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2 | InTouch DECEMBER 2022 NEWS ROUNDUP Rare disorders update Election Access Fund The team at Rare Disorders NZ are well underway with planning for Rare Disease Day 2023 (28 February) and Rare Disease Month 2023 (March). We are excited to share that the plan for the campaign includes extending Rare Disease Day out into a whole month, to allow us more time to get our messages out into the public and increase influence on decision makers. Some events taking place in Rare Disorders Month: • Launch of a new Rare Disorders NZ Parent Guide by Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro Disability workplace adjustment project Kate Harpur, from the Department of Corrections, is currently working on a project for the Department of Corrections around inclusion and the need for adaptations for people with disabilities in the workplace. To assist Kate with her project, she is calling for volunteers to complete her brief survey, Disability work place adjustment project, so she can get a variety of disabilities covered. Thanks for your help! A new Fund has been established, called the Election Access Fund Te Tomokanga – Pūtea Whakatapoko Pōtitanga, to support disabled people to stand as candidates in parliamentary general elections and by-elections. The purpose of the Fund is to reduce cost barriers faced by disabled people by covering disability-related costs which non-disabled candidates do not face. The Fund covers both seeking selection to be a candidate, and campaigning as a candidate. The Fund will enable the Commission to pay for additional costs that candidates incur as a result of their disability when organising and preparing to stand for Parliamentary elections. The Fund does not cover local body elections. For more information, go to www.elections.nz/getting-involved/ election-access-fund . • Rare Beer Challenge, Wellington and Auckland • PaintVine fundraiser, Wellington • Charitable lunch, Auckland • Raising awareness and fundraising through schools, businesses and in the community.