Kōrero or Change on Health Webinar

Webinar Recording

Our next kōrero explores the systemic barriers that continue to exclude disabled people from equitable access to health in Aotearoa. Despite progress in some areas, disabled people still face major challenges navigating a health system that is not universally designed or consistently inclusive. Barriers include inaccessible GP services and lower screening rates; mental health supports that fail to meet diverse communication and cognitive needs; emergency care systems unprepared for disability-inclusive responses; gaps in rehabilitation and long-term support; exclusion from sexual and reproductive healthcare; workforce gaps, bias, and lack of co-design; fragmented funding and eligibility criteria; the intersectional impacts on Māori and Pacific disabled communities; and persistent communication barriers in healthcare delivery.

Whether you’re a policymaker, healthcare professional, community advocate, or a disabled person navigating the system, this session will offer insights and practical pathways for change.

Download the Webinar Transcript

Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Time: 9am to 12pm

Where: via Zoom

Master of Ceremonies: Dr Huhana Hickey MNZM, Academic, Disability Rights Lawyer

Speakers: Umi Asaka, Researcher & Education Coordinator at the Donald Beasley Institute; Victoria Manning, Manager Health of Disabled People Policy, Strategy, Policy & Legislation, Manatū Hauora, Ministry of Health; Kelly Palmer, Director of Māori Health & Consumer, Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission; Rose Wall, Deputy Commissioner Kaitohutohu Matua Hunga, Hauā Te Toihau Hauātanga Office of the Health & Disability Commissioner; Dr Jacqui Lunday OBE, National Chief Allied Health, Scientific & Technical, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora; Margo Kyle, Infrastructure & Investment Group Manager for National Health Facility Planning & Design Advisory & Assurance at Infrastructure & Investment Group, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora; Dr Rachelle Martin, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit, Department of Medicine; Thomas Scrimgeour, Public Policy Researcher, Maxim Institute; Dr Solmaz Nazari Orakani, Senior Advisor in Disabiility Support Services, Ministry of Social Development Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora; Dan Hanks, Manager of Deafradio, and Director of Connect Interpreting; Rachel Noble MNZM, Head of Disability, Office of the Chief Executive at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora; Samantha Dalwood, National Disability Lead, in the consumer Engagement Team, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora; Karen Adams, Lecturer and Research Officer, Auckland University of Technology, Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau, School of Physiotherapy; Dr Ruth Large, Emergency Physician and Rural Hospitalist in New Zealand, Chief Clinical Officer, Whakarongorau Aoteaora New Zealand Telehealth; Orquida Tamayo Mortera MNZM, New Zealand Registered Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, President for New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists Incorporated.

Moderators: Claudia Boyles, Disability Advocate & Experienced Strategist; Dr Sally Britnell, Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Fellow at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau; Kylee Black, Social Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, and Disability Advocate; Tainafi Lefono, Physiotherapist and Clinical Advisor for Enable New Zealand

Registration: via Zoom

Attending: Anyone who wants to gain insights, share experiences, and be part of the movement toward a more equitable and inclusive health system.

Programme: Word Doc, Large Print, PDF, EASY READ, NZSL Intro, NZSL, Braille,Audio

Contact: Kimberly Graham via [email protected]