WellAble

12/12/2025

Christmas Operating Days

WellAble will be closing from 3:00pm on Wednesday 24th December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5th January 2026 at 9:00am.

Any website purchases from Saturday 20th December will be processed when we reopen in 2026.

Wishing you and your whānau a safe, happy and relaxing holiday period. 🎄😎

11/12/2025

WellAble will be closing from 3:00pm on Wednesday 24th December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5th January 2026 at 9:00am.

Any website purchases from Saturday 20th December will be processed when we reopen in 2026.

Wishing you and your whānau a safe, happy and relaxing holiday period. 🎄😎

10/12/2025

Louise Upston has asked for advice after the Supreme Court ruled two people caring for their disabled children were government staff.

07/12/2025

Accessible Playgrounds

Summer is a time where all our tamariki should be able to get outside to enjoy playing with their friends, having fun and making memories. As we heads towards the summer holidays make sure you check out the Accessible Playgrounds New Zealand website.

This is a fantastic resource to help find the best inclusive and wheelchair-friendly playgrounds across New Zealand. The website has a map to find playgrounds near you (or where you're heading for the holidays!) and find out more information about what they offer.

When a wheelchair-accessible carousel spins or a sensory-friendly swing sways, something magical happens: barriers fade, and laughter connects us all.

05/12/2025

Bring a bit of colour to your life!

We are very excited about the new colours from the IL Carbon Fibre range that have arrived in our Centre just in time for Christmas! The Omaha in Purple and Sand and the Waiheke in Pink and Pearl are a fantastic addition to our range of rollators, why not visit us and check them out!

Our Centre at 112 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu is open Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm and our friendly staff would be happy to help and answer any questions you may have

05/12/2025

We were delighted to be invited to Vaka Tautua's International Day of Persons with Disabilities Expo on Wednesday.

What a fantastic event, the atmosphere was wonderful and lots of fun was had! We loved getting the chance to talk to the amazing service users and share information with them and show some of the equipment that's out there.

The team at Vaka Tautua did a fantastic job and as always were so warm and welcoming to all. Thank you for letting us be a part of it 💜

04/12/2025

International Volunteer Day

WellAble would like to thank all our wonderful volunteers who help make our service possible. With a special thank you to those who volunteered their time this year to help us move into our new Centre, we couldn't have done it without you!

03/12/2025

My Business Starter Programme Graduate - Marie Michie

Marie’s journey into crafting began at the age of 19 when she moved out of home. With the comforting routines of school behind her and uncertainty about her future looming, she found herself feeling lost living with a disability.

“I became really depressed and I was struggling so I got into crafts then. It was something I was good at, and that feeling kept me going during a difficult time,” she shares.

Marie founded Maries Crochet in 2023, crafting unique bespoke crocheted items. Her offerings include a diverse range of products like toys, bags, cloths, baby clothing, and accessories, with her recent venture into jewellery adding to the mix.

Her business has flourished largely through word-of-mouth referrals, often creating tailored items to meet her clients’ specific needs.

You can explore Marie's handmade creations on her website at https://mariescrochet.co.nz/ and she regularly posts updates and product photos on Instagram and Facebook under the name Marie's Crochet

Marie is a graduate of the My Business Starter Programme run by the Disability Business Network in partnership with CCS Disability Action. If you are disabled, over the age of 18 and an NZ citizen, then why not join them on this nine week programme where you will create your own short business plan. It’s free and it’s fun, and participants can be anywhere in the country, so long as you have WiFi, and, you or an ally are able to use ZOOM.

For any enquiries about the programme please email support@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz or phone or text 027 213 1820.

The next My Business Starter programme commences Tuesday 10 February 2026, so get in touch with them now to book a place for the new year. What better way to kick off 2026!

We believe in disabled people and self-employment as a pathway for disabled people.

02/12/2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a United Nations day observed on 3 December each year to increase public awareness, understanding, and acceptance of disability.

There are more than 1.1 million tāngata whaikaha (disabled people) in Aotearoa New Zealand. By acknowledging this important day, we can take action and contribute to positive change.

Together we can challenge perceptions about disability, remove barriers, and promote inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our community.

01/12/2025

Altogether Autism - By Autistics For Autistics Zoom Hui's

Image reads:

Are you Autistic? Do you think you might be Autistic? Would you like to connect and share with other Autistic people in a welcoming, low-pressure space?

Come along to one of Altogether Autism's By Autistics for Autistics Zoom hui!

What happens at the hui?

The hui are social meet-ups facilitated by Autistic people. No more than 13 people attend each hui, meaning everyone has a chance to participate in a meaningful way. You are welcome to participate in whatever way works for you: turn your camera on o keep it off; speak up, comment in the chat or just listen.

Please note that this is a social connections group, not a mental health group.

Who can attend?

These hui are for anyone who is Autistic or thinks they might be Autistic - you do not need a formal autism diagnosis to attend. We have one group for 18-25 year olds and two groups for 26+ year olds.

When are the hui?

The 18-25yo group meets fortnightly on Fridays, 8-9pm.
One group for 26+yo meets weekly on Fridays 1-2pm
The other group for 26+yo meets fortnightly on Saturdays, 8-9pm

How do I sign up?

Go to http://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/events or scan the QR code and register for the date(s)

30/11/2025

Article - I thought I hated basketball. Now it's given me an amazing life

After breaking her back at 19 Katherine's community made sure she knew how special she was. Wheelchair basketball brought her back to earth and made her life "truly amazing".

27/11/2025

WIDance End of Year Showing

WIDance warmly invites you to their End-of-Year Showing and shared afternoon tea at 12.30pm on Saturday 13 December, in Drama Room 2 at Te Whaea, 11 Hutchison RD, Newtown.

This is a special chance to come together as a community — from Levin to Kāpiti, Petone, Wellington, and beyond — to celebrate the end of another wonderful year of dancing, connection, and creativity.

The WIDance participants have brought enthusiasm, commitment, and joy to every session throughout 2025. It has been a true privilege to work alongside them and watch their creativity flourish.

Over the past 12 months our Wellington WIDance classes have been exploring movement through the Stopgap Dance IRIS syllabus, the participants have been absorbing the material and delivering dance with such wonderful precision and clarity.

WIDance are excited to share three mini-devised dances based on their Stopgap explorations, created over the past two terms. Their youth group will also be presenting a piece also. There will be an open dance floor at the end for anyone who wishes to join in for a final end of year boogie together.

The Showing will run from 12.30 -- 1.00pm, followed by a shared afternoon tea from 1.00–2.00pm.

So WIDance know how many are attending if you could please RSVP HERE https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy1kOfjbrKAZdY-Rta1Zm-Tabu-4-VDM4jov_WWG5uxg9VyQ/viewform

They look forward to celebrating the end of another vibrant year with you!