Kōrero - November 2024

Formats

Kōrero is emailed to all our clients and members, Consumer Organisations, and Community Committees on the last Thursday of every month, and it is also available in the following formats:

• This webpage, available as the Korero webpage on the Blind Low Vision NZ website.
• Word document.
• Alexa: Say “Alexa, open Blind Low Vision”. Alexa will then guide you through the main menu. Then, at any point, say “Alexa, magazines” and then “Alexa, BLVNZ Korero”.
• TIS (Telephone Information Service): Call TIS m 3, 4, 1. Find your local TIS number on our Library Services webpage.
• Braille: Link to BRF (Braille Ready Format) file of Korero November 2024. Call our Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 if you would like to receive Kōrero in Braille.

Thumbs Up

Library Survey Results – Updates based on Your Feedback

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2024 Library Survey. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve Blind Low Vision NZ Library services. Over 600 members shared their thoughts, and this feedback will help us focus on which areas require work. We wanted to highlight a few key improvements we’re making based on your responses.

More new titles

A common theme in the feedback was to have more up-to-date titles. As a result, we’re adding more popular titles, with a monthly focus on the top 50 NZ books, including both Braille and audio formats, to keep our collection fresh and engaging.

Less clutter

We heard your feedback about audio introductions. Any unnecessary information will now be moved to the end of recordings when new titles are recorded. We are also working to ensure narrators are well-matched to the content for a more enjoyable reading experience.

Improved quality control

A new volunteer role has been created to help provide information on titles that need to be remastered or replaced.

Did you know?

• Our communications: The Library has an email newsletter called Bookmarks and a quarterly magazine called Sound and Touch that is available in all formats. Both highlight new titles recently added to the Blind Low Vision library catalogue, you can subscribe to either of these communications by calling the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 or emailing library@blindlowvision.org.nz.
• Online services: You can now write a book review, request a book, or search the library catalogue online. All these options and more can be found on the Blind Low Vision NZ Library page.

Thank you for helping us shape a better Library service. We’re excited to bring these improvements to you.

Sue’s Story – Navigating life with Stargardt

Meet Sue, she lives in Kurow with her husband. She has two daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandson, mostly in Dunedin. Family is everything to Sue, and she visits them whenever she can.

At 22, Sue was diagnosed with Stargardt disease. Her vision started to decline after her first child was born, and eventually, she lost all her central vision. This left her only able to see peripherally, which made her feel isolated, believing she was the only one facing this. Read Sue’s full story.

Wellington Cable Cars Calendars are back!

Our friends at Wellington Cable Cars have partnered with us again to bring you the 2025 calendar, featuring the adorable guide dog Yale!

Last year, these calendars raised over $4,000 to support Blind Low Vision NZ, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together this year.

The calendar is available now for $25 each on the Wellington Museums store website (store.museumswellington.org.nz).

Every dollar from the sales of the 2025 Dogs of the Cable Car Calendar helps breed, raise, and train our life-changing Guide Dogs.

Petstock Christmas Project

This Christmas, Petstock is supporting Blind Low Vision NZ through their 2024 Christmas Project. Every donation made in-store or online will help fund vital services like breeding, raising, and training Guide Dogs. Petstock is committed to making a real impact, helping us empower people with vision loss to live more independent and fulfilling lives.

To learn more or donate, visit Petstock’s Christmas Project (petstock.co.nz).

Listening to Our Community: Braille Book Giveaway Initiative

The Library and Accessible Formats Service (AFS) departments are excited to announce the Braille Book Giveaway, an ongoing initiative to keep valuable Braille resources in circulation and promote Braille literacy across New Zealand. This effort comes in response to feedback from our community, after concerns were raised when some Braille books were previously removed from our library without being offered to the public.

As part of our library curation process, we are refining our collection to contain the top 50 most-requested titles for loan at any given time. Books that are no longer in demand, but are complete and still in good condition, are now be offered through periodic giveaways!

We believe these giveaways will promote awareness and increase the use of Braille by ensuring these resources reach people who can benefit from them. Participants will receive a list of titles, and they can select as many books as they like from it, on a first come, first serve basis! The books will be couriered free of charge, with no need to return them.

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to treating our Braille collection with care and respect, ensuring that valuable materials continue to serve our community.

If you’d like to be added to the mailing list for future giveaways, please email daisyplayers@blindlowvision.org.nz. If you know someone who might be interested, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them.

At Blind Low Vision NZ, we value Braille, and together we are committed to supporting its future.

A hands-on experience of Vision Store products

The recent new Product Demonstration event was a significant milestone in our partnership with Vision Australia. This hands-on event offered a fantastic opportunity for clients and members to explore the latest Vision Store products, ask questions, and receive expert guidance. Attendees gained direct experience with innovative technology, including specialised imports such as the Big Purple Phone, Mini Guide, and Digital Magnifier.

This event was organised in response to feedback from clients and members who often had to buy products online without the chance to try them in person. This event made it possible for our community to interact directly with the products, gaining a deeper understanding of their benefits and functions.

Beyond product demonstrations, the event served as a wonderful social gathering, strengthening our connection with the community and our partnership with Vision Australia. Held in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, attendees provided valuable feedback after the demonstrations, and all showcased products are now available for purchase through our Vision Store (shop.visionaustralia.org.nz).

Looking forward, we are excited to offer even more opportunities like this, including regular interactive webinars to introduce accessible technology that might already be within reach. We began this engaging series on Thursday 21 November, and look forward to bringing you many more!

Stay connected! We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas on future products or events you’d like us to explore! Send us your thoughts by emailing communications@blindlowvision.org.nz or calling our Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

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 dialing 0800 100 051.

Please note that the Telefriend service will pause over the holiday period, from Friday 13th December, and will resume on Monday 20th January.

Tell Me About It

This is your space to share bite-sized learnings from your experiences as someone who is blind, deafblind, or has low vision. Maybe you’ve got a new gadget you’re loving, or you’re an Excel expert with great tips on accessibility features. Whatever it is, your knowledge could help someone else. Whether it’s a tech trick, a daily living hack, or anything in between, we want to hear from you! Your insights could make a big difference to others in the community.

If you’d like to submit an idea, please email communications@blindlowvision.org.nz.

Individualised Funding and other support services

A member recently requested information regarding financial support services available to the blind and low vision community. Whilst Blind Low Vision NZ does not provide ongoing financial support to members, you may be eligible for other benefits and support services.

Note: As a registered charity, we are dedicated to supporting our community but are not authorised to offer financial advice or make specific recommendations for financial advisors. For advice related to funding, financial planning, or other financial matters, we encourage you to consult a qualified financial advisor or relevant agency. We are happy to assist by directing you to the appropriate resources or organisations that can offer the guidance you require.

Taikura Trust (Auckland only) and Manawanui offer assessments and access to Individualised Funding for support in home and community settings, outside of work. This funding is not income-tested and is available for individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities. The amount of support allocated each year is based on individual needs.

Manawanui

Manawanui is a leading social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by offering self-directed funding solutions. Since 2004, they’ve been a pioneer in Individualised Funding, providing tools and resources that support people in managing their funding and living life on their terms. With a strong focus on choice and flexibility, Manawanui strives to make it easier for people to take control of their lives and access the support they need. For more information, visit the Manawanui website.

Taikura Trust – Auckland only

Taikura Trust provides valuable support to people under 65 with disabilities in the Auckland region. They offer needs assessments, service coordination, and help in creating tailored support plans. Their team connects individuals and families to appropriate services, ensuring access to essential resources. For more information, visit the Taikura Trust website.

If you’re not working

If you’ve lost your job, Work and Income offers support, and you can check eligibility through their website or by meeting with a case manager at your local office. The MSD Blind Person’s Supported Living Payment is available for those who meet the legal criteria for blindness, confirmed by a registered ophthalmologist. For further details on eligibility and criteria, visit Work and Income and Legislation.govt.nz.

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. If the PDF forms are troublesome to fill out on your own, please call the MSD Job and Training Support Fund number 0800 551 001 so they can help you out.

Stay Connected Through E-mail Groups

E-mail groups are a great way to stay connected with the blind and low vision community. They provide a space to share information, offer support, and network with others who face similar challenges. Many find them invaluable for advice on specific tasks or technology needs, as well as for receiving announcements and staying informed.

Using an e-mail group is simple. It works much like replying to all in a regular e-mail thread, allowing a group of people to share a conversation. You can send and receive messages as you usually would. If you prefer, you can customise your settings, such as grouping all messages into a daily summary, focusing on a single topic, or muting topics that don’t interest you.

To get started, just send a blank e-mail to the +subscribe address of the group you’d like to join.

For example, if you’d like to subscribe to the iPhone / Apple User Group below, use the following email with +subscribe in the email address. nz-vi-iphone-users+subscribe@groups.io.

Each group has its own rules and expectations, and you’ll usually receive an introduction e-mail once you’ve subscribed. Whether you’re looking for a casual, off-topic chat or serious tech support, there’s an e-mail group to suit your needs. Many people find these groups a lifesaver, especially when facing tech issues – you can often get helpful answers within hours!

Remember, to ask for more information or contact someone directly, use the group’s address with +owner instead of +subscribe. The main e-mail address is used to post to the group, but only once you’ve joined. This applies to most groups using the Groups.io platform, though some platforms may have slight differences.

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

Greetings from the Board of Directors.

RNZFB Election of Directors

Congratulations to our three sitting directors, Anne Marie Taggart, Ron Scott, and Richard Patete, who have been re-elected to serve another three years on the Board. Their dedication and leadership are invaluable, and we thank them for their ongoing service. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Paul Geertson and Jacqueline Galiki for standing in the election. Their commitment to supporting Blind Low Vision NZ is greatly appreciated.

The Returning Officer’s report giving all the election results was delivered to the AGM on 16 November and will be included in the minutes of that meeting.

Special Meeting of Members Proposal

The Board is pleased to announce that all proposed changes to the Constitution of the RNZFB were passed by a postal ballot of members followed by a special meeting of members held on 16 November. These updates will strengthen the governance of the organisation:

• Director Fees: Fees will now be set in line with regular independent reviews of director fees in the not-for-profit sector, rather than through regular postal ballots of members.
• Board Diversity: The Constitution now formally recognises the value of diversity in Board membership.
• Complaints Process: A new process will allow complaints against the Chief Executive to first be handled by an independent decision-making panel. If someone remains unsatisfied, they can still bring their complaint to the Board.
• Administrative Updates: Various minor administrative changes were also made to ensure clarity and efficiency.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Board Secretary/Returning Officer by email at boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or by telephone on 0800 24 33 33.

Board Chair’s Award

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

This year, I was honoured to present the Chair’s Award to Mark Laurent, a professional musician, songwriter, and poet with low vision. I had a good handful of strong nominations to think about, but I was moved to give the award to Mark, not just recognising his outstanding musical and artistic talent, but also his commitment to pursuing his craft with excellence and commitment to strong values, over more than fifty years.

Mark has written over 200 original songs, often exploring themes of faith and social connection, and he now focuses on performing his own music while touring New Zealand. He is also the author of the children’s book Rufus and the Rain, and his work continues to inspire with its authenticity and creativity.

Mark’s achievements demonstrate the talent, resilience, and passion that define so many in our community. We celebrate his success and are proud to recognise his contributions through the Chair’s Award. Here is Mark Laurent’s LinkedIn profile page.

2025 AGM

The Board announced at the recent AGM that the 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held at BLVNZ Wellington office on Saturday 22 November at Blind Low Vision NZ, 121 Adelaide Road, Mount Cook, Wellington.

Board of Directors Meetings

The next RNZFB Board of Directors Meeting is an In-Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 4 December 2024.

The confirmed meeting minutes of the 14 September full Board Meeting are available and the draft meeting minutes of the 15 November full Board meeting will be available in the next few weeks. If you require a copy of any of these minutes, please email the Board Secretary boardscretary@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 Service at option 3, 1, 3.

2025 RNZFB Board meetings

The Board meeting dates for next year including the community engagement meet and greet events are as follows:

• Saturday 1 March: Gisborne (Friday 28 March, meet and greet event).
• Saturday 3 May: Whangārei (Friday 2 May, meet and greet event).
• Saturday 5 July: Dunedin (Friday 4 July, meet and greet event).
• Saturday 20 September: Auckland (Friday 19 September, meet and greet event).
• Friday 21 November: Wellington (Thursday 20 November, meet and greet event).
• Wednesday 3 December: Board only In-Committee Meeting via Zoom.

Mandatory Policies for Consultation

Just a reminder that over the next few months the Board is reviewing a number of policies, which includes circulating them to clients and stakeholders for comment. So far, we’ve sent seven policies for comment and the next lot will go out on 9 December. You’re welcome to comment on any or all of these and details on how to do that will be included in each message.

2025 Full Review of the Constitution

The Board has committed to reviewing the constitution in consultation with members. The review will consider Te Tiritiri o Waitangi, co-governance, representation on the Board, disability philosophy, and recent changes to the Incorporated Societies Act.

At the last meeting the Board took a big step forward on this by approving the Terms of Reference that clearly sets out in some detail what the review needs to cover. The next big step is to find a truly independent person with the right knowledge, leadership and skills to lead such a review.

2025 Board Retreat

The Board begins 2025 in January when it holds its annual retreat, which is set to take place in Parnell Auckland. This is a great opportunity for planning and setting work goals for the upcoming year. The RNZFB Board are also planning a session with the BLVNZ Executive Leadership Team.

Obituary to Maaka Tauranga Tibble MNZM

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Maaka Tibble on 30 October. Maaka worked tirelessly throughout his life to advance the interests of kāpō Māori, and the broader community of blind, deafblind, and low vision people.

Maaka joined the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind in 1980 as a social worker, providing invaluable support to clients. By the late 1980s, he was chairing the library’s Māori Committee and organised the first-ever talking book recording of the New Testament in Te Reo Māori, a landmark achievement in making culturally significant materials more accessible. The Māori Services Department was established in 1986, and Maaka later assumed the role of Manager of that service. In that role he made great strides in developing the RNZFB’s services to Māori clients.

In 1983, Maaka was a founding member of the organisation now known as Kāpō Māori Aotearoa, the main indigenous blind consumer organisation in New Zealand. He worked hard throughout his life to keep developing the voice of Kāpō Māori. He also represented tangata whaikaha Māori and their whānau on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) governance monitoring board.

Maaka received a Winston Churchill Fellowship award in 1992, which took him to North America where he completed research into Maori access to disability services compared to First Nation people of America and Canada.

In the late 1990s, he was one of the leaders of the movement towards the self-determination of blind people, which led to the RNZFB transitioning from a statutory trust to an incorporated society directed by and accountable to its members. From 2000-2004 he was the Chair of the World Blind Union’s indigenous committee.

In 2002 he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his services to the disability sector.

More recently, Maaka was pursuing a claim against the Crown in the Waitangi Tribunal on behalf of himself and other kāpō Māori, alleging that breaches of te Tiriti o Waitangi had led to poor health and wellbeing outcomes for kāpō Māori and tāngata whaikaha Māori. Sadly, Maaka will not be able to see his claim to its conclusion.

Disabled people from all ethnic groups will remember and thank him for gifting the words “tāngata whaihaka”, and “Whaikaha” as the Māori name for the Ministry for Disabled people. “Whaikaha” emphasises the courage, strength, and determination of disabled people in overcoming the challenges they face.

Above all, he will be remembered for his visionary leadership, his wisdom which he was always willing to share, his positive attitude and his wonderful sense of humour.

Poroporoaki, okioki i runga i te rangimarie, i muri i te oranga o te mahi me te whakatapu. Ko to whakapau kaha me to aroha kua waiho he taonga tuku iho hei whakahihiko i te hunga ka whai mai i a koe. Ka rite ki te rakau kaha ka hinga ki te ngahere, ka ngaro to aroaro, engari to wairua ka haere tonu tona haerenga. Kia kite koe i te okiokinga mutunga kore me te rangimarie i roto i te tauawhi o ou tupuna, e karapotia ana e te aroha me te whakaute.

Farewell, rest in peace, after a life of service and dedication. Your hard work and love have left a lasting legacy that will inspire those who come after you. Like the mighty tree that falls in the forest, your presence will be missed, but your spirit will continue its journey. May you find eternal rest and peace in the embrace of your ancestors, surrounded by love and respect.

Chair’s Newsletter

Please regularly check the BLVNZ Governance webpage for our information, including my regular newsletter which gives a lot more detail on Board decisions and activities from our most recent meetings. Or find it at option 3 1 1 on the Telephone Information Service.

Clive Lansink
RNZFB Board Chair

Job Opportunities at Blind Low Vision NZ

The latest job opportunities at Blind Low Vision NZ are available on TIS m 3, 4, 6 and on the Blind Low Vision NZ Careers website.