Learners with disability have the right to an education that develops their skills and capabilities. Very young children, school-goers and tertiary students can all benefit from a good education. There are resources available for families and for education providers as well as for young people.
For localised information please contact your nearest Disability Information Centre.
Young children with disability may experience early childhood education at home, at childcare centres, at pre-schools or at kindergartens. Early childhood education occurs before compulsory education starts by 6 years old. Information and support may be available to help you make sure that your child with disability and/or developmental delay has a positive start to their education.
The Ministry of Education provides Early Intervention Services (EIS)
Early Intervention provides support for children with additional needs from birth, until they transition in to school. Services are available to parents, whānau and kaiako to support a plan for a child’s participation and learning.
Early intervention teams work with families and early childhood educators who ask for help when they are concerned about the learning and development of young children. This may concern a child’s developmental delay, disability, behaviour and/or communication difficulties.
Early intervention services can be provided by Ministry of Education teams or by contracted Early Intervention providers. These specialists include:
Other early intervention providers include:
How to get early intervention services:
Parents can contact EIS directly to request support. Educators, or other professionals can also request support, provided they have the permission of the parents. Other professionals could be paediatricians, GPs, audiologists, or Plunket nurses. 'Permission' requires the full agreement and understanding of the parents/guardians.
A child does not need a diagnosis in order to access EIS support.
The early years can be a rewarding and challenging time for new parents. Care Matters have a great resource which includes some of the supports, services, personal tips and links to other resources that families have found helpful. To assist you to help your child get a ‘good start to life’:
Child Development Services can help if your child has a disability or isn’t achieving developmental milestones.
Child Development Services are a team of allied health professionals, with expertise in:
They provide community-based support and will work with you and your child to support their achievement of development goals.
Services they provide include:
You will need a referral to access Child Development Services. This can be done through your local GP, your Well Child nurse or health specialist. They are also the people to talk too for more information about services available in your region.
Other organisations who can provide support include:
Allergy New Zealand has developed guidelines and compiled resources to assist parents and caregivers, educators and school staff, and health professionals.
Altogether Autism is a free nationwide autism information and advisory service contracted by Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People.
Asthma NZ provides education, training and support to people with asthma and their families.
Autism NZ provide support, information and education on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for individuals, their family/whānau, caregivers, and professionals who engage with them.
Blind Low Vision NZ supports individuals and advocates for inclusive communities and for optimal eye care services for all New Zealanders.
CCS Disability Action provides services and support for all people with disabilities. It works to ensure the rights of disabled people are acknowledged and that disabled people are included in all aspects of life.
Cerebral Palsy Society NZ is a member-based organisation that strives to enhance the lives of people with Cerebral Palsy in New Zealand by providing programmes, support and advice.
Complex Care Group is a support and information network for a special group of carers, run by carers, who look after young people with complex needs. While we are largely focused on providing up-to-date information and support to carers to help them navigate the many challenges they face, we are also responsible for communicating to Ministry of Health, funders and other providers, the needs of this group.
Deaf Children New Zealand is a parent-led, volunteer organisation that supports parents, families and whānau, and ensures that Deaf and Hard of Hearing children have access to the education curriculum and social experiences within the schooling environment.
NZ Down Syndrome Association works alongside families, whānau and carers to support and empower people with Down syndrome.
Parent to Parent is a national organisation that supports the families of babies, children, teens and adults with any type of disability or health impairment.
Parents of Vision Impaired (N.Z.) Incorporated, or PVI, enrols and supports parents who have blind or vision-impaired children.
Rare Disorders NZ is respected voice of rare disorders in New Zealand, and is the only national organisation supporting all New Zealanders who live with a rare condition, and the people who care for them.
Contact the Disability Information Centre in your area for local options.
Financial support may be available because of your child's extra needs.
The Child Disability Allowance, available through Work and Income, is a set amount and doesn't depend on your income, assets or costs. This is an allowance for the main carer of a child with a serious disability. It is paid because of the extra care needed for that child. For more information, including current rates, you can go to the Work and Income website or call free on 0800 559 009.
You may be able to get the Disability Allowance as well as the Child Disability Allowance. It is a weekly payment for families of children who have regular, ongoing costs because of their child's disability. The amount you get depends on how much you and your partner earn. There is a limit to how much you can claim per week. Costs you can claim include:
Find out more: here or call free on 0800 559 009
Other support from Work and Income may include childcare assistance. Childcare Subsidy is a payment that helps families with the cost of pre-school childcare. You can find out more about this: here or call free on 0800 559 009
You can also check with Inland Revenue to see if you can access Working for Families payments. Working for Families Tax Credits are payments for families with dependent children aged18 and under. The payments are to help you raise your family. Entitlements are based on your yearly family income and family circumstances. Find out more at working-for-families or call 0800 227 773
You may be eligible for a Mobility Parking Permit if your child has a disability. As a mobility parking permit holder you can park in designated mobility parking spaces. These are wider than standard parking spaces (making it easier to get in and out of a vehicle with a wheelchair or mobility aid), and are located closer to services and facilities. The permit also allows the permit holder to park in some regular parking spaces for longer than the designated time. This varies depending on where in New Zealand the permit holder lives. To find out more about the Mobility Parking Permit Scheme contact CCS Disability Action or your local Disability Information Centre.
You may be able to apply for discount taxi fares through the Total Mobility scheme. Local and regional councils provide this service. To find out if you qualify, speak to your social worker or contact your local or regional council. Contact your local Disability Information Centre to find out who can help you apply in your area.
There are other organisations you can apply to such as the New Zealand Lotteries Commission, Halberg Trust and the Variety Club for assistance for vehicle modification, sporting activities or specialised equipment. For information on these options, please contact your needs assessment facilitator, health professional, social worker in the community, ward social worker if your child is an inpatient, or your local Disability Information Centre.
Once formal schooling starts, it is important for children with disability to be part of an inclusive community, contribute to classroom activities and build positive relationships.
Disabled learners have the right to enrol and receive a quality, inclusive education at their local school. The Education Review Office (ERO) has undertaken research that when disabled learners receive a quality, inclusive education they are more likely to achieve better outcomes, are more likely to complete secondary schooling and to go on to further study and employment. You can read about this research here
The NZ Disability Strategy lists its Education Outcome as being “We get an excellent education and achieve our potential throughout our lives.” The Office for Disability Issues keeps a watching eye on progress towards achieving the Strategy outcomes. You can find updates on the site
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an agreement by countries who have promised to protect children's rights. It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world. Aotearoa New Zealand has ratified this convention, which means the government has an obligation to ensure these rights are fulfilled.
Children who are aware of their rights are more likely to disclose when their rights are violated and are more likely to speak our when they witness injustice. School programmes aims to develop a culture of children’s rights in Aotearoa New Zealand and to empower a new generation of tamariki with knowledge of their rights. One of those rights says that If you have a disability, you have the right to receive inclusive education and care so you can reach your full potential. You can find out more about children's rights from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner
Specialist Schools - If it is decided that a Specialist School is the best environment for a disabled child to learn then access is via a Specialist Education Agreement. ORS funding is also usually a criteria for entry into a Specialist School. More information is available here
Allergy New Zealand has developed guidelines and compiled resources to assist parents and caregivers, educators and school staff, and health professionals,
Asthma NZ provides education, training and support to people with asthma and their families.
Autism NZ provide support, information and education on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for individuals, their family/whānau, caregivers, and professionals who engage with them.
Blind Low Vision NZ supports individuals and advocates for inclusive communities and for optimal eye care services for all New Zealanders.
CCS Disability Action provides services and support for all people with disabilities. It works to ensure the rights of disabled people are acknowledged and that disabled people are included in all aspects of life.
Cerebral Palsy Society NZ is a member-based organisation that strives to enhance the lives of people with Cerebral Palsy in New Zealand by providing programmes, support and advice.
Complex Care Group is a support and information network for a special group of carers, run by carers, who look after young people with complex needs. While we are largely focused on providing up-to-date information and support to carers to help them navigate the many challenges they face, we are also responsible for communicating to Ministry of Health, funders and other providers, the needs of this group.
Deaf Children New Zealand is a parent-led, volunteer organisation that supports parents, families and whānau, and ensures that Deaf and Hard of Hearing children have access to the education curriculum and social experiences within the schooling environment.
NZ Down Syndrome Association works alongside families, whānau and carers to support and empower people with Down syndrome.
Parent to Parent is a national organisation that supports the families of babies, children, teens and adults with any type of disability or health impairment.
Parents of Vision Impaired (N.Z.) Incorporated, or PVI, enrols and supports parents who have blind or vision-impaired children.
Rare Disorders NZ is respected voice of rare disorders in New Zealand, and is the only national organisation supporting all New Zealanders who live with a rare condition, and the people who care for them.
Contact the Disability Information Centre in your area for local options.
Financial support and resourcing may be available because of your child's extra needs.
The Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS)provides support for students with the highest ongoing levels of need for specialist support. The scheme enables them to attend school and participate alongside other students. ORS funding is available at two levels, based on eligibility – High Needs and Very High Needs.
ORS provides services and support, including:
Students with ORS funding also have access to a free Transition Service. This is funded by Ministry of Social Development for a period of 12 months and is aimed at supporting the disabled student and their family in the process of leaving school, deciding on what direction to take post school (Vocational Day Programmes, tertiary study, employment, micro-enterprise, etc) find out more here Transition Coordinators facilitate this transition service and work with the disabled student and their family. They also help ensure appropriate disability supports and Work and Income supports are in place for the school-leaver.
Some Transition Coordinators are able to assist non-ORS funded students with transition though there is a charge for this.
To find out if your child qualifies for ORS support go to their website or call 0800 622 222
The Child Disability Allowance, available through Work and Income, is a set amount and doesn't depend on your income, assets or costs. This is an allowance for the main carer of a child with a serious disability. It is paid because of the extra care needed for that child. For more information, including current rates, you can go to the Work and Income website or call free on 0800 559 009.
You may be able to get the Disability Allowance as well as the Child Disability Allowance. It is a weekly payment for families of children who have regular, ongoing costs because of their child's disability. The amount you get depends on how much you and your partner earn. There is a limit to how much you can claim per week. Costs you can claim include:
Find out more: here or call free on 0800 559 009
You can also check with Inland Revenue to see if you can access Working for Families payments. Working for Families Tax Credits are payments for families with dependent children aged18 and under. The payments are to help you raise your family. Entitlements are based on your yearly family income and family circumstances. Find out more at the site or call 0800 227 773
You may be eligible for a Mobility Parking Permit if your child has a disability. As a mobility parking permit holder you can park in designated mobility parking spaces. These are wider than standard parking spaces (making it easier to get in and out of a vehicle with a wheelchair or mobility aid), and are located closer to services and facilities. The permit also allows the permit holder to park in some regular parking spaces for longer than the designated time. This varies depending on where in New Zealand the permit holder lives.
To find out more about the Mobility Parking Permit Scheme contact CCS Disability Action or your local Disability Information Centre.
You may be able to apply for discount taxi fares through the Total Mobility scheme. Local and regional councils provide this service. To find out if you qualify, speak to your social worker or contact your local or regional council. Contact your local Disability Information Centre to find out who can help you apply in your area.
There are other organisations you can apply to such as the New Zealand Lotteries Commission, Halberg Trust and the Variety Club for assistance for vehicle modification, sporting activities or specialised equipment. For information on these options, please contact your needs assessment facilitator, health professional, social worker in the community, ward social worker if your child is an inpatient, or your local Disability Information Centre.
Like all students, a disabled student can leave school at any point from the age of 16yrs. (Some Special Schools enable students to remain at school until the age of 21yrs).
When you finish high school, you could go on to do further studies or training. The New Zealand Government and other agencies provide strategies, services and support for young people with disability. They’ll help you to get the most out of your tertiary experiences.
One of the best resources available to help get you started is Future Ready. Making decisions about future options can be daunting. If you have a disability or additional needs, there may be extra challenges. This site provides information to young people and to friends, family and educators.
Te Kete Ipurangi – TKI have a great Guide to Leaving school and accessing tertiary study opportunities.
They have some excellent resources for students that can help make the transition easier..
Most tertiary education providers have strategies and supports for disabled students. An example of this is the University of Auckland who support students with a wide range of visible and invisible impairments. They can help with things like applying for scholarships, accessibility needs, accommodation etc.
Work and Income can provide information about:
The Tertiary Education Commission funds the Youth Guarantee Scheme to help young people who leave school with no or low qualifications.
Workbridge provides funding for training support, as well as supporting people with disabilities to find employment.
Fees-free scheme provides for up to two years of full-time study for vocationally focused training programmes for 16–19 year olds, free of charge. It is available for study to obtain Levels 1 to 3 qualifications at certificate level and for foundation skills in trades, business, or cultural areas.
Contact the Disability Information Centre in your area for information on local options.
