Useful support organisations

This directory contains information and contact details of organisations and groups that may provide support, advice or other services to creative spaces and other community arts organisations. Contact Iona if you would like to be listed on this page.

BarrierFree

An independent organisation, made up of consumers and individuals with experience and expertise in local government, the building industry and the disability sector. It facilitates and promotes accessible environments, and provides training and education, advocacy, technical advice and useful resources. It also oversees the use of the International Symbol of Access (ISA). 

Contact: 021 029 16314 | executive@barrierfree.org.nz | www.barrierfree.org.nz

Be. Lab

A social change initiative advocating for a more accessible New Zealand, formerly known as Be.Accessible. It provides accessibility assessments and training for workplaces, and is working alongside leading businesses to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Its website provides a guide to accessible accommodation, entertainment venues, restaurants and shops in New Zealand.

Contact: T: +64 9 309 8966 | E: info@belab.co.nz | W:www.belab.co.nz

Blind Low Vision NZ

A national organisation offering awareness training and advice on such things as audio description, accessible formats and building requirements. It may also be able to promote arts events and activities to blind and vision impaired people, depending on timing and available resources.

Contact: 0800 24 33 33  09 355 6900 | info@blindlowvision.org.nz | www.blindfoundation.org.nz

CCS Disability Action

A national organisation working with disabled individuals and their families. It aims to make communities inclusive and accessible to disabled people by providing information, advocacy and advice, and working with local councils. It has particular expertise in advising on access in public and private buildings, homes, amenities and streets.

Contact: 0800 227 2255 | info@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz | www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz

Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand

It can advise you on making your organisation or venue more Deaf-friendly. It also has helpful resources, offers Deaf awareness workshops, and can advise you on booking interpreters for your arts event.

Contact: 09 828 3282 | national@deaf.co.nz | www.deaf.org.nz

Diversity New Zealand

Run by Philip Patston, it fosters change and diversity by providing a range of solutions to the creative, business, education, community and government sectors. It can help arts organisations develop policy, work with management and governance on culture change, offer staff training, and advice on access issues and opportunities. 

Contact: hello@#diversitynz.com | www.diversitynz.com/

IHC New Zealand

A national organisation advocating for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability, and supporting them to live satisfying lives in the community. It presents the annual IHC Telecom Art Awards and can help arts organisations connect with its key stakeholders.

Contact: 0800 442 442 | www.ihc.org.nz

iSign

An online interpreter booking system, it provides connections between Sign Language interpreters, and the Deaf and hearing people who use them.

Contact: 09 625 5036 | 0800 WE INTERPRET | booking@isign.co.nz | www.isign.co.nz

Like Minds, Like Mine

Like Minds, Like Mine is a national programme funded by the Ministry of Health to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. This site explores views on madness, mental distress and mental illness. There is also an Information Service. 

Local government

New Zealand has 67 district and city councils. They all have a significant role to play in enhancing the lives of disabled people, especially in terms of physical access and the right to live in the community. Many of the councils have community, arts or disability advisors. For more information, contact your local council. The Local Government New Zealand website has links to all council websites and boundary maps.

Contact: 04 4 924 1200 | info@lgnz.co.nz | www.lgnz.co.nz

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

A national organisation providing free information and training. It also advocates for policies and services that support people with experience of mental illness, their families, whānau and friends. Its Resource and Information Centre includes a library and is situated at 81 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland. Opening hours: 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Contact: 09 623 4810 | info@mentalhealth.org.nz | www.mentalhealth.org.nz

New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres

Do you want to know where to hire a ramp or a wheelchair? How to contact a Sign Language interpreter? Or how to reach your local disabled community? NZFDIC provides an information and referral system through a network of independent, community-based centres throughout New Zealand. 

Contact: 021 124 8860 | admin@nzfdic.org.nz | www.nzfdic.org.nz