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Community Information

There is a wide range of disability agencies and organisations in Christchurch - the Equity & Disability Service has an extensive range of information, contact details, pamphlets and brochures available.

You may find it helpful to keep the following list handy.

Information centres

Aspire

314 Worcester Street
Linwood 
Christchurch
Phone: (03) 366 6189
Freephone: 0800 347 242
Email: disinfo@aspirecanterbury.org.nz

Citizens Advice Bureau

CAB North
Open: Mon and Fri 11am to 5pm, Tue, Wed and Thurs 2pm to 5pm
Fendalton Library: Corner Clyde and Jeffreys Roads, Fendalton, Christchurch 8052 
Phone: (03) 359 8090 

CAB Christchurch City
Open: Mon & Fri 9am to 12pm, Tue, Wed & Thurs 9am to 3pm
Ara: Former Student Health Centre Building
18 Williams Street, Corner Ferry Road and Williams Street, Central City, Christchurch 8011
Phone: 03 366 6490
Freephone: 0800 367 222
Email: christchurchnorth@cab.org.nz

Youthline

Office Phone: (03) 379 4795 
Counselling Line: 0800 376 633 or Free TXT 234
Email: talk@youthline.co.nz

Advocacy

DPA (NZ) Inc

Disabled Persons Assembly Christchurch & Districts (DPA) 
Phone: (03) 379 8525
Email: dpachch@cyberxpress.co.nz

DPA (NZ) Inc is an umbrella organisation representing people with disabilities, organisations involved in advocacy on their behalf, and service providers.

Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination

Lifelinks

PO Box 2379
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140
Phone: 0800 866 877 
Email: office@lifelinks.co.nz

A needs assessment is required to access the disability support services in the community that are funded by the Canterbury District Health Board. Service Co-ordinators are available to assist with arranging for the supports to be put in place. Lifelinks provides needs assessment and service co-ordination for people who have a physical, intellectual, sensory or psychiatric (including alcohol and drug) disability.

Training Support

Workbridge

Workbridge administers Training Support which can be used to cover study costs related to your disability, such as personal support, transport costs, equipment costs and New Zealand Sign Language interpreters. When other avenues of funding have been exhausted, Workbridge offers an additional maximum of $15,600 for each individual. Anyone with a disability can submit an application and you don’t have to be registered with Workbridge to access the funds.

Application forms and information are available from the Workbridge website www.workbridge.co.nz.

For advice and information contact Support Funds Central Processing Unit phone 0508 967 527 or email cpu@workbridge.co.nz.

Specialised Equipment for People with Disabilities

ENABLE New Zealand 

78A Hammersmith Drive
Wigram
Christchurch
Phone: 0800 362 253
Email: enable@enable.co.nz

Enable Wheelchairs administers the funding of wheelchairs and some other mobility equipment on behalf of the Canterbury District Health Board; Enable Stores administers the funding of other services including housing alterations, vehicle grants, driving assessments.

Income Support

StudyLink

The freephone/fax numbers to call for all queries about student allowances are:

Freephone: 0800 88 99 00
Deaf Link Freefax: 0800 88 33 88

Accident Compensation Corporation

Accident Compensation Corporation
ACC Christchurch
20 -22 Twigger Street
Addington
Christchurch 8140
Phone: 0800 222 822