On this page
About physical disability support
Physical disability support is for ākonga | students at school who have a physical disability that prevents them from participating fully in learning.
Support helps with access to the everyday curriculum and activities. The support team can include physiotherapists and occupational therapists who work with teachers and students. Students who receive support may need help with:
- moving safely around the classroom at the school or kura
- using playground equipment
- taking part in learning activities, particularly physical ones
- using pencils, pens and other tools (including technology) and materials
- day-to-day tasks like changing their clothes and eating their lunch.
Physical disability support does not include a funding contribution towards teacher’s aide support.
Students with complex physical disability needs
When a student has complex physical disability needs, talk to your regional office as it may be more appropriate to apply for the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme.
Contact us for support
Contact your regional office to discuss your ākonga | student's circumstances or send us a request for support.
In most regions physical disability support is provided by your local Ministry of Education Learning Support team. In some regions there are other specialist providers. We will make sure you are accessing the right people in your area.
Following a request for support, we will contact you to discuss next steps.
If you had received physical disability support before but no longer receive it, you can contact us to reactivate it if the needs or circumstances have changed for your student.
Make a plan after support is offered
We work with the student's family and your school to identify and agree on:
- goals and priorities for support
- any resources needed
- how long the support is for
- responsibilities of those involved.
