CCS Disability Action

19/02/2026

Season 3 of My Business Stars lands on 24 February, and you won’t want to miss it! This season is packed with powerful, funny, honest conversations from disabled entrepreneurs across Aotearoa – people building businesses with grit, creativity and heart.

We can’t wait to share these stories with you!

Launching 24 February on the CCS Disability Action website, all major streaming platforms and at 12:00 pm on OAR FM Dunedin 105.4 FM. Check out the full catalogue of episodes and transcripts here: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/my-business-stars

Video description: Julie talking to the camera in the OAR FM studio. She is wearing a My Business Stars t-shirt.

17/02/2026

Have you heard of the Protection of Personal and Property Rights (PPPR) Act? It's what's making disabled people pay fees to audit their own spending. In a case reported on by Stuff, this added up to $624 – a huge portion of the man's income. 💵

Disabled Leadership Advisor Nathan Bond explains how this led to a petition, and our response. We are calling for these unfair fees to be waived and eventually a complete overhaul of the PPPR Act that incorporates supported decision making.

Read the article at the link in the comments. ⬇️

Image description: The quote 'Non-disabled people make financial decisions every day. But the state does not force them to pay for an annual audit of their bank accounts to ensure they are spending their money "wisely"' inside a white speech bubble on a light purple background, surrounded by dark purple speech marks. Below in dark purple is the text 'Nathan Bond'. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCSDA icon in the top left corner.

16/02/2026

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work with CCS Disability Action on our website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/join-our-team

Check out this week's latest vacancy:
• Part-time Community Support Worker, Southland

We look forward to receiving your application!

Check out CCS Disability Action's job vacancies, employee benefits, why dedicated professionals working to support disabled people in New Zealand choose to work for CCS Disability Action.

13/02/2026

Awesome friendships made through IHC’s online volunteer programme! If this sounds like something you'd like to explore, get in touch with IHC.

12/02/2026

Did you know you can view all our 90th anniversary posts in our Memories Hub? https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/memories-hub

From glimpses of the past to celebration recaps, we hope you enjoy browsing through the gallery. 📚🎉

And stay tuned, as we'll be sharing many more throwbacks this year!

Memories hub A time to reflectAs the year progresses, we'll be highlighting and sharing the stories of people, places and moments that make us who we are. So, keep an eye out – you just might be one of the CCS Disability Action whānau featured! Honouring the past, one post at a timeCatch up on th...

11/02/2026

"The standard we walk past is the standard we accept. By ignoring the findings of this report, the Government is accepting that poverty, isolation, and fear are acceptable outcomes for disabled New Zealanders. We do not accept that."

Last December, Citizens Advice Bureau NZ released Mana Āki - Dignity for all: a spotlight report on welfare support. Policy Analyst Phoebe Eden-Mann breaks down their findings in this response (link in comments). We thank CAB for their mahi and urge the Government to take the recommended steps.

Image description: Circular photo of Phoebe on a pale green background with green text below: "A failed system: Response to CAB report on welfare support". Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCSDA icon in the top left corner.

10/02/2026

MSD provides an update on the changes to DSS that were announced last September. A fact sheet with alternate formats is available here: https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/disabled-people/changes-to-disability-support-services/february-2026-fact-sheet

There is also a NZSL video: youtube.com/watch?v=E3Yu012Vy8I&feature=youtu.be

We will keep you posted on further developments.

From mid-February 2026, we will be improving the way disabled people’s needs are assessed and supports are allocated. This will make assessments more consistent across New Zealand. Families’ and carers’ needs may also be included where their support is important to the disabled person’s needs and wellbeing.

We know this has been a challenging period for many disabled people, families, whānau and carers, and that earlier changes created uncertainty for many. We’ll share more information ahead of the upcoming changes about how flexible funding budgets will be set in April. You don’t need to do anything right now, your current services and supports continue.

In September last year, we shared that improvements to Disability Support Services (DSS) were coming. These changes were informed by what the disability community told us through consultation, including that the system has felt confusing and inconsistent.

These February changes are the first stage of those improvements, focused on making the assessment and allocation system fairer and more consistent.

You’ll experience these February changes if you are applying for DSS for the first time, or when you have your next reassessment. If you’re already receiving support, nothing changes for you right now.

From mid-February:
👉 Needs Assessment Service Coordination organisations (NASCs) and Enabling Good Lives (EGL) sites will begin assessing needs and allocating supports in the same way, no matter where you live
👉 You’ll receive clearer information before your assessment, so you know what to expect
👉 Families, whānau and carers can be included in assessments where their support is important to the disabled person’s needs and wellbeing
👉 After your assessment, you’ll have a clear plan focused on your needs and the purpose of your package of supports

From April, there will be changes to flexible funding. This includes more choice and control, the removal of purchasing rules, and a clear budget so people know how much they can spend. There will be support if people need help to manage their budget. We will share more information soon on how budgets will be set and communicated ahead of April.

Again, you don’t need to do anything now. Your NASC, EGL site or host will continue to support you, and your current arrangements remain in place.

Thank you to the disability community for your feedback and patience as we begin to deliver these improvements 💚

You can find out more below 👇
https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/news/first-stage-of-improvements-begin-for-dss-funded-supports

09/02/2026

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work with CCS Disability Action on our website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/join-our-team

Check out this week's latest listings:
• Full-time National Lead – Systems and Data, negotiable location
• Part-time Branch Administrator, Tauranga
• Part-time Service Coordinator, Blenheim
• Part-time Community Support Worker, Southland

We look forward to receiving your application!

Check out CCS Disability Action's job vacancies, employee benefits, why dedicated professionals working to support disabled people in New Zealand choose to work for CCS Disability Action.

05/02/2026

Our wonderful team are ready for Waitangi Day. If you're at the Treaty Grounds, come say hi! This year, they are in the Manaakitanga space, delivering small workshops for kaumātua and whānau hauā.

Reminder that there are free accessible shuttles on Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm. For more info, head to the website: https://www.waitangi.org.nz/whats-on/waitangi-day
Screen reader friendly info is also available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xzQKhHD3n05qUIJPHOwmFOwj5x2UsbqssRyjIGTnVoo/edit?usp=sharing

Image description: Team members at the CCS Disability Action stall at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, sitting in plastic chairs outdoors on grass under a gazebo. Behind them are branded signs showing Te Aronui and Karanga Maha. There are more stalls and many people in the background.

04/02/2026

How awesome is this? Che is an amazing photographer and one of our My Business Starter graduates! We love hearing their updates.

Our upcoming MBS programme is now full, but don't panic if you missed out – we run four courses a year, with the next one starting in April. Get in touch now to secure your spot: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/my-business-starter

https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/377243-photography-opens-new-path.html

03/02/2026

We believe that disabled people have a right to be fully included in every part of society.

The D List NZ explains why the recent decision to build two new specialist schools may not be a 'fix' for a broken education system.

As our CE Mel Smith said, "Inclusive education is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right. Every child deserves to learn, grow, and thrive alongside their non-disabled peers in their community. Our vision aligns with the United Nations Conventions, advocating for an education system that celebrates diversity and fosters lifelong positive outcomes."

We're calling on the Government to invest in resources that support all learners with additional education needs - something that is a far cry from the reality of today.

https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/specialist-schools-more-segregation-is-not-the-solution-for-disabled-learners

Disabled people have a right to be fully included in every part of society, especially during our formative years at school.