The NDSA is composed of Members from tertiary institutes across Aotearoa; we cover learners at universities, Te Pūkenga institutes, private training establishments (PTEs), and wānanga. Our Members compose of representatives and local disabled students’ associations or groups, who come together to form our Members’ Council and help guide the direction of the NDSA. Below are some of our many Members across the motu.
Our Voting Members
The below Members have signed a membership agreement with the NDSA to represent their institute and they have a vote in NDSA elections, meetings, and other big decisions. Note that the NDSA often works with ākonga and groups who aren’t Voting Members, and we often seek feedback from institutions across Aotearoa.
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Kia Ora my name is Emily, I am an EDS zebra living with many other conditions which come along with it including chronic pain and FND. I am currently studying a bachelor of nursing at Ara and have been a part of their student council for two years. I have a passion for disabled student advocacy and support specifically in the medical industry. I strongly believe disabled students make some of the best healthcare providers and it should be a more supportive environment for such. And this wouldn’t be my bio unless I included my love for birds, nature and our wee black cat Midnight!
If you are interested in joining Emily in her work feel free to reach out!
Auckland University Disabled Students’ Association (AUDSA)
AUDSA is an association at the University of Auckland that regularly engages with disabled students on campus and holds events to support disabled students and empower them to succeed in their academic pursuits.
Auckland University of Technology Disabled Students’ Association (AUTDSA)
The Auckland University of Technology Disabled Students’ Association (AUTDSA) is a student-led group founded in 2024 to support, advocate for, and empower disabled students at AUT. Passionate about disability advocacy and community, AUTDSA offers advocacy support, hosts social events, and works to build an inclusive disabled student community.
AUTDSA gives disabled students a direct voice within the Auckland University of Technology Students’ Association (AUTSA), with the President also serving as the AUTSA Disability Affairs Officer. Direct engagement with AUTSA helps make sure that the needs and rights of disabled students are heard.
AUTDSA has run a range of events including sausage sizzles, end-of-semester parties, and consultation hui to hear directly from students about their needs and aspirations.
For more information or to get involved, reach out to the AUTDSA President or any member of the executive team.
Careerforce
Careerforce is a New Zealand workplace-based training provider. We support employers across the health and wellbeing sectors to run workplace training programmes, enabling their staff to achieve nationally recognised qualifications.
Our goal is to ensure we put learners at the centre of all our decision making, so that all learners have the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel. One of our key focuses is to respect the unique differences, learning practices and challenges of our disabled learners, and invest in appropriate supports, to achieve equitable outcomes.
Disability at Massey (DaM)
Disability at Massey (DaM) is a group of paid student representatives under
Te Tira Ahu Pae, Massey’s students’ association. We operate across Massey’s four campuses, working alongside the university, students’ association, and individual students themselves to encourage change and work towards creating an inclusive environment shaped by disabled students for disabled students to increase equitable outcomes. We have a Facebook group where students can find support and community, and a Facebook page where you can find our latest updates and events!
Find DaM’s Student Representatives
DaM Facebook page
DaM Facebook group
DaM Linktree
Lincoln University
Bio coming soon!
Manukau Institute of Technology
Bio coming soon!
Media Design School
Bio coming soon!
Otago Disabled Students’ Association (ODSA)
Otago Disabled Students’ Association (ODSA) is a whānau made of tauira from both the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic. Members may either identify as a disabled, neurodivergent, or impaired student themselves, or be an ally of the disabled community.
Kei tēnā tangata, kei tēnā tangata tōna ake āhua, tōna ake mauri, tōna ake mana anō hoki. Each and every one has their own uniqueness, life essence and presence.
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
Bio coming soon!
Students Association – Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (SANITI)
SANITI sticks up for students, listens to students, works for students, and CELEBRATES students and their successes.
SANITI is the independent Student Association for Students at the campuses of Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology and beyond.
Our vision is for the Association to be recognised and respected as the most responsive and responsible provider of support services for tertiary students in Aotearoa – New Zealand.
Our mission is to provide independent support, advocacy, representation and other services to students enrolled at NMIT and other vocational tertiary institutions.
University of Canterbury Disabled Students’ Association (UCDSA)
The University of Canterbury Disabled Students Association (UCDSA) is all about
connections and community. We hope to create a space where everyone feels included, comfortable and understood, so that they feel they can be involved, and participate in whichever ways work for them. This will happen in several different ways including in person activities and online interactions, as well as standing up for UC students and facilitating advocacy opportunities.
We understand that identifying as disabled or having a disability is an individual thing. You do not have to identify as disabled or having a disability to be a part of this club. Rather, we view disability as an interaction of the environment (physical, societal, or culture) and our individual experiences. This can include physical impairments, mental health and psychological conditions, learning and/or sensory differences, neurodiversity, chronic illness, Deaf community members, etc.
Victoria University of Wellington Disabled Students’ Association (VUWDSA)
The Victoria University of Wellington Disabled Students’ Association (VUWDSA), is a group by disabled students for disabled students. With over ninety active members, we have an active discord channel and weekly social get togethers. The VUWDSA also spread awareness about disability issues through our social media, articles in the salient, and awareness campaigns. We also advocate for disabled students, both in individual circumstances, and collectively via our relationships with disability services, university staff, and Mauri Ora Student Health. The VUWDSA is non-partisan, but actively advocates for disabled students politically via select committee submissions, interactions with politicians, and advocacy in our local community.
Waikato Disabled Students’ Association (WDSA)
WaikatoDSA is a student-led community of individuals navigating both the joys and difficulties of tertiary study with a disability. Our aim is to provide a safe, comfortable environment for our students where they can feel free to express their needs, wants, worries or concerns and connect with potential life-long friends. We work closely with our accessibility team at the university to organize group workshops and events to help our students take their best steps forward in study, supported by a community and with as many access tools as they need.
Previous or pending Members
Below are representatives and groups we’ve worked with in the past, and often still frequently work with. Some of these representative positions are currently vacant — please contact us to find out whether there is a representative for your institution, and if you would like to consider becoming a representative for your institution!
NorthTec
Bio coming soon!
Open Polytechnic
Bio coming soon!
Otago Polytechnic
Bio coming soon!
Unitec
Bio coming soon!
WelTec
Bio coming soon!
Wintec
Bio coming soon!