Weekly update: 19 July 2024

Kia ora tatou,

Hello to all of us,

My first cheerful thought this morning was when Alexa told me sunrise is at 07:47. That’s 21 minutes later than midwinter. Even though I have no light perception I like to stay in touch with the turning of the seasons in that way.

Thank you to all who came to the Wellington/Lower Hutt gathering last Saturday. There seemed to be so much to talk about and ideas to share.

Auckland, with apologies tomorrow’s meeting is postponed as I continue to look for appropriate venue and will get back to you early next week. It is always at the forefront that venues be familiar and accessible, orientation is important, and it is quiet enough for us all to hear each other. That’s where the support happens!

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Reader Query

The end of News Hub means the end of their App, which was very accessible. I have used Stuff’s App however it is not that great as it is full of advertising. I also have the NZ Herald’s App however finding it not that accessible.

Do you have any suggestions for a News App? Thanks.

Suggestions received so far:

I tend not to use an app because I find that the apps are more of a pain to navigate with the screen reader than the website so I actually browse in the website stuff.co.nz or wherever and use the browser. The ads and all the apps are horrible and they just want you to pay, I had that trouble with the New Zealand Herald one and refused to pay so I don’t get to look at the content.
You could look into RSS feeds and use a newsfeed reader. I haven’t looked at them for a number of years but that might be one way to cut the ads if they still do RSS feeds.
It depends which platform you’re using (Windows, IOS, Android etc). But in any of those cases you won’t go far wrong with the RNZ app and/or website.

RNZ used to be the gold-standard when it came to New Zealand accessible apps and sites. It has deteriorated a little in recent years but is still by some distance the most accessible news provider I have found here.

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Events

As shared by Martine on BlindDiscuss.

Two Audio Described Children’s Shows at Spark Arena: Disney on Ice and The Wiggles are coming to Auckland!

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures, jam-packed with unexpected hijinks and magic at every turn. Join Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends as they embark on a wild ride to your favourite Disney destinations. Travel with Moana to the sun soaked Motunui, set off on a safari to the Pride Lands with Simba. Discover a whole new world as you’re swept up in Aladdin’s princely parade. Play at a larger-than-life carnival with Woody and Forky.

Disney On Ice is back in Auckland in August 2024.

When: Sunday, 11 August, 2024 at 6pm.

Where: Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland 1010.

Tickets: $53.70 + booking fee per ticket. Free companion tickets are available. Offer expires Thursday, 1 August, 2024 so book now to avoid disappointment.

Bookings open 9am, Thursday 18th July 2024 and close 12pm, Thursday 1st August 2024.

To book: Call Ticketmaster on 09 970 9700 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or email the address below.

groups.newzealand@ticketmaster.co.nz

When booking, provide the code ‘ADA Disney’ and notify them of any additional access requirements your party has, how many headsets you need and if you are bringing a guide dog.

Ticket holders will receive details regarding the meeting point and headset collection information via a Ticketmaster email ahead of the show.

Unfortunately, there will be no touch tour available for this show.

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Get ready to sing, dance & GROOVE with The Wiggles’ Wiggle Groove Tour!

Embark on a musical adventure like no other with the world’s most popular children’s entertainment sensation, The Wiggles! With over three decades of wiggly hits, The Wiggles are taking the Big Red Car on the road again to bring their high energy, catchy tunes, and signature dance moves to Auckland. The Wiggle Groove Tour promises to be an extravaganza of music, laughter, and learning, featuring all the beloved Wiggles including Anthony, Tsehay, Lachy, Simon, John, Lucia, Caterina & Evie. Of course it wouldn’t be a Wiggles show with our wiggly friends, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus & Captain Feathersword!

When: Saturday 28 September 2024 at 10am.

Where: Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland 1010.

Bookings open 9am, Tuesday 13 August 2024 and close 5pm, Friday 20 September 2024.

Tickets: $38.90 + booking fees per ticket. Free companion tickets are available.

To book: Call Ticketmaster on 09 970 9700 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or email the address below.

groups.newzealand@ticketmaster.co.nz

When booking, provide the code ‘ADA Wiggles ’and notify them of any additional access requirements your party has, how many headsets you need and if you are bringing a guide dog.

Ticket holders will receive details regarding the meeting point and headset collection information via a Ticketmaster email ahead of the show.

Unfortunately, there will be no touch tour available for this show.

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July 2024 edition of No Labels

As shared by Thomas Bryan on BlindDiscuss.

This month on the show we have two guests explaining about a new service they are launching.

Erika Butters is the Founder and Chief Executive of Volition. Erika used to work as the Director of The Personal Advocacy and Safeguarding Adults Trust, a not for profit that champions disability rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.

She is a subject matter expert and educator on Supported Decision Making.

She has travelled to Japan as a disability sector ‘core leader’ and to Washington DC for the Global Leadership exchange on SDM.

Neville Pugh is the Chief Advisor for Volition. He is an entrepreneur and a Co-founder of Change Maker Beer. He is a recipient of the Frances Clark Memorial Award from the Governor General, and the Entrepreneur Attitude Award. He is a member of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association and People First.

Erika and Neville went to high school together in Kapiti more than 20 years ago.

You can hear this edition of the show on Wellington Access Radio on Tuesday 16 July, just after 1:00pm, or the following Tuesday at the same time.

Regards Thomas Bryan
Host of No Labels

Shows are also available online at the following link.

https://accessradio.org.nz/shows-podcasts/no-labels/

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Other newsletters

All-formats newsletter update

The printed copies of the newsletter have been delayed with the printer and should go out next week. Emailed copies were sent last Friday.

DPA Update

Information Exchange is not yet available this week, now sent fortnightly.

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.

The D*List

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 – meets monthly on 2nd Saturday.
Taranaki – New Plymouth – meets bi-monthly
Manawatū /Te Papa-i-Oea – Palmerston North – meets quarterly, next due October
Kāpiti – meets quarterly
Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington/Lower Hutt – meets quarterly, next due October
Kirikiriroa – Hamilton – Tuesday 30 July, meets bi-monthly. Organiser Judy Small.
Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland – event planning is underway for North and South.

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.

EGL – SAMS and Tama hui

28 August 10:00am – 2:00pm (venue in West Auckland to be advised).

Hui for for community-led disability leadership informed by the Enabling Good Lives approach. A smaller online hui, for the deaf community is proposed for 27 August 2024 6:00 -7:30pm. Register for either by emailing egl@sams.org.nz.

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.

Deafblind International Notice of Asian Conference 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.

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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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?”

Details were provided in 14 June update, or email Tom.

tsmith@blindlowvision.org.nz

14 June update

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Ongoing events

2024 Audio Described Nationwide Events Booklet

The events list with booklet page numbers was provided in the 23 February update.

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

Blind Spot on Radio Southland

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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.

able.co.nz

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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