Disability Connect is a Disability Information Advisory Service (DIAS) for the Auckland region. We are here to help you navigate disability information and advice to disabled people and their families. Our staff and board have a wealth of lived experience in disability – 80% of our staff either live with a disability themselves or have a child with a disability.

We are based in Penrose and operate throughout Auckland – with an increasing national footprint.

There are lots of ways we can help individuals with a disability, or family members of a disabled person, to navigate the New Zealand disability sector.

Our Disability Information and Advisory service includes:

  • Providing information and advice to disabled people and their families and their families via the telephone, face to face and email
  • Running regular seminars on Disability supports in the Community, Planning for Adulthood and Education Legal Issues
  • Hosting presentations, forums and workshops on disability topics for both disabled people and families
  • A Fortnightly e-bulletin to our membership containing news and events for the disability community
  • Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Advisory for Chinese and migrant families who have English as a second language.
  • Pastoral Care service
  • Monthly parent social and support groups
  • Weekly online Zoom Support group for families – Monday evenings
  • Monthly Chinese Family Disability Support Group
  • Housing Information Service
  • Facilitate networking and community partnerships
  • Providing access to resources, videos and up to date online information, including specific information on Auckland activities and local events
  • Contribute to submissions and consultations with Government and community on a variety of issues as a voice for our families

 

Our staff

Denise Hoffman

Denise Hoffman

Community Advisor

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Yoky Yao

Yoky Yao

Cultural Disability Advisor – Chinese Families

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Zsuzsa Szabadi

Zsuzsa Szabadi

Disability Information Administrator and Advisor

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Jingjing Xue

Jingjing Xue

Disability Advisor and Administration

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Asoka Gamage-Mendis

Asoka Gamage-Mendis

Counsellor

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Virginia Desai

Virginia Desai

Financial Administrator

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Michael Claydon

Michael Claydon

Fundraising and Grants

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Robyn Hoffman

Robyn Hoffman

Disability Information Advisor

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Cherie Cawdron

Cherie Cawdron

Executive Assistant & Operations Manager

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Our board

Colleen Brown

Colleen Brown

Board Chair

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Sharon King

Sharon King

Secretary

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Heather Madill

Heather Madill

Position

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Martine Abel

Martine Abel

Position

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Vasantha Naidoo

Vasantha Naidoo

Position

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Anne Martin

Anne Martin

Position

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Steven Yin

Steven Yin

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Gerard Hulst

Gerard Hulst

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Our ambassadors

No board members found.