Disability
The ability to play with music
Baroque cellist Tomas Hurnik from the Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust is working with composer Julie Wylie to provide a special opportunity for infants and young children with complex… Audio
Attitudes towards mobility parks not changing - survey
Many able-bodied New Zealanders still aren't getting the message about not using mobility car park, an advocacy group says.
Claims children hit, force fed at special needs school
A teacher has been suspended and a teacher aide has resigned at a special needs school in Dunedin amid claims of children being abused.
Families of disabled children missing out on allowance
Most families with ill or disabled children are missing out on financial help because the application process for the Child Disability Allowance is too complicated, the Child Poverty Action Group… Audio
Eugenics: the story of a really bad idea
Did you know that after the First World War New Zealand established an official eugenics board? We tend to think of eugenics as being something the Nazis invented but really it was embraced all around… Audio
DHB threatens to cut off 96-year-old's home help in Levin
A 96-year-old Horowhenua woman - whose home-help services have been cut by the MidCentral District Health Board - says the move has taken away her individuality. Video, Audio
Food with Volker Marecek
Volker Marecek is the executive chef at The Langham Auckland and has just returned from Sri Lanka where he has been teaching budding young chefs at the MJF Foundation's culinary centre just outside… Audio
SafariSeat: turning bike parts into an open-source wheelchair
Conventional wheelchairs aren't really an option in many parts of Africa; they're too expensive and they just can't handle the conditions. Janna Deeble grew up in Kenya and saw the problem for… Audio
Ministry accused of cop-out on seclusion rooms
Disability provider IHC says the Ministry of Education must shut seclusion rooms now, after revelations only six of eight schools have agreed to stop using them.
Finding your way: indoor navigation for the blind
BlindSquare is a navigation app that uses a combination of GPS and Bluetooth to help blind people navigate outside, and also inside buildings and shopping centres where GPS doesn't work. Wellington… Audio
Buskathon
A whole lot of buskers will take to the streets across the country to raise funds for StarJam, a charity that helps empower young people with disabilities through music and performance. CEO Mary… Audio
Our Own Odysseys - Seeing the world his way
Blind and partially deaf independent traveller Tony Giles has visited 116 countries, including the Antarctic, bungee jumped 16 times, and sky-dived 3 times. He has recently released his second book… Audio
Students' safety at seclusion room schools questioned
The Disability Rights Commissioner is questioning whether two schools under investigation for seclusion rooms can guarantee students' safety. Video
ERO had no idea Ruru Specialist School was being investigated
The head of the Education Review Office says there needs to be better communication with the Ministry of Education as it admits Ruru Specialist School never told it about an investigation. Audio
School staff refuse to talk to police about seclusion room complaint
Staff at one of eight special schools that have used seclusion rooms to discipline children have refused to talk to police investigating a family's complaint.
Intellectual disability no barrier to children for Hamilton couple
While a debate continues in Australia over whether a down syndrome couple should be able to have a baby, a Hamilton couple are proving intellectual disability is no barrier to raising children. Video, Audio
Eight special schools revealed as having seclusion rooms
The Education Minister, Hekia Parata, has revealed that eight of the country's 64 special schools have used seclusion rooms to discipline children. Audio
Ruru Special School staff won't talk to police
A police investigation into the use of seclusion rooms at Ruru School in Invercargill appears to have been limited because school staff have invoked their right to stay silent. Audio
Seclusion room inquiry given top priority - Chief Ombudsman
Investigating the use of seclusion rooms in New Zealand schools is at the top of his priority list, the Chief Ombudsman says. Video
Autism New Zealand CEO on seclusion in schools
Autism New Zealand CEO Dane Dougan says there's no place for seclusion in schools and wants an independent inquiry to be held into the practice. Audio