Kōrero – August 2024

Table of Contents

Kōrero – 29 August 2024

Formats

Message from Andrea

Thumbs Up

Noticeboard

Upcoming events

Community Bulletin

News from the RNZFB Board

In the News

Job Opportunities at Blind Low Vision NZ

Ka kite anō

Thumbs Up

Alexa: Your Daily Companion for Independent Living

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve secured funding to purchase and distribute 1,200 Alexa devices. This initiative kicked off last month and will run until next year, 30 June 2025.

For many Blind Low Vision NZ clients, Alexa has become a valuable companion in their daily lives. One client shared, “For me, it is a very useful tool to have; I use it frequently. It has had a positive impact on my life.” Another client said, “It was so good to be able to hear a good story again. I have really missed being able to read a good book, and the Alexa is the same as a book. You can pick it up again at any time. I just sit back and ‘read’ and relax. It’s lovely.”

Alexa can also help with tasks like setting reminders, checking the weather, listening to audiobooks, and even helping out in the kitchen.

If you’d like to know more about how Alexa can help with your daily living, call our contact centre on 0800 24 33 33.

 

 

Noticeboard

Copper Landline Withdrawal

The way your landline and broadband services connect may change in the future. There are two key changes affecting copper services – copper withdrawal and PSTN switch-off:

Copper withdrawal

With the roll out of the fibre network, New Zealand is now less dependent on copper for its telecommunications needs. Chorus, the owner and operator of the copper network, is now able to withdraw copper services in areas where fibre is available.

PSTN switch-off

The PSTN is a network of switches that automatically connect landline calls from one person to another over copper lines. Operated by Spark, the PSTN is now nearing end-of-life. The old PSTN is being retired area by area where more modern technology is available. Customers still using the service, no matter who their service provider is, will need to transition to newer alternatives.

There is more information available on the NZ Telecommunications Forum website (tcf.org.nz).

If you’re in Auckland, you can also call their free phone number 09 475 0203.

When is this happening?

Copper withdrawal is likely to take several years and will be conducted in carefully planned stages. The PSTN will be switched off area-by-area as more alternative technologies become available over the coming years. Your service provider will be in touch if you’re affected.

What do I need to do?

If Chorus or your service provider doesn’t contact you about these changes, you’re not affected, and your current services will continue.

If Chorus or your service provider has been in touch about changes, you’ll be asked to switch to new technology or, if you prefer, to a new service provider. You will need to talk to your service provider about what options are available to you.

What is Blind Low Vision NZ doing about this?

We’re looking into how we can best support you through this change. This includes exploring accessible technologies and communication solutions, and contacting service providers directly.

If Chorus or your service provider has been in touch about changes, and you’re unsure about which new technology to switch to, contact our friendly contact centre on 0800 24 33 33, or get in touch with your Blind Low Vision NZ Primary Service Provider. Our team can help with finding the best solution for you.

Vision Loss in our Communities: Schools awareness workshops

Blind Low Vision NZ is going back to school to grow awareness of vision loss in our local communities.

Starting in Term 3 2024 (late July) and especially designed for New Zealand’s Primary and Intermediate-aged tamariki, the new Schools Awareness Workshops (blindlowvision.org.nz) will introduce young people to vision loss in their community and the school environment. Topics include how accessibility and adaptations in community help blind, deafblind and low vision people live the life they choose, and how we can all help by being a responsible footpath user.

Workshops are delivered at no cost to the school, as part of our commitment to growing awareness in our local communities and change attitudes towards Vision Loss.

We are excited to build off the success of our pilots delivered in Auckland and Christchurch, and the workshops are now available to book on the Blind Low Vision NZ website, your kids’ Primary or Intermediate school can book now for Term 3 using our Schools Awareness Workshops booking form.

Auckland Graduate Programme 2024

Our Graduate Programme for 2024 is just around the corner! We are excited to offer a fully-funded 12-month workplace opportunity designed to kickstart your career, starting in November 2024.

What we’re offering:

A 12-month paid placement working at Blind Low Vision NZ in a field relevant to your study, with the potential for 3 of those months to be a placement with an external employer.

Develop your skills, build your network, and have a senior mentor to support you throughout your journey.

We are looking for graduates who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. Additionally, you will:

Have obtained a qualification (NZQA Level 5 minimum) within the last 18 months.

Be eligible to work in NZ.

Be able to work in our Auckland Blind Low Vision NZ offices; primarily from Parnell and other Auckland offices as necessary.

Applications close on 16 September 2024, so apply as soon as possible by visiting the Seek Graduate Programme listing, our Careers Page or contact our recruitment team at recruitment@blindlowvision.org.nz

Let’s start your career together!

Blind Low Vision NZ’s Gifts in Wills campaign

Blind Low Vision NZ is a registered charity, and over 70% of funds required to deliver our services come from charitable gifts such as gifts in Wills (source: Blind Low Vision NZ Community Impact Report, Word doc). Some of our services, such as Guide Dogs, receive no government funding and rely solely on the generosity of donors and people who have left a gift to Blind Low Vision NZ in their Will.

As part of our ongoing fundraising activities, the latest initiative is a collaboration with Safewill. From 2nd September to 15th September, Safewill is offering their Will-writing services for free. Outside of those dates, Safewill can also help write your Will at half the usual price, from only $80.

If you notice advertisements about our collaboration with Safewill, please share these with friends and family. To know more about Gifts in Wills and Safewill, please email legacies@blindlowvision.org.nz, call 0800 787 743, or visit the Blind Low Vision NZ webpage on the Safewill website (safewill.com).

Eye Health Aotearoa campaign to spotlight kids’ eye health

Did you know Blind Low Vision NZ is a member of the Eye Health Aotearoa Trust? The Trust represents all the major stakeholders in eye health and advocates for system level changes to prevent avoidable blindness. In September and October 2024, Eye Health Aotearoa will run the Children’s Eye Health Campaign. This campaign will include schools running a tactile art competition and distributing an engaging poster and video with key messages regarding behavioural changes children can make to reduce the risk of myopia.

Read the NZ Optics article about the upcoming Children’s Eye Health Campaign (eyehealthaotearoa.org.nz).

 

 

 

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

Message from RNZFB Board to all clients and members of Blind Low Vision NZ

The following message was emailed on 26 July 2024 and is also available on the Blind Low Vision NZ website.

Kia ora everyone,

Content warning: This subject may raise difficult emotional responses from readers.

You will have heard the news about The Royal Commission’s final report on the abuse and neglect of children, young people and adults in the care of the State and faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950 and 1999. Blind Low Vision NZ is mentioned in this report. Some news articles also mention Blind Low Vision NZ and our Chief Executive, Andrea Midgen, so I’m writing to you today to give you some insight into why our organisation has been included, even though we are not State, nor faith based.

The Royal Commission’s Inquiry spans a period of time between 1950 and 1999. During much of this period, societal attitudes towards disability in Aotearoa New Zealand were appalling. New Zealanders were expected to fit in and conform to a narrow definition of what was considered “normal”. As a result, disabled people disproportionately experienced abuse and neglect. Also, for much of this time, blind and low vision children were prevented or at least discouraged from attending their local schools, and Blind Low Vision NZ regarded itself and was regarded as the best option for their primary education.

A section of The Royal Commission’s report addresses this specific abuse and neglect and notes the representation of the blind and low vision community. The RNZFB Board and Blind Low Vision NZ express our sincere appreciation to the Royal Commission Inquiry and to those people who bravely came forward to recount what happened to them.

We have had a first look at the Report and will continue to take the time to carefully read and follow the recommendations of the Commission. You can access the full report on the Royal Commission’s webpage, at the bottom of which you will find the Executive Summary which is available in Te Reo, and alternate formats including large print, audio and Braille: Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light | Abuse in Care – Royal Commission of Inquiry.

We hereby commit to acting in accordance with the recommendations contained in the report’s Part 9. These recommendations call on key leaders to make public acknowledgements and apologies based on strong engagement with affected communities. This is to be completed within six months.

In the meantime, we unreservedly apologise for any abuse inflicted on children and adults in our care.

We are committed to, and have a moral responsibility to, regularly review and discover whether the systems we have put in place to prevent further abuse are as robust as possible. These include our children’s policy, and our complaints policy (available on our website’s Contact Us page). It also includes all appropriate verifications and checks we carry out, including police checks of staff and volunteers.

We encourage clients who may not have come forward yet to reach out to the Survivor Experiences Service by phone to 0800 456 090 or Text 8328 or via the website survivorexperiences.govt.nz. The Survivor Experiences Service aims to provide a safe, supportive, confidential place where survivors of abuse in care, and their whānau, can share their experiences. This Service is being delivered by disabled people and they have taken steps to meet the needs of the blind and low vision community.

They can talk to you directly, or put you directly in touch with a support person. Also, their website lists some telephone helplines or services that offer support, information and help. All services are free. You can locate information here: Support available | Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry (abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz).

This is a difficult subject so please reach out to friends, family, whānau, and your loved ones. Even just a simple “Are you OK?” can make a big difference.

Clive Lansink

Board Chair

RNZFB Board

 

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 was 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.

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 until September to check in and see if they want to continue to be a voting member. If you have not heard from us, please get in touch with the Contact Centre.

Special Meeting of Members Proposal

At its March meeting, the RNZFB Board approved a number of constitutional changes to be presented to its members for discussion, consultation, and voting in October and November.

The changes being proposed relate to:

• a simplified approach to directors remuneration;
• a diversity clause;
• dispute management; and
• various administrative matters.

To read more about the proposal and the proposed changes, visit the Governance page on our website (blindlowvision.org.nz), the RNZFB elections website, or TIS menu 315.

If you would like to receive the information listed above in a different format, please phone the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

For more information about Board elections, the Constitution or the voting process or timeline, please contact the Returning Officer by email to boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phone 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 14 September 2024. This meeting will be held at BLVNZ Wellington. If you would like to attend this meeting as an observer, please contact the Board Secretary boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phone the BLVNZ 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 4 May full Board Meeting and the draft meeting minutes of the 6 July 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 BLVNZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33. The Board meeting minutes are also available on the telephone information menu 3 1 3.

Meet and Greet Event in Wellington

The next RNZFB Board Meet and Greet event is set to take place on Friday 13 September, at Blind Low Vision NZ Wellington. 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 BLVNZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

Chair’s Award 2024

The Chair’s Award is designed to honour a blind, deafblind or low vision client who has demonstrated an outstanding level of achievement in any field of endeavours.

The award will be presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind to be held on Saturday 16 November in South Auckland. The Chairman’s Award includes a trophy that the recipient will hold for one year, a cheque for the sum of $500 and a framed certificate as tokens of recognition.

Please submit your nominations to the Board Secretary no later than the end of Sunday 13 October 2024. Please provide full background in support of the nomination. You can nominate persons who may have been nominated previously but were unsuccessful.

Email: boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or Phone: 0800 24 33 33.

Chair’s Newsletter

The latest newsletter is now out, with a lot more detail on Board decisions and activities from our most recent meetings. You can download the Chair’s newsletter as a Word document, check it out at the Blind Low Vision NZ Governance webpage, or on the Telephone Information Service at option 3 1 1.

Clive Lansink

RNZFB Board Chair

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.