action

Provide support for people with disabilities to be 'in the driver's seat' of their life by having the skills, confidence and resources to influence family, friends, colleagues, society and government.
Citizens Advice Bureau

A service to help people know and understand their rights and obligations, and how to use this information to get the best outcomes. Essentially it guides people to help them understand information, apply it to their situation, and turn that information into action and results.
Community Law Canterbury

Providing a targeted disability law service for the Canterbury region.
Education Review Office

ERO carries out reports on education and care of students in schools and early childhood services. You can source and read the reports online.
Health and Disability Advocacy

Provides a list of free advocates in New Zealand.
Health and Disability Commissioner

Helpful information to learn more about your rights as a user of Health or Disability services in New Zealand.
Human Rights Commission

Information on your rights as a New Zealander living with a disability.
IHC

New Zealand’s largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. IHC advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability, and supports them to lead satisfying lives in the community.
Office of Disability Issues

Focal point within government on disability issues.
Parent and Family Resource Centre

This Auckland-based organisation assists families to navigate 'the system' and find the right resources and support for their children's educational needs.
The CP Lawyer

An American resource network specialising in representing people with Cerebral Palsy.