Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People

We acknowledge the passing of Kaumatua Maaka Tibble MNZM (Ngāti Porou). A man of great strength who will be missed by many. We were honoured that Matua Maaka gifted us the name Whaikaha to be the te reo Māori name of our Ministry in 2022 when we launched. You can read the tribute from our Chief Executive Paula Tesoriero MNZM on our website: https://bit.ly/3AgE9zC Image description: NZSL interpreter Darrel Firth, Paula Tesoriero and Maaka Tibble seated on a stage at the launch of the NZSL name for Whaikaha in 2023. They are smiling and laughing together. A purple Whaikaha stand up banner is behind them and Maaka is in a suit and holding a long silver and black cane.

Disability Support Services (DSS) wants your feedback on how services should be best provided in the future. As a first step, they have launched a survey for the disability community to share their thoughts. Further and broader community engagement and consultation will be held in early 2025. In this video, Chris Bunny, head of the Disability Support Services Taskforce explains more about the survey. You can complete the survey here: https://bit.ly/3Uua3j7 The survey closes on Friday 22 November. For more information, including alternate formats visit https://bit.ly/48yUs7G Video description: Chris Bunny (Head of Disability Support Services Taskforce) standing in an office, speaking to camera with an NZSL interpreter on the right.

Our Chief Executive, Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY spoke at the launch of VisAble last week recognising all the people who work to ensure that disabled people can live a life free from abuse and neglect and honouring those who have experienced harm. VisAble works to equip and enable individuals and organisations, working with, or who come into contact with, people, who are impacted by violence, to make their services more inclusive and accessible. This work is important because disabled people are more likely to experience victimisation, violence, and sexual assault than other New Zealanders. “Our role moving forward at the Ministry is to contribute to the cross-government work with Te Puna Aonui to ensure that agencies work to ensure mainstream services are accessible for disabled people and that bespoke services like VisAble exist because we know the twin track approach works.” says Paula.

The Real Estate Authority (REA) has developed consumer guides in formats that are accessible to people who are vision impaired. In collaboration with Blind Low Vision NZ, the guides have been created in e-braille, audio, and large print formats. These resources are designed to empower blind, deafblind, and low vision people to confidently participate in real estate transactions. You can find the guides on the REA website: https://bit.ly/3YzuTQh

If you missed the Kōrero for Change: Transport Edition webinar from Access Matters Aotearoa, the recording is now available to watch on YouTube. https://bit.ly/48kqjJ2

The Halberg Foundation has announced the new Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award. This award will honour those individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on disability sport in Aotearoa, continuing Sir Murray’s vision of inclusion and empowerment. Nominations close at 8pm on 1 December 2024. For more information and to nominate, visit the website: https://lnkd.in/gA7nhmgS Linked image description: black and white image of Sir Murray Halberg crossing the finish line and winning the 5000 metres at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

On Saturday, members of our team, including our Chief Executive, Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY attended the People First NZ 21st birthday celebrations in Palmerston North. Paula spoke at the event and thanked People First for all the important work they have done over the past 21 years to encourage people with a learning disability to learn about their rights and speak up about what matters in their lives. Thank you to People First for hosting a fun filled celebration - we look forward to working with you for another 21 years and beyond. Find out more on their website: https://bit.ly/3YtNmhf Image descriptions: pictures taken at the celebration in Palmerston North: 1. Neville and Paula Tesoriero. They are both standing and smiling at the camera. Neville is holding a paper cup and a biscuit. Behind them are green and purple helium balloons and fairy lights. 2. Paula giving a speech with a microphone and sparkly backdrop behind her. 3. Brian Coffey giving a speech with a microphone and sparkly backdrop behind him. 4. Paula leaning down to sign a memory book.

A new tool has launched called the The Inclusive Code. It has been designed to help reshape the New Zealand advertising industry in a co-designed collaboration led by Special New Zealand. The tool aims to challenge marketers to think differently about disability, identifying and overcoming exclusionary practices that are often well-intentioned but problematic. With 25% of New Zealanders being disabled, the advertising landscape doesn’t currently reflect this reality. Despite $3.259 billion being spent on advertising in 2023, only 1% of primetime ads include the disabled community. The Inclusive Code was co-created over two years alongside eight experts with lived experience of disability and working in the marketing industry. Co-creators include disability advocates Grace Stratton, CEO of All is for All, and Fonoti Pati Umaga QSM, Co-Chair of Mana Pasefika Disabled Peoples Organisation. Check it out at: https://lnkd.in/g4GeyAjW Image description: the inclusive code logo on a cream coloured background.

A new tool has launched called the The Inclusive Code. It has been designed to help reshape the New Zealand advertising industry in a co-designed collaboration led by Special New Zealand. The tool aims to challenge marketers to think differently about disability, identifying and overcoming exclusionary practices that are often well-intentioned but problematic. With 25% of New Zealanders being disabled, the advertising landscape doesn’t currently reflect this reality. Despite $3.259 billion being spent on advertising in 2023, only 1% of primetime ads include the disabled community. The Inclusive Code was co-created over two years alongside eight experts with lived experience of disability and working in the marketing industry. Co-creators include disability advocates Grace Stratton, CEO of All is for All, and Fonoti Pati Umaga QSM, Co-Chair of Mana Pasefika Disabled Peoples Organisation. Check it out at: https://lnkd.in/g4GeyAjW Image description: the inclusive code logo on a cream coloured background.

Happy 21st Birthday People First NZ! 🎉 Shared post image description: selection of photos showing People First celebrations, meetings, workshops and conferences over the years.