AccessAbility
Living well
Dreaming big
Disabled people living the life they imagine
About us
AccessAbility works with disabled people and their
whānau, assisting them to live well, dream big and live
the life they imagine.
Our aim is to inspire you to discover all of the
opportunities available in your community.
We first listen and learn about your goals and dreams.
We can then connect you with the people, opportunities
and community resources to achieve them.
Who is eligible?
AccessAbility works with disabled people in the
Taranaki, Whanganui, Otago and Southland areas.
To be eligible for support from AccessAbility, you must:
 have a disability that lasts longer than six months
 need support in some parts of your life because of
your disability.
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Your disability could be:
 physical
 sensory: vision, hearing and Autism Spectrum
 intellectual.
Needs Assessment
During your Needs Assessment, we will talk with you
about your goals, dreams and what you need to live
well.
How does it work?
1) Fill out an application for a Needs Assessment and
return it to your local office.
You can download an application from
accessability.org.nz or contact your local office
for a copy.
We will let you know when we have received your
application.
2) Next, we’ll check you’re eligible for a Needs
Assessment. If it’s the first time you have worked
with us, we may need your doctor or specialist to
confirm your disability.
3) Then, we will arrange a meeting to learn more
about you. This meeting is formally called a ‘Needs
Assessment’.
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Service Coordination
1) Soon after your Needs Assessment meeting,
AccessAbility will contact you to talk about ideas to
help you live well. We will also let you know about
any disability support funding that is available to
you.
2) We can then connect you with the best people,
opportunities and supports in your community.
Local Area Coordination
Local Area Coordination is a new, community-based
approach to working with disabled people.
Our independent Local Area Coordinators can work
alongside you and your whānau to help you take
practical steps towards your goals.
We offer Local Area Coordination in parts of Central
Otago and Southland.
Your feedback
If something isn't working for you or if it's going really
well, please let us know. Your feedback helps us
improve what we do.
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Compliments
If a staff member or service has impressed you, fill out
our satisfaction survey at accessability.org.nz
Making a complaint
If you are unhappy with your assessment, a staff
member or service, please let us know as soon as
possible.
1) Contact your Assessment or Service Facilitator and
talk to them about what you would like to change.
2) If you’re still not happy, contact the team leader at
your local AccessAbility office. You can also contact
the National Operations Manager or Chief
Executive.
3) If you are still dissatisfied, you can contact:

a free health and disability advocacy service. To
find the advocates in your area, freephone 0800
555 050, email advocacy@hdc.org.nz or
visit advocacy.hdc.org.nz

the Ministry of Health’s Disability Support Services:
0800 373 664 or disability@moh.govt.nz

the office of the Health and Disability
Commissioner: 0800 11 22 33 or hdc@hdc.org.nz
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What our clients say
Debbie, Jaime's Mum
"It's so important for families like ours to have a choice
about our services. What we can do now for Jaime is
amazing."
Patsy
"With Individualised Funding I can now choose to have
support as I need it."
Jack
"Jenny, my Local Area Coordinator, has helped me with
so many ideas and she challenges me."
Contact us
We enjoy getting to know each and every person we
work with and we're always happy to talk to you.
We are open from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to
Friday.
accessability.org.nz
facebook.com/AccessAbilityNZ
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Otago and Southland office
0800 758 700
otago@accessability.org.nz
Level 1, Burns House
10 George Street
Dunedin
Taranaki office
0800 758 700
contact@accessability.org.nz
Level 1, Kings Building
36 Devon Street West
New Plymouth
Whanganui office
0800 758 700
wanganui@accessability.org.nz
244 Victoria Avenue
Whanganui
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