Sarah Walters

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, Whoop, whoop, whoop! We launched our Wellington/Lower Hutt/Kāpiti group last Saturday. We had five deafblind, one voluntary tactile interpreter, one voluntary driver/technical advisor, and Jacqui, Deafblind Coordinator Extraordinaire! Phil hosted at the Laura Fergusson Trust and the catering was donated. I learned so very much from all […]

Note: this message was prepared by Amanda on Rāhoro, Saturday. Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, With apologies this is coming to you a little late this week, however that does not mean I have not been thinking of you all! I’m back in the “Big smoke” of Wellington and looking forward today

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, I am delighted to let you know that Phil Thorn is hosting a gathering in Lower Hutt next weekend for those in the wider Wellington area. Thank you Phil for taking leadership on this! So far we have eight of us gathering from Wellington, Kapiti Coast, and

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to All of Us, Honouring Brian Peel I came to know Brian after he had retired from his role as Guide Dog Instructor with Blind Low Vision NZ and I had returned from the UK. We would meet along the estuary while I walked Clover and he was walking his little

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, This week your Board received the resignation of Don McKenzie, CNZM, OBE MNZM and more. Don has dedicated the years since 2017 of his invaluable insight to us as a member of our community and enriching us with his experience. In looking at Don’s bio there is

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, I start with something this week that says it so much more clearly than I do. Kevin sent this through to us so thank you Kevin. It is so succinct and yet says everything! “I want to leave you one of my favourite quotes about disability from

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, Most of the time now I don’t think about whether I am deafblind or not – it’s just my normal. Every three years however I have a little smug moment when I am grateful not to be able to see all the larger-than-life faces of election candidates.

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, Wiki o te Reo Māori Māori Language Week is an annual event that celebrates the culture and language of the Māori people. In 2023, Māori Language Week started on the 11th of September and runs until the 18th of September. Whaikaha is our Ministry for Disabled People

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, Two of my favourite things about spring: Being an early riser I am most often up well before the birds in the winter. In the spring we wake up together and I am thankful to still be able to hear them and converse about the day. The

Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, Wishing you happy Spring Days! Thank you to all those who engaged with us in any way for our Annual General Meeting last Sunday. We are grateful for your questions, interest and commitment. This is very welcome as it helps us to learn about and better serve

The 2023 General Election will be held in October and we encourage every eligible New Zealander to enrol and vote. Voting starts on Monday 2 October and finishes at 7pm on election day, Saturday 14 October. Information about enrolling and voting is available in alternate formats, such as New Zealand Sign Language, audio, large print

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, By golly writing reports to our Annual General Meeting for this Sunday gives me time to reflect on the richness of our mahi in the last year. We would like to share this with you so if you have not already made arrangements to be with us

We have now uploaded the Executive Officer’s report about the 2023 seminar: Be Seen Be Heard Be Connected. The report outlines the Aotearoa New Zealand context for planning a seminar for deafblind while still in a “Covid live” environment, logistical challenges, and the successes and outcomes that have inspired plans for another seminar in 2025.

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, With our AGM in Wellington fast approaching it’s a busy time here at Deafblind Association NZ . We do hope you would like to join us for the morning and a light lunch. If you are in the wider Wellington area we can support your transport. Where:

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Each week for a little while I will feature a short snippet or highlight from the recent Deafblind International (DbI) 18th World Conference in Ottawa. This optional session was one I really felt worth going to. —– Acquired Deafblindness Network For those of us with Acquired Deafblindness

Kia ora tatou, Hello to All of Us, Kevin, President Deafblind Association NZ, and I returned from Ottawa a few days ago after attending the Deafblind International 18th World Conference. There were 510 people at conference and all of them so rich in knowledge around deafblind and our issues, and so willing to share. We

Community Services Cardholders can apply for ongoing 50% fare discounts through your local public transport provider. Following is a link to  the Work and Income website where you can learn more about Community Connect and how to apply, including links to your local public transport provider’s website. Public transport fare information (Work and Income)

Kia ora Tatou, An introductory note from Sarah: Amanda prepared content for this update to be sent on Friday but I did not manage to do this and am now hoping that Amanda has now arrived safely arrived in Ottawa, the very early hours of Sunday morning local time. Tomorrow I leave for Ottawa to

This week’s update comes with an apology from Sarah for the delay in sending. Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, International Deafblind Awareness Week is nearly upon us. The World Federation of the Deafblind are suggesting a theme of “Older Persons” for this year. I like it. What about you? Last week I

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Every year since I lost my hearing combined with sight loss I get all passionate about Helen Keller Day, 27 June. For me it’s not that she was deafblind so much as that she was one of the strongest people for Social Justice. With just over two