From left, Carol Wood, executive officer of the NZ Federation of Disability Information Centres; Bronwen Foxx, CEO of the Disabilities Resource Centre; Naomi Freeman, the centre's information services co-ordinator; and Lisa Martin, president of the NZ Federation of Disability Information Centres. 

A Tauranga centre that is “totally committed to positively impacting the lives of the elderly and people with disabilities” has been recognised nationally for its work.

The Disabilities Resource Centre, based in Tauranga and Whakatāne, was bestowed with the Member of the Year 2025 award at the recent New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Services national conference.

“We are thrilled to share that our organisation was honoured with the Member of the Year 2025 award,” said Disabilities Resource Centre Trust’s information services co-ordinator, Naomi Freeman.

The Disabilities Resource Centre was given the accolade for its exceptional service, she said.

Whether people with disabilities needed to know how to get a mobility parking card, if their parents were entitled to free home care, or what support groups were available in the community, the centre had the answers, she said.

“We are a one-stop shop for disability information, with knowledge and resources about all things disability in one place.”

As well as having friendly staff to point people in the right direction, they also had a community library with information on support groups and the types of government benefits available, books, newsletters and DVDs.

Freeman said liaison field officers – who specialised in brain injuries, Post-Polio Syndrome, pulmonary rehabilitation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – were available to provide information, support and advocacy.

The centre’s community services team worked hard to ensure people with disabilities had a chance to be included in their community with supported independent living and vocational services.

Its home care service provided a team who consulted people with disabilities to develop tailored plans to help provide household management, such as vacuuming, laundry, meal preparation and shopping; and help with grooming, showering and eating.

“This award recognises our team’s dedication to providing inclusive, accessible and empowering services to people with disabilities, older people and their whānau across our community,” Freeman said.

The award was also an achievement that reflected years of hard work, compassion and innovation in the disability support sector.

“Our CEO, Bronwen Foxx, has led the organisation with passion and commitment for the past 27 years,” said Freeman, who attended the conference to receive the award on behalf of the team.

More information on the Disabilities Resource Centre is at www.drct.co.nz.