Finding out that your child, or the young person you care for, has a disability can be overwhelming. It could take you some time to come to terms with the different course you will now be navigating and it’s a good idea to get the right support and information in place. Your family GP is likely to be a good place to start but often specialist support groups can give you more specific advice.
National support organisations
There’s nothing like getting support or advice from someone that knows a bit about what you’re going through. National support organisations based on conditions and impairments offer a range of services and advice, including information packs, phone and online help services and advocacy. Read more to see a list of key support organisations.
Local support organisations
Supporting a child with a disability won’t be easy but there is plenty of support and information available at a local level as well.
You might also be interested in our section on carer wellbeing and reading some facts on disability in New Zealand.
Tips for getting started
Here’s some advice and tips from parents, advocates and people with disabilities on supporting a child with disabilities.
14 December 2020 – Smoke alerting devices for the hard of hearing save lives when installed and thanks to a partnership between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Life Unlimited Charitable Trust they can now be quickly installed in Oamaru and potentially fully funded. Fire and Emergency New Zealand fire risk management officer Mark Bredenbeck…
Visiting family or making the trip to work each day could be easier with Total Mobility, a nationwide transport scheme for people with disabilities.
Suzi Merson has hidden her wheelchair in the shed and taken to the footpaths around Hastings on a bright yellow Alinker walking bike.
Establishing and sustaining a routine of physical activity can be likened to a savings account – an investment of sorts, in your future quality of life.
Luana Waru first noticed her hearing was deteriorating when she found it difficult to manage conversations, particularly with her whanau. The Gisborne woman found trying to hear was frustrating and hard.
Regular exposure to the Snoezelen sensory room at Life Unlimited enables clients to relax and explore their sensory environment, and in turn find more appropriate ways to remain relaxed or stimulated outside of the room.
There are definitely pitfalls for children on the autism spectrum with all special occasions, writes Altogether Autism national manager Catherine Trezona.
Freedom Nathan is living her dream. The 20-year-old lives independently, cooks, cleans, and even drives at times. In fact, if you didn’t know her, you wouldn’t think she was blind.
When Bronwyn Markey first found out both her sons had Fragile X Syndrome, all her hopes and dreams of life with children disappeared. She’s since learned that nothing changes for your child after their diagnosis. They are still the same person they were before.
23 August 2018 – Sarah Verran of Cambridge is the winner of the Institute of Directors’ (IOD) Waikato branch Emerging Director – Disability Sector Award. Carla Muller of Hamilton has been announced winner of the Emerging Director Award. The IoD awards, announced at lunchtime on 23 August 2018, recognise newly engaged directors who demonstrate strong…