Call us: 0800 866 877
UPDATE: Covid-19
Please be assured all Disability Support Services you have currently allocated will continue throughout this crisis
Covid-19 (novel coronavirus): Information for disabled people who need support for daily life and their family/whanau
New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016 - 2026
The NZ Disability Strategy 2016-2026 (Strategy) was launched by the Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Nicky Wagner, on 29 November 2016.
The vision for the Strategy is: New Zealand is a non-disabling society – a place where disabled people have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals and aspirations, and all of New Zealand works together to make this happen. The strategy has 8 outcomes that contribute to this vision.
- Education
- Employment and economic security
- Health and wellbeing
- Rights protection and justice
- Accessibility
- Attitudes
- Choice and control
- Leadership
Disability Action Plan 2019-2023
The Disability Action Plan includes programmes and actions that will advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026.
The Action Plan has 25 work programmes across government agencies that have an explicit focus on improving outcomes for disabled people.
Some examples of the programmes:
• Improve accessibility across the New Zealand housing system – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Kāinga Ora.
• Development of a Disability Employment Action Plan - Ministry of Social Development
• Development of an Early Learning Strategic Plan – Ministry of Education
• Improve access to quality healthcare and health outcomes – Ministry of Health
• Disability awareness programme for bus drivers – New Zealand Transport Agency
Read or download the Disability Action https://www.odi.govt.nz/disability-action-plan
Transforming Respite: Disability Support Services Respite Strategy 2017-2022
Launched in 2017, the Ministry of Health’s respite strategy seeks to make it easier for carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities.
New Zealand’s Disability Sector Organisations and Service Providers
There are a range of organisations operating in New Zealand’s Disability Sector. They include:
- Disabled People’s Organisations e.g. Disabled Person’s Assembly NZ; Association of Blind Citizens of NZ; Deaf Aotearoa NZ
- Government Agencies e.g. Office for Disability Issues; Accident Compensation Commission; Health & Disability Commission
- Non-Government Agencies
Disability Information and Advice Services (DIAS)
Disability Information and Advice services provide independent information and advice to disabled people, their families, whānau, aiga, caregivers and providers and the general public. Contact details for DIAS in your local area can be found on the Ministry of Health website: http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/disability-services/more-information-disability-support/disability-information-advisory-services
Within the geographical area that LifeLinks works, the NZ Federation of Disability Information Centres has three disability information and advice centres:
- Aspire Canterbury
- Vaka Tautua, Christchurch (A national Pacific disability information, advisory and support service delivered in different Pacific languages. Call 0800 825 282)
- West Coast Disability Resource Centre
The contact details for these services is located at the following link: http://www.nzfdic.org.nz/centres-south-island
Support for victims, their families and those affected by the Christchurch tragedy
This brings together some of the support available for those affected by the Christchurch tragedy.
Victim Support
For victims directly affected by the tragedy, Victim Support offers financial, practical and emotional support. Contact 0800 842 846.
- Need to Talk
People who wish to talk to a trained counsellor are encouraged to contact Need To Talk on 1737 (free text or call 24/7).
- Charity Hospital Psychological First Aid
03 360 2266
020 4098 0750 (after hours)
info@charityhospital.org.nz
- Shakti
Counselling support from Muslim women
0800 742 584
03 39409416
mojch@shakti.org.nz
- Ministry of Health
Advice for anyone dealing with distress and concern following the tragedy, as well as advice for helping children to cope, is available here. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/mental-health-and-addictions/mental-health/mental-health-advice-coping-after-traumatic-event
- ACC
For victims and their families, ACC has a range of support including compensation, help at home, childcare and counselling. Learn more.
- NZ Immigration: Travel to Christchurch
If you or your family are affected by the tragedy, and need to come to New Zealand urgently, apply for an urgent visitor visa here.https://www.acc.co.nz/about-us/news-media/latest-news/christchurch
- Work and Income
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/emergencies/christchurch-tragedy-were-here-to-help.html