NEWS & UPDATES
CP Society – the latest news
30 May 2025
This year seems to be flying by. Here we are at the end of May already. There is a lot going on at the Cerebral Palsy Society at the moment, and there seems to be a lot going on in the wider disability sector as well.
I’ll share some of what has been happening with you below.
Housing Survey
Have you completed the Cerebral Palsy Society’s Housing Survey yet?
Your insights will help identify barriers and opportunities in the housing sector, enabling us to advocate for better support and accessibility for people with disabilities.
The survey should take around 10-15 minutes to complete and closes at midnight on Monday, 2 June.
Please click on this link to fill out the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/accessiblehousingsurvey
EACD/IAACD 2025 Conference
From June 24 to 28, Amy Hogan, the Cerebral Palsy Society’s Researcher and Member Support Advisor will be representing us at EACD/IAACD 2025 in Heidelberg, Germany.
EACD is the European Academy Of Childhood-onset Disability. IAACD is the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability.
“Leading researchers and clinicians will discuss the many aspects of childhood disability and developmental disorders, presenting their cutting-edge research,” organisers say.
Amy will be involved in three pieces of work. She will:
– Present on ageing with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi as part of an international symposium focused on life-course approaches to care
– Deliver a separate talk reframing pain in Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi across the lifespan, informed by lived experience
– Contribute to the development of an international statement aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), advocating for the inclusion of disabled voices in global disability policy.
We look forward to Amy sharing her experiences from the conference and passing on the information she learns.
getMoving updates
getMoving is all about getting children, teenagers and young adults moving!
getMoving is Auckland-based and run by Mike Hynard and the team at Functional Adaptive Movement™Ltd (FAM™).
We’ve got 3 spaces available for new participants. If you or your child are aged 6-21 and would like to be part of the programme please get in touch with our Member Support and Programmes Coordinator, Theo van de Klundert – 0800 503 603 or theo@cpsociety.org.nz.
Sessions are held on Wednesdays from 3.30pm-4.30pm in Mt Albert.
More information is here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/member-services/getmoving
Christchurch – Expressions of Interest
Last week we sent an email to our Christchurch members aged 6-21 asking for their thoughts on a getMoving programme being set up in their city.
We’ve had some really positive feedback so far, and we’d love to hear from more of you. If you haven’t filled in the form yet, please do so – your input will help us determine whether we pursue getMoving in Christchurch.
Watch this video to see what parents of getMoving participants have to say:
Coffee group
Have you come along to one of our coffee groups yet? If there is one in your area, we’d love to see you there.
Coffee groups are currently held in Auckland, Whanganui, Masterton, Wellington and Christchurch.
Up to $15 worth of refreshments per person is provided for a member and their companion, support worker and/or family member.
All the coffee group information is here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/member-services/events/coffee-groups
If you’d like to see a coffee group in your area, please get in touch with us to see what’s involved in being a host. Many of our coffee groups rely on volunteers and wouldn’t happen without them.
Call us on 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
Thank you for the support
The Cerebral Palsy Society relies on donations and grants to help us do the mahi we do for Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
With that in mind, we want to say a massive thank you to the Trusts, Foundations and friends that have supported us. Most recently:
– Rātā Founadtion
You can check out all the Trusts and Foundations that support the Society here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/our-supporters
CP Society e-Card
How to check your e-card balance:
It’s easy to check the balance on your e-card. Simply:
– Go to https://ecardsolutions.nz/portal/cps/
– Check your last receipt
– Or go to www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz, click the Dashboard button, sign in and click the “Check Your E-Card Balance” button.
How to add a supplier to the e-card programme:
Ever wondered how to add a company or service provider to the Cerebral Palsy Society’s e-card programme?
We’ve written a step-by-step guide to help you. Feel free to share the link with companies and service providers that you think would be interested in becoming a supplier. www.tinyurl.com/b8j7s3j5
Disability-Led Climate Adaptation Pilot
The Cerebral Palsy Society has received information about a new pilot that supports climate adaptation. The Disability-Led Climate Adaptation Pilot is being led by Auckland’s disability community.
People can get involved by taking part in a series of co-designed workshops or by joining the Grant Advisory Panel.
“Auckland Council has a one-off grant fund of $100,000 to kickstart disability-led projects that support disabled people to prepare for and respond to climate disruption. The disability community will lead this mahi — coming up with the ideas and recommending to Auckland Council how the funding should be spent.”
There’s more information here. Expressions of interest close on June 6.
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Strategy
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and the New Zealand Sign Language Board have released a draft New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Strategy for feedback.
The strategy is about supporting and enabling Deaf people to fully participate in society using NZSL. It also guides the NZSL Board’s decisions on what to fund, including Community Grants and contracts.
The draft strategy can be found here www.tinyurl.com/mrx8nkcu. Consultation closes on Monday, June 2.
For more information, contact the NZSL Team at nzsl_strategy@whaikaha.govt.nz.
NZSL video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9qwbjfeN4A
Housing Navigation Service
Disability Connect is offering a new Disability Housing Navigation Service in Auckland.
Led and staffed by disabled people and their parents, the free service provides an advisor to support disabled people and their families to research, broker and find a suitable place to live.
If you need help finding a home, email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz with the word “housing” in the subject line or call 09 636 0351.
Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service
The Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service offers free, independent, and confidential advice and support to help you resolve issues with health and disability services.
Their advocates can let you know about your rights, answer your questions, and talk through your options for making a complaint. They will support you through the whole process.
Phone 0800 555 050 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or go to https://advocacy.org.nz/
What’s On
Classes with Functional Adaptive Movement™ Ltd (FAM™)
FAM™ JAM: Dancing to Wellbeing is up and running in Kerikeri. An Auckland class should be starting early in June.
FAM™JAM aims “to empower individuals of all abilities to live independent, expressive lives through dance, music, and pure, unshakable fun”.
These classes are for everyone aged 8 and above, people of any and all abilities, along with their families, volunteers, caregivers, and professionals.
More information: www.tinyurl.com/z4k8kk2c
FAM™Tūī: An innovative, intensive therapy initiative designed to support clients and families living with disabilities.
The 8-week course combines physiotherapy and strength and conditioning, to enhance mobility, independence, and overall well-being.
It involves 10 consecutive in-person intensive therapy days followed by 6 weeks of dedicated telehealth follow-up.
It is running in June, September, December and January.
Limited spots are available.
More information: www.tinyurl.com/mvhz4w9b
Kōrero for Change – health
The next Kōrero for Change webinar hosted by Access Matters Aotearoa Trust focuses on health.
Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Time: 9am – 12pm/noon
Platform: Zoom
There’s information and registration here: www.tinyurl.com/2sp75han
Equipment opportunity
PT Segway
More information: www.tinyurl.com/3k8fwm9j
Quickie IRIS 18” x 22” all terrain powerchair
More information: www.tinyurl.com/3cnaf5nz
That’s all from me for this month. As winter sets in I wish you and your whānau warmth, coziness and the hope that Mother Nature behaves.
Ngā mihi,
Clare Williams
General Manager
