Are you or someone you know experiencing abuse?

Tell us about your situation by clicking the ‘Tell Us’ button below.

This is a photo of the VisAble team. There are twenty-one people in the photo and one black labrador support dog. This photo was taken in the entrance of the New Zealand parliament building on the day VisAble officially launched.

About VisAble

VisAble is a disabled person-led organisation based in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

We work to strengthen national capabilities across agencies and sectors to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, and neglect affecting disabled people and their whānau. Our focus includes tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau, tagata sa’ilimalo and āiga-tele, d/Deaf, neurodivergent, and Adults at Risk.

What does VisAble do?

This is an image of one of the VisAble team members showcasing the timeline of work that has led to the launch of VisAble at the parliamentary launch of VisAble

VisAble equips organisations and individuals to make their services inclusive and accessible for disabled people impacted by violence. We provide:

  • Safeguarding Adults Response: Guidance and coordination for multi-agency responses to protect Adults at Risk.

  • Prevention and Response Support: Tailored advice, programmes, and services to identify and respond to violence, abuse, and neglect.

  • Cultural and Inclusive Safety: Strategies to ensure culturally safe, whānau-centred responses.

A close-up image of a koruru (gable head) which is the face of the ancestor that sits at the top of the whare whakairo (a carved meeting house)

Guided by the Whare Tapa Rima model, we focus on:

  • Taha Hinengaro (Mental Wellbeing)

  • Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing)

  • Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing)

  • Taha Whānau (Family and Social Wellbeing)

  • Taha Whenua (Connection to Land and Community)

Our team includes tāngata whaikaha Māori, disabled people, and kaimahi with expertise in disability, human rights, safeguarding adults, and violence prevention. We partner with others using mana-enhancing, person-directed, and whānau-centred principles to ensure individuals remain in control of their lives.

Please note: VisAble is not a crisis response service.

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Our team is based across Aotearoa and work in partnership with communities, agencies, and sectors to:

How can we help you:

  • Make your services more inclusive and accessible.

  • Recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns, including family violence, sexual violence, adult abuse, and child-to-parent violence.

  • Identify Adults at Risk and initiate a multi-agency safeguarding response.

  • Connect with appropriate services to ensure safety and wellbeing for disabled people and their whānau.

This is how you can contact VisAble.

  • An illustrated image of two people communicating facing each other. There are two speech bubbles above their heads.

    Fill out a Referral form

    If you are an organisation, individual working with tāngata whaikaha Māori or a disabled person that is experiencing abuse, you can report this to us by filling out our form.

    Click the Tell Us button below and fill out our form then email it to refer@visable.co.nz

    Tell us
  • An illustrated image of a hand holding a phone that is recieving a phone call.

    Call us

    You can also refer to us over the phone.

    Call us our voicemail service to leave a voicemail at 0800 998 858, and we'll get back to you over email within 2 business days.

    Call VisAble
  • an illustrated image of an envelope inside a circle. this represents an email.

    Email us

    If you would prefer to email us, click the Email Us button below.

    Please let us know:

    • Your phone number

    • Your email address

    • How we can help

    Email Us

  • Easy Read Referral Form

    This Easy Read document is for telling someone if something bad has happened to you or someone else.

    This form asks you questions like:

    • what happened?

    • where did it happen?

    • who hurt you / someone else?

    It also tells you:

    • what you can do next

    • who to give the form to

    • not to hand this form in for someone else unless they have told you they want you to.

    Easy read document

I am worried…

An illustrated image showing a woman with her hand on her head, her face looks worried and there is a thought bubble above her head that reads 'I am Worried'.

Are you worried about?

  • Not feeling safe to express what you want

  • Feeling cut-off from other people.

  • Your money being taken without your permission.

  • Being forced to sign legal documents.

  • Someone making you feel afraid, unsafe, or physically hurting you.

  • Someone’s behaviour making you feel upset, frightened or worthless.

  • Or maybe you are worried about someone you know.

An illustrated image of a man looking worried pointing at himself. there is a thought bubble above his head that reads 'about myself'.

I’m tangata whaikaha Māori or a disabled person and I am worried about myself.

An illustrated image of a person. there are two thought bubbles above their head, one with text that reads 'about someone else'. the other thought bubble shows an illustration of a woman.

I’m worried about a tangata whaikaha Māori or disabled person.

An illustrated image of a hand holding a phone that is recieving a phone call.

If you suspect you or someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, you can:

  • phone the Disability Abuse Prevention and Response (DAPAR) Team on 0800 998 858, Monday to Friday between 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, for information, advice and support.

(You can leave a message. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible and in any case within two working days)

an illustrated image of an envelope inside a circle. this represents an email.

Or you can

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You can make a referral to VisAble for support if you or someone you know is:

  • An adult (18 years old or over), and

  • A disabled person or tangata whaikaha Māori, and

  • Who is experiencing (or at risk of) abuse, violence and neglect.

An illustrated image showing two people using sign language. to communicate.

Anyone can call DAPAR.

You can contact New Zealand Relay Services if you require an interpreter to speak with the Unit.

Their contact number is 0800 4 715 715

An illustrated image showing and exclamation mark inside a triangle. THis represents an emergency situation.

DAPAR is not an emergency/crisis service. Dial 111 for emergencies.

Keeping Safe Feeling Safe: Easy Read Reporting Form

This form is not for emergencies - If you need help quickly call 111 and ask for the Police.

This Easy Read document is for telling someone if something bad has happened to you or someone else.

This form asks you questions like:

  • what happened?

  • where did it happen?

  • who hurt you / someone else?

It also tells you:

  • what you can do next

  • who to give the form to

  • not to hand this form in for someone else unless they have told you they want you to.

This shows an image of the first page of the easy read reporting form

Download this Easy Read document as