Advocating for a Good Life with Sonja Eriksen & Annual General Meeting – Wednesday 7th October at 7 pm
Join us on Wednesday 7th October for a special evening with Sonja Eriksen, former Principal Disability Advisor – Ministry of Social Development followed by our AGM.
Sonja will share her personal journey as a parent to three neurodivergent children – navigating New Zealand’s schools, health and disability systems and government agencies from their infancy through to the young adults they are today, now navigating their own journeys. Her journey has been filled with challenges, advocacy, discovery and resilience as well as laughter, joy and love…along with frequent silent screams in a school parking lot. Living with disability herself, Sonja is an authentic and humorous presenter who will share some of her own tips for getting through each day.
There will be time for questions after Sonja’s presentation.
About Sonja:
Sonja is a nurse and educator who has worked in the health and disability sector for over 30 years, in both the government and community sectors. She has led national work programmes in mental health, suicide prevention, primary care and disability support; and was a strong change agent for disabled people and tangata whaikaha Māori within MSD. Sonja has worked closely with the lived-experience community across all of her roles and believes that lived experience-led work is the key to driving transformational change.
Following this, we’ll share our Impact Report for 2025–26 as part of our Annual General Meeting including Board nominations. We promise to keep it short and informative.
Whether you’re just starting your journey or supporting a young adult with a disability, this event is for you. Be inspired by how lived experience can spark advocacy and a good life, both for you and your family.
All disabled people, parents, and whānau are warmly invited. The event is free and will only be on Zoom this year.
To register and receive Zoom Link please email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz by 12pm Tuesday 6th October 2026.
Disability Connect AGM
The constitution of Disability Connect Inc, requires that Board members be elected three yearly. Our last election was in 2023, so board membership will be elected this year.
AGM Documents
Disability Connect AGM Minutes 15th October 2025
Audited Performance Report to 30 June 2026
