Kia ora Tatou,
Hello to all of us,
It was a pleasure on Tuesday to be able to attend the Nelson Deafblind Network lunch combined with a housewarming! It’s a beautiful time of year to be gathering in a courtyard, wherever you are in the motu/country. Some in the photo below chose not to have their names printed but are happy to show their enjoyment. Thanks to our hosts for providing such a lovely and welcoming space for safe and easy conversation!
What a wonderful response from some of you in the Kirikiriroa / Hamilton area about gathering next Tuesday, 20 February for the first time. Please contact me if you have not already expressed interest and I will pass on your details. As usual it is a luncheon between 12 and 2pm. Lunch will be provided, along with transport door to door if you need it. I hope you all enjoy this peer-to-peer opportunity to share your challenges, solutions, and expectations – throw in the best you can think of for deafblind and expect even better! Thanks so much to Judy for organising this.
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Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 – Lessons Learned information and Submissions
This message was shared on the BlindDiscuss List by Thomas Bryan.
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The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned Te Tira Ārai Urutā public consultation, is looking at what can be learned from the pandemic to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand is as prepared as possible for future pandemics.
The Royal Commission wants to hear about your experiences or observations of the COVID19 response, whatever they might be.
By hearing from you, from families, organisations and the wider community, the Commission can help to ensure we’re as prepared as possible for the next pandemic response.
Submissions are now open until the 24 March. A link to the website to share your story follows.
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Article: New Zealand BLINDCAPS ready for World Cup challenge
Update posted Thursday 15 February on New Zealand Cricket website.
New Zealand’s BLINDCAPS are working hard behind the scenes in preparation for two international events this calendar year.
Later this month, the squad travels to South Africa for a One-Day series (19 – 29 Feb) before the Twenty20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan (20 Nov – 05 Dec) later in the year.
Blind Cricket was established in New Zealand in the 1980’s when a touring team from Australia visited to promote the game.
Since that time, New Zealand have competed in two One-Day World Cups (1998 and 2007) and one Twenty20 World Cup (2017).
New Zealand will hold a trump card at this year’s World Cup – namely, James Dunn.
Dunn is remarkably a triple-international for New Zealand – having captained the BLINDCAPS for close to 20 years, captained the NZ Blind Rugby team and was also a World Champion in his sight category for World Blind Bowls.
Aside from the competition, the World Cup offers an opportunity to inspire the VI (visually impaired) community in New Zealand, explained Dunn.
“The squad are looking forward to competing against some tough opposition and building this squad towards the World Cup,” said Dunn.
“We hope to show all other VI/Blind members in NZ that anything is possible and there are opportunities to wear the fern even with a disability.”
The page goes on to request donations via their GiveaLittle page, list the BLINDCAPS squad and to explain Blind Cricket. Following is the link to the webpage:
Blindcaps Ready for World Cup Challenge (New Zealand Cricket)
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Article: Wellington Combined Taxis Surcharge
On 18 January RNZ’s Morning Report discussed the impact of the surcharge on a taxi fare for a person using a Total Mobility Card. This relates to Wellington Combined Taxis $3.80 flat card payment fee for Eftpos and credit card transactions, made up of a $2.30 card transaction fee and a $1.50 machine technology fee.
The article can be accessed on the RNZ Website via the following link:
‘Not justifiable’: 26 percent card surcharge on taxi trip shocks Wellington resident (RNZ)
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Other newsletters
Be My Eyes Newsletter: January 2024
MSD Family Violence and Sexual Violence Update: February 2024
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.
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)
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Events
Leading Change – A Webinar for Women with Disability on Leadership
Friday 8 March, free online event
Keynote speakers and a panel of women with lived experience will share their expertise in ‘leading change’, breaking down barriers and exploring resilience, inclusion and success.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of an empowering event celebrating women and gender diverse people with disability.
The events will include Auslan and live transcription and you will be asked to share any accessibility needs when registering.
We look forward to you joining us to celebrate women and gender diverse people with disability.
When: Friday 8 March, 12:30pm – 2pm NZST (10:30am – 12pm Australia time)
Where: Online
Cost: Free
These events will be hosted online, via Zoom. Details on how to join the events will be sent by email once you register. If you have questions or need help registering email us at comms@pwd.org.au or call 1800 422 015. We’re here to help.
Leading Change – A Webinar for Women with Disability on Leadership (Humanitix)
As usual, event reminders and TellMe phone numbers follow.
Ngā mihi mahana,
Warm regards,
Amanda
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Event reminders
7 to 24 March, Auckland Arts Festival 2024
Details were provided in 9 February update. Contact information follows.
Email: access@aaf.co.nz.
Phone/text: 022 306 2206.
Access and Inclusion (Auckland Arts Festival)
25 to 31 May, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – International Council on English Braille 8th General Assembly
ICEB 8th General Assembly (ICEB)
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
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Ongoing
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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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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