Cerebral palsy (CP) affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination resulting from brain injury before, during, or after birth. It is the most common childhood physical disability. In New Zealand, people with CP access support through health, disability, and sport systems. This guide covers the key funding sources.
CCS Disability Action is the primary NZ organisation for people with cerebral palsy:
- Life skills and independence support
- Community participation
- Employment support
- Children's services
- Equipment and therapy access
CCS Disability Action is a key partner for CP grant applications and can advise on funding pathways.
Whaikaha funds disability support:
- Disability Support Services: Personal support, respite, and community access
- Equipment and modifications: Home and vehicle modifications
- Employment support: Supported employment for people with CP
- Enabling Good Lives: Self-directed disability support funding
Health system funding for CP:
- Paediatric therapy: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy
- Orthotics: Bracing and orthotics funding through DHBs
- Surgical intervention: Orthopaedic surgery and botox treatment
- Neurological rehabilitation: Acquired brain injury rehabilitation
ACC funds CP resulting from birth injury or accident:
- Rehabilitation services
- Equipment
- Home modification
Birth-related CP may be eligible for ACC — specialist advice is needed.
CP sport funding pathways:
- Sport NZ: Para-sport participation through Sport NZ investment
- Paralympics NZ: CP athletes eligible for Paralympic sport
- RSTs: Community para-sport for CP athletes
- National para-sport bodies: Swimming, athletics, cycling, basketball for CP athletes
CP athletes compete in Paralympic classifications:
- Ambulant CP: C1-C8 (cycling), T33-T38 (athletics), S6-S9 (swimming)
- Wheelchair CP: Various classification depending on sport
Gaming trusts fund CP services and sport:
- Four Winds Foundation: Disability community services
- Grassroots Trust: Disability sport and recreation
- Pub Charity: Equipment and community grants
- Lion Foundation: Community disability services
Gaming trust CP applications:
- Mobility equipment (walker, wheelchair)
- Communication devices (AAC)
- Therapy equipment
- Sport equipment for CP athletes
- Respite and community access
CP sport activities:
- Boccia: Paralympic sport designed for CP and high support needs
- Para-athletics: T33-T38 classifications for CP athletes
- Para-swimming: S6-S9 swimming for CP athletes
- Para-cycling: CP cyclist classifications
- Wheelchair sports: Basketball, racing, rugby for CP athletes
Technology funders:
- Whaikaha: AAC devices, communication technology
- Gaming trusts: Communication and mobility equipment
- Assistive Technology Loan Fund: ATLA loans for equipment assessment
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) — communication devices — is a key funding priority.
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Population served: People with CP by age and support needs
- Independence: How support enables independence and community participation
- Therapy outcomes: Functional improvement from therapy investment
- Sport and recreation: Active participation for people with CP
- Family support: Respite and carer wellbeing
- Equipment: Specific mobility, therapy, and communication equipment
- Equity: Māori and Pacific families disproportionately affected by disability poverty
- Transition: Young people with CP transitioning to adult services
Tahua's grants management platform helps CP organisations manage grant applications across CCS Disability Action, Whaikaha, Te Whatu Ora, Paralympics NZ, gaming trusts, and health foundations, tracking disability support, therapy, and sport participation outcomes.