Weekly update: 27 September 2024

Kia ora tatou,

Hello to all of us,

Discussions here in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland are exciting this week, including the exploration of devices that will support Hearing Aid users while in Peer to Peer Support situations as well as at Conference. It is just lovely to be working with a representative from Jands NZ with a solutions focus.

Next week I will describe a little about Reasonable Adjustment under the CRPD and discussions held in Fiji recently. Have a nourishing week in the mean time!

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Events

Audio Described Christchurch Mamma Mia

From Audio Described Aotearoa.

Showbiz Christchurch Presents: MAMMA MIA!

MAMMA MIA! is a jukebox musical featuring the timeless songs of the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. Set on a picturesque Greek island, the story follows the journey of a young bride-to-be, her mother, and three possible fathers, all against the backdrop of ABBA’s unforgettable hits.

With its heart-warming tale and infectious music, MAMMA MIA! has become one of the world’s most beloved and successful musicals.

When: Sunday, 6 October 2024, 2:15pm touch tour; 4:00pm audio described performance.

Where: Isaac Theatre Royal, 145 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City.

Run time: 2 hours, 30 minutes, including an interval.

Tickets: $49.00, plus booking fees, including companion.

To book: call Ticketek on 03 260 5260 and quote the code: AUDIO.

Please meet in the theatre foyer at 2:00pm for the touch tour.

Headphone Pick Up: 3:20pm in the foyer.

Audio Described participants entry and seated by 3:30pm, before the public.

Hurting Hope and Disability Connect 2024 AGM invitation

Wednesday 9 October 2024, in person and via Zoom.

From Disability Connect.

Kia Ora

Have you ever wanted to write the story of your family journey in disability?

You are warmly invited to hear Charles and Jo Hewlett share their family journey , including the process of co-writing their own book “Hurting Hope” in a special evening at Disability Connect on Wednesday 9 October at 7pm.

The Hewett’s 40 minute presentation will include the opportunity to ask questions and learn from their experiences of writing and sharing their very personal journey.

Attendees are most welcome to stay to participate in Disability Connect Inc’s AGM which follows the presentation. Hear more about our services and advocacy influencing positive change for disabled people and their families as we celebrate our mahi.

We will be moving a motion to re-register Disability Connect Inc. under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (the new Act).

Find out more about the Hewletts, and the AGM agenda

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Other newsletters

Disabled Person’s Assembly (DPA) Information Exchange: 26 September 2024

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: to be confirmed.
  • Taranaki / New Plymouth: to be confirmed.
  • Kirikiriroa / Hamilton: mid-October.
  • Te Papa-i-Oea / Palmerston North: mid-October.
  • Kāpiti: mid-October.
  • 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.

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)

Thursday 3 October Deafblind UK Online Conference 2024

Theme: “Standing out and fitting in”. The conference is free and all are welcome.

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, and how to book, were provided in the 13 September 2024 update

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 the 20 September 2024 update

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

DbI Asian Regional Conference Pokhara Nepal

1st to 3rd March 2025.

Deafblind International Notice of Asian Conference 2025

Pac Rim 2025: disability-related conference opportunity

The conference is hosted in Hawaii and it’s their 40th year anniversary.

General conference home page

Strand information (10 areas)

Scholarship opportunities

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 the 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 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)

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

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.

Living Blindfully

Weekly show hosted by Jonathan Mosen

Living Blindfully audio episodes (Living Blindfully)

Blind Spot, Radio Southland

Monthly show hosted by Carolyn Weston

Blind Spot on Radio Southland

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