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Kōrero – 27 June 2024

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa.

Let us keep close together, not wide apart.

This whakataukī speaks to the importance of keeping connected, of maintaining relationships and dialogue so that we can keep moving forward together. It evokes a sense of solidarity.

Formats

Kōrero is available in the following formats:

  • HTML webpage of the latest edition is available at blindlowvision.org.nz/korero
  • Word document.
  • TIS (Telephone Information Service): Call TIS m341. Find your local TIS number on our Library Services webpage.
  • Braille: Call our Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 if you would like to receive Kōrero in braille.

Message from Andrea

Kia ora koutou,

As we welcome the Māori New Year, I’d like to invite you all to celebrate Matariki!

Matariki is a special time of renewal and reflection, marked by the rising of the Matariki star cluster. It’s a moment to come together with friends, family, and colleagues to celebrate the past, present, and future. From shared meals and storytelling to star-gazing nights and community gatherings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

My special treat and go to places are a beach walk, whatever the weather, in bare feet with my dog Jack and then catching up with family and friends.

I encourage you all to participate and immerse yourselves in the beauty and traditions of Matariki. Let’s use this time to connect, reflect on our achievements, and set our intentions for the year ahead.

But that’s not all! As we celebrate Matariki, let’s also gear up for the return of Pawgust, back for its second year in Aotearoa after a fantastic debut in 2023!

Pawgust is dedicated to our beloved furry friends. It’s the perfect opportunity to shake off those winter blues and get moving by walking or running throughout August. Not only will we be keeping fit, but we’ll also be raising awareness and funds for our incredible Guide Dogs.

This year, I’m not just cheering from the sidelines—I’ll be hitting the pavement, too, along with a number of the wonderful Blind Low Vision team. I invite you all to join me and be part of this PAW-some challenge. Get your friends, family, and colleagues on board and let’s unleash our PAW-tential together as a united community across New Zealand and Australia. Perhaps you’d like to join our Blind Low Vision NZ team?

Registrations are now open, and the challenge officially kicks off on the 1st of August. So, lace up your sneakers, grab a leash, and let’s make this Pawgust the best one yet!

Kia kaha

Andrea

Thumbs Up

St John Medical Alarm discount

Did you know that as a Blind Low Vision NZ client, you may be eligible for a medical alarm discount? To find out, call St John and have your Blind Low Vision NZ membership number handy. If you receive the Disability Allowance, the medical alarm may already be funded.

Contact: 0800 50 23 28

Telefriend: Here to Support You

Telefriend offers empathetic, non-judgmental, and confidential peer support for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, as well as their caregivers, family, and friends. Whether you need guidance or just want a friendly chat, we’re here to help.

Call us at 0800 100 051, from 1 pm to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. If you call outside these hours, leave a message—we will return your call. Connect with a Telefriend today by dialling 0800 100 051.

Noticeboard

We Value Your Feedback: Participate in Our Library Survey

At Blind Low Vision NZ we are committed to enhancing our services and to do this we are conducting a survey to gather valuable feedback. Whether you are a current member or not, your insights and experiences are valuable to us.

Survey participation details:

  • Survey Length: Approximately 15-40 minutes.
  • Accessibility: The survey is designed to be fully accessible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

To participate, please follow this link: Accessible Library Survey – June 2024.

Your feedback will play a vital role in helping us understand your needs better and make meaningful improvements. If you require any assistance in accessing or completing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact us at 0800 24 33 33.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to improving our library services. The Library Team looks forward to hearing from you.

The Pawgust Campaign is back for 2024

We are excited to announce that Pawgust is back for its second year in Aotearoa New Zealand after a fantastic debut in 2023! 🐾

Pawgust is a fun-filled month dedicated to our furry friends, encouraging people to walk or run during the cold month of August to raise awareness and funds for Blind Low Vision NZ Services. Invite friends, family, and colleagues to join and unleash their PAW-tential as part of a community across New Zealand and Australia, supporting Guide Dogs.

Registrations are now open, and the challenge officially kicks off on the 1st of August. Visit Pawgust.co.nz to know more!

A man and a woman running alongside a dog.

MSD Training and Support Funds Programme

The Ministry of Social Development offers Support Funds to help people with disabilities or health conditions get either Job Support or Training Support, depending on what you need help with. Support Funds can help with the additional costs incurred as a direct consequence of disability or health condition, when undertaking the same employment or training as a person without a disability or health condition.

There are two types of Support Funds:

Job Support helps meet disability costs when in employment or self-employment.

Training Support helps meet disability costs when participating in work related training, or tertiary education.

To be eligible for Support Funds, you must meet MSD’s eligibility criteria (outlined on the Support Funds web page and application forms linked below), plus have a disability or health condition that has lasted or is likely to last longer than six months.

To apply for Support Funds, you need to complete either a Training Support Application (PDF) or Job Support Application (PDF) and send it, with supporting documentation to Support_Funds@msd.govt.nz.

Email: Support_Funds@msd.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 551 001

Upcoming events

Webinar: Effective Communication – Tuesday 9 July 2024

On Tuesday 9 July at 10.00am, the Blind Low Vision NZ Employment and Youth Transition team is offering a webinar as part of its ongoing professional development series. This month we will be looking at effective communication.

Knowing how to communicate effectively is critical during your job search and employment. As a person who is blind or has low vision, there are some specific challenges around non-verbal cues and eye contact.

Sarah Mitchell, Head of Employment and Youth Pathways will offer insights into how to improve the way you give and receive communication

This one-hour webinar via Zoom and archived on Blind Low Vision NZ’s website covers:

  • Different types of communication.
  • Effective listening skills.
  • Communication with diverse audiences.
  • The 80%, 20% listening versus talking rule.
  • How to deal with non-verbal cues as a person who is blind or has low vision.
  • Open versus closed questions.

This professional development offering is part of Blind Low Vision NZ’s Work Ready webinar series and will be available live via Zoom and the recording will also be uploaded onto Blind Low Vision NZ’s website.

Join the Effective Communication Zoom Meeting.

We look forward to you joining this webinar on Tuesday 9 July 2024 at 10.00am.

Work Ready Webinar Recordings & Resources

Explore a series of standout webinars covering topics from cutting-edge accessible technology to vital support funds. Listen to Work Ready Webinar Recordings at your leisure on the Blind Low Vision NZ website.

Community Bulletin

Explore Independence and Community with the Living Blindfully Podcast

Living Blindfully is your guide to living your best life with blindness or low vision. Hosted by Jonathan Mosen MNZM, the show features interviews, product demos, and listener contributions. With a focus on technology as a tool for independence, this podcast covers everything from screen readers to new apps. But it also delves into travel, cooking, relationships, self-care, and more, reflecting the diverse interests of the blind community. Whether you’re blind or a sighted ally, join in for unfiltered discussions on Living Blindfully.

Listen to the Living Blindfully podcast.

The Blind Spot Podcast

We are excited to share with you a fantastic podcast that provides monthly insights on issues affecting our community. This podcast, produced by the Association of Blind Citizens of NZ – Southland Branch (ABC), is crafted by a community of blind people for the blind community.

Established in 1945, ABC has a long-standing commitment to advocating for and supporting people who are blind or have vision loss. We hope this podcast will keep you informed, inspired, and connected with topics that matter to you.

Listen to The Blind Spot Podcast on the Access Radio website.

B is for Braille

Curious about the history of Braille, the struggles Braille has had to gain acceptance, and the place of Braille in society?

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Braille code. The International Council on English Braille, which has a General Assembly every four years, met this May in Auckland, New Zealand.

Jonathan Mosen delivered the keynote address to mark the 200th anniversary of the code that gave blind people literacy. The address is called “Safeguarding the Legacy, Investing the Inheritance.”

Read, or listen to Jonathan Mosen’s address at the General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille.

Tune into this week’s accessible TV programmes!

Imagine a place where timeworn treasures are given a second chance at life, where the patina of history is lovingly preserved, and where every object tells a story. Welcome to The Repair Shop, a magical haven tucked away in the heart of the English countryside, where expert artisans breathe new life into cherished family heirlooms. Watch The Repair Shop with audio description on Friday 28 June at 8.55pm on TV One.

How to access Audio Descriptions: In general, Audio Description (AD) can be switched on or off by pressing the AD button on a TV Remote Control. However, some TVs have a different label on the remote button, and others require AD to be switched on or off via the menu.

Listings of audio described programmes for this week on the Able website.

New Diagnosis, What Now?

Care Matters is a National Carer Learning and Wellbeing Resource Service. Their latest resource is called “New Diagnosis, What Now?”

Care Matters invites family and whānau carers to explore this at their free workshops available online throughout July and August.

Created by family and whānau carers with lived experience, these workshops are designed to offer invaluable peer-to-peer education and support. Do you have questions about funding, exploring a diagnosis, wellbeing, who does what, or your rights? This is your chance to get answers!

Join for an opportunity to connect with others, receive the latest info on support and resources, share your experiences, and pick up practical skills that can make a real difference.

North Island Workshops:

  • Wednesday 24th July 10am -12pm
  • Wednesday 24th July 7pm – 9pm
  • Wednesday 14th August 10am -12pm
  • Wednesday 14th August 7pm – 9pm

South Island Workshops

  • Wednesday 31st July 10am -12pm
  • Wednesday 31st July 7pm – 9pm
  • Wednesday 28th August 10am -12pm
  • Wednesday 28th August 7pm – 9pm

Don’t miss out! Register for a Care Matters workshop now.

Questions? Need more info? Just reach out to Care Matters via Freephone: 0508 726 769 or Email: tina@carematters.org.nz

Message from World Blind Union: Accessible Streetscape Design Survey

Smart Growth America supported by the International Parking & Mobility Institute and the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund are conducting a research study. Their survey aims to gather your experience as a member of the disability community on the issue of streetscape design.

Share your experience by completing the survey: Take the Accessible Streetscape Design Survey via SurveyMonkey.

Your survey responses will aid Smart Growth America, the International Parking & Mobility Institute, and the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund in the creation of an Accessible Streetscape Design Guide. From this guide, supporting organisations, government agencies, and private companies can work collaboratively towards better, more comprehensive industry standards and guidance.

Your responses will be treated in the strictest confidentiality, and the data will only be shared in aggregate form without your personal information.

The team of the World Blind Union Secretariat and the Program for Inclusive and Accessible Urban Development greatly appreciates your support and looks forward to working with you to create more accessible streetscapes for every community.

News from the Royal New Zealand Foundation of The Blind (RNZFB) Board

Announcing Blind Low Vision NZ’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan for 2024-2028 has now been released. It has been crafted with valuable insights and feedback from many clients and stakeholders and we thank you all for your willingness to be involved.

You can read The Strategic Plan for 2024-2028 on the Blind Low Vision NZ website or on TIS at option 3 1 6. You can also call the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 to request a copy in your preferred accessible format.

Join the CEO and Board of Directors for a question-and-answer session on Friday 5 July, 11:00am to 12:00noon. Zoom meeting link.

Phone: 0800966674 Meeting ID: 3609027534# then enter #

RNZFB Board Elections 2024

Key dates to pencil in your diaries:

  • 23 August – Call for nominations to stand as a Director.
  • 20 September – Last day for nominations.
  • 11 October – Voting packs circulated.
  • 8 November – Last day to vote.

Call for Nominations for Directors. Information about the call for nominations to stand as a Director is being sent out to all registered voting members in their preferred format on Friday 23 August. Only nominations on the prescribed form are valid. To receive a nomination form, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33. All completed nominations must be received at Blind Low Vision NZ by 4:00 pm on Friday 20 September.

Information Event for Candidates. The CEO and Board will be running an information event on Monday 22 July from 6:30pm via Zoom, for those interested in standing in this year’s Board Elections. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP via email to boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or contact the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

If you would like more information about Board elections, becoming a director, the Constitution or the voting process or timeline, please contact the Returning Officer boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phone the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

Updating RNZFB Board Election Voting Information

A reminder that Blind Low Vision NZ will be contacting all its registered voting members through July until August to check in and see if they want to continue to be a voting member.

Special Meeting of Members Proposal

At its March meeting, the RNZFB Board approved resolutions to put to its registered voting members to vote on later this year through a postal ballot from 11 October, finishing with a Special Meeting of Members to be held in South Auckland on Saturday 16 November 2024.

The proposal setting out the rationale for all the changes proposed will be circulated for discussion on Friday 2 August via normal channels of mass-communication.

If you are not currently a voting member and wish to take part in the preliminary discussion and consultation or vote, you must let the Board Secretary know no later than 4:00pm on Friday 20 September by contacting boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phoning the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

RNZFB Board of Directors Meeting

The next RNZFB Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Saturday 6 July 2024. This meeting will be held at the Blind Low Vision NZ Hamilton office. If you would like to attend this meeting as an observer, please contact the Board Secretary boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phone the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

  • In accordance with the RNZFB Constitution, members and members of the public are welcome to observe at RNZFB Board Meetings in person, via teleconference or online, with the permission of the Chair.

The confirmed meeting minutes of the 3 April full Board Meeting and the draft meeting minutes of the 4 May full Board meeting are available. If you require a copy of any of these minutes, please email the Board Secretary boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phone the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33. The Board meeting minutes are also available on the TIS telephone information menu 3 1 3.

Meet and Greet Event in Hamilton

The next RNZFB Board Meet and Greet event is set to take place on Friday 5 July, at the Blind Low Vision NZ Hamilton office. The session will run from 1:00pm – 3:00pm and will be followed by tea, coffee and biscuits. At the session you will be introduced to the Board Members of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and find out more about the Board’s key priorities. You will also have an opportunity to raise any concerns or ask any questions you may have. And you will get to meet Blind Low Vision NZ’s Chief Executive Andrea Midgen.

  • If you want to attend, please RSVP via email to boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phone the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

Chair’s Award

The Chair’s Award is presented each year at the AGM. The award is for a blind, deafblind or low vision client who has demonstrated an outstanding level of achievement in any field of endeavours. The award comprises a trophy to be held for one year, a cheque for the sum of $500 and a framed certificate.

Now is the time to start thinking if you have someone in mind who would be a worthy recipient, please provide your nomination with supporting information to the Board Secretary at boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or by phoning 0800 24 33 33.

Chair’s Newsletter

For more detail on Board activities and decisions from recent meetings, check out the Chair’s newsletter at Blind Low Vision NZ Governance webpage, and on the Telephone Information Service at option 3 1 1.

Clive Lansink

RNZFB Board Chair

In the News

New Zealand

International

Job Opportunities at Blind Low Vision NZ

The latest job opportunities at Blind Low Vision NZ are listed below. For the complete list, go to the Blind Low Vision NZ Careers website.

Ka kite anō

Please let us know what you think of Kōrero. We welcome suggestions for what you would like us to include and any tips or stories you would like to share with the community. Get in touch on 0800 24 33 33 or via communications@blindlowvision.org.nz.

Did you know that you can request Kōrero in Braille? Call our contact centre on 0800 24 33 33 if you would like to receive Kōrero in this format.