Kia ora Tatou,
Hello to all of us,
We have some very creditable people on your Board, one of whom is Sally Britnell. In the coming week Sally will be both running, and part of, two panels. One is next week in our events list below and the other is a panel on inclusion for Women in Health IT.
There is also a link to a survey on how we use our public libraries and, having spoken to some people at gatherings recently, I know this is a subject dear to some of you. Do please contact Tom Smith of Blind Low Vision NZ to give your qualitative feedback. It’s all about people after all! 
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Your feedback requested
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? One of my goals this year is to gather some case studies of how people who are blind or have low vision use their local library. There will also be a chance to say what you would like to see changed or improved and how you feel we (BLVNZ) could do to support public library services better. The goal is to collect more qualitative information to help us understand how people are using their public library services. I appreciate your time is important, so any information, feedback and stories will be helpful.
“Just to note. This is not an indication of any changes to be made with current BLVNZ library services. Working better with public libraries has been an ongoing goal for a while now (and a bit of a passion project of mine).
“If you’re interested, please email me back directly to arrange a time. Feel free to pass onto any other members you feel that would wish to contribute.”
Email Tom:
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Events
Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel meeting
Monday 17 June, noon to 3pm
As advised to BlindDiscuss by Martine Abel-Williamson, Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel Co- chair, an open meeting of the panel is being held on Monday face to face and online via MS Teams.
Disability Advisory Panel meeting agenda (Auckland Council)
Link to join the meeting (Microsoft Teams)
Meeting ID: 495 567 672 252
Passcode: 5N495B
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Inclusive housing and built environment webinar
Online via Zoom, Wednesday 19 June, 9am to 12pm
This month’s Access Matters Kōrero for Change Online Webinar Series asks their guests “What is the role of housing and the built environment in the process of inclusion and belonging of people with disabilities?” Deafblind Association NZ Board Member Sally Britnell is one of the facilitators
Link for more information and registration:
2024/25 Kōrero for Change Online Webinar Series
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Wellington, Audio Described BATS Theatre: Heartbreak Hotel, Saturday 22 June, 1.15pm touch tour, 2pm performance
Thanks to the generosity of the ANZ Staff Foundation, BATS Theatre in Wellington is partnering with artists to produce a number of Audio Described and Captioned Live Streamed shows this year. Those who are d/Deaf, blind or have low vision, or who can’t physically make it into the theatre, can now enjoy even more live art at BATS or from home.
Heartbreak Hotel – This one’s for the young hearts, the old hearts and the broken hearts. Story, science and a synth combine in an exhilarating performance that examines what happens in our bodies when we’re bereft. From acclaimed company EBKM (Yes Yes Yes; Gravity & Grace), Heartbreak Hotel tracks a woman’s broken heart in a wrenching and relatable journey that’s studded with classic break-up songs and razor-sharp observations on the physiology of love.
When: Saturday 22 June, 1.15pm touch tour, 2pm performance.
Where: BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington.
Tickets: $25 waged, $15 unwaged.
Book by contacting the BATS box office on 04 802 4176 or email book@bats.co.nz
Companion tickets are available free of charge for in-person performances. Please contact book@bats.co.nz if you require a companion ticket.
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Auckland and Hamilton, Deafblind Awareness Week
24-30 June.
Deafblind Coordinator Laura Morse invites you to join Blind Low Vision NZ at one of the participating libraries for Deafblind Awareness Week!
Discover the importance of accessible communication methods as we demonstrate inclusive approaches that bridge gaps and promote understanding. Learn how small actions can make a significant difference in creating an environment that embraces and supports everyone.
Take advantage of this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to a more inclusive society. We look forward to welcoming you!
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- Parnell Library, 10am-midday 24 June, Jubilee Building 545 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052
- Manurewa Library, 10am-midday 25 June, Manurewa Library 7 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2102
- Mount Albert Library, 10am-midday 26 June, 84 Saint Lukes Road, Mount Albert, Auckland 1025
- Rototuna Library 10am-midday 27 June, 30 North City Road, Rototuna North, Hamilton 3210
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Peer to Peer Gatherings
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- Whakatū – Nelson – Saturday 13 July June – meets monthly on 2nd Saturday.
- Kirikiriroa – Hamilton – meeting held Tuesday 14 May, meets bi-monthly, Organiser Judy Small.
- Tāmaki Makaurau – North Auckland – meeting held Saturday 18 May, to meet bi-monthly.
- Tāmaki Makaurau – South Auckland – meeting held Sunday 19 May, to meet bi-monthly.
- Taranaki – New Plymouth – meets bi-monthly.
- Manawatū /Te Papa-i-Oea – Palmerston North – Wednesday 10 July – meets quarterly.
- Kāpiti – Friday 12 July – meets quarterly.
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington/Lower Hutt – Saturday 13 July – meets quarterly.
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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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Other newsletters
DPA Information Exchange: 8 June 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.
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.
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
Audio described NZ Opera – Le comte Ory
Audio Described Aotearoa will be describing performances in Ōtautahi Christchurch on Saturday 29 June. Details were provided in 10 May update.
June 2024 Deafblind Awareness month – Yarn bombing
#DbIYarnBombing2024 – information was provided in 21 January update.
Saturday 6 July, Hamilton RNZFB Board meeting
Those observing will be able to listen but not contribute to the meeting procedure.
For those members who wish to observe, please let the Board Secretary know by emailing boardsecretary@blindlowvision.
Please note the cut-off date for any correspondence which members may wish to have raised at the upcoming meeting. Please ensure you have emailed the Board Secretary by latest 10 calendar days prior to the meeting to have your matter included in the agenda papers.
Minutes of these meetings are available on the TIS menu 313 or available by request.
The dates of the 2024 RNZFB Board meetings can be found on the Governance page on the BLVNZ site.
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.
DbI Asian Regional Conference Pokhara Nepal
1st to 3rd March 2025.
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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 were provided in 24 May 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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Stats NZ – Census Accessibility
Public consultation for the future of census will run until 18 June 2024.
Background
The future of census: creating greater value for our communities (Stats NZ)
Alternate formats for the Future Census consultation (Stats NZ)
Details were provided in 10 May update.
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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)
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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
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