Welcome to the New Zealand Federation of Vocational and Support Services (VASS)
We are a federation of 70 community organisations that support disabled people by helping them identify and fulfil their personal goals and aspirations, find work and participate in their communities.
Our goal is to ensure disabled people are working, participating and fulfilling their aspirations in inclusive communities.
We provide the following services for our members to help them achieve this:
- Provide opportunities for peer support through meetings, seminars and a peer mentoring programme
- Provide members with a joint voice to Government and fund holders
- Provide members with information through our popular e-newsletter, as well as providing information about government policy, current research and issues
VASS UK Study Report 2014
The full report on the VASS contingents' experiences during their trip to the UK can be downloaded by clicking through to the Learning Areas section of our website.
The report provides more detail on the trip than was able to be provided at the July regional forums, including what they learned about social enterprise, the personalisation of services and community development.
If you would like a hard copy of the report you can order one from the VASS Office for $15 (including postage). Please email: JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING to place an order.
Election 2014
As the 2014 Election draws closer, VASS has put together it's election messages which are based on the challenges and opportunities our members' have shared with us.
We have also put together other election resources we hope our members' will find helpful.
To view and download copies of these resources please click here.
Need a Capability Mentor? Visit onefishsolutions.org.nz
One Fish Solutions (which was launched by VASS last year) is now a Ministry of Social Development approved Capability Mentor. If you have received funding from the Capability Investment Resource we can assist you with your Capability Self-Assessment, developing a Capability Plan based on your assessment and implementation of your plan in the following areas:
- Strategic Governance
- Adaptive Leadership
- Operational Management
- Workforce Development
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Organisational Responsiveness
- People Living with Disability
To find out more go to www.onefishsolutions.org.nz
When Michael O’Loughlin moved back to New Zealand from Australia following the death of his partner back in 2001, naturally he was feeling a bit down and out.
