CCS Disability Action

CCS Disability Action CCS Disability Action is the largest pan-disability support and advocacy organisation in Aotearoa.

CCS Disability Action’s strategic priorities are disabled people – whānau hauā, knowledge – mātauranga, connectedness – whanaungatanga and wellbeing – hauora. We encourage all Facebook users to interact with each other in a way that respects what we value, including within comment threads and on our Facebook wall. CCS Disability Action is not responsible for comments or wall postings made by visit

ors to the page and reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to screen and remove any content it deems inappropriate. This includes, but is not limited to, comments not related to the content on the page, commercial content whose primary purpose is to sell a product, as service, or other such practices via the CCS Disability Action page, as well as content that harasses, abuses, threatens, or in any other way violates the rights of others. We also reserve the right to act on complaints from our community and remove posts that are irrelevant or excessive. CCS Disability Action reserves the right to block anyone on relevant social media channels who do not follow these guidelines. In addition, CCS Disability Action upholds the Terms of Service standards administered by Facebook: www.facebook.com/legal/terms

You can contact CCS Disability Action by either sending a direct message to the page or sending an email to [email protected]

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work ...
05/09/2026

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work with CCS Disability Action on our website, linked in the comments.

Check out our latest vacancies:
• Full-time Fundraising Advisor – Major and Legacy Gifting, negotiable location
• Casual Community Support Worker, West Coast

We look forward to receiving your application!

Image description: Two women smiling at each other with the waterfront in the background. One is crouched, the other is using a wheelchair. The words 'Now hiring' are at the top in blue. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner.

A big thank you to Te Wānanga o Raukawa for having us at their disability awareness session! It was awesome to see disab...
03/09/2026

A big thank you to Te Wānanga o Raukawa for having us at their disability awareness session! It was awesome to see disabled presenters from the Turi (Deaf) and Kāpō (blind) communities leading the training.

CCS Disability Action Senior Coordinator Sharleen Tongalea and Pou Ārahi Paparina Burgoyne co-facilitated the session. "The aim was to provide authentic insights into the realities of navigating the world as disabled people and to highlight the importance of listening to the voices of disabled people and their whānau,” explains Sharleen. "It was a fantastic opportunity to connect full of humour, laughter and learning."

Ngā mihi to all the presenters and organisers involved in this opportunity.

Image description: Large group of people stand together for a group photo inside the marae.

Happy first week of Spring! ☀️ We welcome sunny days that lift our spirits – and are perfect for drying the laundry!This...
02/09/2026

Happy first week of Spring! ☀️ We welcome sunny days that lift our spirits – and are perfect for drying the laundry!

This photo from the 1980s shows a woman hanging up clothes outside. The washing line has been lowered so she can access it from her wheelchair. It goes to show how simple changes can make all the difference.

Image description: Black and white photo of a woman using a wheelchair, hanging laundry. Beside her is a wicker laundry basket.

Our Christchurch team loved being at Next Steps last week! With over 1000 people attending, it was a fantastic turnout f...
01/09/2026

Our Christchurch team loved being at Next Steps last week! With over 1000 people attending, it was a fantastic turnout for the South Island's leading disability expo.

"This was by far one of the best-attended Next Steps Expos I've seen," comments Jonathan Mackie, Service Manager. "It was fantastic to see the Canterbury disability community come together, connect, and highlight the incredible opportunities, services, and experiences available to people across the region."

Jonathan was joined by Librarian Krissy Wright. Her highlight? "The amazing kapahaka group who performed with such passion!"

Thank you to everyone who was part of this amazing day.

Image descriptions:
1. Overview of the expo showing stalls and many people mingling inside Parakiore Recreation Centre.
2. Jonathan Mackie standing at the CCS Disability Action stall, smiling. There are banners behind him and a table in front of him covered in resources and a laptop.
3. Krissy Wright standing beside the CCS Disability Action stall, smiling.
4. A Kapa Haka group performs on stage.

Select Committee reported back on the Disability Support Services Bill on 13 August 2026. It recommends, by majority, th...
01/09/2026

Select Committee reported back on the Disability Support Services Bill on 13 August 2026. It recommends, by majority, that the Bill be passed with changes. But one important thing is left out of their commentary: Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Almost one in four Māori adults is disabled, yet whānau hauā are not mentioned at all. Recenia Kāka (Ngāpuhi), Kaiārahi ā-motu, refelcts on a Bill that's moved through Parliament without the whānau it is about.

Read more in our latest article, linked in the comments.

Image descriptions: Image description: Set of 6 slides with text on a light blue background, rounded corners and white borders. The first slide has a bold blue heading and an arrow indicating to swipe right. Slides 2-5 have white textboxes and slide 6 has a white speech bubble containing a quote. All except the first slide have the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner.

Text on each slide:
1. Whānau hauā are left out of the Disability Support Services Bill. What the Select Committee’s report means for disabled Māori.
2. What we asked for. We, along with many others, called for Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be embedded into the final DSS Bill. Select Committee’s report, released 13 August, does not address it.
3. Why this matters. The Māori disability rate is the highest of any ethnic group. Almost one in four Māori adults is disabled – that’s 184,000 people. They should be represented in laws that affect them.
4. Changes to whānau responsibility. While some wording was changed, the wide definition of family member in the Bill is the same. This assumes family members have resources, but evidence shows whānau earn less.
5. Means testing still on the table. We asked for the clause allowing income-based and asset-based criteria to be removed. Instead, it was expanded. If means testing were introduced, tāngata whaikaha Māori would be among the most exposed.
6. Tino rangatiratanga means leading the design of the systems that affect them, and to do that whānau hauā need to be in the room when decisions are made. Recenia Kākā, Kaiārahi ā-motu.

We love when work placements are a win-win!Meet Savannah, an AUT student working towards a degree in Deaf Studies and So...
30/08/2026

We love when work placements are a win-win!

Meet Savannah, an AUT student working towards a degree in Deaf Studies and Social Science. She is Deaf and also has low vision, and hopes to become an advocate for DeafBlind people in New Zealand.

Savannah is currently placed with our Auckland Youth Development and Adults Team, where she's learning a lot. "It's really opened my mind. I'm thinking about all the different barriers people face, and how those barriers can be removed."

Knowledge is shared in both directions – Savannah is running NZSL sessions and has taught the team how to fingerspell their own names. Her presence has created more disability awareness and education.

Senior Coordinator Sharleen Tongalea, who has a vision impairment herself, has worked closely with Savannah throughout. "Savannah is a delight to have in the team. She always brings a bright smile and a laugh," she comments. "It's always a real privilege to support another disabled person on their journey through life."

We have no doubt Savannah will go far. Read the full story, linked in the comments.

Image description: Sharleen and Savannah standing together in the CCS Disability Action office, smiling. They are holding a branded booklet in front of a wall with a Te Aronui poster. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner.

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work ...
29/08/2026

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work with CCS Disability Action on our website, linked in the comments.

Check out our latest vacancies:
• Part-time Service Coordinator, Bay of Plenty
• Full-time Pou Hono - Service Coordinator, Wellington
• Minimum guaranteed hours Community Support Worker, Manawatū/Horowhenua

We look forward to receiving your application!

Image description: Two women smiling at each other with the waterfront in the background. One is crouched, the other is using a wheelchair. The words 'Now hiring' are at the top in blue. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner.

Filling out a carer support form can feel like a maze. This episode is here to help. 🙌In our latest Books Beyond Barrier...
28/08/2026

Filling out a carer support form can feel like a maze. This episode is here to help. 🙌

In our latest Books Beyond Barriers episode, "Lean on Me," host Krissy Wright sits down with Vicki Mitchell from CCS Disability Action Otago to demystify carer support funding, one of the most useful (and most confusing) supports available to families caring for a disabled loved one.

Vicki takes us through the claim form step by step, explaining the difference between a full time carer and a support carer, how NASC allocates your days, and how to actually get paid, whether that's direct payment to your support carer or reimbursement to you. She also shares real scenarios to make the process click, plus what else the funding can cover beyond traditional respite.

If you're a parent, whānau member, or carer navigating this system, this is one to bookmark.

🎧 Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music
📖 Full transcripts available on our website (see comments below for link)
📻 Tune in on OAR FM 105.4FM / 1575AM, fortnightly Wednesdays at 10:30am, with replays Saturday 12pm and Sunday 11pm
📚 Don't forget, the CCS Disability Action Library offers free borrowing for all our resources

Have you had to navigate carer support before? What do you wish you'd known sooner? Let us know in the comments. 👇


Image desription: Square graphic, cream background. CCS Disability Action logo top left. Circular photo of Krissy Wright and Vicki Mitchell in the OAR FM studio, Vicki holding up a form. Orange text: "Episode 38: Lean On Me with Vicki Mitchell." Black text below: "Now streaming on Books Beyond Barriers."

We're delighted to acknowledge a grant of $5,400 from Rano Community Trust, which has funded two new heat pumps at our N...
27/08/2026

We're delighted to acknowledge a grant of $5,400 from Rano Community Trust, which has funded two new heat pumps at our Northland office.

"It is really important that our place of work is comfortable and safe, and these two heat pumps have made a genuine difference," says Amanda Vun, Service Manager, CCS Disability Action Northern Region. "We're very grateful to Rano Community Trust for helping us create warm, professional spaces for our growing team and the whānau we work alongside, who often pop in to see us."

Ngā mihi nui to Rano Community Trust for their support!

Pictured below are Senior Coordinator Kaitlin Cochran, Coordinator Jo Matthews-Rudolph and Coordinator Katie Hughes.

Image description: Three team members in the Northland office, smiling. Two are sitting on lounge chairs, one is sitting at a desk. There is a window with shades half closed and a heatpump mounted above it.

This we have a follow-up! Remember the snowy mountain photo of Carol Daley we posted some time ago? Our librarian dove...
27/08/2026

This we have a follow-up! Remember the snowy mountain photo of Carol Daley we posted some time ago? Our librarian dove into our archives and has found some more information. It turns out, Carol was quite the adventurer!

Carol came from a background in sports, representing South Auckland in netball, softball, and athletics. Following three years of climbing the Himalayas, she became disabled in a motorcycle accident in the 1980s. She continued tramping, skiing, and kayaking, and had an interest in beekeeping (with some keen insights on adapting it for varying needs).

In 1988, Carol joined CCS Nelson as a Recreation Worker. After sending out a questionnaire on unmet recreation and leisure needs, she provided a range of programmes using community resources. Workshops included pottery, music, leatherwork, painting, and outdoor activities – such as numerous group kayaking trips.

Though her mahi was many years ago, Carol showed all the values we have today. She was committed to increasing the public’s understanding that disabled people have the same dreams, interests, and values as they do. We love her comment: “We need to be free to participate in employment, recreation, sports, arts and to socialise with family and friends. It is not enough to be alive, we must feel alive.”

We’ll leave a link to a text version of the articles in the comments, if you’d like to read them!

Image description: Three black and white scanned images of newspaper papers. The first is titled 'Feeling alive' by Deirdre Mackay, the second 'What a recreation worker in Nelson does' and third 'Beekeeping: Absorbing hobby and honey too' are by Carol Daley.

Address

94 Dixon Street
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+648002272255

Website

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