Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
Firstly, arohanui to those of you in Otago and Southland today and please know you are in our thoughts as the rain continues.
For the past two weeks I have promised you information I learned about Reasonable Accommodation while in Fiji. This is by way of empathising with those of you who are struggling with your technology. Information was distributed in Power Point document. I had it converted into PDF. JAWS did not pick up any content. This morning I sent it away to be converted by a higher level programme than I have for that purpose. It came back unreadable because of a very strange accent and jumping speeds. If you don’t understand some of this, take heart! I am always learning something new too! Let’s hope I can problem solve this one and get content to you next week.
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Introducing Auracast
Being considered as a step change forward, Auracast is a Bluetooth technology which will enable people to use Auracast-enabled earphones and hearing aids like a hearing loop. Because it’s a Bluetooth standard, some hearing aids already have it, with more to come. Additionally, increasing numbers of venues have the technology, and it’s being implemented on TVs and soundbars (for example), too.
The next move is to update NZ standards for hearing assistance in buildings to allow Auracast.
Video (including captions) showcasing Auracast capabilities (Youtube)
Learn more about Auracast for assistive listening, and other uses (Bluetooth: Auracast)
Overview of Auracast technology (Techradar)
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Alternate Formats: Hate Crime Review Terms of Reference from the Law Commission
Today the Law Commission published its Terms of Reference that will guide its review of the law relating to hate crime: He Arotake i Hara Ngākau Kino.
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ILO 6-month internships for persons with disabilities
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is offering 11 internship positions exclusively reserved for candidates with disabilities.
The internships are based in various cities around the world, predominantly Geneva (none in New Zealand), and applications close 31 October 2024.
Find out more about the ILO internships (ILO)
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Events
Invitation – Hui on Planning for Emergencies
Sent to the blinddiscuss list from the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel.
Hosted by Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel, we warmly invite you to attend our upcoming disability community hui all about planning for emergencies.
Event details
- What: Disability Community Hui on Planning for Emergencies.
- When: Wednesday, 13 November 2024.
- Time: 9:50 am – 2:30 pm.
- Where: Freemans Bay Community Hall, 52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland 1011.
- Who: all in the disability community and sector – disabled people, whānau, supporters, DPOs, service providers welcome.
This disability-led forum will bring together members of the disability community and sector, agencies, and Auckland Council emergency response staff. We’ll have a mix of presentations and discussions focused on learning from Auckland’s 2023 extreme weather events, finding out about the roles of our emergency response agencies and strengthening relationships for better disability-inclusive emergency readiness and response.
Accessibility
- We want to make getting there as easy as possible. If you need help with transport or are able to offer a lift to someone who does, please let us know.
- The venue is flat and wheelchair accessible.
- There will be a separate quiet space available.
- There will be NZSL interpreters, please let us know if you’ll be using interpreters.
- Assistance dogs welcome, please let us know if you’re bringing one.
- Please stay home if feeling unwell.
- We apologise that this event will not be streamed, however, we are planning to record and document outcomes in detail.
- Morning tea and lunch will be provided with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available.
- If you have allergies or other dietary requirements, please let us know.
Registration
- Please register in advance via email at Disability.AdvisoryPanel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Feel free to share this invitation with your contacts across Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau.
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Other newsletters
Seniors Newsletter: October 2024
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Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) Information Exchange: 3 October 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 into the complicated truth of inter-abled flatting, gather stories about the random mobility aids with which people are obsessed, and more!
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: Tuesday 8 October.
- Taranaki / New Plymouth: to be confirmed.
- Kirikiriroa / Hamilton: mid-October.
- Te Papa-i-Oea / Palmerston North: Wednesday 6 November.
- Kāpiti: Friday 8 November.
- 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.
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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)
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Audio Described Christchurch MAMMA MIA!
6 October 2024, 2:15pm touch tour; 4:00pm audio described performance.
Isaac Theatre Royal, 145 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City.
More details about MAMMA MIA!, and how to book, in 27 September update
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Hurting Hope and Disability Connect 2024 AGM invitation
Wednesday 9 October 2024, in person and via Zoom.
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.
Attendees are most welcome to stay to participate in Disability Connect Inc’s AGM which follows the presentation.
Find out more about the Hewletts, and the AGM agenda
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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 about audio described garden festival, and how to book, in the 13 September 2024 update
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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
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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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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
The conference is hosted in Hawaii and it’s their 40th 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 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.
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.
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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
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