Professional development resources

This page has articles and research selected by our team that might be relevant to you, and a collection of our quarterly newsletters.

Newsletters from our Clinical Advisory Service

View the Winter 2025 newsletter online.

Download the April 2025 newsletter.

View the April 2025 newsletter online.

Interviews

Interview with Huda Alkaff: What happens after the journey?

Download interview: 'What happens after the journey?'

For many refugees, arriving in New Zealand is just the beginning of a whole new set of challenges. From navigating an unfamiliar health system, to facing language barriers and cultural misunderstandings, the path to independence and inclusion can feel just as daunting as the journey that brought them here.

In this interview, we speak with Huda, a community health leader in Palmerston North, about the real-life barriers refugee families face - and the small changes that can make a world of difference.

Pressure injury prevention and management

Download interview: 'Pressure injury prevention and management, with Anj Dickson'

In this interview, a seasoned health professional generously shares their extensive knowledge, thoughts, and experience in the field of Pressure Injuries.

This is an invaluable resource for assessors and healthcare professionals. It offers firsthand insights that can guide decision-making, advocacy, and service development, aimed at better supporting disabled individuals in their daily lives.

Articles and case studies

Case study: When is a mattress more than just a mattress?

Download 'When is a mattress more than just a mattress?'

What began as a routine request for equipment replacement, evolved into a pivotal moment in the care journey of a person living with complex health needs.

This case study explores how reassessing a standard piece of equipment uncovered deeper issues related to mobility, environmental barriers and long-term wellbeing. It highlights the importance of holistic assessment, professional collaboration and culturally responsive care in achieving meaningful outcomes for clients with chronic conditions.

Equitable Access to Assistive Technology for Migrants and Refugees in Aotearoa: Bridging Policy and Practice

Download 'Equitable Access to Assistive Technology'

Imagine arriving in a new country with a disability and no clear path to the equipment you need to live independently. Our latest insights reveal the barriers migrants and refugees encounter in accessing assistive technology, and how we can work together to break down these barriers.

Webinar summary: An overview of the documentation required for MRES Wheelchair and Seating Orders

Download webinar summary

Want to sharpen your report writing and confidently justify equipment recommendations? This summary highlights a recent webinar led by two ACC Clinical Services Advisors, offering expert tips on using the updated ACC Wheelchair Specification Forms and writing clear, clinically sound Wheelchair and Seating reports.

Discover how these tools can streamline trials, enhance communication, and support best practice in wheelchair and seating assessments.

Tips & Advice

Submitting Applications for a DSS-led Panel Review

Download ‘Submitting Applications for a DSS-led Panel Review’

The Review Panel ensures national consistency and transparency in decision-making for equipment and modifications. Your Clinical Service Advisor will collate all the information you have provided and create a single, coherent document for the panel.

Avoiding Delays with EMS Advice Requests: ProWorkflow

Download ‘Avoiding Delays with EMS Advice Requests: ProWorkflow’

We know your time is valuable, and we want to make your experience with Enable New Zealand as smooth as possible. That’s why we’ve put together a few quick tips to help prevent delays and reduce the need for follow-up communication.

Wheelchair Measuring Tip: Seat Pan to Foot Support Measurement

Download ‘Wheelchair Measuring Tip - Seat Pan to Foot Support’

Accurately measuring the seat pan to foot support distance ensures the wheelchair is configured correctly from the outset, minimising delays in equipment provision and delivering a more efficient, client-centered experience.

Selecting Wheels and Tyres for Ultra-Lightweight Manual Wheelchairs

Download ‘Selecting Wheels and Tyres for Ultra-Light MWC’

Wheels are an important consideration for active wheelchair users. At times, quotes submitted to Enable New Zealand for ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs, include wheel and tyre upgrades without a clear explanation of why they are needed.