OPPORTUNITIES APLENTY FOR FAMILIES TO SOCIALISE A wide range of organisations around New Zealand provide a variety of social activities for people with Down syndrome and the wider disability community to learn new skills and enjoy camaraderie with new friends. This section provides a small list of clubs and organisations in the different parts of the country you can contact if you want to try their activities.
National Livewire Free, safe online community connecting teens living with illness or disability, & their siblings, in Australia or New Zealand. Whether you’re home or in hospital, you can make friends, share stories, laugh, have a vent, and be yourself. The moderated chat is live 2pm-2am every day, plus live streaming, games, videos, comps and more! It’s peer support done differently. www.Livewire.co.nz
Achilles International (NZ) Achilles International is a worldwide organisation providing New Zealanders with disabilities the opportunity to participate alongside able-bodied athletes in local, national and international events to promote personal achievement, and enhance self-esteem and lower barriers. Achilles NZ has chapters all over New Zealand in Auckland, Tauranga, Taupō, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua, Hamilton, Dunedin, Invercargill and Whangārei. www.achillesnewzealand.org
Riding for the Disabled New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association (NZRDA) has over 50 affiliated Riding for the Disabled (RDA) groups located throughout every region of the country. RDA is all about providing goal-based riding activities that increase the ability, strength and confidence of people with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges. www.rda.org.nz
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Star Jam All over New Zealand, StarJam inspires young people with disabilities (our Jammers) to express themselves through music, dance, singing and performance. Our workshops, gigs and discos are fun and exciting spaces for Jammers to grow in confidence, discover musical and performance talents and make lifelong friends. www.starjam.org
Auckland ADSA Social clubs Recreate NZ plan and facilitate the ADSA social clubs. There are two separate age groups that meet at various locations once a month, one for youth and one for adults. To find out more: https://adsa.org.nz/how-we-help/local-supportgroups/social-clubs/ The ADSA also organises regular coffee groups and play dates. The dates and details are shared on the closed ASDA social media, so it pays to sign up to the ADSA.
Touch Compass Touch Compass is New Zealand’s leading professional inclusive performance company! They work globally with choreographers and directors to collaborate with disabled and non-disabled performers. They also run some workshops in Auckland and Wellington. www.touchcompass.org.nz
Baby Music group Baby Music Group is a playgroup for babies with special needs ages 0-18 months. It also gives parents/carers a chance to meet and talk with other parents with young babies.
PHAB PHAB organises social opportunities for people with disabilities, and supporting members towa r d s d e s i g n i n g m e a n i n g f u l l i ve s f o r themselves. https://www.phab.org.nz/
