Weekly update: 23 February 2024

Kia ora Tatou,

Hello to all of us,

This week I am delighted to let you know we welcome three new members onto our Board: Sally Britnell, Phil Thorn and Tom Eats, all identifying as deafblind/dual sensory impairment. In the coming weeks we will offer biographies for them so you can be really confident of the lived experience that contributes to Deafblind Association New Zealand at governance level. As it is Cochlear Awareness Day on Sunday, this week we are featuring Phil and Tom’s cochlear stories.

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Phil’s Story (text)

When the idea of installing a Cochlear implant was presented to me in 2010, I was an unknown case. Audiologists had carried out tests however I heard nothing and lived with extremely loud Tinnitus. Over time the Cochlear has reduced the level of Tinnitus and my voice level has adjusted to a normal level and my levels of concentration have also lifted. The mapping sessions which occurred in Christchurch about every 6 months initially were very challenging and draining mentally and emotionally. I initially made small gains, not gaining speech recognition apart from the odd word occasionally. With the addition of a second hearing implant, an Audio bypass implant which connects to my brain stem installed in 2017 I have gained some hearing of mainly environmental sounds which includes bird life. The two implants work together well, I can identify conversation in quieter settings, identify music and hear electronic sounds from my technology and even use an Alexa. Taking the implant journey has been worth it even though it has come with many challenges, I am thriving now as a result of the amazing hearing implant technology.

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Tom’s Story (link to either video mp4 or audio only file mp3)

Tom’s story is 3:31 minutes.

Video file

Audio file

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Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP)

SCIP has provided us with some data from their 2022-23 annual report.

REFERRALS: The number of referrals for adults continues to rise. In the last year we received 170 new adult referrals.

We received 19 new referrals for children: 41% of these referrals were for babies under 12 months of age.

AGE AT IMPLANT: In the last 12 months we have provided cochlear implants to a combined total of 106 adults and children. Age at implant for adults ranged from 29 to 91 years of age. The median age at implant for adults was 72 years. Age at implant for children ranged from 6 months to 18 years with 45% of children implanted under 12 months of age.

SCIP host a meeting for cochlear implant users in the regions once a year for which all adult cochlear implant users and their support people in the area are sent an invitation with details of venue and time.

These are planned in Nelson 7 March, Palmerston North 13 March, Cromwell 10 April, Invercargill in September, Taranaki and Dunedin in October and Hawkes Bay in November.

They also referred us to a personal story by a deafblind cochlear implant recipient.

Cochlear recipient impacted by deafblindness ensures nothing holds her back (Cochlear)

For more information, visit the SCIP website.

www.scip.co.nz

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What else is happening?

Deafblind Association New Zealand contribute to research and data internationally. In the coming week I will be working with our Canadian compatriots on what that looks like at the level of individuals with dual sensory impairment. I’ll let you know how that goes in next week’s update.

As a Consumer Organisation in the Blindness Sector please also know we have secured a meeting with Andrea Midgen, Chief Executive Blind Low Vision NZ, in the coming week. This is an introductory meeting to appraise her of our work.

Meantime, there are the usual links below to inform you of what is happening in terms of wider accessibility of which we are included or have an interest in.

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Employment Opportunity in Wellington

Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People are seeking an Advisor, Operational Policy based in Wellington. Applications close next Thursday 29 February. The following link directs you to the role information on the Whaikaha website.

Job listing – Advisor, Operational Policy (Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People)

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Other newsletters

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.

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)

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Events

February Edition of No Labels on Wellington Access Radio

This was by shared by Thomas Bryan, Host of No Labels on the BlindDiscuss List.

Hi All,

Our guest this month is Lauren Hayes.

Lauren is a creative and passionate Digital and Arts Accessibility Consultant. Lauren has over 7 years’ experience in collaborating with organisations to review and provide guidance on best practice regarding accessible and inclusive design of products and services. After beginning her accessibility journey at AccessibilityOz in 2016, Lauren decided to try her hand at freelancing, establishing Lauren Hayes Consulting Services in 2019. As a freelancer, Lauren has significant experience in providing technical and advisory support to not-for-profit, disability, arts, and community organisations, including Able Australia, Arts Access Victoria, Intopia, Canva, Toi Poneke Arts Council, the show Me Shorts Film Festival, and the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.

When she’s not auditing websites or helping artists to make their work accessible, you’ll find Lauren checking out live concerts and theatre, learning Welsh, or exploring local cafes and pubs.

To learn more about Lauren and her work and living now in Wellington, you can hear this edition of the show on Wellington Access Radio on Tuesday 27 February 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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2024 Audio Described Events Booklet 18 February 2024

This was by shared by Mary Schnackenberg on the BlindDiscuss List with full details and can be accessed as a word document via the link that follows. The calendar of Nationwide Events with page numbers has been copied below to give you an idea of the range of events and locations.

2024 Events Information (DOCX 60 KB)

Saturday, 24 February: Jungle Book Reimagined, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Wellington, p. 7.

Saturday, 2 March: The Savage Coloniser Show, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Wellington, p. 7.

Saturday, 2 March: Witi’s Wāhine, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Wellington, p. 8.

Thursday, 7 March: Waiata Mai, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 13.

Friday, 8 March: Te Tangi A Te Tūī, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 13.

Saturday, 9 March: Whenua, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Wellington, p. 9.

Saturday, 9 March: Angelique Kidjo with Angitu, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 14.

Sunday, 10 March: The Air Between Us, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, p. 10.

Sunday, 10 March: The Valentina, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 15.

Sunday, 10 March: Beyond Words, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 16.

Thursday, 14 March: The King’s Singers: Finding Harmony, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 16.

Friday, 15 March, Saturday, 16 March, and Sunday, 17 March: In the Name of the Son, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 17.

Saturday, 16 March: Lost Lear, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Wellington, p. 11.

Saturday, 16 March: Afrique En Cirque, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 18.

Saturday, 16 March: Ju Percussion Group: Energy Infinite, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 18.

Sunday, 17 March: O Le Pepelo, Le Gaio, Ma Le Pala’ai, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 19.

Wednesday, 20 March: Aiga, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 20.

Friday 22 March, Saturday 23 March, and Sunday 24 March: The Sun and the Wind, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 21.

Saturday, 23 March: Kōtuitui, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 21.

Saturday, 23 March: Āhuareka, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 22.

Sunday, 24 March: Pamyua, Auckland Arts Festival, p. 22.

Saturday, 6 April: Guo Pei: Fashion, Art, Fantasy, Auckland Art Gallery, p. 11.

Tuesday, 9 April: The Great Piratical Rumbustification, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 37.

Saturday, 20 April: The Great Piratical Rumbustification, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 37.

Saturday, 20 April: Matilda the Musical, Act Three productions, p. 6.

Sunday, 28 April: The Effect, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 23.

Sunday, 28 April: Kinky Boots, Showbiz Christchurch, p. 36.

Saturday, 4 May: Swan Lake, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Wellington, p. 34.

Saturday, 4 May: Tour of Marian College, Open Christchurch 2024, p. 34.

Sunday, 5 May: Te piki a Tāwhaki, tour of Tūranga, Open Christchurch 2024, p. 34.

Wednesday, 8 May: I Love You G, Massive Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 29.

Wednesday, 8 May: The Great Piratical Rumbustification, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 37.

Saturday, 11 May: Swan Lake, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Auckland, p. 34.

Saturday, 25 May: Swan Lake, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Christchurch, p. 34.

Thursday, 30 May: Le comte Ory, New Zealand Opera, Auckland, p. 31.

Saturday, 15 June: Le comte Ory, New Zealand Opera, Wellington, p. 31.

Saturday, 29 June: Le comte Ory, New Zealand Opera, Christchurch, p. 31.

Sunday, 30 June: Red, White and Brass, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 24.

Tuesday, 2 July: Five Go on an Adventure, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 38.

Wednesday, 3 July: Red, White and Brass, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 24

Saturday, 13 July: Five Go on an Adventure, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 38.

Sunday, 14 July: Jersey Boys, New Plymouth Operatic Society, p. 30.

Tuesday, 23 July: some time between 23 and 27 July, audio described performance date to be confirmed, Te Ao Hou, Massive Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 30.

Sunday, 18 August: Scenes from the Climate Era, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 25.

Saturday, 21 September: Rigoletto, New Zealand Opera, Auckland, p. 32.

Sunday, 22 September: Girls & Boys, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 26.

Tuesday, 24 September: Mrs Wishy-Washy, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 39.

Saturday, 28 September: Mrs Wishy-Washy, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 39.

Sunday, 20 October: Peter Pan, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 27.

Wednesday, 23 October: Peter Pan, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 27.

Wednesday, 23 October: Mrs Wishy-Washy, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 39.

Sunday, 1 December: a mixtape for maladies, Auckland Theatre Company, p. 28.

Tuesday, 3 December: The Santa Claus Show ’24, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 40.

Saturday, 14 December: The Santa Claus Show ’24, Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland, p. 40.

As usual, event reminders and TellMe phone numbers follow.

Ngā mihi mahana,
Warm regards,
Amanda

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Event reminders

Leading Change – A Webinar for Women with Disability on Leadership

Friday 8 March, free online event. Details were provided in 16 February update.

16 February update

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.

Link to website below.

Access & Inclusion (Auckland Arts Festival)

25 to 31 May, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – International Council on English Braille 8th General Assembly

June 2024 Deafblind Awareness month – Yarn bombing

#DbIYarnBombing2024 – information was provided in 21 January update.

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.

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