DOCUMENT

2 | InTouch WINTER 2026 NEWS ROUNDUP Making the seemingly impossible, possible For years, seeing the Aurora Borealis was a dreamMichelle Smith never thought she would be able to achieve. Living in New Zealand, the distance, cost, unpredictable weather, and the additional challenges of travelling with a physical disability made the idea seem almost impossible. After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted earlier travel plans, Michelle and her husband Blair began searching for new possibilities. What started as research into a Norwegian coastal cruise soon led them to an unexpected discovery; an accessible accommodation provider in the heart of Swedish Lapland. That discovery would become the beginning of an unforgettable journey to one of the most magical places on Earth. In her inspiring story, Michelle shares the realities of planning accessible international travel, the challenges she faced along the way, and the incredible experience of pursuing a lifelong dream in the Arctic Circle. Read Michelle’s full story https://tinyurl.com/5dh9w48e Don’t miss an email Please make sure you add our main email address, info@mda.org.nz to your email address book / contact list so our email messages don’t end up in your spam folder. In Touch If you are receiving this copy of In Touch in the post and no longer require a physical copy or would prefer to read the issue digitally, please let us know and help us save costs (and some trees!). Email us at info@mda.org.nz to ‘go digital!’ First Light community project The combined Rotary Clubs across Hawke’s Bay collaborated on an Emergency Grab Bag project, gifting these practical bags to the community to help people be better prepared for future disasters. Twelve Hawke’s Bay MDA members were very happy to receive these amazing bags! Thank you Rotary! Julie Cumberworth with her Rotary grab bag. Thank you to our friends at Allied Medical for sponsoring a recent members’morning tea in Napier. It was a wonderful opportunity for members to catch up, chat, and support one another. Everyone had a very enjoyable morning! We look forward to our next catch up in Hastings! Disability Support Services Bill has first reading The newDisability Support Services Bill has just passed its first reading in Parliament. DPA has extensive concerns with this bill, which will impact on the way disability support services are funded and delivered. We will be submitting on the bill. Of particular concern is that disabled people are expected to turn to family first to support them. This undermines the rights disabled people have long fought for to be able to have choice and control over our own supports and live independently in our communities. You can follow the progress of this bill here: https://tinyurl.com/bdf46day