WellAble

20/03/2026

World Down Syndrome Day 2026 - Together Against Loneliness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB07h9WM5A8

Using disability-related words as insults is a thing of the past. Update your language to build a more equitable world for everyone. ...

19/03/2026

PACIFIC HEALTHY HOMES INITIATIVE

The Pacific Healthy Homes initiative aims to make sure more Pacific families living in South Auckland and Porirua have warmer, drier and healthier homes.

Pacific Healthy Homes (https://www.mpp.govt.nz/programmes-and-funding/health/pacific-healthy-homes/ connects older Pacific peoples and their families in these areas - particularly those who suffer from chronic health conditions - with local providers who can assess their homes and provide help with things like curtains, ventilation, heating, insulation, education, or minor repairs.

The initiative builds on Health New Zealand’s Healthy Homes Initiative and the Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme and is tailored specifically for Pacific communities.

Led by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, it is a collaboration with Sustainability Trust and Habitat for Humanity. The Initiative is accepting further referrals for Pacific whanau in Porirua through to June 2026. It is a free service for Pasifika 45yrs and over who have an eligible health condition and live in Porirua, to help them live in a warm and dry home.

Referrals are accepted from partnering agencies; self-referrals are also accepted.

If you are aware of anyone who may benefit from this programme, please contact Sustainability Trust on 04 830 7650, or email kathryn.kenning@sustaintrust.org.nz

Our programmes aim to create thriving, resilient and prosperous Pacific communities in Aotearoa. We have a range of funding available for Pacific communities, youth and established providers.

18/03/2026

WCC OPEN CONSULTATIONS Open Consultations

TRAFFIC RESOLUTIONS MAY 2026
Wellington City Council is asking for feedback on 6 proposed new traffic resolutions. A traffic resolution is the formal record of a decision made by a council to change how a road or traffic is managed in a particular area - for example, they may relate to bus stop or parking changes. Visit the consultation page to take our quick survey.
CONSULTATION CLOSES at 5pm, 23 March 2026. Provide feedback on traffic resolutions - https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/traffic-resolutions-may-2026

PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURES
There is a proposed road closure for the Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon happening on Sunday 28 June 2026.
CONSULTATION CLOSES - The Council is seeking feedback by 4pm, Friday 27 March 2026. Provide feedback on proposed road closures - https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/provide-feedback-proposed-road-closures

DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTIONS POLICY
The Council is reviewing its Development Contributions Policy. Development Contributions (DCs) are charges that help the Council to pay for new or upgraded infrastructure – such as roads, water, sewage, and community facilities – required to support new residential or commercial growth. We are proposing targeted changes to the existing current policy.
CONSULTATION CLOSES - Feedback is open until 2 April 2026, 5pm. Read more or Provide Feedback Here - https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/development-contributions-policy

Provide feedback on Traffic Resolutions until 5pm, 23 March 2026

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

NEW PROJECT FOR DISABLED RANGA TAHI INTERESTED IN SOUND AND MUSIC

Touch Compass has launched ORO: Resonance, a crip‑led co‑creation project for disabled rangatahi aged 16–30 who are curious about designing sound or music for performance. Participants will learn sound design skills in weekly online sessions and create a short original piece, which will later be developed into a dance‑theatre performance.

Who can participate: Disabled rangatahi aged 16 to 30
Format: Weekly online sessions
Registrations: Email admin@touchcompass.org.nz for the info pack and application form.

16/03/2026

OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DISABLED RANGATAHI

Outward Bound has scholarship funding available for two adapted courses for disabled rangatahi still in school.

Youth Activate (21 September to 27 September 2026) is an 8‑day programme for 16 to18‑year‑olds with physical impairments, including manual wheelchair users, blind or low‑vision students, and Deaf or hard‑of‑hearing participants.

Youth Horizons is the parallel 6‑day course for school‑aged rangatahi with a learning disability, running 30 March to 4 April and 1 October to 6 October 2026.

Both courses are fully funded, while travel and medical costs are to be paid by whānau.

Read more:

*about YOUTH ACTIVATE - https://www.outwardbound.co.nz/courses/youth-activate
* about YOUTH HORIZONS - https://www.outwardbound.co.nz/courses/youth-horizons
Contact: Andrea, phone 027 273 1131

Youth Activate is an 8 day course for physically disabled people aged 16-18 years.

15/03/2026

DISABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH and US
Open Forum by My Life My Voice - 18 March online

My Life My Voice is hosting an Open Forum exploring how disability and mental wellbeing intersect, and what inclusive wellbeing can look like in our communities. This nationwide online session welcomes Deaf and disabled people to share perspectives and strengthen peer support.

Date: Wednesday 18 March 2026
Time: 12 noon to 2pm
To register: email info@mylifemyvoice.org.nz for the Zoom link.

12/03/2026

My Business Stars Podcast

My Business Stars is a podcast series featuring conversations with disabled business owners telling their business stories. Details about the latest episode below:

'In series 3 they continue to feature disabled business owners from all around the country, finding out what motivated them to start their own business and what advantage their impairment gives them in business.

This podcast is from the interview with Frances Duncan

Frances is an author, Austenite and life coach who supports creative and neurodiverse people across Aotearoa. She founded the Jane Austen Society of New Zealand and hosts the Amateur Austenite podcast, drawing on her lived experience of ADHD and autism to guide her work.

In this episode, host Julie Woods talks with Frances about coaching neurodiverse entrepreneurs, the influence of ADHD and autism on her business, and the role of creativity and identity in self‑employment. She also reflects on her connection to the Jane Austen community and the insights she brings to disabled business owners navigating their own paths.'

The link to Frances’s interview can be found here:

https://oar.org.nz/shows/my-business-stars/

Host that blind woman Julie Woods, an award winning community broadcaster, is also one of the founders of the Disability Business Network along with Selwyn Cook and Sandra Budd. The network was created to support graduates of the My Business Starter Programme and offer a space for our disabled entrepreneurs to meet up.

My Business Stars has been produced by Otago Access Radio at 43 Princes Street, Dunedin. Episodes can be listened as they go to air weekly on Tuesdays at 12 noon on oar.org.nz or at 105.4 FM.

Alternatively episodes for series 3, and series past, can be found at:

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Oar.org.nz
Accessmedia.nz

Alt text: A colourful illustration of a red rocket with yellow fins flying upward through a purple-to-blue gradient sky filled with small stars. Below the rocket, the text reads “My Business Stars.”

11/03/2026

Please see the information below from Disability Support Services ahead of the changes on 1st April

From 1 April 2026, people who use flexible funding through Disability Support Services (DSS) will have more flexibility in how they use their funding for disability-related supports.

The purchasing rules for flexible funding will be removed, while people’s allocated budgets stay the same as they are now. This means there will be no disruption to current supports.

These changes apply to people who use flexible funding. If you don’t receive flexible funding, nothing changes for you.

We know the last period of change has been hard for many disabled people, families, whānau and carers, and that it created uncertainty for many. Since then, work has been underway to improve the disability support system so it is fairer, more consistent, and easier to understand.

In February, DSS introduced a nationally consistent way of assessing needs and allocating funding. These April changes build on that work and reflect what the disability community told us through consultation.

From 1 April:
👉 Purchasing rules for flexible funding will be removed.
👉 People keep the same allocated budgets for flexible funding they have now.
👉 This gives more choice and control over disability-related supports, including respite options for carers
👉 You still need to keep your spending within your allocated budgets
👉 Flexible funding must still be used in line with people’s plans
👉 A small number of items will remain prohibited or require pre-approval
👉 There will be more support to help people to plan and manage their flexible funding.

These changes mean people can feel confident their supports will continue to reflect their assessed needs. You don’t need to do anything to get ready for these changes. Your Host, NASC or Enabling Good Lives site will continue to support you, and your current arrangements remain in place.

If you have questions about your own situation, your Host, NASC or Enabling Good Lives site is the best place to talk through what this means for you.

Thank you to the disability community for your feedback and patience as we begin to deliver these improvements.

You can find more information below 👇

https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/news/more-choice-control-and-certainty-for-disabled-people-with-flexible-funding

03/03/2026

Poster titled “Open Afternoon – Mana Local Group” by People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi.

Text reads: “Come find out about People First meetings and learn about Speaking Up.”

What? People First is a self-advocacy organisation run by and for adults with learning disabilities. Come along and learn about People First and our monthly meetings. There will also be a workshop on Speaking Up: self-advocacy and your rights. Afternoon tea provided.

For who? Any adults with a learning disability who want to learn about Speaking Up and find out about being a People First member. Whānau welcome too.

Date and time: Tuesday 24th March, 4pm–6pm.
Where: Linden Community Centre, 10 Linden Avenue, Tawa.

Please RSVP to Catherine Mu on 022 510 1843, or Elizabeth Bennett at elizabethbennett@peoplefirst.org.nz

Website: www.peoplefirst.org.nz
Phone: 0800 20 60 70.

The poster includes small illustrations and a photo of a woman (Catherine Mu) near the contact details.

02/03/2026

Insights Into Dementia

This series of four talks has been designed for supporters of people living with dementia

Venue: Kāpiti Impact Hub, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu
Dates: Tuesdays 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st March
Time: 10am - 11:30am

Session 1. Making Sense of Dementia mate wareware
What's happening in the brain, and why this matters

Session 2. Understanding Changes in Behaviour
Why behaviour changes and what influences it. Plus learn ways to respond effectively and compassionately

Session 3. Understanding available Support Services
What's available, how to access it, and what it can help

Session 4. Adjusting to Change for Supporters
Understand the emotional impact of dementia from the early stages including loss, grief and the importance of maintaining your own wellbeing

Registration for these seminars is essential, please contact Sheena Farquhar - sheena@dementiawellington.org.nz/Mobile 0204 025 2330

Further details can be found at https://dementiawellington.org.nz/events/'

These seminars are free although a koha is always appreciated.

March 10 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am Insights into Dementia – 1 Making Sense of Mate wareware Dementia kāpiti Impact Hub 6 Tongariro Stre, Kāpiti, Paraparaumu, New Zealand Insights into Dementia - 1. Making Sense of Mate wareware Dementia This series of four talks has been designed for supporters of p...

01/03/2026

Did you know we have a Mobile Service that goes out into the Wellington Region?

Last Wednesday Sarah had the pleasure of attending the Moonshine branch of the 60s Up Movement in Upper Hutt. She delivered our Assistive Products Presentation where she went through a variety of assistive products including mobility, kitchen and dining , dressing and everyday living aids. The group were great fun and Sarah really enjoyed showing off some fantastic equipment.

If you have a community group or organisation that you think would enjoy a presentation like this please do get in touch, we would love to discuss this with you. You can call us on 04 298 2914 or email mobile@well-able.org.nz to discuss more

Alt text: A smiling woman stands behind an information table at a community event. The table is covered with assistive devices and resources, including walking canes, adaptive tools, folders, and a microphone. Behind her is a banner that reads “Informed, Connected and Active” with a logo for WellAble. The room has wooden floors and panelling, creating a warm, community hall setting.