Supporting children

The hopes you have for your child’s future will not be different from any other parent. You’ll want your child to be happy, healthy and have every opportunity to reach their potential.

Finding financial support

Finding financial support means you and your family will be able to meet your day-to-day living expenses. There may also be additional costs associated with your child’s disability that you need help with.

Support with learning

The support with learning section looks at the supports available to help your young child’s learning journey right from the start.

Living options

The living options section is not just about finding support in the home, but also about finding networks of support in the community where you and your family live.

Accessibility and mobility

Many children with disabilities will need equipment and modifications so they can learn to be independent. Accessibility and mobility looks at ways to ensure your child can move around home, school, and the wider community.

Wellbeing

Learn how to support the wellbeing of your child, and your own physical and mental wellbeing too.

Travel subsidies for people with disability or mobility issues

New to disability?, My independence, Accessibility and mobilityBy lifeadmin May 15, 2019

Visiting family or making the trip to work each day could be easier with Total Mobility, a nationwide transport scheme for people with disabilities.

Out goes the wheelchair, onto the Alinker walking bike

New to disability?, My independence, Accessibility and mobility, Accessibility and mobilityBy lifeadmin April 11, 2019

Suzi Merson has hidden her wheelchair in the shed and taken to the footpaths around Hastings on a bright yellow Alinker walking bike.

Marae programme delivers

Whānau, family and carers, Wellbeing, Supporting adults, My wellbeingBy lifeadmin March 8, 2019

When new clients arrive, we talk to whanau about setting goals, and ensuring there is support in place. It is a great thing to see how the programme impacts in such a positive way.

The Cow Shed Story

Whānau, family and carers, Supporting adults, Living options and support in the home, Living optionsBy lifeadmin February 8, 2019

Joanne Pudney is the mother of a 21-rear old who has high and complex needs. She writes about him and the solution they found in their own back yard. Jack is nonverbal, incontinent, has restricted mobility, and Addison’s disease – and is unable to self-regulate physical and emotional stress, which, translated, means very challenging behaviours.…

Kihikihi hub is a winner

Whānau, family and carers, Accessibility and mobility, Living options and support in the homeBy lifeadmin January 30, 2019

A Waikato township’s community has ready access to health care thanks to the work of an innovative group of organisations. The hub supports tamariki and Maori whānau

A chip off the old block

Whānau, family and carers, People with disabilities, Wellbeing, Living options and support in the homeBy lifeadmin January 30, 2019

April Johnson was inspired by her parents and the journey of a family member after a serious car crash. The fish and chips kid of Huntly was destined to find her niche in helping others.

Lending a paw

WellbeingBy lifeadmin September 20, 2018

With her friendly nature and happy wagging tail, Gem, a Shihtzu cross Bichon hearing dog, is the perfect companion for Blenheim woman Lynn Evans.

How noisy is too noisy?

Wellbeing, Wellbeing, Wellbeing, My wellbeingBy lifeadmin September 6, 2018

Noise induced hearing loss is affecting younger people at higher rates than previous generations so it’s really important to let children and young people know how to protect their ears.

A summer to remember for Waikato children with diabetes

New to disability?, Wellbeing, WellbeingBy lifeadmin August 23, 2018

Kayaking, swimming and go karting provided children living with diabetes a memorable kiwi summer when the annual Waikato Diabetes Kids Camp was held at the Kauaeranga Valley Christian Camp in Thames earlier this year.

Disability Start workshops change attitudes

Whānau, family and carers, Wellbeing, Support with learningBy lifeadmin August 10, 2018

When a customer with a disability comes to the counter at Hamilton City Council, they know they’re going to be treated appropriately thanks to a training programme running at the council with a local charitable trust. The Disability Start workshops facilitated by Life Unlimited have now expanded into other areas of the council where staff interact…