+64 9 636 0351 Donate
Support>Culturally Aware Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

Culturally Aware Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

The CALD service provides advice and support to non-english speaking families with disabled children.

Culturally Aware Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Service

Our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Disability Information Advisory Service (CALD DIAS) provides support, information and advice for non-English speaking families raising children with disabilities including:

  • Chinese
  • Indian
  • Southeast Asian

This service aims to improve quality of information to non-English speaking families in the South Auckland region and to connect them to appropriate services in both culturally and religiously appropriate way.

This service provides the South Auckland community with culturally and religiously appropriate disability related information via:

• Telephone/email and in-person conversations (interpreted if necessary)
Seminars including such topics as:

  • Navigating the New Zealand Disability Sector
  • Education Transition phases (Early Childhood Education to Primary school and progressing to Secondary school, and Secondary school to Community)
  • Ministry of Social Development Disability Support Services (DSS)
  • The Needs Assessment and Service Coordination process
  • Some disability specific seminars such as Autism support or Behaviour training
  • Information on other possible supports including Work and Income
  • Publications (some translated) on Navigating the New Zealand Disability Sector including some of the above topics

For more information please contact Yoky Yao or Jessica Ramirez at Disability Connect, phone 636-0351 or email disabilityadvisor@disabilityconnect.org.nz

 

Yaqin (Yoky) Yao

Community Cultural Disability Advisor

Yoky, speaks Mandarin and English.

Yoky works Monday, Thursday and Friday and facilitates a Parent Support Group, primarily for Chinese families on Thursday mornings once per month.

 

Jessica Ramirez 

Cultural Disability and Information Advisor

Jessica speaks English and Filipino, with a basic understanding of NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language).  Jess works Monday to Wednesday with a few flexible hours on Thursday and Friday.  Jess facilitates a Culturally Diverse Parent Support Group once a month on Wednesdays.