Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
Some sad news to start I’m afraid. Last Sunday Vaughan Dodd, immediate past president of Deafblind Association NZ, passed away in the loving company of family and his adored cat, Ariana. Last week we sent a tactile card to Vaughan at the Hospice of a cat with the following message, “ “Deafblind Association NZ Board and all of our community send you, Ariana, and family arohanui. We know you for all you contribute to our advocacy in a personal and professional capacity and we honour you.”
Vaughan’s voice and determination will forever be embedded in our advocacy mahi.
Just to remind you that next week will be the last Friday update for 2024.
Thanks to Jacqui Iseli, Deafblind Coordinator Blind Low Vision NZ, for sending through the link to the trailer for “Feeling Through” – a film about Deafblindness.
If you have acquired deafblindness I encourage you to read the newsletter below from Dr Peter Simcock below and consider joining the Deafblind Association NZ international Acquired Deafblind Association NZ Network. They are really good people!
I am still in the last few negotiations for finalising the accessible venue for 26-29 June 2025. I have my fingers crossed I can deliver that news to you in a sleigh next Friday!
Have a lovely weekend and I do hope you stay grounded through the busy coming week or two.
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Deafblind movie: Feeling Through
A new movie about Deafblind people has been nominated for the Academy Awards next year!
Called Feeling Through, the movie came about after writer / director Doug Roland had “a late-night chance encounter with a Deafblind man on a New York City street”. The film also stars a Deafblind actor – a first – and partnered with the Hellen Keller Services to cast the actor.
The website, below, has links to the short film, transcript, audio descriptive version, trailer and documentary about its making.
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AHIA AusHFG EOIs – Renal and Ambulatory and Community Care
From Te Tāhū Ora Health Quality & Safety Commission.
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, have not received any EOIs for two of the three groups they advertised on the Consumer Opportunities page:
- Renal Dialysis Unit design guidance review
- Ambulatory Care and Community Health design guidance review
If you have experience of these services and are available to represent an Aotearoa New Zealand perspective in the review of these facility guidelines, please contact DJ Adams at DJ.Adams@hqsc.govt.nz and he will connect you with the team.
They are also advertising two new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) .
Consumer opportunities (Te Tāhū Hauroa Health Quality & Safety Commission)
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Advertised roles: training and rehabilitation
Blind Low Vision NZ is advertising for a number of roles across New Zealand, including for an adaptive communications and adaptive technology trainer based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Find out more about the training role (Blind Low Vision NZ)
They are also looking for a rehabilitiation instructor, based in Auckland
Find out more about the rehabilitiation role (Blind Low Vision NZ)
They are advertising three other roles too, in coordination and administration.
See all Blind Low Vision NZ advertised roles (Blind Low Vision NZ)
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Other newsletters
Wrapping up 2024 – Eye Health Aotearoa newsletter for December 2024
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ADBNews December 2024 Edition Part 1 [DOC 1 MB]
ADBNews December 2024 Edition Part 2 [DOC 1 MB]
The newsletter includes an invitation for Deafblind people to attend the third National Conference of the Deafblind (NCDB) Conference in Chennai, India from 31 January to 1 February 2025.
Invitation to attend NCDB 2025 [DOC 298 KB]
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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. This week, they look at one heck of a year, wrapped (accessibly), and offer a chance to win by sharing your thoughts in their community survey.
Link to weekly 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.
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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
Peer-to-peer gatherings
- Whakatū / Nelson: to be confirmed.
- Taranaki / New Plymouth: to be confirmed.
- Kirikiriroa / Hamilton: to be confirmed.
- Te Papa-i-Oea / Palmerston North: to be confirmed.
- Kāpiti: to be confirmed.
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington region: to be confirmed.
- Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland: to be confirmed.
Please contact us if you are interested in attending any of these events by replying to this email or calling Amanda on 0800 450 650.
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The Santa Claus Show ’24
1-22 December 2024.
“Get Ready to Sleigh with Santa’s Play.”
Ho ho ho – off we go! Join our hero Kelly on an epic adventure, dashing through the snow, and laughing all the way to the North Pole. Along the way, you’ll find yourself singing, giggling, and embarking on a magical journey as Kelly learns the true sentiment of Christmas.
More details in our 1 November 2024 update
Book your tickets for The Santa Claus Show ’24 (Tim Bray Theatre Company)
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Auckland Audio Described Magic Show
New Zealand Lions 2024 Magic Show is being hosted by the Remuera Lions Club. It’s a world festival of magic put on as a community event for people of all ages.
It’s free to attend and Audio Described Aotearoa is sponsoring the audio description this year. They tried last year’s Magic Show for a small group of people and found it was huge fun and very audio describable.
- When: Sunday, 15 December, 5pm, please arrive by 4:30pm.
- Where: Barfoot Stadium, Selwyn College, 203-245 Kohimarama Road, Kohimarama, Auckland.
- Run time: about 90 minutes.
To book your seat and your headset, contact Nicola Owen on mobile number 021 0358513, or email audiodescribedaotearoa@gmail.com.
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Wellington Audio Described Performance, Sleeping Beauty, The Pantomime
“A family comedy where a stitch in time saves nine thousand years.”
Aurora is the people’s princess of Wellingtonia – with a curse.
On her first birthday an evil spell is cast: one day she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel, sending her into an unbreakable deep sleep. With the help of fairy god-daddies that watch over her and a surprise visit from two interdimensional travellers, Aurora must venture through the time-space continuum to stay conscious and reclaim her throne from evil forces. An original pantomime that takes a beloved fairytale and adds equal amounts of song, dance, and sci-fi to bubble up a perfect potion the whole whānau will love. A high-energy romp of comedy and capers – Sleeping Beauty is anything but a snoozefest. Celebrating 20 years of Circa Theatre pantomimes.
- When: Sunday, 15 December, 3pm touch tour, 4pm audio described performance.
- Where: Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington.
- Approximate run time: 1 hour 30 minutes including a 15-minute interval.
- Tickets: Audio Described ticket $25 plus free for a carer / whānau member.
Bookings: Book in person at the Circa box office 1 Taranaki Street Te Aro, email circa@circa.co.nz, or phone 04 801 7992. The box office is open Monday 10am to 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday 10am – late, and Sunday 1pm to 4.30pm.
Please indicate at the time of booking if you are a member or guest of Blind Citizens New Zealand or the Blind Foundation, and if you require a headset. We have reserved the front two rows in the theatre so when you book please let Circa know if you require a front-row seat for wheelchair access or a guide dog.
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Innovation in Retina Research 2025
Retina NZ’s summer symposium will be taking place in Auckland on 21 and 22 February 2025.
Confirmed speakers thus far:
- Professor Robyn Guymer: What’s new in AMD if that suits and will talk on the new treatments for wet AMD and Dry AMD and what is in the pipeline.
- Associate Professor Lauren Ayton: Updates on inherited retinal diseases, including gene therapy clinical trials.
- Dr. Odunayo (Lola) Mugisho: Advances in Diabetic Retinopathy.
Stay tuned for more details and speakers to follow!
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DbI Asian Regional Conference Pokhara Nepal
1st to 3rd March 2025.
Deafblind International Notice of Asian Conference 2025
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Auckland Audio Described SIX the Musical
There will be an Audio Described performance of the global smash-hit, SIX the Musical, on Wednesday 5 March 2025, 7:30pm.
In this high-octane 80-minute musical experience, the feisty Tudor queens boldly rewrite five hundred years of history.
Find out more about the Auckland Live performance (Auckland Live)
- When: Wednesday 5 March 2025, 7:30pm.
- Where: The Civic, 269-287 Queen Street, corner of Queen Street and Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD.
- Run time: 80 minutes, with no interval.
Tickets for the audio described seats are $70 each (plus service fees) and a companion ticket is available at the same price if required. Guide dogs are welcome, but please notify staff upon booking your ticket.
There will be a free touch tour commencing at 6:15pm, which gives patrons an opportunity to become familiarised with some of the costumes and props used in the show. If you wish to attend the touch tour, please arrive in The Civic foyer at 6pm. Venue staff will be present to escort you to the touch tour location.
To book, please call the Ticketmaster Groups Booking line on 09 970 9745 or email groups@ticketmaster.co.nz. An $8 service fee per transaction will apply for all phone bookings.
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Pac Rim 2025: disability-related conference opportunity
15-16 April 2025.
The conference is hosted in Hawaii and it’s their 40 year anniversary.
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Save the Date – WBU General Assembly & World Blindness Summit 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil
Date: 2-5 September 2025, with committee meetings and special forums on 1 September.
Find out more in our 20 September 2024 update
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Reminders about role / funding opportunities
The DbI (Deafblind International) Youth Network is looking for an assistant network coordinator.
Email network coordinator Simon Allison at simon.allison@sense.org.uk to find out more about this exciting volunteer role.
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See the Person, Support Their Potential: The Oppenheim Tertiary Education Trust Fund 2025 applications are now open.
Applications close on 8 January 2025, so spread the word, and share the link below!
Full details, including the applicant guide (Blind Low Vision NZ)
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Nominations for the Ministry of Health Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDECs).
Any nominations or pātai(questions) can be forwarded to the Ministry’s appointments team at appointments@health.govt.nz. Applications close on 12 January 2024.
Please let Pauline Melham, Pauline.Melham001@whaikaha.govt.nz, or Siobhan Lynch, Siobhan.Lynch009@whaikaha.govt.nz at Whaikaha know if you’re applying for a position, or get shortlisted. They are also happy to let the Ministry of about any applications coming in, if you’re part of Whaikaha’s database.
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Reminder about Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) Open Vacancies
The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) is actively recruiting a range of roles across Australia, the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste. They strongly encourage people with disability to apply. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact PLMSP.HR@thepalladiumgroup.com.
Search PLMSP roles on Palladium’s career page
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Feedback requested reminders
National Housing Survey
The Urban Advisory longitudinal study so there is no foreseeable closing date. The survey asks how people make their housing choices and what they want to see happen with housing in the future, with the intention of helping New Zealand better respond to housing needs and demand.
Completed surveys are eligible for entry into a quarterly prize draw to win a $200 Prezzy Card. It is an online survey through Qualtrics and is expected to take less than 30 minutes to complete.
Details in our 24 May 2024 update
The website link below includes Frequently Asked Questions, an info pack and a contact email address.
New Zealand’s Housing Survey (The Urban Advisory)
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Public library use and accessibility
Blind Low Vision NZ Client Training and Engagement Senior Advisor Tom Smith asks: “Is there anybody willing to be interviewed about their use of public library services and accessibility?”
See our 14 June 2024 update for details, or email Tom.
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Ongoing events
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.
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Living Blindfully
Weekly show hosted by Jonathan Mosen
Living Blindfully audio episodes (Living Blindfully)
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Blind Spot, Radio Southland
Monthly show hosted by Carolyn Weston
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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