The D*list talked to Pati Umaga about his new show ahead of it's premiere at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival. The show lead talks reconnecting to parts of yourself, disability leadership in the arts and vulnerable storytelling.
The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha, in partnership with Creative HQ, is seeking applications for the Access Activator pilot programme.
Ideas should improve access for Deaf and disabled people, Turi Māori, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau.
More here:
Celebrating Working Women's Week
Respect Us, Value Us, Pay Us 📢
DPA recently submitted to the People's Select Committee on the Pay Equity and Disability Rights Inequities.
Read more here: www.dpa.org.nz/disability-r...
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has submitted on the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill.
Read the submission here:
A new performance from Touch Compass dancer Alisha McLennan Marler serves as her “artistic response” to the assumptions often made about disability, communication and motherhood.
People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity report is out:
www.payequity.org.nz/report
Key finding (p.37): The Government failed to consider its obligations under the CRPD when passing the Equal Pay Amendment Act, breaching its international commitments.
Our submission:
www.dpa.org.nz/disability-r...
"There is still a need for more public housing builds to be undertaken, more social housing builds, in order to meet the demand that is there." - Chris Ford, Disabled Persons Assembly southern and central policy adviser
A new report released by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha and produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, 'Valuing Access to Work 2025', finds that closing the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people could boost New Zealand’s GDP by $578 million.
Aotearoa's 3G networks will shut down by March 2026, affecting devices reliant on 3G, including emergency calls. The Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa highlights that disabled people may be especially impacted due to reliance on older devices.
Accessible Music Technology Workshops by The Accessible Sound Collective 🎵🎶 These free sessions are open to everyone, with a focus on making music technology inclusive and interactive for disabled people, young adults, and anyone curious about sound. Participants will explore synthesisers, tactile instruments, iPad- based eye-tracking tools, and music software compatible with screen readers. All instruments, headphones, and gear will be provided. A quieter, sensory-friendly session will also be available for neurodiverse participants. When: Thursdays, 12.30 - 4 pm starting 19 Feb Where: Magenta Creative Space, Whakatū, Nelson Cost: Free To register your interest, or drop in on the day: Fill out a short Google Form at https://shorturl.at/IZKYp For questions or access needs, email: theaccessiblesoundcollective@gmail.com
Accessible Music Technology Workshops by The Accessible Sound Collective 🎵🎶
These free sessions are open to everyone, with a focus on making music technology inclusive and interactive for disabled people, young adults, and anyone curious about sound.
Thanks for catching that! 😊
A blue drawing with trees, birds and houses with the artist Lachlans signature below it. Text at the top says From Data to Dignity 2026.
IHC NZ has just released new findings in their Data to Dignity 2026 report.
Read our full response: www.dpa.org.nz/.../dpa-deep...
Download the IHC report in alternative formats: www.ihc.org.nz/.../advo.../...
The Citizens Advice Bureau's latest report, Mana Āki: Dignity for All, shows our welfare system is not just failing to support disabled people; it is actively harming them.
Graphic titled “Disability Support Services”. Light green background with a darker green koru-style pattern in the top right corner. Large heading text reads “Disability Support Services”. Below, text states: “Changes from February 2026 will mean a more consistent experience for:” followed by two points. First point: people applying for disability support services for the first time. Second point: people getting a reassessment.
Changes to Disability Support Services assessments will come into effect from mid-February. Find out more at the following link - tinyurl.com/4erjdbey
It’s Auckland Pride season! The D*List has curated a list of accessible, joyful events happening throughout February to enjoy. Happy Pride!
Total Mobility online public consultation session times have been announced by Ministry of Transport.
Consultation information is available in audio, Braille, Easy Read, large print and New Zealand Sign Language.
“Many do not disclose their disability when they apply, and even if they do get the job, many never do disclose and struggle without support out of fear of losing their job." - Disabled Persons Assembly chief executive Mojo Mathers
Jo Randerson’s show, "Speed is Emotional" is offering bilingual integrated performances in Whangārei, Hamilton and Wellington in early 2026. 🙌
A photo with Pōhutakawa trees and text that says Meri Kirihimete me the Tau Hou e how mā! Below it is our logo
Warm wishes from everyone at DPA for a peaceful holiday season. We extend our gratitude to our members, staff, partners, funders, and the disability community for all your support. We'll keep championing disability rights together. Closed 22 Dec 2025, reopening 19 Jan 2026.
Disabled people will face impossible choices when it comes to travel, when we know that over half don’t have enough to meet their everyday needs.
This cut to Total Mobility on top of a cost-of-living crisis will only aggravate hardship in an already struggling population.
- Mojo Mathers
The Donald Beasley Institute seeks feedback from disabled individuals, tangata whaikaha Māori, D/deaf, chronically ill, neurodivergent people, and their supporters about cost of living and disability in Aotearoa.
Info: buff.ly/GG5QMAH
Questionnaire: buff.ly/PCQ1K1C
Text reads Last call! DPA NEC nominations. A whole new attitude logo.
It's the last call for DPA National Executive Committee (NEC) nominations.
Nominations close: 5pm Sunday 14 December 2025
We’re looking for:
- our next President Elect, and
- two NEC members.
Are you interested?
Check out the nomination information on our website: www.dpa.org.nz/news-and-inf...
Last week, for the International Day of Disabled People, Crip the Lit held an event with an eclectic line-up of new poems and prose celebrating disability ancestors.
Wellington Access Radio recorded the event, and it will be broadcast today (9 December) at 2 p.m. Listen here: accessradio.org.nz
Proposed changes to waste collection in the south have concerned an advocacy group for blind citizens. Carolyn Weston, chair of Blind Citizens Southland branch, emphasizes the need for trucks to place bins neatly on the kerb to ensure safety for blind and deafblind people.
In this podcast interview, long-time disability activist Robyn Hunt chats to The D*List about what went into forming the CRPD and how we can all play a part today.
Image description: A blue tile with a photo of Disability rights advocate and writer Robyn Hunt with a quote that says “We are strongest when we stand together, learn from each other, and build inclusive communities that reflect all our voices.” To the right of the photo is the International Day of People with Disability logo – A white icon of a person with their arms stretched out with colours around their arms. Below that logo is the Disabled Persons Assembly logo.
Today, 3 December, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We wanted to share some important kupu (words) from one of our members, Robyn Hunt.
“We are strongest when we stand together, learn from each other, and build inclusive communities that reflect all our voices.” - Robyn Hunt
Tomorrow!
Verb's final event of the year will mark International Day of Disabled People. Crip the Lit writers will share an eclectic line-up of snappy new poems and prose celebrating the rich world of disability ancestors.
NZSL interpreted!
A New Zealand company is breaking down barriers for the Deaf community by creating AI avatars with the ability to sign and translate to NZ Sign Language.
The inclusion of Māori signs and concepts have Turi Māori, those in the Māori Deaf community, throwing their hands up in celebration. 🙌
