Burwood Academy Trust - BAT

09/01/2026

As we enter the second week of 2026, we would like to extend our gratitude to our funders for their support throughout 2025, as well as individuals with lived experience who have provided invaluable participation in BAT'S ongoing research. Happy new year and please visit https://www.burwood.org.nz for research updates.

11/12/2025

03/12/2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
03 December 2025

This year's theme is "Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress"

We support this day of observation in support of the 1.3 billion people who experience disability.

The UN's Disability Inclusion Strategy is in its sixth year with details and reporting available via their website below.

The International Day of Disabled Persons aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development.

11/11/2025

Happy Trotting Cup Day, race and show week Christchurch
As people celebrate this fantastic week, let's look out for each other in the crowds. A little mindfulness goes a long way towards making sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time, especially those with visible or invisible disabilities.

Please give space - Large crowds can be overwhelming. Be patient & allow room for people with wheelchairs, mobility aids, or service dogs to navigate easily.

Be aware of surroundings - Keep an eye out for people who may be moving a little slower or seem overwhelmed. Sensory overload can be a real issue for some.

Offer a helping hand - but ask first :) If you think someone might need help, offer your assistance politely & let them guide you. Not touching a mobility aid or guide dog without permission.

Keep paths clear - accessible walkways, entryways, and exits clear of obstructions. Parking in real carparks, not on footpaths. Let’s make this a great and inclusive race week for everyone
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16qMqydBPn/

🌻 Who wears the Sunflower?

💚 The green Sunflower lanyard is worn by people with non-visible disabilities who may need a little more time, support or understanding.

🤍 The white supporter lanyard or badge is worn by trained staff and carers who recognise the Sunflower and know how to assist. Look out for these at Sunflower-friendly places.

Together, they help make every space more inclusive. 💛

👉Shop 🌻 wearer products here: https://shorturl.at/SpZn3

👉Shop supporter products here: https://shorturl.at/9dfWm

06/11/2025

On Friday, 14 Nov 2025
10:00 am to 11:45 am

30/10/2025

As Blind Low Vision month comes to a close (it's almost November already!), we would like to share this accessibility gem from Blind Low Vision NZ 😊

29/10/2025

🧠 World Stroke Day – 29 October 2025
Listening, caring, and sharing for Life After Stroke
Every year, World Stroke Day is recognised globally - a reminder that stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It’s also a time to celebrate recovery, resilience, and the collective effort that helps people rebuild their lives after stroke. We know that when people with lived experience are part of designing the research, the outcomes are more relevant, inclusive, and empowering.

Today and always, we celebrate the people living with the effects of stroke, their whānau, and the clinicians, researchers, and communities who stand beside them. Every project, every conversation, and every partnership brings us closer to a future where people don’t just survive stroke - they thrive beyond it. 💙 Together, We Make Recovery Visible.

💬 How You Can Help - Learn the signs of stroke 👀
Think F.A.S.T.
F – Face: Drooping on one side
A – Arm: Weakness or numbness
S – Speech: Slurred or strange
T – Time: Call 111 immediately
💙 Please share this message — awareness saves lives.
💙 Please support stroke research & rehabilitation through community & clinical partnerships.
Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand - making stroke not just a medical condition but a human one

Burwood Academy Trust – We Listen. We Care. We Share
https://www.burwood.org.nz/world-stroke-day-listen-care-and-share-life-after-stroke/ 🫶

27/10/2025

Let's celebrate with all those doing the great work.

October 27th is World Occupational Therapy Day!

This year’s theme is “Occupational Therapy in Action” which celebrates the vital role of occupational therapists around the world in actively supporting community health and wellbeing through supporting people to engage in meaningful activities and participation.

At LFBIT, we’re proud to have an amazing team of highly skilled and passionate OT’s working across both rehabilitation and assessment. Their expertise spans traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury recovery, driving assessments, housing, wheelchair and seating and highly specialized assessments.

In particular, our OTs play a crucial role in supporting individuals to adapt and thrive while living with the longer-term impacts of their injuries. Through tailored interventions, they help clients rebuild routines, regain independence, and reconnect with the activities that matter most to them.

The team love supporting our clients to achieve the very best outcomes they can in all areas of health and wellbeing. A huge thank you to our wonderful team!

23/10/2025

Sharing the latest measles update.

We have confirmed additional measles cases in New Zealand today (23 Oct), with a Cook Strait ferry among listed exposure locations.

These new cases bring the total number of cases nationally to six. One of the cases is in Northland, two are in Auckland, two are in Manawatū, and one is in Nelson. These are all in addition to the 10 cases reported last week in Northland and the 1 case in Queenstown-lakes district.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air - even after an infected person has left the area. If you were on the ferry or in other listed locations of interest, check your symptoms and vaccination status.

✅ What to do:

Monitor for symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, rash; and stay home if unwell.

Call your GP or Healthline (📞 0800 611 116) for advice and before visiting any medical centre.

Check your MMR vaccination status - two doses offer strong protection.

📍 Stay informed and protect your whānau. Full details and exposure locations: www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/corporate-information/news-and-updates/new-measles-cases-confirmed-as-cook-strait-ferry-identified-among-further-exposure-locations

NZSL measles info 👉 info.health.nz/languages-alternate-formats/languages/new-zealand-sign-language-nzsl/nzsl-measles

19/10/2025

💙🌻 Invisible Disabilities Week: What You Can’t See, Matters 🌻💙
This week we recognise Invisible Disabilities Week — a time to pause and think about the many people who live with disabilities you can’t always see: chronic pain, neurological conditions, fatigue, sensory sensitivities, mental health challenges, learning differences, and more.
🌻 The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a global symbol used to quietly indicate that someone has an invisible disability & may need a little extra time, understanding, or assistance.
You might see the sunflower lanyard in airports, hospitals, supermarkets, or workplaces — it’s a simple, powerful reminder to be kind and patient.

👉 Here are a few ways we can all support each other this week (and every week):
• Ask with empathy: “How are you feeling today?” rather than assuming “You look fine.”
• Be patient and inclusive — not every disability is visible
• Learn about invisible disabilities and share awareness
• Recognise & respect the sunflower symbol as a sign that someone may need extra support
• Keep listening, caring, and sharing — the small gestures matter most.

Let’s commit to seeing the unseen and making inclusion visible for all. Because kindness and understanding help every person to belong. 💛 Just because someone looks “okay” on the outside doesn’t mean their inner world isn’t full of challenges. They may smile, work and keep going — often while managing pain or exhaustion that others can’t see.

16/10/2025

We did the ShakeOut today but not all can drop, cover, and hold at the instant a quake happens. You may be restricted, 'disabled', or feel more vulnerable than others.

Please check out the variation post from the Ministry of Disabled People ♿️

Hopefully there will be no need to use our practice in the future 🙏

Can’t ‘Drop, Cover, Hold’? You can still ! Here are some variations you can do for ShakeOut this morning:

If you’re using a cane: Drop, Cover, Hold, or sit on a chair/bed, cover your head and neck with both hands, keep your cane nearby to use when the shaking stops.

If you’re using a walker: Lock, Cover, Hold – lock your wheels (if applicable), carefully get as low as possible, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.

If you’re using a wheelchair: Lock, Cover, Hold – lock your wheels, bend over, cover your head and neck as best as you can, and hold on until the shaking stops.

Check out the link in the comments below to find out more about ShakeOut ⬇️

Image description: Instructional graphic for wheelchair users on what to do during an earthquake. Three steps are shown: "LOCK"— person locks their wheelchair, "COVER"— person bends forward covering their head, and "HOLD"— person holds onto the wheelchair. Text below reads "GET READY TO ShakeOut" with a yellow circle showing "16TH OCTOBER 9.30AM" on a blue background.

13/10/2025

We acknowledge those who manage arthritis is and the challenges this poses.
WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY (Sunday 12 October 2025) highlighted the statistics of the number who have a form of arthritis in Aotearoa, and we would like to share current 'THRIVE / Whakapuāwai' research conducted by Dr Kalie Evans (of Burwood Academy Trust) 'Co-design and Pilot of a Peer Support Group Programme for People with Inflammatory Arthritis'
BAT website: https://www.burwood.org.nz/impact-chats-2025-co-designed-peer-support-for-inflammatory-arthritis/

Our values include We Share and hope this can be of help and of interest to those who manage inflammatory arthritis or care for someone who does clinically and personally. Video (Youtube) of recent THRIVE research update: https://youtu.be/EQ7PxIoIJfU

Have you ever wondered what a co-designed peer support intervention looks like? Come and join Dr Kalie Evans as she shares insights into THRIVE | Whakapūawa ...