A larger group of people with their hands up in an NZSL wave
Attendees of NZDEN's inaugural Disability Inclusive Pathways Conferenc, July 2021.

The New Zealand Disability Employers’ Network is a network of NZ employers committed to improving their disability inclusion and accessibility practices.


We are committed to our vision:
“New Zealand organisations realise the true potential of disabled people, to the benefit of everyone."

Members of the network seek to:

  • Bridge the disability career gap;
  • Break down the accessibility barriers to equitably serve all; and
  • Inspire others to action.

Disability employment gap

Recent labour market statistics show New Zealanders with disabilities are 3 times less likely to be employed than their non-disabled peers. The difference between employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people is called the disability employment gap. New Zealand’s disability employment gap is currently 47.8%. We’re changing that!

Inclusive workplaces

An inclusive workplace is not only physically and technologically accessible, but also breaks down social barriers and changes attitudes. For many job seekers with disabilities, discrimination and lack of support stop them from finding and keeping a job.

The benefits of an inclusive workplace extend beyond supporting employees with disabilities. A disability inclusive workplace:

  • increases productivity;
  • enables a larger pool of talented people to apply for, maintain, and advance through employment; and
  • leads to an expanded customer base.

1 in 4 New Zealanders identify as having a disability. If organisations are not inclusive and accessible, they could be missing out on a quarter of the market.

Current members commit to continuously improving their current practices through our Accessibility Tick programme.

Join us for the second NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference 'Unlocking True Potential.
Registrations are open now.

  • 10 August - Pre-Conference Workshop
  • 11 - 12 August - Conference
  • Novotel Lakeside Rotorua

https://www.dipc.co.nz

Supported by:

  • Accessibility Tick
  • NZDEN

Latest news

How to make meaningful impact this International Day of People with Disabilities

Saturday 3 December 2022 is International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD).

The theme this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“.

Celebrating the disabled community on December 3rd is great, but for true change, there needs to be more than a single day of recognition.

Awareness days come and go, and we each have a responsibility to ensure that the attention and support for disabled people on this day does not end on 3rd December. So how can we make this IDPwD have a truly meaningful impact and carry momentum?

If you ‘missed the date, that doesn’t need to stand in your way. Every day is the right day to show your commitment to Disability Inclusion and Equity in our workplaces.

NZDEN Meeting and MSD Consultation – November 2022

The fourth and final NZ Disability Employers’ Network meeting for this year will be hosted at the Air NZ offices in Fanshawe Streets, Auckland on Friday 25th November, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

This is a special two-part event, commencing with a consultation with the MSD on their Supported Employment initiative.

Following this consultation, we will hold the final NZDEN meeting for 2022.

Lunch will be provided for those in attendance.

The meeting will also be delivered via video conferencing.

2022 Disability Inclusive
Pathways Conference

'Unlocking Full Potential'

10 August - Pre-conference workshop
11-12 August - Conference

Novotel Lakeside Rotorua