Disability literacy workshop finds new home with Blueprint

The disability literacy workshop, Ātea Disability 101 has found a new home with well-known mental health, addiction and wellbeing literacy training provider Blueprint for Learning.

The move of the popular workshop from Te Pou to Blueprint for Learning was announced at the Maintaining Momentum event in Te-Whanganui-ā-Tara on Tuesday 19 November.

“The Ātea Disability 101 workshop has been extremely well-received since it was launched several years ago,” said Manase Lua, National Manager – Kanorau at Te Pou.

The workshop was developed by disability experts for Te Pou and is delivered by facilitators with experience of disability.

“Unfortunately, due to an end of funding from Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, we needed to find a new home for the workshop to ensure the valuable training it offers continues to be available. We are very pleased Blueprint for Learning, who share a board and CEO with Te Pou, can bring Ātea into their suite of training.”

“We are thrilled to be able to offer the Ātea Disability workshop a home and welcome the current Ātea facilitators to the Blueprint whānau. It is a fantastic workshop that develops vital knowledge, understanding and perspective for its participants,” said Patrice Dennis, Blueprint for Learning Manager.

“It is a valuable addition to our training programmes.”

Ātea is a unique workshop designed to shift beliefs about disability and reduce barriers for inclusion. It increases participants’ awareness and understanding of the lives of disabled people and the barriers they face daily. Participants are challenged to use this knowledge to work on removing these barriers and providing better services and experiences for disabled people.

“We aim to have Ātea workshops available in 2025,” said Patrice.

“As an NZQA-accredited training provider, there are certain requirements all our training must follow. There’s some work to be done to ensure Ātea aligns with these specifications and to onboard the current Ātea facilitators.”

People can register their interest on the Blueprint for Learning website to be updated when workshops are available.

Unfortunately, without ongoing funding, the workshop will only be available on a cost-recovery basis. Blueprint intends to offer Ātea as an open workshop where people from a variety of organisations attend and pay per place. Organisations will also be able to purchase the workshop for up to 20 participants to attend.

Find out more about the Ātea workshop

Ātea Disability 101

Ātea Disability 101 provides a basic level of understanding of disability, and the experiences of disabled people in Aotearoa.