Your voice matters. Do you know how to use it to effectively advocate for your family's rights and needs?
If you want to learn how to represent yourself or a disabled family member within New Zealand's disability system, we're running a three-part workshop series called Using Your Voice.
We've designed this series to help you understand your rights and equip you with the tools to advocate with confidence. Using Your Voice is free for disabled people, their parents and whānau to attend.
In each workshop we'll explore a different topic with an expert panel with professional and/or lived experience in the disability community. After their presentations, you’ll have the opportunity to ask the panelists your questions.
We will hold the workshops at Disability Connect - 3B Olive Road, Penrose, Auckland.
If you can’t attend in person, you can join us online via Zoom.
We’ll serve light refreshments for those who attend in person.
Registration is essential - details are at the end of this page.
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Workshop 1: Understanding your rights and being your own or a family member’s advocate
Date: Thursday 2 October, 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Panelists: Cherie Cawdron, Denise Hoffman and Robyn Hoffman (Disability Connect)
What does self-advocacy involve for disabled people and their family carers? What are the basic rights of a disabled person and their family? How can I use self-advocacy skills to help my family thrive? What is the legislation and how do I use it my advantage? What are the benefits of self-advocacy?
Cherie, Denise and Robyn will answer these questions and more in this introductory workshop to advocacy. They'll also share examples from their own journeys of advocating for their disabled family members.
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Workshop 2: Finding and using professional advocacy services
Date: Thursday 9 October, 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Panelists: Shara Turner and Nicolina Newcombe (IHC Advocacy), Roz Gielink (People First), Emma Cooper Williams (Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service), Nick Johnstone and Chloe King (Aotearoa Disability Law)
In this workshop we'll hear from a range of general advocacy organisations in New Zealand. Each panel expert will provide an overview of the type of services they provide and how to engage with them. Some of the services they'll cover include peer-to-peer group advocacy, training or courses, complaints processes, legal education opportunities and Work and Income or housing advocacy ideas.
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Workshop 3: Safeguarding, Supported Decision Making and Legal Options
Date: Wednesday 29 October, 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Panelists: Geraldine Lewis (Aotearoa Disability Law), Denise Bethell (PASAT), Lee Tempest (Visable), Rachel Stent (Citizen Advocacy)
To wrap up this series, we will explore safeguarding, supported decision making, peer support for child-to-parent violence, and "walk alongside" advocacy services.
Our panelists will share information on their organisation and services that families in New Zealand can access.
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How to register:
To secure your spot in one or more of these workshops, please email
YWRtaW4gfCBkaXNhYmlsaXR5Y29ubmVjdCAhIG9yZyAhIG56 with the following information:
1) whether you are a disabled person, parent, whānau or a professional
2) which workshops(s) you plan to attend
3) whether you are attending online or in person
4) your access and/or dietary needs.
This event series is free for disabled people, parents and whānau. A registration fee of $50 per session applies to professionals.
For any questions, sending an email to
YWRtaW4gfCBkaXNhYmlsaXR5Y29ubmVjdCAhIG9yZyAhIG56 or call 09 636 0351.
You may also like the following events from Disability Connect:
- Next Monday, 6th October, 06:00 am, Zoom Support Group | Free online support for parents and families in Auckland, New Zealand
- Next Wednesday, 8th October, 08:00 am, Bollywood Dance Party | Parent Support Group in Auckland
- This month, 15th October, 09:00 am, Our journey to a good life: Ed Collett, Air New Zealand | Annual General Meeting 2025 in Auckland
Also check out other
Workshops in Lake Orion,
Health & Wellness events in Lake Orion.
