Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
Well, an interesting start to the day for me! I burned the toast and set off the smoke alarm. I checked for heat and then turned the toaster off at the wall. I went through to the bedroom and, hurray, my Hearing Assist Technology was busy vibrating away under my pillow. I felt so very reassured. I then went back and flapped the hand towel under the smoke alarm until quiet was restored. This is not the ideal way to test Hearing Assist Technology, of course, however I feel very confident that, should I be asleep, I have the best opportunity for quick notice and action. I know I have said in a previous update that my doorbell is also connected so that if another house in the neighbourhood is on fire Fire and Emergency NZ can wake me up to evacuate safely.
I am concerned that we may not have access to this full funding for $2,000 equipment for much longer so I do encourage you to access this.
Deafblind International are looking for a youth coordinator. You just never know what opportunities may spring from positions like this so I do encourage you to explore the information later in this newsletter.
Golly gee it takes a lot of chasing suitable venues for our Conference on 26-29 June 2025 in Te Whanganui a-Tara / Wellington and I had hoped to be able to confirm the venue to you this week, however let’s keep fingers crossed for next Friday.
The next Wellington / Lower Hutt peer-to-peer gathering is confirmed for Saturday, 30 November, noon to 2pm and I am glad to say I will be there with those of you who can make it. Please let me know if you can join us and I will then confirm venue. Our Christmas shutdown will be noon, Monday 23 December, so four more updates this year.
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The DbI Youth Network is Seeking an Assistant Network Coordinator!
From Deafblind International.
This voluntary role is a rewarding opportunity to assist the coordinator in planning youth network events / activities.
The role also includes attendance at future DbI Board meetings and conferences.
Please kindly email the network coordinator if you are interested in this exciting role!
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See the Person, Support Their Potential: Oppenheim Fund 2025 Applications are Now Open
From Blind Low Vision NZ.
The Oppenheim Tertiary Education Trust Fund 2025 is here to help our clients unlock their full potential by providing financial support for tertiary education.
Every individual has unique talents and aspirations. The Oppenheim Fund is a chance for our clients to pursue their study goals and build the future they choose.
What you can do
If you are aware of any clients considering tertiary study in 2025, the Oppenheim fund is an opportunity not to be missed. Applications close on 8 January 2025, so spread the word, and share the link below!
Full details, including the applicant guide (Blind Low Vision NZ)
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Nominations for the Ministry of Health Health and Disability Ethics Committees
From The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora.
We already have one round of recruitment underway for the HDECS. This recruitment is seeking additional candidates for further roles across all four HDECs.
Any nominations or pātai(questions) can be forwarded to the Ministry’s appointments team at appointments@health.govt.nz. The application closing date is 12 January 2024.
All applications require a cover letter, CV and completed declaration form (attached). We encourage all applicants to apply via thewebsite in the first instance.
From Pauline Melham and Siobhan Lynch at Whaikaha: “It would be helpful if you let us know if you are applying for this position and of course if you get shortlisted or on the board. If you would like me to let MoH know that your application is coming and that you are a member of our database, then please let me know and I will pass that information to them.” You can email them at Pauline.Melham001@whaikaha.govt.nz, or Siobhan.Lynch009@whaikaha.govt.nz.
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New Zealand a very difficult place to be blind – advocate
“An award-winning disability advocate is leaving New Zealand saying it is the worst country in the Western world in which to be blind.
“Jonathan Mosen [previous CEO of Workbridge] told Nine to Noon there were disabled people in the country with some much to offer who were ready and willing to give something back.”
Listen to the full interview on Radio New Zealand
The audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.
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Reminder about Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) Open Vacancies
The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) is actively recruiting a range of roles across Australia, the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste.
PLMSP are committed to building a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce to maximize our support.
They strongly encourage people with disability to apply. Disclosing about your disability will not negatively affect your application. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact PLMSP.HR@thepalladiumgroup.com.
Search PLMSP roles on Palladium’s career page
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Events
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 – Regional Celebration
From the Pacific Disability Forum.
Wednesday 4 December 2024.
Theme: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is annually observed on the 3rd of December to promote and uphold the full and equal participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities. It also provides a platform to advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. The observance of the Day aims to encourage an understanding of disability issues and rally support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
This year, in our effort to shed light and celebrate influential leaders with disabilities, encouraging cross learning on gains made so far through the leaderships of persons with disabilities, and highlight successful partnerships that have occurred as a result of these leaderships. A half day Regional Celebration has been organized in collaboration with our partners at the PIFS Conference room in Suva on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. The half day dialogue will be held from 8.30am to 1pm followed by lunch.
It is indeed an honor for PDF to extend our invitation to you to attend this important event for persons with disabilities in Fiji, the Pacific region and beyond.
You can find the Concept Note and Tentative Programme below, and final documents will be sent in due course. Should you wish to join, kindly refer to the link provided above.
IDPD Regional Celebration 2024 – Concept Note (DOC 113 KB)
IDPD Regional Celebration 2024 – Tentative Programme (DOC 278 KB)
For Fiji OPDs kindly RSVP with Nancy Queen on Nancy.Queen@pacificdisability.org by 5pm Wednesday 27 November, 2024.
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Other newsletters
The November 2024 edition of the Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission newsletter covers welcomes for new welcomed, a call for promise of Te Tiriti to be honoured, an invitation to webinar on amplifying disabled people’s leadership and more.
See the latest Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission news
Sign up for their monthly newsletter
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Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) Information Exchange: 16 November 2024
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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 look forward to seeing you next (next) Tuesday for International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD) on 2 December 2024, and invite you to join their community portraits day.
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: to be confirmed.
- Taranaki / New Plymouth: to be confirmed.
- Kirikiriroa / Hamilton: early December 2024, to be confirmed.
- Te Papa-i-Oea / Palmerston North: to be confirmed.
- Kāpiti: to be confirmed.
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington region: 30 November 2024, 12-2pm.
- Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland: to be confirmed.
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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Te Tāhū Hauora – new expressions of interest advertised
Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission is advertising five new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) .
Consumer opportunities (Te Tāhū Hauroa Health Quality & Safety Commission)
Three are external opportunities and two are for vacancies on both Kōtuinga Kiritaki Consumer network and Ngā Reo Māhuri Young Voices group.
They will also be advertised in the next Consumer health forum Aotearoa newsletter at the end of the month.
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Invitation: NZDSN Auckland Council Elections Prep for the Disability Community: Online Hui 4 Dec 2024
Wednesday 4 December 2024, 4-5pm.
The New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN) Auckland is hosting a session for their network members and the disability community about Auckland’s local elections in 2025. If you have any questions, you can contact them at ‘Auckland Providers’, aucklandproviders@nzdsn.org.nz.
Register for the Hui by 2 December 2024 (NZDSN)
A Zoom link will be sent to registrants after they register on the NZDSN website. If you require a NZSL Interpreter, please register by Tuesday 26 November 2024.”
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The Santa Claus Show ’24
1-22 December 2024.
“Get Ready to Sleigh with Santa’s Play.”
Ho ho ho – off we go! Join our hero Kelly on an epic adventure, dashing through the snow, and laughing all the way to the North Pole. Along the way, you’ll find yourself singing, giggling, and embarking on a magical journey as Kelly learns the true sentiment of Christmas.
More details in our 1 November 2024 update
Book your tickets for The Santa Claus Show ’24 (Tim Bray Theatre Company)
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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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Innovation in Retina Research 2025
Retina NZ’s summer symposium will be taking place in Auckland on 21 and 22 February 2025.
Confirmed speakers thus far:
- Professor Robyn Guymer: What’s new in AMD if that suits and will talk on the new treatments for wet AMD and Dry AMD and what is in the pipeline.
- Associate Professor Lauren Ayton: Updates on inherited retinal diseases, including gene therapy clinical trials.
- Dr. Odunayo (Lola) Mugisho: Advances in Diabetic Retinopathy.
Stay tuned for more details and speakers to follow!
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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
15-16 April 2025.
The conference is hosted in Hawaii and it’s their 40 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
Review of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010 – public consultation
The Ministry of Justice is undertaking a review of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010, and are now seeking public feedback on options for change set out in a discussion document. Submissions close on 6 December.
The Government decided to review the Act in December 2023 as part of its 100-Day-Plan commitment to enable more virtual participation in court proceedings. The review is part of a wider work programme to improve the performance of the courts system.
Review of Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010 (Ministry of Justice)
If you would like to provide a submission or feedback, you can do so:
- online through the Ministry’s consultation hub – Citizen Space
- by emailing courtspolicy@justice.govt.nz
- in writing to:
- Courts System Policy
- Ministry of Justice – National Office
- DX SX10088
- Wellington.
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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