Rather than kids pinching lollies from the local dairy, these days it’s wheelchairs which seem to be the hot item, given the number disappearing from Waikato Hospital on a regular basis. The Waikato Times is reporting that around $25,000 is put aside to replace wheelchairs every few years, and unfortunately it’s down to more than gradual wear and tear. Wheelchairs have been found at a local skate park, in the Hamilton river, and even being used by locals to deliver

Big ups to Caz for this great review! This bar is okay accessibility-wise except for a few faults. I went to “The Outback” last night with some friends and getting in was fine, ramps and all, there’s only a few problems, such as if you want to order a drink or food and you’re in a chair, make sure someone is with you to get the people behind the counter’s attention as the counter is quite high. I went to

If you’ve read this post detailing the inaccessible room at Wellington’s Central City Hotel, you’ll know I had several bones to pick with the “accessible” setup of that particular room. From the miniscule shower ‘ledge’, to the bizarre toilet handrail, to the fact that I couldn’t fit my wheelchair between the bed and the wall, it’s fair to say I wasn’t impressed. So as I often do, I sent a copy of the review off to the management, with not

Auckland – North | Manawanui InCharge | $80,000 and upwards Challenging strategic position in a growth area A chance to combine business excellence with social change Salary $80,000 upwards Manawanui InCharge, a charitable company contracted by the Ministry of Health, seeks an experienced General Manager to promote & manage Individualised Funding for disabled people. The principle function of Manawanui InCharge is to support disabled people to have an efficient, effective and culturally competent way of managing their invidiualised funding (IF).

The most recently-established Community Law Centre is one with the specific purpose of addressing the unmet legal needs of disabled people in the Auckland region, while making sure all other community law centres also accommodate disabled people as best they can. Auckland Disability Law are now seeking an experienced solicitor to join their small team. This position would be great for anyone committed to social justice who wants to have the chance to work autonomously and build strong community partnerships.

New Zealand’s premier specialised equipment display is coming up really soon! “Show Your Ability” is the official moniker attached to a fantastic showfloor dedicated to assistive equipment for disabled people and those who work in the industry. The show includes the display of: Wheelchairs Vehicle modifications Mobility scooters Shower stools Walking frames Portable ramps, and much much more! The show will be hitting your town as follows: Auckland: Tuesday 26th February, 9am – 3pm, Trusts Stadium, Waitakere. Hamilton: Wednesday 27th

Straight out of the “How cool is this?!” file, the South African city of Cape Town is launching a photo exhibition featuring models with various disabilities. The idea behind the exhibition is an attempt to change the way society looks at disabled people and to celebrate their beauty. The exhibition features mainly French models, and includes photos of Nicholas Bissardon of Lyon, a 25-year-old upcoming model who has a birth malformation in his limbs and Evelyne Breton of Marseilles, France

Could you say no to $125/night for a wheelchair-accessible room in the middle of Wellington, including breakfast? Well, I couldn’t. Was it a good decision? I’m undecided. Read on to find out if the Central City Hotel, Wellington, would suit you… First off, can I please advise all Wellington-visiting wheelchair users to avoid taking a taxi van at all costs! Not only will TM Mobility Card not work (if you’re from Auckland, in other words you’ll have to pay the

It seems like a compulsory part of any visit to Wellington: a trip to our national museum. Te Papa, which translates as ‘The Father’, is an amazing place, and is also home to one of the greatest collections of New Zealand heritage, including John Britten’s infamous Daytona-winning motorbike, replicas of the Treaty of Waitangi, and full-scale models of fascinating animals such as the now-extinct moa. I visited recently during their ‘Whales / Tohora’ exhibition, which was a fascinating look at

Following on from this post regarding the whereabouts of accessible walks, trails, and other such nature-related journeys throughout our beautiful country, one reader recommended I check out “Accessible Walks: A guide to scenic walks in the South Island of New Zealand“. Written by siblings Anna and Andrew Jameson, of whom Anna is disabled, it acts as a comprehensive guidebook to all the breathtaking scenic walks the South Island has to offer. Accessible Walks provides information about each walk’s gradient, track