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What we do

Supporting disabled people to live everyday lives in their communities

Enable New Zealand is a division of MidCentral District Health Board that provides disability services in New Zealand. The Ministry of Health, ACC and other DHBs contract our services, which include the following:

  • Disability information services
  • Disability equipment, housing modification and vehicle modification services
  • Disability needs assessment and service coordination (NASC) services for people under 65 years of age (MidCentral region).

New Zealand’s largest provider of disability equipment and modifications

Established in 1974, we now manage over $150 million of revenue and government funds and employ 111 staff.

In 2017, we provided government-funded disability equipment and support services to 75,578 New Zealanders. These services included:

  • 92,020 items of equipment ($26 million spend)
  • 25,955 subsidies for children’s spectacles
  • 21,041 hearing aid payments
  • 3845 housing modifications
  • 1632 needs assessment and service coordination (NASC) services. 

In providing access to such services, we help people to remain with their families and stay connected with their communities and the natural supports that those communities offer. 

Long-established relationships in health and disability sector

We have well-established, formal relationships with many organisations in the health and disability, and rehabilitation sector. These include contracts and Memoranda of Understanding with:

  • New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres
  • New Zealand Needs Assessment Service Coordination Association (NZNASCA)
  • Life Unlimited.

We are also an associate partner of the European Assistive Technology Information Network (EASTIN).

Providing disability support services since 1974

Here is a brief history of Enable New Zealand and some milestones in our development.

1974

Enable New Zealand started out as New Zealand Aids and Appliances at Palmerston North Hospital. Our technicians designed and made equipment to help patients in the rehabilitation unit gain more independence.

1980s

New Zealand Aids and Appliances became New Zealand Disabilities Resource Centre (NZDRC). This better reflected our nation-wide coverage and acknowledged a growing community need for more than just disability equipment. 

1990s

  • National disability information bureau and library established
  • Won Ministry of Health contract to provide Equipment and Modifications services for three regional health authorities (1995)

2000 to 2009

  • New Zealand Disabilities Resource Centre changed its name to Enable New Zealand (2000)
  • Enable New Zealand is joined by SupportLinks Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agency for older persons (2002 to 2011)
  • Enable New Zealand becomes an operating division of MidCentral District Health Board (2002)
  • WEKA disability information website launched at Parliament (2005).

2010 to present

  • Palliative care equipment contract for Canterbury DHB starts (2011)
  • Enable Online ordering system launched for Ministry of Health Children’s Spectacle Subsidy service (2012)
  • EASIE Living & Demonstration Centre launched (2016)
  • Ministry of Health Hearing Aid Service contract won (2016)
  • EASIE Living Mobile Van Service launched (2017).
  • Firstport national disability information website replaced Weka website (2017).