Verb's final event of the year will mark International Day of Disabled People. Crip the Lit writers will share an eclectic line-up of snappy new poems and prose celebrating the rich world of disability ancestors. NZSL interpreted!

Nick Ruane has started a petition calling for increased funding for the Total Mobility scheme. The petition closes in four days, on 28 November. Nick is also inviting anyone based in Wellington to come to Parliament grounds on 9 December at 12:30pm for the handover.

We are running a survey about the Job Support and Training Fund! Survey link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z3WQB73

The CCS Disability Action’s consultation series continues this month, with Pasifika whānau and disabled people sharing experiences and defining the values that will guide future support. 🙌

RNZ speaks with Grace Stratton and Richard Templer about Let’s Level Up, the new platform guiding employers to hire and support disabled workers. Listen with the transcript: tinyurl.com/ymtppey3 More info here: allisforall.com/hanga-aro-rau

Auckland's City Rail Link has almost arrived, with its opening due in 2026. For some of us, travelling via public transport hasn’t always been accessible, but City Rail Link says the new transport system will “enable independent journeys for people, regardless of their ability or disability.”

The Accessible Sound Collective is running free accessible music tech workshops in Whakatū (Nelson), late 2025 / early 2026. Explore synths, tactile instruments, iPad eye-tracking and screen-reader-friendly tools. Register: shorturl.at/IZKYp Contact: [email protected]

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

A new study co-authored by Joanne Dacombe, immediate past President of the Disabled Persons Assembly, finds young people with neurodevelopmental conditions are nearly 5 times more likely to die before 25.

Being clipped by an EV was the final straw for Josaiah Fue to take action and make roads safer for the blind and low-vision community. Disabled people face higher risks on New Zealand roads. Safer speeds, more signage in high-risk areas, and sound emitters on EVs are the way forward!

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.

Whakatāne will have it's first Emergency Services Open Day set to spotlight accessibility and disability inclusion this Saturday!

There are some cases of measles in New Zealand at the moment. Easy Read information is now available to help you learn more about measles. You can read it here: healthed.govt.nz/.../measles-....

Last Thursday, one of the biggest strikes in the country took place. Learning support staff and teacher aides were joined by nurses, social workers, firefighters and doctors.

We’re thinking about those affected by wildfires today. You can find emergency preparedness information in Easy Read, audio and large print formats at the following link. getready.govt.nz/alternate-fo...

Dan Shepherd, General Manager of Community and Inclusion at Blind Low Vision NZ, shares his lived experience, including the barriers he’s faced and his access requirements. Captions available on the YouTube video!

Register to attend this online kōrero tomorrow, with a range of media practitioners to discuss the impacts of media harm, and what we can do to improve things together from here.‌ ­‌ ­‌ ­ Olivia Shivas, editor at The D*List, will be joining the discussion!

With the voting over, we hope that council’s across Aotearoa will consider how the decisions they make impact our lives.

With only approximately 2% of housing stock in Aotearoa deemed accessible, some young disabled people are being forced to live in rest homes and inaccessible emergency accommodation. Henrietta Bollinger argues that we should not accept this as the status quo.

Christchurch’s Aranui community has been without a local bus route since the 2011 earthquakes and it's hitting disabled people and older residents the hardest.

Access Matters Aotearoa Trust invites you to the next Kōrero for Change webinar, focused on how Aotearoa's tourism industry can become more accessible for disabled people and their whānau. Date: Wednesday 15 October 2025 Time: 9:00am to 12:00pm Where: Online via Zoom

When they signalled this in the budget we @dpanz.bsky.social raised concern because of the dangerous & detrimental position this also puts disabled, queer, and young adults experiencing abuse in. Absolutely wild that young *adults* are now forced to be financially tied to parents at 18 & 19yo.

A new wheelchair-accessible picnic table has been installed near the playground at Dunedin Botanic Garden. Small changes, big impact!

Victoria Garcia is the UK’s first dedicated bus accessibility professional. Her “three-tier philosophy” puts accessibility at the heart of every decision: leadership training, department-wide resources, and impact checks before changes.

Disabled Māori face higher rates of hardship, poor health, and exclusion. Huhana Hickey calls it what it is: poverty by design.

It’s time for real investment in supported living for all ages.

The Ministry of Social Development has released new information about how upcoming changes to disability support services may apply to Enabling Good Lives (EGL) sites. More info here: tinyurl.com/yausjc4z

"When we look at London, for example, where they've got a target of 100% Accessible new housing for social housing. We don't see why that couldn't be implemented here in New Zealand." - Disability Connect chief executive Mike Potter

Applications are now open for the Toi Pōneke d/Deaf and Disabled Artist Development Residency 2026. This eight-week residency (16 Feb – 12 April 2026) offers a studio space, stipend, and mentor support. Applications close 5pm, Monday 17 November 2025. Find out more and apply here:

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! 😃

The government is developing a new Disability Strategy for 2026–2030 and welcomes public input on the draft. The Green Party have created this guide for making a submission, which are due by 5 PM on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Disability advocates say parking providers need to do more to prevent mobility parks being used by those who don't have a permit. Listen with the transcript - buff.ly/N0W13Dj

This piece takes aim at RFK Jr. and Trump’s nonsense about autism, and kicks off a lighter convo about what autistic traits are actually like (spoiler: it’s not the paracetamol). 😬

"We want to see consistent championing of access needs across all agencies involved in infrastructure." - Raewyn Hailes

A visually impaired woman who was denied the right to learn braille as a child, says an apology from the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, is significant, and that she will be seeking redress for the lifelong impact on her employment and wellbeing.

The eight-person group includes survivors, disability advocates and care leaders, tasked with guiding the Crown's response to the Royal Commission's recommendations.

#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

Identifying and addressing systemic red flags is crucial to building environments where everyone can participate fully and travel without barriers. Here are six warning signs that your organisation may have room for improvement, along with practical strategies to address them.

Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori! There's no one accessible format, but here are a few ideas for whānau whaikaha learning te reo Māori.

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.

Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth has upgraded its facilities and installed Auri, a new assistive listening system powered by Auracast. A free Auracast open day is happening at the TSB Stand from 1:30 to 3:30pm on Sunday 14 September. Event details: tinyurl.com/426ynat2

In Aotearoa, people with disabilities, especially Māori and low-income groups, are disproportionately affected by sexual and family violence. This intersection has historically been overlooked, but progress is being made this year.

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

Daisy Hoe is developing a tech platform, Go Able which will allow users to find and review accessible locations! Listen with the transcript - tinyurl.com/29hzjy2n

This upcoming Sunday!

According to the 2023 Skateboarding NZ Participation survey, 34% of individuals identified as neurodivergent. Aaron Martin from East Skate Club discusses the significant advantages skateboarding offers to neurodivergent individuals. 🛹

Timothy HoYuan Chan is an autistic nonspeaker and PhD candidate. In this article, he debunks 3 common myths about nonspeaking autistic people and explains why they’re wrong.

Disability advocate Jono Bredin was eager to speak at a Canberra summit on inclusive housing but found no flights or accommodations were accessible.