NZ Disability Rights

19/04/2026

The importance of 'designing an emergency management system for all' was discussed at a community hui in Stoke with Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker on Friday.

Themes and insights from the meeting will contribute to the Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission project on Inclusive Emergency Management.

Our Inclusive Emergency Management project can be followed at https://tikatangata.org.nz/our-work/inclusive-emergency-management/ where we will publish resources during the year to support community strategies.

Image: Prudence Walker talking with a group of people.

16/04/2026

15/04/2026

If you can make it on Friday in Stoke, Nelson please do!! NZSL has been confirmed.

15/04/2026

Free online course: Understanding The DSS Flexible Funding Changes

On Tuesday, 28 April, from 7.00-8.15pm, DSS will join FLA to cover common questions + how flexible funding and an EGL approach can support more choice and control.

On 1 April, the flexible funding purchasing rules were removed. DSS will join FLA to give a high level overview of what this means. Please send questions in advance to help shape the discussion, as there will be limited time for individual questions.

JOIN HERE:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/453 79358218384?p=NDZWJKChvaNEUI8751

Meeting ID: 453 793 582 183 84

Passcode: iU9D9NE9

Or Contact: info@fla.org.nz

15/04/2026

13/04/2026

Want to help shape more inclusive curriculum for disabled learners?

The Ministry of Education is inviting Expressions of Interest for new members of the 2026 Disability Voices Group (DVG).

We’re looking for people who are passionate about making learning more inclusive for disabled learners. You might be

- a teacher or support worker working with disabled learners, or
- a parent, caregiver, or whānau member with lived experience of supporting a disabled child.

Your insights and experiences will help us as we strengthen our national curriculum.

➡️ What does the Disability Voices Group do?
The DVG meets online each school term to share lived‑experience insights and practical advice. This work supports The New Zealand Curriculum | Te Mātaiaho to be inclusive, equitable, and responsive to disabled ākonga.

➡️ Why get involved?
By joining the DVG, you’ll help ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive. If you’re passionate about equity, inclusion and improving outcomes for disabled ākonga, we encourage you to apply.

Expressions of Interest close Friday, 24 April 2026.

Find out more and submit your Expression of Interest on our website: https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/dvg-expressions-of-interest-2026

13/04/2026

“There is much talk about people and not enough with people”: Prudence Walker on q***r rights, disability, and being heard Prudence Walker, Disability Rights Commissioner and rainbow rights spoke…

11/04/2026

09/04/2026

Join Prudence Walker, Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga Disability Rights Commissioner, for a discussion on inclusive emergency management, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the human rights of disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori.

Date: Friday 17 April
Time: 1-2.30pm
Venue: Tūī room, Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre, 233 Songer Street, Stoke, Nelson

Refreshments (finger food and tea/coffee) will be provided

Registration not required

Accessible bathrooms available

Accessible parking available

Please email media@tikatangata.org.nz by Tuesday 14th April if you need NZSL interpreters

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence
CCS Disability Action
Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA

02/04/2026

Today is World Autism Acceptance Day, and it’s Autism Acceptance Month throughout April. This is an opportunity to celebrate, but also a time to be even more active in our work for increased support for the autistic and wider autism communities.

If you want to hold an Autism Acceptance month event, there’s still plenty of time to get ready for Hoods Up Volume Down on April 29th. All the info is available here: https://autismnz.org.nz/autism-acceptance-month/

And tell us in the comments - what does acceptance mean to you?

30/03/2026

As Disability Rights Commissioner, I'm hosting a community discussion about emergency management, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and disabled people when I visit Ngāmotu New Plymouth on Monday 13 April.
If you can make it, please do! It's so important that our emergency management strategies are inclusive and designed to work for all of us.
No registration needed. Refreshments will be be provided. NZSL will be offered via online interpreting.
Join me from 10am to 11.30am at Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre, 28 Young Street, Ngāmotu New Plymouth.
- Prudence Walker

Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management

29/03/2026

Great to see all of the work and wisdom of the Kōrero for Change webinar series collected together in their report 'Insights and Actions for Change' launched last week.

As Kimberly Graham says “the solutions are neither abstract nor unknown” ... “Universal design works. Co-design works.”

Accessibility is a bedrock of dignity, freedom and participation, an accessible future can start today if we take the actions recommended in this report. - Prudence Walker, Disability Rights Commissioner at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission.

The report is available at the link below in PDF, Word and large print with other accessible formats pending.

The Accessible Futures Summit brings together disabled leaders, researchers, think tanks and government officials to address the cost of excluding disabled people, whānau and carers by connecting the disability sector, research organisations, and government.