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Information
INFORMATION

The Disability Resource Centre provides disability information and advice for everyone. We’ve selected a number of topics based on questions we regularly encounter. If your query is not answered here please contact DRC’s Information Consultants by Ph. (09) 625 8069 or email us here.

Quicklinks:

· Support Options · Hearing Services
· Accessible Accommodation · WEKA
· ACC · Interpreters
· Advocacy · Mental Health
· Blind / Vision Impaired Services · Modifications to your home
· Clothing and Footwear · Recreation and Sport
· Complementary Products · Rehabilitation
· Deaf Services · Social activities for mature people
· Donating Medical Equipment · Supported Independent Living in Auckland
· Education · Support Services
· Equipment following surgery · Transport
· Funding · Travel and Tourism

Support Options

Support Options is an accessible website providing information about disability support services in Auckland and Northland and how you can contact them. Support Options provides the following:

  • What disability support services available in Auckland and Northland are contracted to provide
  • Information on Government and Non-Government Organisations
  • How to contact specific organisations
  • Create and print your own Information sheets

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Weka

Weka (‘What everybody keeps asking’ about disability information) is a generic information website covering all New Zealand.

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Accessible Accommodation

Finding accessible accommodation in Auckland can be a challenge. Contact us for information held on site.

Generic listings are available to assist you in finding accommodation that will suit your needs. View these on our Links page.

To find out about accessible accommodation around New Zealand, contact a member of the NZ Federation of Disability Information Centres that are located throughout New Zealand or Weka (‘What everybody keeps asking’ about disability information).

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ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation)

ACC is New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme that provides 24-hour no-fault personal injury insurance cover.

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Advocacy

Advocacy is having someone working with you who will support you to speak up for your rights.

The Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service (part of the Health and Disability Commissioner’s office) provides trained people (advocates) to work alongside you to help you know your rights; assist you if you wish to make a complaint; or support you in a meeting with your provider.  For more information contact the Health and Disability Commissioner’s office:
Freephone: 0800 555 050
Email: advocacy@hdc.org.nz

You’ll find other advocacy groups listed on our links page.

View a printable list of Advocacy Services.

To help people in local communities advocate for people with an intellectual disability, the IHC Advocacy Toolkit is available online.

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Blind / Vision Impaired Services

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is New Zealand's primary provider of vision-related services to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people. RNZFB equips members with the skills required to adjust to their sight loss and regain their independence and community participation.

Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind information sheet.

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Clothing and footwear

Restricted Movement Clothing by David Lindsay

Restricted movement clothing is designed for those who have a limited range of movement or who need assistance when dressing and includes daywear, nightwear and underwear for both men and women. They are fully back opening and can be put on the wearer with only minimal movement of the arms. The wearer can be assisted into the garment when standing, sitting or while lying in bed.

David Lindsay
PO Box 57067
Mana
Wellington

Telephone: 04 233 0050
Fax: 04 233 0057

Email: info@davidlindsay.co.nz
Website: www.davidlindsay.co.nz

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Complementary Products

For people with the following conditions we have put together lists of products that may assist in their daily life.

If you currently use or are considering using a walking stick, the following guide on how to correctly use a walking stick may be useful.

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Deaf Services

Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ)
DANZ provides quality services to all Deaf people in New Zealand. These services include: Interpreter Services, Needs Interviews, Service Coordination, Equipment, Information and Advice, Vocational Training, Support in Employment and Adult Community Education.

Deaf Mental Health
Richmond’s Deaf Mental Health Service aims to meet the needs of people who are deaf and who have an unmet mental health requirement. The service was developed to increase access to mental health services for deaf clients, with a key focus on improving communication with medical professionals. This service is currently provided in Auckland and Wellington.

National Foundation for the Deaf Inc
Supports all deaf and hearing impaired people to communicate, participate and achieve.

NZ Federation for Deaf Children Inc
Aims to promote the education, health and wellbeing of deaf and hearing impaired children and their families.
Email: deafchildren@xtra.co.nz

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Donating Medical Equipment

Medical / disability equipment and products may be donated to:

Medical Aid Abroad
Email: amaanz@xtra.co.nz
Ph.(09) 579 2572

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Education

Children
Adults

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Equipment following surgery

Please contact your treatment provider to see what equipment may be provided by them following your surgery. DRC has a range of equipment for purchase, view our Product Catalogue.

Complementary Products for Hip Fracture and Replacement.

If you currently use or are considering using a walking stick, the following guide on how to correctly use a walking stick may be useful.

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Funding

Transport / Mobility / Communication
NZ Lottery Grants Board allocates grants on a case by case basis to people with impairments for the purchase of vehicles, scooters and other disability equipment to help them achieve independence and participate in their communities. Contact us for more information or an application form.

Home-based Tasks for over 65s
To access government funded services you will need to contact your nearest District Health Board Needs Assessment agency. Support Options provides this information.

Home-based Tasks for under 65s
To find out if you’re eligible for government funded equipment or support services you will need to contact Taikura Trust, Auckland’s Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) agency. For more information on Needs Assessment visit Support Options.

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Hearing Services

DRC has a limited range of hearing products available – these include hearing aid batteries, the Oricom Care Phone and Bellman Response personal amplifier.  View our Product Catalogue for more information.

Hearing Association Auckland Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation offering a range of services to ensure the wellbeing and independence of everyone with impaired hearing.  Their services include a fully equipped audiological clinic, ear nurse specialist, a fully assistive listening advisory and supply service, hearing aid repairs and batteries available for purchase. They offer a free hearing screening test and advice on hearing aids. 
For more information phone: 0800 44 32 74 or email: northern@hearingnz.org.nz

LIFE Unlimited Hearing Therapy Services have a clinic based at the DRC on Thursdays. For further information or to make an appointment contact LIFE Unlimited.

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Interpreters

NZ Sign Language interpreter booking services available in Auckland:

Isign - New Zealand Sign Language Interpreter Service

aims - advanced interpreting management services provides a high quality booking service to cover your interpreting requirement.Online bookings available.

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Mental Health

Agencies contracted to Community Residential Support Services - Intellectual Disability throughout Auckland and Northland:

A Supported Life - Waitakere City

Focus 2000 - Community Living Service - Auckland

Greenways Trust - Dargaville

IDEA Services - Auckland and Northland - Whangarei

Joslin Enterprises Ltd - Auckland

Kaurilands Skills Centre Trust - Dargaville

Lifeways Ministries Trust - Warkworth

Matea Trust - Auckland

Mt Tabor Trust - Auckland

Ngati Hine Health Trust Maiaorere Disability Support Services - Whangarei and Kawakawa - Mid North

Puhinui Homes Trust - Auckland

Ranfurly Care Society - Auckland

Shore Family Trust For The Disabled- Auckland

Spectrum Care - Auckland

Te Anua Nua Trust - Auckland

Te Apiti Trust - Albany

Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau - Kaikohe

The GIFT Centre - Auckland

The Independence Trust - Auckland

Totara Farm Trust - Auckland

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Modifications to your home

If you have a long-term disability and require housing modifications you may be eligible for government-funded services following a needs assessment from Taikura Trust Auckland’s needs assessment and service coordination (NASC) agency if you are under the age of 65 or your local District Health Board (DHB) if you are over 65.

Housing NZ offers advice through its Suitable Homes division.

Builders wishing to know more about making buildings and facilities accessible can source information from the NZ Standards 4121 book available from DRC.

DRC retails the book: Homes without barriers, a guide to accessible houses (a BRANZ publication). This book provides diagrams and advice to builders and others involved in the design or alteration of houses for disabled and older people. View the book on our Product Catalogue.

DRC has a range of grab rails to keep you safe in your home – ideal for bathrooms, stairways, or entrances. View our range.

Wet area showers are becoming necessary as our population matures. For the inside story on how to go about transforming an inaccessible bathroom into a wet area shower contact us. We also have a booklet for purchase detailing the construction of wet area showers.

Looking for a builder?

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Recreation and Sport

View our Links page for Recreation and Sport contacts.

View our list of Camps and Recreation for Children with Disabilities.

A list of recreation and sport links can also be found on Weka

Janet McVeagh Recreation provides recreation opportunities for people with disabilities living in the greater Auckland area.
Email: jm.recreation@ihug.co.nz
Ph: (09) 625 9534

Sport Opportunity Advisors

Sport Opportunity Advisors provide advise on the integration of able bodied and disabled sporting and recreation opportunities.

Beach Buggy's

Available for children and adults with disabilities:
Jim Williams
Ph: (03) 615 9435
Fax: (03) 615 9434
Email: jimwilliams@slingshot.co.nz

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Rehabilitation

Hydro Therapy Pools:

Laura Fergusson Trust
Community Neuro-Rehab Centre
224 Great South Road
Greenlane
Auckland
Ph. 09 524 0537

West Wave Aquatic Centre
20 Alderman Drive
Henderson
Auckland
Ph. 09 838 3706

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Social activities for mature people

Age Concern
Communicare

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Supported Independent Living in Auckland

Supported Independent Living (SIL) services support a person who wishes to live in their own home or in a flat by themselves or with others. Referrals can be made through Auckland’s Needs Assessment agency, Taikura Trust for people under 65 years of age and DHB Needs Assessment and Service Coordination agencies for people over the age of 65.

SIL is provided through the following agencies:

For more information about Supported Independent Living visit Support Options.

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Support Services

Visit Support Options for information on Ministry of Health funded disability support services and what they provide in the Auckland and Northland regions.

Te Roopu Waiora Trust provides disability information and advisory services for Maori.

Vaka Tautua provides disability information and advocacy support services to Pasifika groups.

Auckland Regional Migrant Services supports migrants and refugees to settle successfully in the Auckland Region. Their services are free.

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Transport

Mobility Parking Card
CCS Disability Action administers the Mobility Parking Card scheme. The Mobility Parking Card means people with limited mobility can park conveniently close to their destination in accessible, reserved parking spaces, or for longer periods than the stated time in some standard car parks and metered spaces.

Taxis
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority oversees the Total Mobility Scheme – a discount taxi voucher scheme for disabled people. Contact us for further information.

Total Mobility Taxi Companies with Hoists

Company

Areas Covered

North Shore

Auckland City

West Auckland

East / South Auckland

Auckland Co-op Taxis
Ph: (09) 300 3000

North Harbour Taxis
Ph: (09) 479 1300
Fax: (09) 479 1318

 

 

South Auckland Taxi
Association Ltd

Ph: (09) 278 5906

 

 

 

North Shore Taxis
Ph: (09) 488 8000

 

 

Taxis United Ltd
Ph: (09) 295 1000
Free phone: 0800 66 00 44
Fax: (09) 298 6205

 

 

 


Manukau southwards

Western Cab Society Ltd Email:esterncabs@xtra.co.nz
Free phone: 0800 833 000
Fax: (09) 835 2673

 

R & R Passenger
Transport Service

Ph: (09) 443 2506
Fax: (09) 443 2508

 

Specialist Mobility Services

Company

Areas Covered

Hibiscus Coast

North Shore

Auckland City

West Auckland

East / South Auckland

RE-LI-ON-US Mobility Services Ltd.
Ph: (09) 278 5999
Free phone:
0800 025 999

A2B Mobility Transport
Ph: (09) 482 3910
Fax: (09) 446 3215
Mobile:
027 612 5602

 

 

 

Dial A Ride Transport (DART)
Ph: (09) 625 5599
Fax: (09) 625 2298

 

 

SuperCare4u.com
Ph. (09) 630 2060

Accessible Car Parks in Auckland
Auckland City

Manukau City
Parking concessions for Mobility Parking card users in Manukau City.

Waitakere City

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Travel and tourism

Generic listings of travel and tourism websites can be viewed on our Links page.

Auckland Tourist Information

Scooters available from the visitor centre.
Need to pre-book: Ph. 267 1457 select button 3 (personal assistance) on options
There are some areas of gardens that scooters can’t go in.

Australia

Flashcab Rentals: Accessible vehicle rentals available from the Gold Coast and Brisbane for short and long term hire.

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