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A journal reading 'A Beginner's Guide to Disability Culture' sitting on a cutting mat, surrounded by polaroids and art supplies. Design: Elise Cautley

A Beginner's Guide to Disability Culture in Aotearoa: where to start

By The D*List

A round-up of ways to get involved in disability culture, from dance to activism to literature and much more. 

  • A Beginner's Guide to Disability Culture in Aotearoa (ABGDCA) is a 7-part video series. It's what we wish every newly disabled person, or disabled person who struggles with their identity, could see. That we have a rich disability culture - sports, music, activism, community connection, literature, language, art, dance. And there is a whole community waiting for you.

    This is a round-up of some of the places you might start, including all of the groups featured in the series, plus heaps more.

    Some of these kaupapa you can join yourself, and some are just parts of disability culture that you might enjoy (like bands, or professional sports teams). 

Image description: a heading for the next section, which reads 'activism & community leadership'. The background is a cutting mat with polaroid photos on it, featuring disabled people in activist spaces. 

  • 🤝 Activism and community leadership 🤝

    Auckland Deaf Society

    Auckland

    Auckland Deaf Society is a space for Deaf/NZSL community to connect, and to learn about Deaf culture. You can become a member for free, and attend social events or workshops. They have information about many Deaf clubs/groups across Aotearoa, which you can find here.

    CCS Disability Action

    National

    The largest support and advocacy organisation for all disabled people in Aotearoa New Zealand. CCS began in 1935 and does a wide range of mahi - one way you can get involved is by joining one of their Voice and Action groups. 

    Disabled Persons Assembly NZ

    National

    DPA NZ is a "pan-impairment disabled people’s organisation (DPO) run by and for disabled people". They advocate for disability rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. Any disabled person, or family/whānau of a disabled person can become a member, and help to inform or guide their mahi. 

    Disabled Queer Alliance

    Auckland

    A grassroots organising group "for the liberation of Disabled Queers in Aotearoa". If you want to get involved, follow them on Instagram to keep up with their latest events. 

    Kaiāwhina Tāmaki ⭐️ (featured in the series!)

    Auckland

    Kaiāwhina are community organisers and protest marshals, working across a range of causes, including ending the genocide in Palestine, fighting for queer rights, and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Many of their organisers are disabled, and they are very welcoming of disabled volunteers. If you'd like to get involved, follow their Instagram or send them an email. 

    Karanga Maha

    Te Tai Tokerau, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Christchurch

    Supported by CCS Disability Action, Karanga Maha are hui where "whānau hauā and tāngata whaikaha Māori can be heard". They are hosted on accessible marae and other local venues. 

    People First

    National

    A Disabled People's Organisation that is run by and for people with learning (intellectual) disability. Any person in New Zealand (over 18) with an intellectual disability can become a member. Member meetings are a place to share things that are important to you, make friends, and learn about your rights. 

    PHAB NZ

    Auckland

    This organisation offers inclusive social spaces for disabled people to connect with each other and build skills. Open to anyone over 16. You can fill out the contact form on their website to get involved.

    PHAB Pasifika

    Auckland

    PHAB Pasifika (part of PHAB NZ) is a space for Pasifika communities (disabled and non-disabled) to connect through social clubs, workshops, and performance. 

Image description: a heading for the next section, which reads 'arts and literature'. The background is a cutting mat with polaroid photos on it, featuring disabled people in art spaces. 

  • 🎨 Arts & literature 🎨

    Arts Access Aotearoa

    National

    Arts Access works to break down barriers for Deaf and disabled artists in Aotearoa New Zealand. They offer programmes for artists, support a national network of creative spaces, and advocate for the arts as a rehabilitative tool in prisons. You can learn more about all the different ways to get involved on their website. 

    Crip the Lit ⭐️ (featured in the series!)

    Wellington

    Crip the Lit was formed by Trish Harris and Robyn Hunt to provide opportunities for deaf and disabled writers in Aotearoa New Zealand. They run events and workshops, and published a book of disabled women writers called Here we are, read us. You can reach them by email: cripthelit@gmail.com

    Māpura Studios

    Auckland

    This organisation is "a creative space offering visual art, music, and movement programmes that support emotional expression, connection, and wellbeing."

    Queer Joy Quilt Project

    Auckland

    The Queer Joy Quilt community runs events for queer people in Auckland. Many of their organisers are also disabled, and their events are hosted in accessible/sensory-friendly settings. Follow their Instagram to keep up with their latest events. 

Image description: a heading for the next section, which reads 'music & dance'. The background is a cutting mat with polaroid photos on it, featuring disabled people in music spaces. 

  • 🎭 Music, dance and performance 🎭

    The bands included in this section have at least one disabled band member. Though you can't necessarily get involved in the bands yourself, you can go to their shows and meet other disabled creatives there! 

    Chemchain

    A Tāmaki Makaurau-based band making "Hott Chip Neon Trash Hardcore Punk". 

    Club Ruby

    A fully ADHD indie-rock/pop-punk band. 

    Maebh McCurdy ⭐️ (featured in the series!)

    Auckland-based radio host and musician, Maebh is disabled and plays in multiple bands across different genres. 

    Moondrops

    A twee pop band in Auckland with autistic band members. 

    Nesian

    Auckland

    Connected to PHAB Pasifika, Nesian is a performing arts group for young Pasifika people with disabilities. Reach out to them through Facebook or via email if you're interested in getting involved. 

    Total Crash

    Auckland rock band Total Crash happens to feature Marlo Schorr-Kon (former D*List intern!) as their drummer. 

    Touch Compass ⭐️ (featured in the series!)

    Known as "Aotearoa’s leading professional disability-led arts organisation". Touch Compass provides creative opportunities for disabled artists, and champions crip-led art. 

    VÏKAE

    A dark pop artist whose latest album is inspired by her experiences with chronic illness and disability. 

Image description: a heading for the next section, which reads 'sport'. The background is a cutting mat with polaroid photos on it, featuring disabled people in sport spaces. 

  • 🏀 Sport 🏀

    Whutupōro Rīki Whaikaha o Aotearoa (Physical Disability Rugby League New Zealand) ⭐️ (featured in the series!)

    Auckland

    Our national rugby league team, for men with physical disabilities. The team shares "The game stays true to league while incorporating modified rules to ensure safety and accessibility for players with varied levels of mobility, strength, and coordination. To accommodate different abilities, players wear coloured shorts: red for touch-only players and black for full-contact. Everyone can play, contribute, and grow within the game they love, proving that disability is no barrier to being part of a team and competing with pride". If you're interested in joining the team, there's information on their website. 

    Wheel Blacks

    National

    For both competitive and social players, wheelchair rugby has groups and events across the motu. 

  • This is far from being a comprehensive list. There's so much of disability culture across Aotearoa! If you know of any groups or kaupapa that would fit under any of the categories in this list, we'd love to hear from you. You can pop your suggestions in this form. 

    Thank you to the researchers and funders that made this series possible. This mahi was based on the research project 'Apprehending ableism in Aotearoa New Zealand' by SHORE & Whariki Research Centre at Massey University. They were funded by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

    Learn more about the research here.

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