Altogether Autism

Want to have your say on the Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill, but not sure how? Our friends at CCS Disability Action have put together a submission guide to help you through the process.

Remember, you have until 1.00pm on Friday 12 June to make your submission.

See the original post below 👇

Image description: A simple illustration of a dark blue loudspeaker on a pale blue background. Below, also in dark blue, are the words: How to have your say on the Disability Support Services Bill. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner.

Want to have your say on the Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill, but not sure how? We've put together a submission guide to help you through the process – link in the comments below.

Remember, you have until 1.00pm on Friday 12 June to make your submission.

Image description: A simple illustration of a dark blue loudspeaker on a pale blue background. Below, also in dark blue, are the words: How to have your say on the Disability Support Services Bill. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner.

Interested in making meaningful connections and supporting other disabled people in your community?

Our friends at My Life My Voice are offering free Peer Support Training for disabled people, Tāngata Whaikaha Māori, and people with impairments living in Aotearoa.

This training teaches you how to make meaningful connections and connects you with like-minded individuals who have a passion for helping others.

See the original post below for more information and how to get involved. 👇

Peer Support Training — My Life My Voice Peer Support Training Peer Support Training teaches you how to be a Peer Supporter for other disabled people. This training teaches you how to make meaningful connections and connects you with like-minded individuals who have a passion for helping others. This training is free and open to all disabl...

Help improve key service areas of DSS

From 8 June to 31 July, Disability Support Services (DSS) will be asking the disability community for their views and ideas to improve some key service areas.

The consultation builds on what the disability community has told DSS over the past two years – and focuses on areas the community has said matter most.

Feedback has already helped shape some important changes across disability support services, but there is more to do.

Disabled people, whānau, families and carers will be able to share what good support looks like in areas including:
▪️Outcomes that matter – being clearer about the difference that DSS-funded supports make in disabled people’s everyday lives and safety.
▪️Earlier, proactive and planned support – planning the right support at the right time as people’s needs change over time.
▪️Feedback and complaints - making it easier to speak up about the services of DSS providers
▪️Better options for carer respite – improving existing options for respite so it is easier for family, whānau and carers to take a break.
▪️More choice and control in services – offering more flexibility in the supports we fund, outside of flexible funding.
▪️Improved information and advice - making it easier to get information and access DSS supports and services.

From 2 June: People can read the consultation documents and register for workshops ahead of the consultation officially opening on 8 June.

From 8 June to 31 July: The consultation is open with online or in-person workshops, written and recorded submission options, and an online survey available.

Feedback will help DSS further improve services. DSS will keep the disability community updated on what was said and what will happen next.

Please visit the DSS website to find out how to take part in the consultation: www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/haveyoursay

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Alt: Information tile about a Disability Support Services consultation. Text says: Help improve key service areas of DSS. Disabled people and their whānau are invited to share what good support looks like in some key areas of Disability Support Services. Consultation opens 8 June 2026. Workshop registrations and consultation documents available now.

The information appears on a light green background with green calendar and location icons beside the consultation information. A light green woven pattern appears across the top right corner. Disability Support Services and Ministry of Social Development logos appear at the bottom of the tile.

This global pride month we’re celebrating LGBTQIA+ | takatāpui whānau within the autistic community in all its intersectional splendour.

Often called the “double rainbow” 🌈🌈, there is strong overlap between these communities. Research from Aotearoa and around the world shows autistic and neurodivergent people are more likely to be LGBTQIA+ | takatāpui, across a diversity of s*xuality, gender, and s*x characteristics.

For many these identities are deeply connected, giving rise to concepts like neuroqueer and autigender, where gender, s*xuality, and neurodivergence are experienced as one identity: a distinct way of being and experiencing the world.

We know that being both autistic and LGBTQIA+ can mean navigating layered barriers - from misunderstanding to exclusion in services and society. That’s why visibility, celebration, and belonging matter.
At Altogether Autism we’re committed to evidence-based practice, honouring lived experience and research all year round.

Registrations are now open for the next round of the Changemaker Programme from our friends at Your Way l Kia Roha.

Learn more below 👇

🌿 Nau mai, haere mai. Join the free Changemakers programme | Kaupapa Kaihanga Panoni for disabled people and allies across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This 20-week course runs from 6 July to 13 November 2026 and includes 10 online modules and 10 live online sessions.

Designed and created by disabled people — nā te hunga whaikaha, mō te hunga whaikaha — it’s a chance to learn, connect, and build your confidence to lead meaningful change in your communities.

✨ Register now! Applications close on 19 June.
👉 For more details, visit: yourwaykiaroha.nz/changemakers

Want to have your voice heard at the decision-making tables?

Our friends at IHC New Zealand are running a free online webinar exploring how neurodivergent people, including people with intellectual disability, can get involved in public sector committees.

See details below 👇

How to join a Public Sector Committee (Neurodivergent Guide) 📖

Keen to have your voice heard at decision-making tables?

As part of Neurodiversity Pride Week, join us for a free online webinar exploring how neurodivergent people, including people with intellectual disability, can get involved in public sector committees. These are paid roles and a powerful way to put Nothing About Us Without Us into action.

Getting appointed can take time and can feel challenging, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Hear Dr Nicolina Newcombe (Autistic with OCD) and David Corner ONZM (person with intellectual disability and autism) from IHC, and Ollie Goulden (ADHD) from My Life My Voice share their experiences of the recruitment process, what it is like to sit at the table, and answer your questions in an open 'Ask Me Anything' session.

📅 Date: Monday 15 June 2026
🕒 Time: 3pm
📍 Online via Microsoft Teams

To register, email [email protected]

We would love to see more neurodivergent people putting their names forward for these roles.
Join us in this live session to learn how.

🧠 Free Workshop in Te Awamutu: An Introduction to Autistic Capacity

“But you could do it yesterday…”

Why can an Autistic person manage something one day but struggle with it the next?

Join this free workshop to learn about everyday factors that can impact an Autistic person’s ability to engage and cope. You’ll also explore practical strategies for providing more effective support.

✍️ Registration is required
📅 15 June 2026
⏰ 10 am - 1 pm
📍 Te Awamutu
💙 Free to attend

This session is ideal for parents, educators, professionals, and anyone interested in better understanding and supporting Autistic people.

🔗 Register here: https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/events/an-introduction-to-autistic-capacity-15-06-2026

We are sharing a research opportunity from a Master of Educational & Developmental Psychology student at Massey University.

Madie Freeland is exploring how autistic girls in years 1–6 experience their classroom sensory environments, and how these experiences influence their comfort, engagement, and wellbeing in mainstream classrooms.

She is looking to connect with whānau of autistic girls who may be open to a single, child friendly interview (around 30 minutes). Participation is voluntary, child controlled, and fully ethics approved.

Madie is aiming to recruit up to 10 participants in total, even one or two families would make a meaningful contribution.

If you would like more information or are interested in taking part, please contact: [email protected].

🌟 Free Workshop: Kids Do Well If They Can 🌟

Is there an Autistic child in your life?
Drawing from Dr. Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions approach, our Kids Do Well If They Can workshop explores how parents, whānau, and educators can support the growth and development of young Autistics.

✍️ Registration is required
📅 9 June 2026
⏰ 10am - 1:30pm
📍 Whanganui
🔗 Register here: https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/events/kids-do-well-if-they-can-09-06-2026

Have you signed up for our Palmerston North workshop yet? Only one week to go!

Brain, Body & Behaviour
📅 15 May 2026
🕒 11:30am - 2:30pm
📍 Palmerston North
🔗 Find out more & register here: https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/events/brain-body-behaviour-15-05-2026

Don't miss out!