Hauora
Deaf Aotearoa’s Hauora* service is a nationwide service that understands and responds to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people’s needs.
The Hauora service offers:
- needs assessment and coordination
- applications for assistive equipment
- information and advice.
*Hauora is an holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is a Māori concept that views wellbeing as a combination of physical health, emotional/mental health, being socially healthy, and being spiritually healthy.
Needs Assessment
- working out what’s needed and ways to achieve it
- accessing other services
- finances, Work and Income
- housing, tenancy support
- using NZ Relay, VI, NZSL interpreters
- health and wellbeing.
Equipment
Equipment such as flashing or vibrating alarms and doorbells can make life easier and safer for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
To access government-funded equipment you need to have an assessment with one of Deaf Aotearoa’s qualified assessors, who then makes an application on your behalf.
Government-funded equipment has specific eligibility criteria, which Deaf Aotearoa Facilitators can explain.
Equipment is supplied by other agencies. Deaf Aotearoa works closely with these agencies, for example coordinating with the NZ Fire Service to process applications for visual smoke alarms.
Information and Advice
The Hauora service offers information and advice for more general support.
This can include:
- understanding a letter from another agency (e.g.: Work and Income)
- using relay services
- dealing with another organisation
- where to go for legal advice.
Deaf Aotearoa has a lot of knowledge and understanding about the issues that Deaf and hard-of-hearing people face.
Deaf Aotearoa also responds to queries for information and advice from other organisations.
How does it work?
Deaf Aotearoa Facilitators work closely with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to clarify what’s needed, and offer support and guidance to achieve goals.
Facilitators:
- listen
- explain information and processes
- keep people involved and up-to-date
- respect people’s rights
- work with family/whānau members and other service providers, and link with other support networks when appropriate and with permission.
“Before, I was really unhappy and I didn’t know what to do. I’m surprised at how easy it was to come up with a plan and how much of a difference it has made”
Referrals or questions – please contact us
Anyone can make a referral to the Hauora service. Self-referrals are welcome, or referrals can come from family members, GPs, or other organisations, as long as they have consent.