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Monday 9am - 4:30pm Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm Thursday 9am - 4:30pm Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Disability Connect

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Supporting the parents and families of children and young people with disabilities.

Formerly known as the Parent and Family Resource Centre, Disability Connect Inc provides information, advice and support for disabled people, their families and whanau based in Auckland, New Zealand.

19/10/2026

What would a fair payment system for family carers look like?

We want to hear how you think parent, spouse and family carers should be paid in the future, so we can advocate on your behalf.

Here are four options - which ones would work for you? Reply in the comments with the numbers. You can pick more than one.

1. As a Supported Living Payment (for example, 40 hours a week at the living wage, via MSD)
2. At a set pay rate through a provider or agency, with employment rights
3. Payment through a host, using Individualised Funding
4. A carer support contribution

If you have an idea that isn't on the list, please share this with us.

As you choose, think about your own situation. How much flexibility and choice do you want? What about ease of admin, fair pay and employment rights? Consider the long term impact of caring too.

What would make the system fairer and more respectful of the work you do every day?

We want to hear from parents, spouses, siblings and whānau carers, whatever your situation looks like. Your experiences shape the advocacy we take forward.

Image description: A light blue graphic with three dark navy question marks at the top. Below them, text reads "Fair payment systems for family carers. How should parent, spouse and family carers be paid in the future?" The Disability Connect logo is at the bottom.

15/10/2026

A big thank you to everyone who helped make Transition Expo 2026 what it was. Over 2,500 people attended, our biggest yet.

This event - the information, kōrero and connections made - provided invaluable support to the students, parents, whānau and wider support systems in our community.

We wouldn't be able to make impact like this without our partners and sponsors: Clipboard, Mercury, NZ Lottery Grants Board, Ministry of Social Development, Foundation North, Ōrākei Local Board and Kaikaranga.

We're also very grateful to our volunteers for helping us prepare and assisting us throughout the day: teams from Rotary St Johns, Beca, Maungarei Community Christian Trust, Mercury, National Party, Davanti and I-Sign, Roshini from Chorus, Cecilia, Lily-Rose, Serena, Tim and Mark.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Image descriptions:
1: A young woman with a backpack speaks into a 1News microphone while a camera films her.
2: A woman fits a VR headset onto a seated man at the Air New Zealand stand, set up with rows of aeroplane seats.
3: Kaumātua Monty Hune speaks at the opening, with a sign language interpreter beside him. Mike Potter from Disability Connect and Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston are in the background.
4: A woman in a power wheelchair looks at fidget toys and sensory items at the Sensory Sam stall, while a man behind the stall talks to her.
5: Mike Potter, seated in a wheelchair, smiles during an interview.
6: A view from above of a packed expo hall, with rows of stands and hundreds of people moving between them.
7: Ginny from Disability Connect talks with a visitor using a wheelchair, with a large floor plan of the stalls on a whiteboard behind them.
8: Two women from Acorn talk with a visitor across a table of printed information.
9: Cherie and Yoky from Disability Connect and Cecilia, one of our volunteers, set out flyers at the Disability Connect stall.
10: A thank you tile with the Transition Expo 2026 sponsor and partner logos, as listed above.

12/10/2026

It was wonderful to have two new families, as well as some familiar faces, at last month's Parent Support Group.

For this school holiday session, Alyssa from Disability Sport Auckland laid out a colourful course with a rainbow tube track, stepping stones, hoops and buckets of tennis balls.

When we asked parents if their kids were enjoying it, every parent gave us a big yes. A couple of mums said how pleased they were to see their children joining in. Thank you Alyssa for putting on such a fun day!

If you've been thinking about coming to our free Parent Support Group, our last session for the year is this Wednesday, 14 October.

ATANZ will run an informative evening on switch access and switch adapted technology.

Check out our event page for more information, including how to register: https://www.facebook.com/share/1F8rQTdJ8w/

Image and video descriptions:
1. Photo - Alyssa and another adult sit on the carpet to one side while a boy crawls around the rainbow tube course. A third adult sits on the floor opposite him, engaging with him.
2. Video - A boy in a dark hoodie crosses a blue numbered mat and steps onto the coloured stepping stones, grinning. Adults encourage him as he plays.
3. Photo - Alyssa talks to the room, with children playing on the carpet around her among stepping stones, tennis balls and stacking cups.
4. Video - A boy in a cream tracksuit makes their way along the rainbow tube course and the coloured stepping stones, smiling as they go.

09/10/2026

Feeling confused or overwhelmed by everything you're hearing about disability supports? Between social media, the news and Government policy announcements, it can be hard to tell what applies to your whānau.

On Thursday 29 October, join us online to hear it directly from Work and Income NZ and Kaikaranga (formerly Taikura Trust). They'll talk through the support they offer and the criteria to access it.

Here's what someone told us after a past session: "I really enjoyed the seminar. I thought the content was really good, and the information I received was new, relevant and useful to know."

It's free for parents and whānau, and runs on Zoom from 6:30pm to 9pm.

Registration is essential. For more information, see our event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LT5vAcH92/

Image description: A promotional event poster with the Disability Connect logo at the top. Text reads "Understanding disability supports. Free online seminar. Thursday 29 October 2026, 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Online via Zoom." In the middle is a photo of two boys painting at a table. One wears a hearing device, and a woman is helping the other. The Work and Income and Kaikaranga logos are at the bottom.

03/10/2026

Earlier this year you told us what voting is like for you and your whānau. We took your stories and advocated to the Electoral Commission for accessibility improvements.

Several parents of adults with an intellectual disability said they don't understand Supported Decision Making well or don't know if it's allowed. Many of you asked for clearer guidance and more training for families before voting.

You also wanted Easy Read information on candidates and parties, before voting and inside the booth.

Some of you told us you can't get to a voting place safely on election day, and worried about unsafe transfers with volunteers. We advocated for other options for people who need them: early voting, postal voting, online voting or voting at home.

Parts of the Electoral Commission's Access 2026 plan now reflect the lived-experience insights you shared with us:

• New public information and staff training on Supported Decision Making, so families know what support is allowed. It will also show how disabled people can vote with assistance while still having their wishes respected.

• Easy Read, plain language, NZSL, audio, Braille and translated information, available earlier and across more channels.

• Election websites improved to meet WCAG 2.2 AA digital accessibility standards and tested with assistive technology.

• Sample ballots clearly marked "sample only", instead of reversing the order of candidates.

• Accessibility checks along the full route from footpath to booth, including mobility parking and wet weather plans.

• The Commission will explore accessible digital ballots and ballot-marking devices used internationally, so phone dictation isn't the only option.

Your feedback has made a difference to the upcoming and future elections. Thank you again to everyone who shared their experiences with us.

Don't forget, 25 October is the last day to enrol to vote. You can enrol or update your details at: vote.nz/enrol

Image description: A blue graphic with a bell icon. Text reads: "Advocacy update. You shared your experiences of voting. We took them to the Electoral Commission, and they helped shape its Access 2026 plan. Enrol by 25 October: vote.nz/enrol"

30/09/2026

Our last Parent Support Group for the year is about switch access, for whānau supporting young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

With a switch, one small movement can start an adapted toy, turn on an appliance, or say "I'm hungry" on a communication device.

Occupational therapist Jacki Mayne-Davis from POP Occupational Therapy will share practical tips for using switches at home. She'll also go through funding pathways, NZ suppliers, and how to work with your child's school or day programme on equipment.

It's on Wednesday 14 October, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, at Mt Richmond Specialist School in Ōtāhuhu.

It's also completely free for families to attend. Details on how to register is on our event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1F8rQTdJ8w/

Know a family who uses switch access technology, or might want to? Please share this post with them.

Image description: A promotional image for the event. Text reads "Switch Access Technology. Parent Support Group. Free workshop for families. Wednesday 14 October 2026, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Mt Richmond Specialist School, Ōtāhuhu." A photo of presenter Jacki Mayne-Davis, smiling, sits in the bottom right corner.

27/09/2026

"A house providing round-the-clock care for adults living with intellectual disabilities in Auckland is being hailed as a turn-around success, giving residents the power to make decisions many would take for granted."

Congratulations to Te Anua Nua Trust, Len Moodley and his team for winning our inaugural Enabling Good Lives Award for Housing.

They've broken away from the institutional model of disability housing, and instead created homes where disabled people live a good life with choice, control and belonging.

Learn more about their incredible mahi in this RNZ article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1512419/house-for-adults-living-with-intellectual-disabilities-picks-up-award

Image description: An RNZ article headlined "House for adults living with intellectual disabilities picks up award". Below it, Te Anua Nua Trust resident Monique Collins smiles from a couch in her sunny lounge.

23/09/2026

"There've been challenges, and a lot of advocacy. Laughter, joy and love too. And... many silent screams in the school car park."

You might remember Sonja Eriksen from Woe to Go, our Work and Income explainer, when she was Principal Disability Advisor at the Ministry of Social Development.

On Wednesday 7 October, Sonja is joining us to share her story. She'll talk about getting her three neurodivergent kids through the school, health, government and disability systems. They're all young adults now, navigating their own journeys.

Sonja lives with disability herself, and will let us know some of the things she does to get through each day. There will be time for questions after.

Our Annual General Meeting follows, where we will present our Impact Report for 2025 to 2026. There will also be Board nominations. We'll keep this part short.

This event is free and online via Zoom, 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

To register and get the link, email [email protected] by 12pm Tuesday 6 October. Please tell us your access needs when you email.

For more information, check out our event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EiT7FadPm/

Image description: Promotional image for the event. Text reads "Advocating for a Good Life. A kōrero with Sonja Eriksen, followed by our Annual General Meeting. Wednesday 7 October 2026, 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Free online event. Register for the Zoom link by 12pm, 6 October 2026." The image shows a photo of Sonja Eriksen who has blonde hair and wears glasses.

21/09/2026

"Who will look after my child when I'm no longer here?"

It's not the easiest topic to talk about, but it's one that many of us think about often.

If you're planning for your child's future and want to better understand how to make decisions about their care and wellbeing, how to protect their assets, or what the difference is between welfare guardianship, powers of attorney and family trusts, register for our popular webinar.

Planning for Adulthood is presented by disability lawyer Nan Jensen.

There's one more session for this year, on 30 September from 11am to 2pm.

Planning ahead can feel daunting, but understanding your options can help you feel more confident in making informed decisions for the future.

For more information, including how to register, go to our event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1F6Y5ZBf1Q/

Image description: A promotional poster for the webinar. Text reads "Planning for Adulthood. Webinar. Legal rights, estate planning, asset protection, wills and trusts. Last session for 2026: Wednesday 30 September 2026, 11:00am to 2:00pm." There's a photo of Nan Jensen smiling next to the text. She has short hair, and is wearing glasses and a floral blue top.

14/09/2026

Every time the school holidays come around, parents ask us what activities or events are on in Auckland for their kids.

We're putting on some free indoor sports fun for our next Parent Support Group, with help from our friends at Disability Sport Auckland.

Bring the whole whānau and join us on Wednesday 30 September, from 10:30am to 1:00pm, at Mt Richmond Special School.

Disability Sport Auckland's programmes welcome people with physical, visual, learning and intellectual disabilities of all ages and abilities. No one needs to have played a sport before.

For more information, including how to register for this free event, check out our event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/19QEKtxASB/

Image description: A promotional poster for the event. The text reads: "Disability Sports Play. Parent Support Group. Free social event for families. Join us for some school holiday fun with Disability Sport Auckland! Wednesday 30 September 2026, 10:30am to 1:00pm. Mt Richmond Special School, 30 Albion Road, Ōtāhuhu, Auckland." Beside the text is an illustration of a child in a blue backwards cap, red t-shirt and yellow shorts, kicking a soccer ball.

Address

3B Olive Road, Penrose
Auckland
1061

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 4:30pm
Thursday	9am - 4:30pm
Friday	9am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.disabilityconnect.org.nz/

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