Disability Connect

"The number of calls we've had from disabled people and their families looking for accessible housing in Auckland has increased from four a year to 3-4 per month. And it's not just wheelchair users. It's neurodiverse, it's sensory needs, it's intellectual disabilities." Our CEO Mike Potter was on RNZ's Checkpoint to talk about the lack of accessible housing in New Zealand. Only two percent of houses here are built to a standard that wheelchair users can visit, let alone live in. This needs to change, and it starts with changes to our building codes to incorporate accessibility, not just safety and durability. We're continuing to advocate for better housing options in both private and social housing so our communities can be places to thrive for disabled people and their families. Read or listen to the story here: https://lnkd.in/gS7S9P9p Image description: a screenshot of the RNZ webpage where people can listen to the interview with Mike Potter on accessible housing. Text reads "Advocacy service describes disability housing as 'dire'. "Dire" is how one advocacy service describes the disability housing situation. Disability Connect helps people with disabilities, and their families, find the services and support they need. Its chief executive Mike Potter spoke to Lisa Owen."

"Seeing people's happy faces, and seeing things like this make a real difference in people's lives makes me feel good." - Ellen, one of our awesome volunteers at this year's Transition Expo. Our annual event gets bigger each year, and we wouldn't be able to pull it off without the hard work of our volunteers. From setting up the venue early in the morning, to helping people find parking as they arrive, or greeting people at the door, our volunteers help our team ensure Expo runs as smoothly as possible. Thank you to all of our volunteers for making Expo what it is. You have made a real difference in the lives of parents and young disabled people here in Auckland, and we're so grateful for you! Image description: Transition Expo volunteers Airam Magpantay, Ellen and Maddy smiling and showing a thumbs up or peace sign with their hands. A blue gazebo partially packed away is in front of them on the floor.

Disability Connect exists because the system of disability support in New Zealand is so difficult and hard to navigate and use. Thank you Rachel Malcolm-Swindells and Colleen Brown KSO for advocating for change in this RNZ interview on Saturday We call on our government to work cross party to address the increasing needs of disabled people for the long term. Expanding ACC to cover congenital disabilities and putting together a plan to support our aging disabled people will go some way to addressing budget shortfalls from increased demand. https://lnkd.in/gA5mZsF3

“Today’s youth are our future leaders. For our youth to thrive, they need support behind them, encouragement to keep going when the mountain looks too large to climb over, and skills and experience to walk into the path they’re passionate about following. Clipboard is dedicated to giving our clients the choice in the support they receive. We’re passionate about seeing options for every person with a disability, no matter what.” We’re excited to have Clipboard Ltd as this year’s Imagination Sponsor at Transition Expo. Last year the Clipboard team attended Expo and had the opportunity to meet and talk with many of you who came along. “It was so inspiring to hear stories, dreams and the passion out there in the disabled community. It was awesome to watch so many discussions going on throughout the day, an abundance of knowledge being shared by so many. We thrive on seeing the light glow in disabled people’s eyes when they see an opportunity to be a part of the world, see a future for themselves. We’re looking forward to seeing that glow on as many faces as possible this year at Expo. We’re bringing something a bit out of the box - but showing everyone who comes to see us the possibility in front of them, and of course some fun along the way. It’s a privilege to stand alongside Disability Connect and Transition Expo, championing our disabled community and showing them what’s available out there in their wider community.” Disabled led and run, Clipboard is a service provider, with an offering developed using Enabling Good Lives principles. “We are driven to change the way support is provided and let our clients choose the support they need to live their life well.” Clipboard also provides tech solutions, automated accessible home solutions, ISP, HR management and GPS fleet tracking. Under the Clipboard banner is also Kylee & Co, GPS Pro and INKSTRIDE Designs. Come find out what the Clipboard crew is bringing along to this year’s Transition Expo on Wednesday 4 September at Auckland Netball Centre. RSVP to our Facebook event for more information: https://lnkd.in/gK_C48bA Image description: A group selfie of some Clipboard team members smiling - Bryony, Mike and Kylee Black. Kylee is at the front taking the photo, Mike is standing behind Kylee, and Bryony is sitting in a wheelchair to the left of Mike.

"The beauty of Transition Expo is having so much information in one place, so you can find out what works best for you and your family too." In the Information area at Expo you will find people who can: - give you tips on preparing for your next needs assessment, so you can get the very best outcomes - tell you more about about your legal rights as a disabled person and as a parent too - help you discover Neurodivergent and Down Syndrome specific life tips - provide advice on health issues relevant to your situation - and so much more. Information gives us choices so we can live the best life possible. This year, each area of Transition Expo will have a different colour to help you navigate your way through. For Information, look out for the pastel orange signs! Transition Expo is on Wednesday 4 September 2024. RSVP to our Facebook event for more information: https://lnkd.in/gK_C48bA Image description: Four people smiling at the Creative Abilities stall at Transition Expo. The three people behind the stall are posing with their thumbs up. There's a banner next to the table that says "Put your heart into it!" and featuring a person making a heart with their hands. The Transition Expo logo is in the top right of the image, and the text "Information" is on a pastel orange banner in the bottom left corner.

Thankful for the support of Kylee Black, Mike Fellows and the team Clipboard Ltd, to help Auckland's Transition Expo continue to grow to meet demand. If you are in Auckland and open to employing disabled people or are offering services disabled people use you are warmly welcomed to this free event.

Transition Expo has so much on that it can be overwhelming. If you need some time away from the hustle and bustle, we will have a room set aside for a Chill Zone. This is a new space that we're crafting especially for Expo, with the help of Kylee & Co and sensory providers like Sensory Corner and Sensory Sam. We're aiming to make this space as sensory friendly as we can. There will also be a D-Pod available on the ground floor at Expo. It shuts out external noise and is suitable for schools, libraries, programme providers and workplaces. You can see one at Christchurch airport. Auckland Libraries' bus will be parked outside so you can experience some interactive virtual reality stories. Is there anything else you'd like to see at the Chill Zone this year? This year, each area of Transition Expo will have a different colour to help you navigate your way through. For the Chill Zone, look out for the light blue flags! RSVP to our Facebook event for more information and for a reminder closer to the date: https://lnkd.in/gK_C48bA Image description: Mike Potter with a parent and child at Transition Expo. They are in front of a D-Pod, a self contained room with Europlan branding on it. The child has opened the door of the pod and is about to step inside. Mike is sitting in his wheelchair and talking to the Mum who is standing and looking into the D-Pod from behind her daughter. The Transition Expo logo is in the top right of the image, and the text "Chill Zone" is on a light blue banner in the bottom left corner.

Are you leaving school in the next few years and thinking about working in a hotel, bank or restaurant? What about in an accounting firm or as a hands-on tradie? Make sure to check out our Employment Conversations at Transition Expo. This is a golden opportunity to find out what the possibilities are in various sectors, from employers themselves. Have a chat with the NZ Disability Employers' Network and organisations that attend. Last year this included Adecco, Sudima Hotels, KPMG, Westpac and Mercury. The employers who come will help you explore your next career steps and share advice on how to prepare for future roles. This year, each area of Transition Expo will have a different colour to help you navigate your way through. For Employment, look out for the pink flags! RSVP to our Facebook event for more information and for a reminder closer to the date: https://lnkd.in/gK_C48bA Image description: Phil Turner from NZ Disability Employers' Network talking to a Transition Expo attendee. He is wearing a green checkered shirt and has an animated expression while talking with his hands. The Transition Expo logo is in the top right of the image, and the text "Transition" is on a pink banner in the bottom left corner.

“I will never forget how overwhelmed I felt as the parent of a child with serious disabilities. I needed the advice, support and networks that Disability Connect provided. Sadly, these appear to be needed now more than ever.” We believe it’s important for our community to know the people behind Disability Connect. Many of you have met our staff members at events, but might not know who’s on our Board and contributes to our strategic direction. Meet Sharon, our long-serving Board Secretary. “I was born and raised in the small town of Kawerau, in the Bay of Plenty. I attended the University of Auckland and after we married, my husband and I settled in Auckland. I have been a secondary school English teacher since 1984, and I currently manage the library at Howick College in East Auckland. I believe the promotion of reading and literacy is one of the most important aspects of my jobs. My husband and I had two sons, Elliot and Nicholas. Elliot, our eldest, was born in 1997 with a number of intellectual and physical disabilities. Colleen Brown, our Board Chair, and I both taught at Aorere College back in the late 80s and 90s, and I knew of her involvement with the disability community. Colleen provided valuable information and support as our family began to navigate life with a disabled child. I was invited to join Disability Connect’s Board when Elliot was a few years old, and I’ve been the Secretary ever since. Elliot passed away just before his thirteenth birthday in 2011, but I have continued to serve on the Board. I think the work of this organisation is invaluable and its role in the sector an important one. Our collective experience - the fact that nearly all of our Board members either live with a disability or knows what it's like to care for a family member with a disability - is at the heart of our decision making.” Thank you Sharon for being part of our journey for the last twenty years, and making a real difference to the lives of disabled people and their families in Aotearoa. Image description: a selfie of Sharon smiling. She has green eyes and shoulder-length brunette hair with a fringe. She wears an orange scarf and a brown top with gold sequins.