Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
A few weeks ago I let you know that Sarah, our Board Secretary and Administrator is moving on to new and exciting work explorations. Here you will find the call for expressions of interest for the role. The closing date is November 1 at 5pm. Please send an expression of interest with your curriculum vitae and covering letter to info@deafblindassociation.nz.
Call for Expressions of Interest: DBANZ Board Secretary and Administrator, October 2024 [DOC 35 KB]
Email enquiries to the same address or call 0272 450 650 or free phone 0800 450 650.
October 15 is International White Cane Safety Day. I have been reflecting on what using a cane means to me. The beginning of my journey in blindness required me to be able to navigate with a cane before I could have a Guide Dog in Britain. Blindness was new to me and I felt embarrassed to use a cane. Then I didn’t have to because I have had three Guide Dogs in the past. Now I am back to a cane (through my own choice) and I feel like part of me is missing if I leave the house without it. I have it in photographs. I use old ones in art pieces. Somehow my canes have become an intrinsic part of how I see myself and how I am seen in the world – Be Seen. The journey from denial through increasing competence and confidence to embracing one of the tools I use to navigate the world has been a worthwhile journey with a very satisfying outcome. I now have choices I denied myself at the beginning of that journey. If you are at the beginning of this journey now I wish you your own satisfying outcome!
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Celebrating International White Cane Safety Day
World Blind Union Marks International White Cane Safety Day, October 15: A Timeless Tool for Independence and Safety.
The World Blind Union (WBU) proudly joins millions around the globe in celebrating International White Cane Safety Day. This day recognizes the significance of the white cane, a vital symbol of independence, safety, and mobility for people who are blind or partially sighted.
As technology advances with AI, smart phone applications, and digital navigation tools, the role of the white cane remains fundamental. It is a reliable tool that allows individuals to navigate their physical environment with confidence, even when technology falls short.
Martine Abel-Williamson, President of WBU, said: “No matter how many digital solutions become available, there is always a physical dimension to life. The white cane is just as important today as it was 50 years ago. It serves as a dependable companion, especially when technology cannot be relied upon, allowing people to move independently through their communities. On International White Cane Safety Day, we celebrate this tool of freedom and remind the world that we must continue to make our physical spaces navigable with a cane.”
Diana Stentoft, Secretary General of WBU, added “The white cane is more than a tool; it’s a symbol of resilience and independence. In times of crisis, such as floods or displacement, when digital tools may become inaccessible, the white cane remains a lifeline. As we celebrate this day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our environments are inclusive, accessible, and safe for everyone, including those who rely on their white canes.”
International White Cane Safety Day serves as a reminder that while advancements in technology provide incredible support, the white cane remains an essential part of daily life for millions worldwide. It symbolizes the right to move freely and safely through our communities, and WBU will continue to advocate for accessibility in all aspects of life, both physical and digital.
For more information on International White Cane Safety Day and the World Blind Union’s initiatives, please visit www.worldblindunion.org.
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Making New Zealand’s built environment inclusive and accessible for everyone’ – survey
Massey University is undertaking research into how to make New Zealand buildings more accessible for people with disabilities. They are using a survey to collect data from people in New Zealand who live with any type of disability, and want it to go to as many people as possible. Anyone who completes the survey can enter a lottery to win one of twenty $100 gift vouchers.
‘Making New Zealand’s built environment inclusive and accessible for everyone’ – survey announcement [DOC 16 KB]
Information form – ‘Making New Zealand’s built environment inclusive and accessible for everyone’ [DOC 465 KB]
School of built environment – Massey University (Youtube)
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Confirmed RNZFB Board meeting minutes – 6 July
For your information, please find attached the confirmed RNZFB Board minutes from the 6 July meeting which were confirmed at the meeting on 14 September.
These minutes are available on the telephone information service menu 313 or available by request.
RNZFB – Confirmed Board Meeting Minutes, 6 July 2024 [DOC 178 KB]
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Draft RNZFB Board meeting minutes – 14 September
Please find below the draft minutes from the full Board meeting of the RNZFB held on Saturday 14 September 2024.
These minutes will be approved at the next Board meeting on Friday 15 November in Auckland.
The minutes will also be available on the telephone information service menu 313 or available by request.
RNZFB – Draft Board Meeting Minutes, 14 September 2024 [DOC 176 KB]
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Events
Wellington Disabled Artists’ Theatre Festival
From the Media team at the Disabled Artists’ Theatre Festival in Wellington.
“Nau mai, haere mai e te iwi.
Come along to the Disabled Artists’ Theatre Festival, also known as DAT Fest, this November. From 2-17 November at Te Auaha Campus, 65 Dixon Street, there will be a range of awesome events such as the opening gala show, workshops for disabled artists, a comedy night, a music night, a cabaret brunch, panel discussions, and SO MUCH MORE!>
The Disabled Artists’ Theatre Festival was started in 2022 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington and this is its 3rd year running. Come through to Te Auaha in November to see some cool disabled, d/Deaf and neurodiverse creatives and performers doing their thing. More info is available at the website fest.nz, the Facebook page “DAT Fest: Disabled Artists’ Theatre Festival”, or email media.datfest@gmail.com for more information. See you all there! Kia ora!
Please email the team at media.datfest@gmail.com for more details.
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Auckland improvised fantasy adventure with pre show touch tour
Forwarding from Katie Querin at Arts for All.
Improverished Presents: Can I Get an Underground Location and a Mythical Creature?
Touch Tours available. This highly auditory, storytelling show will not be audio described.
Want to experience Dungeons & Dragons without doing all that math? Is watching a wizard fight a shapeshifting dragon on your Must-See list? Then is for you! Experience an improvised fantasy adventure entirely made up on the spot and entirely controlled by the dice.
This smash-hit show is coming to Basement for the very first time, after selling out 5 previous seasons including the NZ International Comedy Festival and the New Zealand Improv Festival. This isn’t a show where you watch people play D&D – this is a show where you watch characters themselves in a D&D story. Follow along for a tale filled with adventure and surprise, with the heroes’ fates in the hands of the dice and the audience. Whether you’ve played D&D since you were five, only know it from watching Stranger Things or just enjoy improv and laughter – come along!
Can I Get an Underground Location and a Mythical Creature? is suitable for adventurers of all ages 8 and over. For families with children, we recommend coming along to our Saturday matinee performance.
When: Friday 8 November, 7:30pm touch tour; 8pm performance, and Saturday 9 November, 2:45pm touch tour; 3:30pm performance. The Saturday show is also a relaxed performance.
Where: The Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD. The show is in the main theatre downstairs and is wheelchair accessible.
Run time: 60 minutes, no interval.
Tickets: Choose what you pay, starting from $8.
To book: book online or call iTICKET on 09 361 1000.
Please meet in the theatre foyer for the touch tour.
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Auckland Audio Described Lord of the Rings Musical
From Audio Described Aotearoa.
Embark on a new journey this November at The Civic, as the timeless tale of The Lord of The Rings returns home to Middle-earth and unfolds in an intimate, yet breathtaking theatrical production to capture our imaginations and hearts, like never before. Experience Tolkien’s masterpiece in a brand-new environment, one meticulously crafted and enhanced by stunning world-class theatrics and captivating music performed live by a cast of talented actor-musicians. Take your seat, in the company of Hobbits, and join us for a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event that will enchant both lifelong fans and new generations alike.
The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is suitable for all audiences and best enjoyed by ages 8 and up. This show includes the use of haze, strobe and theatrical blackouts.
When: Wednesday, 20 November 2024, touch tour time to be confirmed, audio described performance at 7:30pm
Where: The Civic, 269-287 Queen Street, corner of Queen Street & Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD Run time: 2 hours and 50 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Tickets: discounted price of $69.00 (plus service fees). Companion tickets available at the same price.
To book: call Ticketmaster Groups Bookings on 09 970 9745 or email groups@ticketmaster.co.nz. A $5 service fee per transaction will apply for all phone bookings.
Audio Described tickets will be available until 5pm, Monday 18 November 2024 or until the allocation is exhausted.
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Other newsletters
DPA’s Information Exchange – 18 October 2024
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World Blind Union newsletter: Fall 2024 edition
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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 ask whether readers have started working for free yet, and whether we can ever avoid burnout and respond to it in a healthy way.
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: Tuesday 8 October.
- Taranaki / New Plymouth: to be confirmed.
- Kirikiriroa / Hamilton: mid-October.
- Te Papa-i-Oea / Palmerston North: Wednesday 6 November.
- Kāpiti: Friday 8 November.
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington region: mid-October.
- Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland: we now have a venue – please let us know if you are interested.
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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2024 Audio Described Nationwide Events Booklet
Events list with booklet page numbers (23 February update)
Full calendar of audio described nationwide events (DOCX 60 KB)
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Audio Described Centauria Taranaki Garden Festival
An audio described garden tour for people with low vision. Our professional audio describers will be there to guide you through our wonderful festival gardens. The bus tour, supported by Weir Tours, is a half-day outing, with a morning tea stop on the way.
When: Tuesday 5 November 2024, 9:00am.
More details about audio described garden festival, and how to book, in our 13 September 2024 update
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Free online event about reading tools and technology!
Vision Australia invites you to join an event showcasing reading tools and technology designed to help blind or low vision people continue the joy of reading on 6 November, 1-2pm.
Find out more in our 11 October update
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Alternate formats Registration of Interest for Public Apology Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry
On 12 November, the Prime Minister will deliver a public apology in Parliament to survivors of abuse in care. You can register your interest to attend the event in Parliament, or events in Auckland Wellington or Christchurch.
Accommodation, travel and food costs will be covered.
Find out more in our 20 September 2024 update
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Invitation – Hui on Planning for Emergencies
Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel invites you to attend their upcoming disability community hui all about planning for emergencies.
13 November 2024.
Find out more in our 4 October 2024 update
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Blind Health Expo 2024
Friday 6 December 2024 (virtual).
10 am to 4 pm Eastern Time.
Join us for the 3rd annual Blind Health Expo! The Blind Health Expo is the world’s largest virtual expo of healthcare information, products, and services for individuals, organizations, and companies in the health, blindness, and disability communities.
Free to attend and / or exhibit.
More information about the Blind Health Expo 2024
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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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Pac Rim 2025: disability-related conference opportunity
The conference is hosted in Hawaii and it’s their 40th 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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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