Ātea Disability 101

Each Ātea workshop is run by two facilitators with experience of disability who are active in the disability community.

Their combined expertise and experience mean each workshop is based on an in-depth understanding of disability and the daily challenges experienced by disabled people in communities and workplaces. They have real knowledge of what strategies work to reduce barriers and increase the inclusion of disabled people, and (just as importantly) what doesn’t.

We understand that everyone learns differently, so we make sure our workshops have something for everyone. Our facilitators use best-practice adult learning techniques including activities, videos and teaching tools to create an engaging, interactive workshop. You’ll also receive a workbook with Ātea notes and additional reading.

Ātea will give you an understanding of the social model of disability and the barriers to inclusion that disabled people experience.

• Use images and language which are positive and not stereotyping.
• Understand the social model of disability and its challenge for society to change.
• Understand the importance of disabled people connecting with their culture.
• Learn about attitude, physical environment and information barriers.
• Identify barriers to inclusion and options to reduce them.
• Develop strategies to be more inclusive of disabled people.

Ātea is offered as an open workshop with individual places available for purchase. This gives you all the benefits of the workshop with the bonus of networking opportunities and the chance to learn from people in other organisations.

Open workshops will be available online over two sessions for up to 20 participants.

There is a cost to attend open workshops.

Ātea is available as a private workshop for organisations in any sector that want to develop an understanding of and increase the inclusion of disabled people in their workplace and community.

Many of your employees are likely to experience disability or have disabled clients, friends or whānau.

Ātea is an investment in your people, providing a framework and understanding to reduce barriers for disabled people and build a more inclusive society.

• Workshops are run online over two separate 3-hour sessions.
• You’ll get an impact report with data insights from participant evaluations to help you better understand the needs of your workforce.

Find out more about options for your private workshop

The name Ātea can be understood as a place, space, or time. In this context, Ātea is the space and place to exist with freedom for wairua, hinengaro, tinana and whānau to be expressed shared and explored. It is a place where participants can bring their authentic selves, hosts bring their knowledge and skills and for us to collectively engage, explore and depart with a greater understanding of how we can change the physical, psychological, and spiritual space, around us, for all people.