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This year, as part of our #SocietalImpactProgram, the team at Allianz Partners joined forces with project:HOMES to support individuals with disabilities by building wheelchair ramps and providing essential accessibility resources - all at no cost to recipients. ♿
Over the course of three days, our volunteers worked hand-in-hand to build the components for 25 ramps - giving 25 families safer, easier access to their homes.
Inspired by Allianz Partners staff members with loved ones who use wheelchairs, this initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusion, safety, and community care.💚
Stay tuned to learn more about our #SocietalImpactProgram initiatives making a difference globally.
#SustainabilityInFocus
The vision is real, but it rises or falls with workforce investment.
At Being Humanly, we’ve been privileged to walk alongside more than 75 organisations over the past five years, supporting them to implement person-directed practice. This has never just been a “good dream”. It has been real transformation in services where the flax roots workforce are equipped and supported to work differently.
The workforce is where good lives are catalysed. When the people in support roles are confident, skilled, and valued, persons with disabilities and their whānau experience greater choice, control, and thriving in everyday life.
That’s why the withdrawal of workforce development funding was so damaging. It left an already stretched system even more stressed, as organisations tried to make meaningful changes without the capacity to properly support and develop their people. The result is that much of the momentum towards transformation has stalled, even as our impact reports and the many testimonials from organisations we’ve worked with show the difference it made when investment was there.
Enabling Good Lives was meant to be the pathway to systemic change. Yet without sustained workforce development, even the principles of Enabling Good Lives struggle to take root at scale. The promise of Enabling Good Lives is undermined when the workforce at the heart of delivery is not enabled to practice in new ways. And where has the Enabling Good Lives approach disappeared to?
This is the risk now facing the new Strategy: without clear and ongoing investment in workforce development, the vision could remain “just a dream.” We, and others, remain committed to this mahi because we know it works; we’ve seen it lived. The Strategy’s vision is achievable, but only if the investment honours where transformation really happens: with the flax roots workforce who stand alongside persons with disabilities and families every day.
The purpose of Enabling Good Lives has been hijacked by a debate about funding which has lead to people asking what’s happening with Enabling Good Lives, when it is as alive NOW as it has been since 2011, if we understand it is an approach for enabling good lives for everyone.
Invest in the workforce, invest in good lives.
Simple.
#PersonDirectedPractice#EnablingGoodLives#WorkforceMatters#GoodLivesForAll#TransformationInAction
"It's a good dream, but it's still just a dream".
As we come to the end of the community consultation process for the New Zealand Disability Strategy, it was great to hear from residents, family, and staff at the Laura Fergusson Trust in Lower Hutt about what was important to them.
The strategy's vision is that "New Zealand is an accessible and equitable society for disabled people and their whānau – a place where disabled people thrive, lead, and participate in all aspects of life.”
There have been more than 40 consultation sessions on the strategy, as well as numerous submissions, and it has been invaluable to hear how the strategy can turn it's vision into reality.
There is still time to have your say on the strategy in a number of ways. Click here to find out how - https://lnkd.in/gvbNaDyQ
Image description: A number of people sit in a room listening to Whaikaha staff talk about the draft strategy. Many of the people are in wheelchairs or powerchairs, and there is a TV screen, a whiteboard, and a purple Whaikaha banner in the background.
For many people with disabilities, building wealth comes with unique challenges. Ruby Taylor, is working to change that through GREAN Wealth, a financial literacy platform that helps the disabled community learn how to save and invest without losing access to public benefits.
https://lnkd.in/eiB_zq_k
Platform piece: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches ambitious plan to support 50,000 more disabled people into work over the next decade, tackling barriers and driving inclusive, long-term change
https://lnkd.in/eafG3uhZ
Agility in Agriculture: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities
In our last chat, we explored the transformative power of building rehabilitation and healthcare centers.
Today, let’s dive into another vital initiative: partnering with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Join Forces with NGOs
NGOs are champions for individuals with disabilities, providing invaluable support and resources. You have the chance to make a real difference by volunteering and getting involved in their impactful projects.
Remember, you don’t need to make a huge commitment to create change—sometimes, even the smallest actions can lead to significant outcomes.
Finding an NGO to volunteer with is easier than ever! A quick search on Google can lead you to countless opportunities. Just make sure to do a little background check to ensure you’re working with a reputable organization. It’s also a great idea to ask family and friends for their recommendations!
Stay tuned for more actionable strategies in our upcoming posts. Together, we can discover innovative ways to uplift the lives of individuals with disabilities—because every little effort truly counts!
#Agricissexy#Agility#WaysToHelp#EmbraceAgriculture
The Find a Ride Advisory Committee informed this report from National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
Promoting Transportation Access for People with Vision Loss
NADTC has released a new Every Ride Counts user guide designed to help transportation providers and community partners create campaigns that are accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision. The guide shares practical strategies, design tips and outreach approaches to improve inclusion and access.
I am grateful to work on a project co-designed with people who are blind and have low vision.
2025_UsAging_ERC-Vision-Loss-Document_Final.pdf
The home and community support sector helps Australians with disabilities live independently through services like personal care, domestic assistance, and community participation programs funded by the NDIS.
These services cost approximately $54-78 per hour and serve 275,486 participants across 855 registered providers, creating significant savings compared to residential care while delivering better outcomes. Home support transforms daily life through practical skill development, reduced social isolation, and personalised care plans that adapt to individual needs. The sector continues expanding as more people choose community-based care over institutional settings.
https://lnkd.in/gy7sHzP8
We’re excited to kick off a specialized training on GBV, disability, and inclusion, led by AIDOS and UNFPA, in collaboration with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD).
Part of No Woman Left Behind – Phase 2- funded by AICS, & We Decide - funded by AECID, this training unites participants from civil society organizations, protection homes, and community development centres to build stronger skills and champion inclusive practices.
Because when every voice is heard, every ability valued, and every person protected — we create a safer, more resilient future for all.
What coaching 200,000 axe throwers taught us about leadership and learning 🪓
At first glance, you might not expect axe throwing to have much to teach about business, leadership, or coaching — but after guiding over 200,000 people through their first throw, we’ve seen some patterns that apply everywhere.
Every day, people step into our venues nervous and uncertain. They’re about to do something new, something that feels a little dangerous. Most arrive thinking:
“I’m not strong enough.”
“I’ll probably miss.”
“I don’t want to embarrass myself.”
In other words — the same mindset people bring to any new challenge at work.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
✔️ Mindset beats muscle. Almost everyone (99.9%, in fact) lands a successful throw once they relax, trust the process, and focus on technique.
✔️ Coaching style shapes outcomes. The way we communicate — tone, patience, encouragement — directly influences whether someone believes they can succeed.
✔️ Don't let assumptions decide results. We've seen countless guests surprise themselves once they stop believing the stories about what they can't do. Leaders need to do the same - don't assume what people are capable of, and don't let their assumptions limit them either.
✔️ Emotional intelligence drives performance. Understanding fear, self-doubt, and the power of small wins is what turns a scary task into an empowering one.
One of our favourite moments this month was hosting a group of blind and low-vision guests who absolutely crushed it:
“Thank you for such an incredible session! The team were so supportive, inclusive, and helpful, making this event possible (and fun!) for every person.”
That’s what accessibility really means — designing experiences that allow everyone to feel capable.
Leadership, coaching, and inclusion all start from the same place: believing that people can succeed before they believe it themselves.
If you’re looking for a team-building experience that challenges mindsets, builds confidence, and proves what people are capable of — we’d love to host you at Sweet Axe Throwing Co.
At Sweet Axe, everyone can throw.
We’ve hosted vision-impaired groups, worked with Disability Sport NZ, the Amputee Association, and many others—and every time, the result’s the same: big smiles, loud cheers, and bullseyes all round.
If you’re planning your end-of-year party, give your team something truly inclusive—and unforgettable. 🎯
From Josh Basile — accessiBe’s Community Relations Manager, Board Member of United Spinal Association, Founder of SPINALpedia, and Forbes Accessibility 100 honoree — hear why this month is about raising awareness, advocating for change, and celebrating the strength and achievements of people living with spinal cord injuries.
Transcript: Did you know that nearly 17,000 Americans sustain a spinal cord injury each year? Spinal cord injury awareness month is a time to raise awareness, advocate for change, and celebrate the achievements of those living with SCI. As a quadriplegic, I'm a proud partner with organizations making the world more accessible, and that's where United Spinal and accessiBe step in. United Spinal Association is a national leader in disability rights offering mentorship, resources, and policy change that fuel independence. At the same time, accessiBe is breaking down digital barriers with AI solutions that make websites more accessible and usable for everyone, including people who rely on assistive technology. Together, United Spinal and accessiBe are creating a more inclusive world, online and offline, empowering people with spinal cord injuries to live without limits.
#Accessibility#SpinalCordInjury#Advocacy#DigitalAccessibility
It was a great event! Thank you for organizing it!