Working with disability sector organisations
The Office works closely with the disability community and a wide range of disability sector organisations. On this page we provide brief information about each organisation and where possible link to their websites.
Umbrella groups
- ASENZ (Association of Supported Employment of New Zealand): an umbrella group of approximately 90 supported employment providers and many consumers. ASENZ collects employment-related data, circulates regular newsletters, and lobbies on issues concerning employment for people with disabilities.
Association of Supported Employment of New Zealand website - Chief Executive Officers Group of Disability Providers: meets regularly to discuss issues of significance to the disability sector and comprises the CEOs of national disability sector organisations.
- DPA (Disabled Persons Assembly): an umbrella organisation representing people with disabilities. Its role is to provide information, promote, encourage and educate society about the full participation of people with disabilities, actively lobby government and service providers, advocate for people with disabilities, and foster links with international disability organisations. Membership includes people with physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric, neurological and age-related disabilities as well as a range of disability organisations. DPA's philosophy is that people with disabilities must have the right and the opportunity to influence and shape policy at all levels, enjoy equality and full participation, make informed choices on issues, enjoy dignity and respect as a person, and live as they choose with the appropriate supports.
Disabled Persons Assembly (NZ) Website - Platform: is a national umbrella group of approximately 80 non-government organisations (NGOs) which provide or support community-based solutions to improve mental health services. Its role is to represent the views of the NGO mental health sector to the Mental Health Commission, ministries and government, and disseminate information to and from members about developments in the mental health area.
Platform website - VASS (New Zealand Federation of Vocational and Support Services): the national umbrella group for vocational service providers. It offers education, training and peer support for providers of services. Regular forums provide opportunities for members to debate issues, assist with the preparation of strategies and keep them informed about the latest issues and trends.
New Zealand Federation of Vocational and Support Services website
Consumer and advocacy groups
- Age Concern New Zealand: has the mission of working together to promote quality of life for older people. Age Concern makes representations to Government and its agencies, and consults with the community sector and general public on ageing issues.
Age Concern New Zealand website - Alzheimers New Zealand: provides support and advocacy for people with Alzheimer's disease and their carers. The local groups run their own services which may include field workers, support groups, telephone support, public education, and newsletters.
Alzheimers New Zealand website - Arthritis New Zealand: is a national organisation whose main aim is to enable a better quality of life for people affected by arthritis. The organisation works in the areas of education, public awareness, direct support, lobbying and funding research. It offers advice, information and guidance on services and special equipment.
Arthritis New Zealand website - Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand (ABCNZ): is a voluntary, consumer advocacy organisation that aims to remove barriers and improve the participation of blind and vision impaired people in the community. Its mission statement is "Blind people speaking for ourselves".
Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand website - Autism New Zealand: has members comprising people with an autistic spectrum disorder, parents and caregivers, schools, professionals and other service workers with an interest in autistic spectrum disorders. Its branches organise local activities such as holiday programmes, music therapy, social skills programmes, regular meeting with guest speakers, and pre-school support.
Autism New Zealand website - Brain Injury Association New Zealand: provides information and support to people with brain injury as well as advocacy and support for families/whānau. There are branches around New Zealand which offer structured day activities as part of the social rehabilitation process, primarily funded on a fee-for-service basis.
Brain Injury Association New Zealand website - Carers New Zealand: was created by carers, for carers, to guide them to sources of help and to give them a forum where they can share their experiences and communicate with each other.
Carers New Zealand website - Barrier Free Trust New Zealand: encourages, promotes and facilitates the creation of environments that are accessible and usable by everyone in the community, including people with disabilities. Provides information and advice on accessibility and has a registered advisor network of accredited Barrier Free Auditors.
Barrier Free Trust New Zealand website - Deaf Association of New Zealand: has the aim of achieving full access and participation of the Deaf in New Zealand. The organisation is unique in that its governing body is ruled by elected Deaf members from the Deaf community. It provides a range of services, including advocacy, interpreting, peer support, and social activities to the deaf community.
Deaf Association of New Zealand website - Head Injury Association of New Zealand: provides information for people who are newly introduced to brain injury, by the injury or illness of a friend or relative. It links industry professionals and local support groups. Through its website, it encourages people in recovery from head injury to talk to each other by email and to be advocates for their own needs.
Head Injury Association of New Zealand website - Multiple Sclerosis Society New Zealand (MS Society): supports people with MS, their partners, friends, families, workmates and employers, health professionals, and the interested public. It also provides funding for MS research and takes a keen interest in public and professional education and advocacy issues.
Multiple Sclerosis Society New Zealand website - National Foundation for the Deaf (NFD): provides information, education and advocacy services, manages projects of national relevance, and runs an annual public awareness campaign called Deaf Awareness Week. NFD is a member group based organisation, representing national community groups, professional groups and a research group.
National Foundation for the Deaf website - Parkinsonism New Zealand: offers members information on Parkinsons Disease through a national magazine, books and audio-visual material, local meetings and education programmes. It also runs activities such as exercise classes and speech therapy, advice on health and welfare assistance, and home visits from field officers.
Parkinsonism New Zealand website - People First New Zealand: is a self-advocacy organisation, providing information and support for people with intellectual disabilities. It has an advocacy role through its national office in Wellington, and regional groups with members around the country.
People First New Zealand website
Service provider groups
- IHC: is the largest provider of services for people with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand. IHC advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and their families at a national and local level. It also has a service arm that provides vocational services and a variety of accommodation options, which include group homes and supported living. IHC also supports children with intellectual disabilities and their families through respite care, holiday and sibling programmes and after-school care.
IHC website - Mental Health Foundation: promotes mental health issues and provides services to health and allied professionals, as well as the general public. It runs a national information service, training and education programmes on mental health promotion, and works in partnership with other agencies involved in mental health and youth suicide prevention. The Mental Health Foundation has a national role in advocacy and policy development affecting mental health issues.
Mental Health Foundation website - NZCCS: provides a range of professional services to people with physical impairments, including education, vocational support, life skills, advocacy, promotion of services and support, accommodation and peer support services for its clients and their families.
CCS website - Richmond Fellowship New Zealand: offers a range of community services throughout New Zealand and the Pacific. It provides intensive community support and specialisation in the support and management of people with multiple and complex disorders.
Richmond Fellowship New Zealand website - Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB): has the mission to remove the barriers faced by blind and sight impaired people, promote their participation in all aspects of life, and help ensure the incidence of preventable blindness is minimised. It provides services including rehabilitation; vocational, adaptive technology, and techniques of daily living skills; peer support for youth; orientation and mobility; recreation; advocacy; and library services. It also offers its members talking books and guide dog services.
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind website - Stroke Foundation New Zealand: it provides information, education, care, support and rehabilitation to families, and support workers to enable its members to regain the best quality of life they can.
Stroke Foundation New Zealand website
Groups representing the interests of parents and families
- Parent to Parent: has a network of regional groups and trained volunteer Support Parents who provide information and emotional support to families who have a child with a disability, special need or health impairment.
Parent to Parent website - Parents of Vision Impaired (PVI): provides support to the parents of children who have vision impairments.
Parents of Vision Impaired website
Education and employment specialist groups
- ACHIEVE: is a network established to ensure equal opportunity and access to tertiary education and training for people with disabilities. It advocates and lobbies for people in or moving into post-secondary education who have physical, sensory, intellectual or learning disability, mental health needs, long-term medical conditions or injury.
Achieve website - Equal Employment Opportunities Trust (EEO Trust): helps employers achieve success through valuing diversity. Members receive benefits including profile, logo usage, regular advice and information, discounts and partnership opportunities. The EEO Trust uses research, information, influence and partner-ship to achieve its goals. It is committed to promoting the business and social benefits of accessing the talents of diverse groups for New Zealand workplaces, including the talents of people with disabilities.
Equal Employment Opportunities Trust website - Workbridge: assists job-seekers to set goals and develop career plans, identify training needs and job options, and it actively joins with job-seekers in finding job opportunities. Workbridge also administers three Support Funds for job-seekers on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development's Work and Income service: Job Support, Training Support and Self Start.
Workbridge website