schools for children with special needs in NZ?

lesly

Hi, Lesly again, I just forgot to ask if anyone knows where we can
find schools for children with special needs in New Zealand. Just a
matter of finding a place to live near this school. What about life in New Zealand for children or people with a handicap? Do they get chances in life ? Thanks for your response.

martwend · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:40 am Post subject:

Hi Lesly,

You can get a lot of information about schools in NZ from this web site:- www.tki.org.nz/e/schools

So far as housing is concerned, you should look at :- www.realestate.co.nz

Hope that helps,

Wendy

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

don't mean to be too downbeat but would having special needs children prevent you emigrating? i suppose it will depend on the severity of the 'special needs' and whether it would place a burden on nz's health services. good luck.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Migrate/#Do+I+Need+A+Medical+Certificate

You and any accompanying family members must be of an acceptable standard of health to apply for residence in New Zealand. This is to ensure that you:

are not likely to be a danger to public health; and
are not likely to be a burden on the health services; and
are fit for the purpose of entry.

lesly · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 9:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks to Martwend for the information about schools and housing, it 's just what I needed.
Thank you Rodders, for being honest, we know it might be difficult to get a permit with a child with special needs. We would like to ask someone, (but we don 't know who we can ask) if immigration services in NZ would even consider of giving us a chance. Our child is not sick, but has been sick at 6 months of age, and because of that, he now suffers a braindamage, he cannot speak, but already uses a speechcomputer, payed entirely by the Belgian health services, so I guess he would not be very much of a cost for NZ, but he would have to go to a special school.
Maybe we should contact the NZ embassy here in Belgium and ask their opinion about it.
Maybe someone knows the answer, if you do, please let me know. Confused

ClareandPaul · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 9:29 pm Post subject:

I think you will find most schools are fully intergrated, and your child will have a teacher aide to help him/her. NZ is about equal oppotunities.
This allows your child to feel more accepted and the other children to be be more accepting to disabilities of any kind. There are special schools for your child to attend depending if the schools in your area are willing to take your child on. good luck with your application. fingers crossed

lesly · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:56 am Post subject:

Thank you Clare and Paul.

We hope that the disability of our son, doesn't hold us from making our dreams come true. Here in Belgium, he does not have any future at all,
most people look at him as a born loser, very sad but true. He would not get any chances of having a good life here in Belgium.
Now that we 've read your answer, we don't have a thousand reasons to go to NZ, but we have a thousand and one!!!
Nice One

regards, Lesly.

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

i was looking at the skilled migrant application form on the new nzis webpages lesly and, from the questions they're asking about health, i think you may be okay. it's a pdf file on this page.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Migrate/

lesly · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:32 pm Post subject:

Thank you Rodders,

I hope you 're right. I just checked the medical forms on the website.
There's one question I don 't like:

karltsmith · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:40 am Post subject:

Hi Lesly

When I lived in NZ (1987-1991) I found it to be very egalitarian and disabled people seemed to be well integrated into society so take heart! I am sure that you will be given a fair hearing if the issue arises. Ask yourself, and the immigration department, this question. If you did not have your 6 year old now but he/she happened to be born in NZ i.e. after you arrived, how would NZ then treat you and your disabled child? If you find the answer is negative, and I don't think it will be, then NZ is not for you......or any of us for that matter! One of the true tests of a good society is it's acceptance all different kinds of people....including disabled people. Don't let this be a barrier to you making your application!

Best of luck Nice One

lesly · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 1:39 am Post subject:

Thanks Karltsmith,

It sure will not be a barrier to make our application. We just want to make sure that we don't quit our jobs, sell house and cars, drag our children to an English speaking country far away from family and friends, and then get the news that we don't even have a chance with our child being disabled. That would be the major disappointment in our lives !! Sad

I loved the part where you talked about the disabled people being well integrated into society in NZ, because here in Belgium, it 's a totally different situation. They mostly get very lonely and isolated.
Anyway, if it seems to be impossible for disabled people or children to
become a permanent resident in NZ, you won 't be the last one to know!

Thanks again for the support!
Regards, Lesly

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

lesly · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 6:35 am Post subject:

Well Rodders,

I could be wrong, but I guess that everyone who accompanies the principal applicant, gets the same medical form, so also gets the same examination. This is what I 've read on the website http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Migrate/#Do+I+Need+A+Medical+Certificate