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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 · WEKA
· Accessible Accommodation · Hearing Services
· ACC
· Interpreters
· Advocacy · Modifications to your home
· Blind / Vision Impaired Services · Recreation and Sport
· Deaf Services · Social activities for mature people
· Education · Supported Independent Living in Auckland
· Equipment following surgery · Support Services
· Funding · Transport

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 here 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.

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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. 

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Deaf Services

Deaf Association of 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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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.

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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: info@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:

Auckland Deaf Association Interpreter Booking Service

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

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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.

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Recreation and Sport

View our Links page for Recreation and Sport contacts.

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

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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. 

PIASS Trust 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

 

 

Accessible Car Parks in Auckland
Auckland City

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

North Shore City

Waitakere City

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