We are New Zealand’s leading provider of vision rehabilitation.
We are New Zealand’s leading provider of vision rehabilitation, providing practical and emotional support for people with vision loss. From infancy to elder years, our clients have a range of visual conditions from low to no vision.
Some common eye conditions include Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma and Cataracts. Our team of specialists assist clients in realising their goals and how we can best work together to achieve them.
We personalise the right mix of services, strategies, products and assistive technology to support independence in the home and the community.
Please get in touch to become a client and access the range of services we offer.
Jenny's Story
"They drew the curtains back on life. I could start to live again."
Getting around
We help you find ways to get around safely and independently. Whether it’s to work, the shops, school or sports, you might learn to use a mobility aid such as a white cane or a guide dog, how to be guided by other people and how to manage crossing roads.
Community and Support
Living with sight loss can be challenging, so we encourage community and connection.
Guide Dog Services
Guide dogs provide more than just mobility; they provide companionship and enable increased independence and confidence. Find out more about Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs and how to apply for a guide dog.
Accessible Library
We have over 36,000 titles in our accessible library, now with improved access and search features to better help those who are blind, deafblind or have low vision.
Daily Living Skills
Vision loss can present particular challenges when you are at home. It could be that after relying on your sense of sight for most of your life, you discover that you now require adaptations to manage your everyday life.
Adaptive Technology
With so many devices and technology available to assist those with sight loss, we can advise and assist you to ensure you find what best suits your needs.
Sport and Leisure
Sport and Leisure is a vital part of our wellbeing and it is important we provide a specialist service for this aspect of our clients’ lives.
Emotional Support
Working with a counsellor can be one of the best ways to support you and your family and help you manage the impact of sight loss.
Employment and Youth Pathways
We support job-seekers and those in the workplace, and train employers and educators on how to empower those with sight loss.
Deafblind Services
Our specialist staff aim to improve the quality of life and reduce isolation for people who have both significant vision and hearing loss. If you are deafblind, we can help you find alternative ways of communicating.
We provide support by helping you access information, equipment, a full range of services, social networks and other assistance you need to participate in your community.
Please get in touch to access deafblind services.
Contact us, 0800 24 33 33
Children
When a child is born with a visual impairment or they acquire one through illness or injury, it can be challenging to know where to begin for support and skill development.
Our children’s programme is designed to enable families to adjust to sight loss and help the child develop vital short and long-term life skills and build their self-esteem. If a child in your care is blind, deafblind or has low vision, our specialists can work with you through the various stages of your child’s development. Together, we will support you and your child to develop skills and strategies to help them make their way confidently in the world. By teaching necessary developmental skills when the child is young, they are well equipped for transitioning to adult life.
We also work closely with other service providers including:
Parents of Vision Impaired NZ Inc (PVI) is a non-profit organisation made up of parents committed to providing support to other parents of children who are blind or vision impaired – and who often have additional complications and disabilities.
The PVINZ mission is: “Supporting and Empowering Parents and Whanau.”
The Executive Officer of PVINZ is Rebekah Graham
Contact number: 022 621 5740
Email rgraham@pvi.org.nz
Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) is a school made up of a national network of educational services for children and young people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision in New Zealand.
To enable learners who are blind, deafblind or have low vision to reach their full potential, BLENNZ provides quality education and specialist teaching services in partnership with whānau, educators and the wider community.
Contact BLENNZ on 0800 BLENNZ (0800 253 669)
Or email info@blennz.school.nz
Support Grants
Blind Low Vision NZ administers several funds that provide financial help and support to people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision. If you need financial assistance meeting the costs of vision rehabilitation or tertiary education, we may be able to help.
Self Advocacy
Being able to advocate for yourself effectively is an important skill, and one that can be learned and developed with practice.
We’ve put together some guides and resources to help you.
It’s here! New, improved, and fit-for-purpose Vision Store.
We are pleased to announce that Blind Low Vision NZ has entered into an exciting new partnership with Vision Australia, providing a dedicated online webshop, the Vision Store for our clients to purchase equipment.
In support of this new webshop initiative, and in conjunction with the Pearson Fund, subsidies are available to further support your equipment needs. For more details, follow the link for our FAQ section.
Request Services
If you or a family member needs support adjusting to sight loss, then Blind Low Vision NZ are here to help.
Please register as a new client and apply for an ID card to use our services. Please note we will need an eye report from your health practitioner.
