Top 10 tips – building trusted relationships, Ngā tino tīwhiri tekau – te hanga hononga pono
Updated 06 Aug 2026
When career advisers build trusted relationships with disabled people, this helps create safe, effective career conversations and better outcomes.
Top 10 tipsNgā tino tīwhiri tekau,
There are small but important steps you can take to support effective career development approaches and conversations with the people you’re working with.
1
Take a person-centred approachWhāia te ara aro ki te tangata,
The person you’re working with is the expert on themselves. Career advisers should be authentic, curious, empathetic and non-judgemental.
Take time to understand the individual’s goals, preferences and support needs by speaking directly with them and building a genuine rapport.
2
Be an allyE tū hei kaitautoko,
Listen and learn to understand the person’s individual needs. Create accessible and inclusive practices that recognise equity, where people receive the support they need to succeed. Collaboratively identify appropriate accommodations to support success.
3
Trust the person you’re working withWhakawhirinaki ki te tangata e mahi tahi nā koe,
Trust the person’s understanding of their own abilities, challenges and lived experiences.
4
Be respectful with your languageKōrero tonu i runga i te whakaute,
Disabled people are individuals and language preferences vary. Some people prefer person-first language, for example, person with a disability, while others prefer identity-first language, for example, disabled person. Ask them what their preference is.
5
Adopt a strengths-based approachWhāia he ara whakamana i tō te tangata anō kahawhiri,
Support people to identify their strengths, achievements and capabilities. Focus on what is working well and how those strengths can support positive career development. A disabled person’s disability does not define their potential.
6
Watch for maskingKia mataara ki ngā whakaaro huna,
Masking is when a disabled person hides or suppresses aspects of their disability to fit in, feel accepted or avoid discrimination. Long-term masking can contribute to stress and burnout.
Signs of masking may include exhaustion, anxiety or difficulty maintaining participation over time.
7
Adopt a universal design approachWhāia te ara hoahoa tukipū,
Use tools, resources and processes that are accessible, understandable and usable for the widest range of people.
8
Make your environment accessibleWhakarite kia tomopai tō taiao,
Create environments that are physically, digitally, socially and emotionally accessible. Respect access needs and sensory requirements, like low lighting and quiet areas.
Consider appropriate assistive technology, like screen readers, captions or talk-to-text tools.
9
Include whānau and support peopleWhakarite kia whai wāhi te whānau me te hunga tautoko,
Where appropriate, and with the person’s consent, include trusted people and support networks in the career development process. This may include:
- whānau
- caregivers
- teachers
- advocates
- disability-specific experts.
Career advisers bring expertise in careers, and the client and their support network bring expertise in the individual.
10
Don’t assumeKaua e pūmāramarama,
Ask the person you’re working with first and listen to their response. Provide options and advice that support their goals and aspirations.