news and events

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

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, This morning I am writing to you from Nelson Tasman Bay Hospice where I am with Peter. Guide Dog, Wallace, wanders around supervising everyone and, of course, is much welcomed and admired. The garden here is beautiful and has water features and a mosaic totem pole of

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, This week Amanda’s attentions are required elsewhere so unfortunately we do not have access to the usual range of news and updates. So this is kia ora tatou from Sarah in the Christchurch South Library. It is an interesting place to be as the range of people

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Ngā mihi maioha – regards and appreciation – to Blind Citizens NZ discuss list for some of the information in this mail out. Here are three highlights in respect of yesterday’s budget release that may positively affect our community from Paul Brown from that list, also Director

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, It’s New Zealand Sign Language week! It’s a great opportunity to express thanks and I can’t even begin to number the people who support us, are interested in deafblind needs, and who value our input. When I am in a meeting, or at a café, or just

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Well, it’s batten down the hatches time again this weekend against more rain so we are thinking of you across the motu and keeping your wellbeing in mind. Sarah has now booked a room at Braille House, Wellington for our Annual General Meeting and so the date

The Board of Deafblind Association New Zealand regretfully announces the resignation of our President, Vaughan Dodd. Vaughan has been a tireless advocate for deafblind New Zealanders over many years, including during his time on our Board. We know that commitment and hard work will continue as he moves on. Vaughan joined our Board in September

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Today I am taking time to reflect on what we were doing two years ago in Auckland. That was our first Be Seen Be Heard Be Connected Seminar held over ANZAC weekend. We were delighted with the outcomes and also with our recent successes of Seminar in

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, The Board of Deafblind Association New Zealand regretfully announces the resignation of our President, Vaughan Dodd. Vaughan has been a tireless advocate for deafblind New Zealanders over many years, including during his time on our Board. We know that commitment and hard work will continue as he

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Sarah and I hope you had a great long weekend and ate all the chocolate appropriate to want and need! While we took a break the rest of the world moved on and so there are many interesting snippets and links this week. I was most interested

Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Deafblind Association NZ’s tag line is Be Seen Be Heard Be Connected. It’s that last word that I have been thinking about during the week as I have noted the discussion unfolding on the Blind Discuss List, hosted by Blind Citizens NZ, around the feeling about people

This was originally sent out by email on 26 March 2023. If you’d like to join our mailing list, please contact us. Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, It’s beginning to feel a little autumnal and so things feel a little quiet. Let’s not have it that for us though. Invercargill have reached

This was originally sent out by email on 25 Feb 2023. If you’d like to join our mailing list, please contact us. Kia ora tatou, Hello to all of us, Tatou, as I use it every week, means all of us. I am sure right now that we are all thinking of our connected friends

From this week, we’ll be posting our weekly email update here too. If you’d like to sign up for the emails, please contact us. Kia ora Tatou, Hello to all of us, In all of the worst of what the natural world is throwing at some of us at the moment please know the Board,