Kia ora Tatou,
Hello to all of us,
This morning I am writing from Raumati Beach on the Kāpiti Coast. It is thrashing down with rain and I know many of you in the central motu will be batoning down the hatches.
On Wednesday we had a very successful launch of the Palmerston North Deafblind Network for Deafblind Association NZ, held in The Snug, Massey University Campus. We were made very welcome and the manager even held two parking spaces allocated for us to ease mobility. I have written to Claire to thank her for her willingness! Questions on the day included: What inspired you to come today? What is hard for you as a person with dual sensory impairment/loss right now? What is going well for you right now?” I hope you will be inspired to write and request for support to form a group in your area so we can listen to your thoughts too! 
Just respond to this email and we will reach back to you soonest.
At lunchtime today I met with the Kāpiti Deafblind Network. There were twelve of us and discussion was rich! Jacqui Iseli, Deafblind Coordinator Blind Low Vision NZ was with us and her support and insights were invaluable, as were those of the volunteers, and our group leader and host, Elizabeth. Among other people I spoke to Paul Curwin. Paul has a show on Coast Access Radio and this is what he told me: “my show is called Paul Unscripted. I identify as both blind and hearing impaired. I speak about Kāpiti to Kāpiti for Kāpiti. My next guest speaker is a clinical physiologist for Exercise Well whose motto for people with injuries and disabilities is “Move well live well. I often talk about disability and am working towards featuring a Pasifika guest focusing on Blindness and Deafness.”
The website to listen to Paul’s show is below.
Tomorrow the Wellington/Lower Hutt group meet at Pātaka Museum in Porirua where we have been offered a free meeting room in exchange for our feedback and wisdom on a “Tactile Kit” that demonstrates weaving. This was developed as a result of a presentation Phil and I did hosted by Arts Access Aotearoa. Another great relationship that is bearing fruit for our community!
Nelson meet at the same time and I am sending my best home for you all tomorrow!
Whaikaha links to alt formats Update on purchasing rules and Equipment Modification and Services
Thanks to Thomas Bryan, Accessible Information Advisor at Blind Citizens NZ for letting us know that that the alternate formats for the following two documents are now up on Whaikaha’s website.
- Whaikaha – Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services (EMS) Update
- Whaikaha – Purchasing Guidance
You also can access both these documents via TellMe.
Thomas also advised that the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are still being finalised by Whaikaha and so have not yet been submitted for production into alternate formats.
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World Blind Union: Website and Brand Update Survey
A request is being made to members of the World Blind Union (WBU) community for input in shaping the future of the organisation. A digital survey designed to gather your insights and preferences has been launched as part of their journey to refresh the brand and website.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes or less and is open until April 19. It has been designed to be accessible for participants using screen readers utilising Survey Monkey, a platform compatible with the screen readers JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.
World Blind Union: Website and Brand Update Survey
Survey accessibility considerations: we understand that accessibility is key for our diverse audience. If you prefer alternative methods to complete the survey or need assistance, please reach out to the dedicated team by email at the address below.
We are committed to ensuring everyone can participate.
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Radio Show – Focal Point
Thomas has also brought another episode of Focal Point from Vision Australia Radio to our attention via the BlindDiscuss List. Thomas says: “Thought some of you might find this edition (10 April) of the show of interest. Check out the interview with Maryanne Diamond and Meg Riley. Maryanne Diamond talks about her role when she was president of WBU and other advocacy roles. Meg Riley talks about the recent art festivals, and previewing audio described shows.”
Link to Focal Point episodes below.
Vision Australia Radio: Focal Point
Link to the Vision Australia Radio website below.
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Events
Peer to Peer Support
The final two events for this month are being held on Saturday 13 April – we’ll keep you posted on future events.
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Disability Issues meetings with Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan
Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Labour’s spokesperson for Disability Issues, is holding meetings to discuss the changes to disability funding. A Public Meeting is being held in Auckland on Saturday 13 April in the Fickling Centre, 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings from 1 to 3pm. Panellists include Disability Advocate and Researcher Colleen Brown and Dr Rebekah Graham, National Executive Officer for Parents of Vision Impaired NZ and Chair of the Parent/Family/Whānau Network as well as Co-Chair of Access Matters Aotearoa.
Another meeting is being held in Nelson with MP for Nelson Rachel Boyack to discuss the Whaikaha changes on Monday 15 April from 1:30 to 2:30pm at Pūtangitangi, Greenmeadows Centre, Stoke. The main discussion topic will be the Whaikaha changes, but there will be time to ask questions and discuss other issues.
For those who cannot make the Nelson daytime event, there will be another more general public meeting with Priyanca in the evening. The second event is 6pm – 8pm, Monday 15 April at Yaza! Café. Please RSVP to nelson@parliament.govt.nz to ensure enough seating is available.
Further meetings in other parts of the country may be arranged.
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Other newsletters
DPA Information Exchange: 11 April 2024
DPA Information Exchange: 6 April 2024
The D*List
The D*List website is an online culture magazine that creates space for disabled people to tell their own stories through features, columns and news reporting.
Taster for 12 April The D*List Delivered: “Catching up on crip time”.
Plus: We explore government changes that could affect our communities
Kia ora e te whānau! Anyone else feel a bit knocked about this week because of the end of daylight saving? Incredible how just one hour can make a huge difference in crip time – I’ve felt way more exhausted than normal 
So rather than push myself too much and risk channeling Big Supercrip Energy, I’ve taken time to slow down, listen to my body and rest. I’ve spent a bit more time at home watching trashy reality TV and catching up on some craft projects, rather than being a busy body all week.”
Link to full update below.
The D*List Delivered (Substack)
Following is a link to have a browse of The D*List website or sign up to receive their weekly newsletter.
Be Seen be Heard be Connected Weekly Update
Please note, access to our weekly be Seen Be Heard Be Connected emails is also available on our website via our events page, at the following link.
News and events (Deafblind Association New Zealand)
Ngā mihi mahana,
Warm regards,
Amanda
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Event reminders
Auckland, Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 April – Enabling Good Lives Community Hui
SAMS (Standards and Monitoring Services) in conjunction with TAMA (Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa) are facilitating free events aimed at assisting disability community-led leadership, informed by the Enabling Good Lives approach and principles, to ensure disabled people and families have greater choice and control over their lives. Locations and times are:
- Auckland: 16 April 6-8pm, Auckland Deaf Society, 16 Hillsborough Road, Three Kings, Auckland 1042.
- West Auckland: 17 April 6-8pm, Te Manawa – Kokiri Room.
- West Auckland: 18 April 12-2pm, Hub West.
Register your attendance, or if you have any questions or need more information or support, please email the address below.
Link to website information below.
Enabling Good Lives: Approach Community Capacity Development (SAMS)
Wednesday 17 April, Deafblind International Communication Network Webinar 5
Webinar 5 – A parent perspective on supporting and advocating for her deafblind son. Details were provided in 15 March update.
25 to 31 May, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – International Council on English Braille 8th General Assembly
Deafblind International Co-Network Coordinator Expression of Interest closes 31 May
Details were provided in 22 March update.
Expression of Interest Form (DOCX 242 KB)
World Federation of the Deafblind Youth Committee
Applications for young individuals with deafblindness (aged 18-35) to join WFDB’s newly established Youth Committee close 2 June. Information was provided in 22 March update, or for more information about the Youth Committee and application guidelines, please visit the website below.
Join WFDB’s Youth Committee: Call for Deafblind Representatives (World Federation of the Deafblind)
June 2024 Deafblind Awareness month – Yarn bombing
#DbIYarnBombing2024 – information was provided in 21 January update.
2024 Activity Deafblind International Youth Network (DbIYN)
Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October in Disneyland Paris
Expression of Interest: Please contact simon.allison@sense.org.uk
Thursday 3 October Deafblind UK Online Conference 2024 Theme: “Standing out and fitting in”. The conference is free and all are welcome.
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Ongoing
2024 Audio Described Nationwide Events Booklet
The events list with booklet page numbers was provided in the 23 February update.
The full calendar is available as a word document via the following link.
2024 Events Information (DOCX 60 KB)
No Labels on Wellington Access Radio
You can listen to this edition of the show on Wellington Access Radio on Tuesday just after 1:00pm, or the following Tuesday at the same time.
If you miss the scheduled show, you can check it out later online at the link below.
No Labels (Wellington Access Radio)
Or you can subscribe to the show via your preferred podcast player to check out this episode or previous episodes of the show.
Entertainment with Able
Able is a not-for-profit organisation working towards a more inclusive Aotearoa, believing everyone should be able to access news, entertainment and culture. Funded by NZ On Air, they’re Aotearoa’s leading provider of media access services, including captioning services, subtitling and audio description.
Listings are available at the following browser links.
A link to Able’s website to subscribe to the weekly newsletter with listings and picks of the week follows.
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Deafblind Association New Zealand access to TellMe
See TellMe numbers for your area
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End of report and this week’s update.
Amanda Stevens
Executive Officer
Taringa Turi Kāpō Rōpū
Deafblind Association New Zealand