Kōrero – October 2024

Formats

Kōrero is available in the following formats:

• HTML webpage: Click here for the Korero webpage on the Blind Low Vision NZ website.
• Word document.
• TIS (Telephone Information Service): Call TIS m341. Find your local TIS number on our Library Services webpage.
• 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”.
• Braille: Call our Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 if you would like to receive Kōrero in Braille.

Thumbs Up

New Webinar Series: Discover Accessible Technology You Didn’t Know You Had – 21 November, 7.00pm

Join us Thursday 21 November at 7:00 p.m. for the first in our exciting series of interactive webinars, designed to introduce you to accessible technology that you didn’t know you had!

This webinar will explore the hidden features and tools in everyday devices that make technology more accessible and easier to use if you are blind or have low vision. You’ll gain valuable insights and practical tips to make the most of your technology.

This is the first of a new webinar series from Blind Low Vision NZ, offering an engaging and interactive experience via Zoom. If you are unable to attend, a recording of this webinar will also be available on the Blind Low Vision NZ website.

Click here to join the Accessible Technology Webinar via Zoom.

Or paste the URL below into your browser: https://blindlowvision.zoom.us/j/83697197509

For more information, email Israel Coello, Head of Innovation and Insights at ICoello@blindlowvision.org.nz or call us on 0800 24 33 33.

We look forward to you joining us on Thursday 21 November!

See the Person – Raising Awareness

On 15 October, White Cane Day, Blind Low Vision NZ launched the awareness and advocacy campaign See the Person.

The purpose of this campaign is to change attitudes surrounding blindness and low vision in Aotearoa New Zealand. One of the biggest barriers people with low or no vision face is other people’s assumptions. Judgemental attitudes get in the way of people living life the way they choose by blocking job opportunities, justifying inaccessibility, and discouraging people from using tools such as white canes that would identify them as being blind or having low vision.

See the Person is a digital campaign aimed at raising awareness around issues blind, deafblind and low vision people face in their everyday lives, e.g. employment, transport, customer service, recreational activities, and on the flipside, how capable people are when enabled to reach their potential.

Read more about See the Person and our upcoming advocacy campaigns, on the Advocate page of the Blind Low Vision NZ website.

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.

Real estate consumer guides now available in e-braille, audio and large print

The Real Estate Authority (REA), in partnership with Blind Low Vision NZ, has launched key real estate consumer information in e-Braille, audio, and large print formats. These resources are designed to help people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision navigate the real estate process with confidence. The guides cover essential topics, including the residential sale and purchase agreement, the real estate buying journey, and the complaints process overseen by REA.

Dan Shepherd, General Manager of Community and Inclusion at Blind Low Vision NZ, highlighted the importance of this initiative in removing barriers for people with vision loss. He said, “Providing accessible formats empowers people with vision loss to make informed decisions, promoting independence and choice.”

REA Chief Executive, Belinda Moffat, emphasised the significance of accessible information in helping consumers make well-informed real estate decisions.

Visit the REA website for the full media release.

Tell Me About It

We’re excited to introduce a new segment in the newsletter: 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

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.

iPhone/Apple User Group

For Blind Low Vision NZ clients who have questions about using an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Apple Watch, or can offer advice to other Apple device users.

Subscribe: nz-vi-iphone-users+subscribe@groups.io

E-mail: nz-vi-iphone-users@groups.io

Web page: www.groups.io/g/nz-vi-iphone-users

Cooking

Out of Sight Cooks is an informal chat group for blind people who love to cook or just love food! They post recipes but as the kitchen is the heart of the home, they also share some of their home life as a group of friends.

Subscribe: outofsightcooks+subscribe@groups.io

Email: outofsightcooks@groups.io

TV, Music, and Movies

Video without Pictures is a group for blind New Zealanders to discuss all things TV, Music, and Movie. Including associated tech, accessibility issues, new releases, audio description, favourite bands and the ongoing saga of Star Trek v. Star Wars.

Subscribe: videowithoutpictures+subscribe@groups.io

Email: videowithoutpictures@groups.io

Many thanks to Jeanie for the group email list suggestion. More to come in the next edition!

Making the Most of Speechify

Speechify is a popular app that reads out emails, Word documents, text, and most websites on the iPhone. Some features are available for free, and for a subscription fee, its AI summary feature saves time by providing quick overviews of documents. If the summary is useful, the full document can be listened to afterwards. The app also has a text magnification feature, allowing users to follow along as it reads aloud. Visit speechify.com to know more.

Thanks for the suggestions, Desmond.

A Simple Cooking Reminder

A helpful tip to avoid forgetting something on the hob or in the oven is to switch on the light above the extractor hood first. This simple action serves as a visual reminder and is very effective for low vision folk. If you’re fully blind, you might find it helpful to set an audio timer when you start cooking. This gives you a clear reminder when it’s time to check the hob or oven. Simple and effective.

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

RNZFB Board Elections 2024

Key dates to pencil in your diaries:

• 8 November – Last day to vote.

AGM

The 2024 Annual General Meeting will be held at 10:30am on Saturday 16 November at Blind Low Vision NZ, 30 McVilly Road, Manurewa, Auckland.

A copy of the Annual Report (Community Impact Report) and the Performance Report (the financial statements) for the 2023-24 financial year has been sent to every member who has elected to receive them in their preferred format. You can view and download the AGM reports on the Blind Low Vision NZ Governance website. If you would like to receive a copy of the annual report and Performance Report in your preferred format, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

There will be opportunities to ask questions or comment on the RNZFB’s activities and the Board’s direction. Members who do not wish to travel to South Auckland for the AGM may participate in either of two ways:

1. If there is enough interest, we hope to organise meetings at other Blind Low Vision NZ offices that will be linked to the meeting.
2. Alternatively, you may participate via Zoom. You will need to book your space in advance.

The RNZFB Constitution provides that the New Zealand public are entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting as observers. Anyone wishing to attend the AGM as an observer is asked to contact the Board Secretary.

In accordance with the Board’s policy, observers must attend the AGM from one of the designated Blind Low Vision NZ offices. Observers cannot attend via Zoom and may not speak at the AGM unless given permission by the Chair.

Special Meeting of Members

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. To read more about the proposed changes, visit the Governance page on our website, the RNZFB elections website, or TIS menu 315. These proposals will be formally discussed and decided at a Special Meeting of Members to be held at 9:30am on Saturday 16 November at Blind Low Vision NZ, 30 McVilly Road, Manurewa, Auckland, which is just prior to the AGM.

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 Friday 15 November 2024. This meeting will be held at the Blind Low Vision NZ Parnell 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 6 July full Board Meeting and the draft meeting minutes of the 14 September 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 telephone information menu 3 1 3.

Meet and Greet Event in South Auckland

The next RNZFB Board Meet and Greet event is set to take place on Thursday 14 November, at the Blind Low Vision NZ South Auckland office, 30 McVilly Road, Manurewa, Auckland. The session will run from 1:00pm – 3:00pm and will be followed by tea, coffee and biscuits. At the session, you’ll meet the Board Members of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and learn about their key priorities. You’ll also have the chance to raise any concerns or ask questions. Additionally, you’ll 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.

Mandatory Policies for Consultation

The Board is reviewing the mandatory policies outlined in section 3 of the Board Policy Manual. Over the next few months, each policy will be circulated with rationale for any proposed changes, with opportunity for members and stakeholders to comment.

The mandatory policies reviewed so far are as follows:

3.1 Children

3.2 Tangata Whenua

3.3 Other Minority Groups

3.4 Volunteers

3.5 Application of Money

3.6 Consultation with Users of Services

3.7 Community Participation

3.8 Communications, Preferred Formats and Service of Documents

3.9 “Plain English”

3.11 Conflicts of interest

The Governance Committee will review any comments received and make final recommendations to the Board. The Board will publish any changes it makes to these policies, which will include a summary of feedback received and rationale for the Board’s final decisions.

Donald Hunt

It is with great regret that we announce the passing of Donald Hunt, an active member of his community, a member of Blind Low Vision NZ and an outstanding volunteer. He helped establish the Waimate Community Committee in 1987 and he served on the Board of the RNZFB. He also founded the South Canterbury branch of Blind Citizens NZ in 1978 and was National Councillor for that branch for a number of years. He was awarded a Beamish Memorial Medal by Blind Citizens NZ, which is an award given to members who have made an outstanding contribution to the community.

We offer our condolences to Donald’s family at this time of loss, but we will remember him fondly for the generous help he gave blind people over many years.

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 check it out at the Blind Low Vision NZ Governance webpage, and on the Telephone Information Service at option 3 1 1.

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

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

In early October, the Board issued the following statement outlining the steps we are taking in response to the report of the Royal Commission of inquiry into abuse in state and faith-based institutions.

We acknowledge those in the blind and low vision community who experienced abuse while in the care of The Blind Foundation. We also acknowledge all those who bravely came forward as part of the Inquiry, notably the three people who were quoted in the Report. Our next steps will be to speak directly to these three people, and others if they become known, to ensure we gain their insight, and hear their voice, to guide us in the drafting of a public apology from Blind Low Vision NZ, as defined in Recommendation 3.d. of the final report of the Inquiry (abuseincare.org.nz)

We appreciate that there may be others who have not come forward as part of the inquiry. To those people, we want to make you aware that whilst the Royal Commission has now been disbanded, the Survivor Experience Service has been established to provide a safe, supportive, and confidential place for survivors of abuse in care, and their whānau, to share their experiences.

This Service exists to support survivors and whānau in their healing. It is available for people who were abused in state, faith-based or other forms of care. Please refer to the Survivor experiences website to find out more about this service, including how you can share your experience. You can also phone them on 0800 456-090, email them at contact@survivorexperiences.govt.nz or text them on 8328.

Clive Lansink

RNZFB Board Chair

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.

Braille Proofreader – Auckland | Casual/Part-time. Closing date, Thursday 7 November 2024.

Deafblind Coordinator (Parental Leave cover) – Auckland | Fixed term/Full-time. Closing date, Wednesday 6 November 2024.

Rehabilitation Instructor – Auckland | Permanent/Full-time. Closing date, Tuesday 5 November 2024.

Rehabilitation Instructor – Auckland/Northland | Permanent/Full-time. Closing date, Wednesday 6 November 2024.

Rehabilitation Instructor – Auckland | Permanent/Full-time. Closing date, Wednesday 6 November 2024.

Rehabilitation Instructor – Palmerston North | Permanent/Full-time. Closing date, Sunday 3 November 2024.