Blind Low Vision NZ’s 134-year anniversary

9 July 1890 is a significant date in the history of Blind Low Vision NZ. As noted by social historian Greg Newbold in his book Quest For Equity: A History of Blindness Advocacy in New Zealand, “On 9 July 1890 a public meeting was held in the YMCA rooms in Auckland. The meeting resolved to form an institute to be called ‘The Jubilee Institute for the Blind’, for the purposes of providing education and craft instruction to the blind. Officers were elected and an executive committee established. With the AFB (Association of the Friends of the Blind) having merged its resources with the institute, and John Tighe remaining as teacher, the stage for development was set.”

9 July 2024, marks 134 years since that stage was set, and the whakataukī “Ka mua, ka muri” comes to mind. It means “walking backwards into the future” and as we look back on the rich history of Blind Low Vision NZ, let’s take another look at our Mission and Vision for the future as per the new Strategic Plan 2024-2028, available in a variety of formats on the Blind Low Vision NZ website as well as on our Telephone Information Service (TIS) menu 3 1 6.

Find Greg Newbold’s book Quest For Equity in the Blind Low Vision NZ library, Book Number 055041. To read this book using the Blind Low Vision NZ Alexa skill, say “Alexa, find 055041” or in your EasyReader app, search 055041.