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dpanz.bsky.social
Disabled Persons Assembly NZ
@dpanz.bsky.social
250 followers 98 following 170 posts
DPA is a pan-disability Disabled Person’s Organisation (DPO) that works towards effecting systemic change. This account is monitored during office hours.
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dpanz.bsky.social
We are running a survey about the Job Support and Training Fund!

The Job Support and Training Fund is a service from Work and Income / MSD. It can help people who have a disability or health condition with extra costs for work or training.

Survey link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z3WQB73
Text on a light blue background that says "Survey Job and Training Support Funds" A simple design with three people holding their hands up with thinking bubbles above them with a tick, question mark and an X. Below is our DPA logo in white on a dark blue background.
November 14, 2025 at 4:27 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
DPA is proud to be a living wage employer.

Employers who pay the Living Wage want to make sure their workers get enough money to live with dignity.

The Living Wage considers basic expenses, and gives breathing room for rest, activities, or saving for a rainy day.
A blue tile with the text "Proud to be a living wage employer" - below that is the living wage logo - a blue circle with "living wage employer" and a koru pattern. Below that is the DPA logo.
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
last Saturday Disabled Persons Assembly Dunedin, People First, Access for All Dunedin, and Blind Citizens Otago are hosted a Dunedin Mayoral Forum on disability issues.

Awesome turnout! 😃
Photo 3: Mickey Treadwell (Green Party mayoral candidate) speaking while Chris Ford (Forum Chair) and to the left Councillor Carmen Houlihan (mayoral candidate), Jules Radich (obscured) and Brydee Jenkins-Strang (NZSL interpreter). Photo with main mayoral candidates with (from left) Councillor Lee Vandervis, Councillor Mandy Mayhem, Incumbent Mayor Jules Radich, Councillor Mandy Mayhem, Chris Ford (Forum Chair) and Mickey Treadwell (Green Party mayoral candidate) and Councillor Marie Laufiso (partially obscured). Ben and Alan. Peter and Karena (People First members) with Dunedin Mayor (and mayoral/council candidate) Jules Radich.
September 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
#NoHarmware is a campaign by Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ advocating for government regulations to make online platforms safer and more transparent.

Find out more here noharmware.nz
Black text on a yellow background which says ONLINE SAFETY = #NoHarmWare Take action at noharmware.nz
September 18, 2025 at 5:58 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
The Donald Beasley Institute seeks insights on drug checking services from individuals who are takata whaikaha, D/deaf, or disabled, aged 18+, and have used drugs. Sign up via link or QR code. NZSL interpreters available.. Register: tinyurl.com/47y4u6sp. More info: tinyurl.com/yjstm6j2.
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September 12, 2025 at 4:37 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Whaikaha are running an online feedback session on the draft New Zealand Disability strategy – and want you there.
This strategy will guide Government action on what matters most to disabled people.
Register: www.surveymonkey.com/r/QZND6KD
Banner that says "Give your feedback on the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy" with the Whaikaha logo
September 10, 2025 at 12:02 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Have your say on Aotearoa’s Disability Strategy at a national feedback Zoom meeting on the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030. Monday 1 September 2025
12 to 2pm, Online via Zoom, Register: tinyurl.com/mry75yhf
An image of the four speakers on an orange background - On the right it says Resister now - zoom meeting - 1 sept 12-2pm. At the bottom left it says in all caps - Kõrero taxi: shaping the draft New Zealand disability strategy. On the right it has the logos of Access Matters Aotearoa, Disabled Persons Assembly and Enabling Good Lives.
August 26, 2025 at 11:19 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
Access Matters Aotearoa invites you to a kōrero on the ongoing barriers disabled people face in Aotearoa’s justice system.

Speakers include Dr Huhana Hickey, Prudence Walker, Paul Gibson QSO, with DPA President, Kera Sherwood-O'Regan, as one of the facilitators.

Register: tinyurl.com/fvvkfsxt
A photo of the DPA president, Kera Sherwood-O'Regan - it has the korero for change and access matters logos and the words - Panel Two | The Thinkers | Moderator, followed by her name and title. The colours are orange, black and white.
August 4, 2025 at 1:57 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Access Matters Aotearoa invites you to their next Kōrero for Change — a courageous conversation about ableism in the justice system.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2025
⏰ Time: 9 AM – 12 PM NZT
🌐 Platform: Zoom
🔗 Register now to secure your spot! ➡ bit.ly/3ILoPPh
White background with black text that says "What is the role of justice in fostering inclusion and belonging? Join the conversation.". At the top of the design it has the date - 13 August 25 | 9am - 12pm | via zoom, and at the bottom of the design it has the kōrero for change logo and the Access Matters Aotearoa logo.
July 28, 2025 at 2:43 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
We are thinking of everyone affected by the recent rain events around the country, and in particular, in the Nelson Marlborough Tasman region.
Health New Zealand has a number of resources in Alternate Formats on recovery from a flood. These can be found at this link: tinyurl.com/35vz24z8
An image that says "Get the flood out" - with the civil defence logo
July 21, 2025 at 1:37 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
It's international Disability Pride Month!
What makes you proud to be a disabled person?
Whether it's your resilience, creativity, community, or simply being unapologetically yourself, we want to hear it. 💬

#DisabilityPride #DisabledAndProud #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
A tile with a white background that has four illustrations. A person using a wheelchair with their arms outstretched - a person who is an amputee on a skateboard, a Deaf person using sign language and a wheelchair user playing basketball. In the top left corner it says "Disability Pride Month - What makes you proud to be a disabled person" The DPA logo is at the bottom of the design. The whole design is in our colours - Dark blue, teal, pink and yellow.
July 14, 2025 at 10:32 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
You’re invited to a forum with speakers from DPA’s expert and local experts who will talk about the availability of housing for disabled people in Dunedin. The speakers will join us in a discussion with questions and comments invited from the audience.
Find out more here: tinyurl.com/2e23cruf
A tile that says "Access to housing for disabled people" with a house icon and the following details: When: Tuesday 15 July, 10am to 12pm Where: Iwi room, Nations Church 334 King Edward Street, South Dunedin Register: email kaituitui.ootepoti@dpa.org.nz
July 6, 2025 at 11:48 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
It’s Deafblind Awareness Week! 🎉 Meet Donald Gibson, a Deafblind sculptor creating stunning stone works in New Brighton. Watch him in action at the Sculpture Garden: tinyurl.com/mr3csh36 #DeafblindAwareness #Art #Inclusion
June 25, 2025 at 2:55 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Our immediate past president, Joanne Dacombe, shared what Autistic Pride Day means to her.

"It's knowing it is okay to be Autistic because I can recognise that I have a different way of thinking and being because my brain wiring is different. It’s not wrong, it’s not disordered, just different."
Autistic Pride Day on the left in this years orange colour. On the right there is this years logo which is an infinity symbol in red, green, orange and red. Beneath that there's the date "18 June" and a quote from our immediate past president Joanne Dacombe which reads "My Autism provided me shelter and strength in learning through a love of books. It’s helped make me a life long learner. My Autism shows me the beauty in detail that I see in landscapes I love to photograph." - Below that in an orange strip it has her name and title next to her photo. She is wearing black glasses, red lipstick, a colourful bead necklace and has blonde shoulder length hair.
June 18, 2025 at 12:44 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day - 15 May 2025

Digital accessibility is essential for disabled people to be included and belong to the growing online communities.
Check www.accessibility.day for more info!
May 14, 2025 at 8:56 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
Happy NZSL Week from both the current and former Chief Executives of DPA!

Caption: Mojo Mathers (left) and Prudence Walker (right) celebrate the opening of New Zealand Sign Language Week 2025.
May 4, 2025 at 11:19 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
Air New Zealand want to make their services more inclusive and accessible.

They have launched this survey to help them understand the needs of their disabled customers.

Participants can enter a draw for one of 20 $100 Airpoints vouchers.

Link to the survey - www.research.net/r/accessible...
Share your accessible flying experiences with Air New Zealand. Logos of NZ Disability Employers Network, Access Advisors and Jones Consultancy at bottom.
April 1, 2025 at 12:32 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
We are running a fire safety workshop in Waimakariri!

At the workshop, Canterbury's Fire and Emergency Community Readiness Advisor will share home fire safety tips, including smoke alarms, and what to do in the event of a fire.

More info here: www.infoexchange.nz/fire-safety-...
March 28, 2025 at 2:13 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Have your say on the future of disability support services.
You still have time to take part in the consultation run by Disability Support Services (DSS) before 5pm on 24 March 2025.

Find out more on the DSS website: www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/consultation
March 19, 2025 at 5:30 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Disabled Persons Assembly invites you to join our new fire safety workshops specifically designed for the disability community.
You are welcome to bring your questions and join our discussions in an accessible space. Access: NZSL wheelchair access
RSVP: to Amy Taylor Kaituitui.ootepoti@dpa.org.nz
March 18, 2025 at 6:05 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
Join Crip the Lit on Wednesday 5 March to celebrate the writing and words of Wellington’s disabled writers and artists.
Email kiaora@twofiftyseven.co for any access queries.
Tickets: tickets.fringe.co.nz/event/446:63...
$10 unwaged $20 waged
Email boxoffice@fringe.co.nz for support person tickets.
March 5, 2025 at 1:52 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
If you have a fire in your home, do you know what to do? Do you know how to make your home safer?

If these are some of the questions you would like answered, come and join us at our Fire safety workshops.

Please RSVP: to Ingrid Robertson: kaituitui.ootautahi@dpa.org.nz
February 21, 2025 at 5:45 AM
dpanz.bsky.social
We are seeking a Disabled Women's Network Coordinator who will lead our engagement with disabled women. The Coordinator will have responsibility for supporting disabled women to network and to identify, advocate and campaign on systemic issues impacting disabled women in Aotearoa. shorturl.at/1VraX
February 20, 2025 at 10:01 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
Be Emergency Prepared – Waimakariri Disability Workshop

Do you have a Civil Defence plan? Learn about emergency preparedness for disabled people. Bring questions to an accessible, collaborative space.

RSVP or info:
Email: kaituitui.ootautahi@dpa.org.nz
Phone/text: 03 379 8525 | 027 238 5820
Be Emergency Prepared - A Waimakariri disability community workshop Do you have a plan if there’s a Civil Defence emergency? You are invited to a workshop to find out about emergency preparedness and response for disabled people including what you can do before, during and after an emergency. Come along, bring your questions and share your ideas in an accessible and collaborative space. Accessibility: NZSL interpreting on request. Wheelchair accessible, parking available. Please let us know any other accessibility or dietary requirements. For more information and to RSVP: Email Ingrid Robertson: kaituitui.ootautahi@dpa.org.nz Phone | text: 03 379 8525 | 027 238 5820
January 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
dpanz.bsky.social
DPA stands in solidarity with the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti.

#ToitūTeTiriti
photo of a Tino Rangatiratanga flag
November 18, 2024 at 10:30 PM