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2025 October

Welcome to our October Newsletter

Connecting


This past couple of months has been all about connections, catching up with people, sharing stories, and building new relationships. Every event we attended has reminded us that accessibility is about people first.

For me, networking events and conferences are all about the people you meet and the kōrero you share. Any knowledge gained is just a fantastic bonus!

By that measure, Tech Summit 2025 was a huge success. The networking opportunities were truly amazing! I was so engrossed in deep and meaningful discussions that I completely forgot to take selfies! 

Then I attended the Disability Connect Transitions Expo for the first time. It’s a special event, bringing disabled students, their whānau, and community providers together. The best part for me was the sense of community with so many friends who also have accessibility as their passion, like Kylee from Clipboard and Ed Collett from Air New Zealand and the team from Access Health. It was also fabulous to see all the other wonderful people.

I was also had the chance to finally meet one of my favourite Access Panel members at the Wellington rugby. Anaru, it was so lovely meeting you and your family, pity about the game result. And no visit to Auckland is complete without a chat with Sally when we plot about what research we could do together.

As we head towards summer, and another few busy months, I feel really grateful for the connections Access Advisors has around the motu. Thank you to our clients, our panellists and our team. Its so fabulous to be working together and heading towards a more accessible Aotearoa.

Looking forward to the next opportunity to connect! 
From Chandra and the team

Chandra and Kylee from Kylee & Co  Chandra and Anaru at the All Blacks game in Wellington  Chandra and Sally Brittnell smiling in front of a bright yellow background

                                        Chandra and Ed Collett from Air New Zealand    Chandra standing with Mel and Sure from Access Health in front of their stand at the Transitions Expo

 

ETIC Enabling Technologies Impact Collective banner

 

The Enabling Technologies Impact Collective (ETIC) is a group of assistive technology practitioners, users, vendors and researchers from across the motu, with a passion to make a difference.

The collective wants to help harnesses the power of assistive and enabling technologies to unlock human potential, foster inclusion, and improve lives across Aotearoa | New Zealand. Access Advisors is thrilled to be part this project, with Chandra being part of the steering group.

Globally, over 2.5 billion people rely on assistive technology (AT), with that number expected to exceed 3.5 billion by 2050. In New Zealand, just under 1 million people live with a disability, and our ageing population is growing rapidly and many will need assistive technology. Yet, awareness of, access to, and investment in assistive technologies remain limited.

ETIC aims to change that, by co-designing a coordinated assistive technology strategy, engaging in research, sharing knowledge, and advocating for inclusive, sustainable systems that make AT accessible to all. Anyone can join ETIC and be part of the solution and you can join the collective using the registration form.

There is a full group meeting on the 22nd October to recap on progress and look at next steps for the Collective. Sign up if you are interested to join in.

Recent Blog Posts

Let us know what you'd like to hear about next, or read more on our Blog

Nik, Berys and Stella on stage at the Inde hosted AI for charities eventNetworking and Digital Health Debate

Digital Health Week is coming to Ōtautahi Christchurch this November.

To start the celebrations, our friends at HiNZ and Webtools are hosting an evening event and you are warmly invited. The Panel, including our MD Chandra, will discuss – “The Uneven Future of Healthcare: Are Consumer Apps the Answer?” Everyone in the digital health and disability community is invited to come and celebrate Christchurch as the host city.

When: Thursday 9 October, 6.00–8.00pm
Where: Webtools – The Loft, 146a Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central
Cost: Free
Register: Spaces are limited and registrations are first come, first served. To secure your place, please email Alex at engage@hinz.org.nz

What to expect: A lively and accessible conversation with speakers from Digital Health Week as well as networking and connection, meet others working across health, disability, research, and technology. Light food and drinks are provided. One lucky attendee will win a free Digital Health Week pass and everyone who attends will receive a Christchurch-only discount on conference passes, valid for 72 hours after the event.

Accessibility: The venue has Wheelchair access (via lift), Accessible bathrooms, Clear signage and level flooring. If you have any specific accessibility needs (e.g. NZSL interpretation, alternative format materials, reserved seating), please let us know when you register and we will do our best to provide them.

Other Upcoming Events

15-29 October 2025 - Voting for the AI Forum Executive Council open - Chandra is standing for an SME place on the council as a voice for accessibility.

22 October 2025 - Accessing the Essentials Parliamentary Breakfast, hosted by Hon Judith Collins, Minister for Digitising Government - Chandra will discuss why digital accessibility legislation is so important

22 October 2025 - ETIC governance meeting - everyone with an interest in enabling technologies is invited to join (see the blurb earlier).

23 October 2025 - Executive WiT at the HIT Lab - Chandra presenting

28-30 October 2025 - Annual a11ycamp Conference in Melbourne

Digital Health Week 24-27.11.2025 Expo and Events banner

Action for impact: digital health shaping the future of care today

Digital Health Week - Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading digital health conference is being held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. The conference attracts

1100+ Delegates, streams, 200+ speakers, 100+ exhibitors

Content covers the latest developments in research and the application of digital tools using remote patient monitoring, AI, predictive analytics and systems integration is shaping the future of health service delivery. Explore how working together through ‘collabor-action’ drives partnerships for better health outcomes.


This year’s programme places lived experience and disability leadership at the heart of the conversation. From Tāngata Whaikaha sharing their own stories, to providers showing how digital tools can support independence, access, and equity, Digital Health Week NZ 2025 is about real voices driving real change.

As well as loads of other wonderful speakers - our own Ross Harrison is speaking at 3.45pm on Tuesday 25th and is asking us to stop using pdf's, they are not patient friendly, and rethink document and form accessibility in digital health. And Chandra will be speaking at 11.30am on Wednesday 26th on the topic of “Designed for All? Addressing Digital Accessibility Inequities in Aotearoa’s Health System”.

Register Now!

Cerebral Palsy fundraising banner. Girl dressed in a green shirt white teeshirt with a green cowboy style hat and green boa scarf

Every three days in Aotearoa, a baby is born with Cerebral Palsy (Hōkai Nukurangi).  

Over 10,000 people in NZ live with this condition, making it the most common childhood disability. On for World Cerebral Palsy Day, 6 October, join us in raising awareness of CP with the “Be Green and Be Seen” campaign!  

You can be part of the “Be Green and Be Seen” campaign this October part by: 

  • Wearing green or turning your workplace or school green for a day 

  • Hosting a green-themed morning tea with friends, whānau, or colleagues 

  • Sharing Be Green and Be Seen posts and resources to keep the kōrero alive 

  • Read more about the campaign on their website 

Explore all of our future and past News & EventsContact us if you'd like us to speak at your event, or would like us to run a webinar.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s keep working together to create a more accessible Aotearoa for everyone.

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