Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
The Board of Deafblind Association New Zealand regretfully announces the resignation of our President, Vaughan Dodd. Vaughan has been a tireless advocate for deafblind New Zealanders over many years, including during his time on our Board. We know that commitment and hard work will continue as he moves on.
Vaughan joined our Board in September 2020, and held the position of President from October 2020 until his resignation at the end of March 2023. In that time, he led the successful delivery of two national seminars and numerous procedural improvements which have left the Association in a strong position.
The Board wishes Vaughan well in the future and hopes that he might one day be able to serve with us once again.
The Board has begun a search for a new Trustee to fill the vacancy created by Vaughan’s departure.
Kevin Prince has been elected as the new President of Deafblind Association New Zealand with Frysna Rimoni becoming Vice-president.
Thank you to those who attended the Nelson Peer to Peer shared lunch earlier this week. Friendly, relaxed, and educational are my three words for a lovely couple of hours. It seems we still need to be spreading the word about getting support with filters being cleaned in our hearing aids. It’s good to be in the presence of deafblind supporting each other in the simple things that make the difference and that happen naturally in conversation when we get together.
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Lottery Distribution Committees
Seven of the eleven lottery regional committees are looking for new members. Nominations must be received by the Department of Internal Affairs by emailing the following address no later than 5pm, Friday 5 May 2023.
There is more information in a word document at the following link.
Lottery Distribution Committee Information (DOCX 41 KB)
The nomination form is available at the following link.
Appointments to Statutory Bodies – dia.govt.nz (DIA)
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Arts Access Aotearoa April newsletter
Available online at the following link.
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DPA’s Information Exchange 16 April
The latest Information Exchange is available in your browser at the following link.
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Events
College House Audio Described Tour
Saturday 6 May, 3pm to 4pm
An Open Christchurch free event but bookings required.
Booking link below.
OPEN CHRISTCHURCH 2023: Audio Described College House Tour (Humanitix)
College house is located at 100 Waimairi Road, Upper Riccarton.
Join this audio described tour to explore College House, a residential college at the University of Canterbury designed and constructed between 1964-67 by leading modernist architects Sir Miles Warren & Maurice Mahoney. Sir Miles Warren deemed College House their best building.
This tour will include an introduction to the site’s architecture and history as well as a detailed audio description of the Chapel. It is led by audio describer Kevin Prince as well as architectural historian and Te Pūtahi director, Dr Jessica Halliday. This tour has been developed with the advice and support of Audio Described Aotearoa.
This tour is designed for blind and low vision people. Bookings are reserved for the blindness community and companions. Additional information will be provided to people who register about getting to the event, meeting location, contact information, and wet weather plan.
About Open Christchurch
6 and 7 May 2023
Run by Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City Making, Open Christchurch is a one-weekend-only festival of exceptional architecture. It’s for everyone in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Building owners/kaitiaki will literally open their doors so you can experience great design from the inside
Uncover new spaces or get up close to the buildings you love. With 50+ buildings and 4 guided walks to choose from, you’ll discover your city in a new way.
More information is available at the following link.
openchch.nz (Open Christchurch)
Accessibility at Open Christchurch
Our website has individual building and activity listings with detailed accessibility information relating to specific sites and activities.
If you find that you have a concern or a question, please feel free to email us at openchch@teputahi.org.nz.
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As usual, event reminders and TellMe phone numbers follow.
Ngā mihi mahana,
Warm regards,
Amanda and Sarah
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Event reminders
Census Day was Tuesday 7 March but it’s not too late to complete the Census
Census collectors are visiting households to follow up with people who have not yet completed their census forms and to offer support. Collectors will be in communities offering support until 3 May in most areas, and until 1 June in cyclone-affected areas. Details were provided in14 April update.
Accessible exhibition – Who can think, what can think
This Auckland Arts Festival Event runs from 18 February to 7 May at TeTuhi, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland. Details were provided in 10 March update. A link to the event details in your browser follows:
Who can think, what can think (Te Ahurei Toi O Tāmaki / Auckland Arts Festival)
Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities In Person Conference
Sydney, Sunday, 7 May – Tuesday, 9 May 202
More information about the Round Table (Round Table)
Ongoing – 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 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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