Deafblind Association New Zealand

2025 Conference

Deafblind Association NZ Charitable Trust

This conference is all about you - putting the Deafblind community at the centre means highlighting your ideas and addressing your frustrations. Come and join us as we engage with organisations working to ensure essential services work, transport is easier, and we feel safe.

We will hear from the likes of Whaikaha, Ministry for Disabled People, the emergency services, and public transport agencies who are working to support the community. Experience the latest assistive technologies and make the most of the opportunity to ask questions of experts working on the latest clinical developments.
These groups are coming to share their progress and to hear from you, to test out ideas and refine plans. Putting you at the centre is about giving you the opportunity to take part in changing things for the better.
Your voice matters.

Programme

Please note that views expressed by individuals at the conference may not be those held by Deafblind Association of New Zealand Charitable Trust.

Rāpare Thursday

11:00 Arrivals and Orientation Brentwood Hotel arrival instructions Morning: Arrivals, connecting with interpreters, Orientation and Mobility, Health & Safety, Whanaungatanga (Who’s in the room)
11:30 Lunch available
12:45 Mihimihi
12:55 Welcome & Acknowledgements Kevin Prince, President, Deafblind Association NZ
13:00 Address from the Minister Hon Louise Upston MP, Minister for Disability Issues
13:30 Deafblind at the Centre – addressing community priorities Tom Eats, Deafblind Association Board Member & Events Committee lead
13:45 Working with the Deafblind Community Perspectives from Sector Leaders:
Phil Thorn, Deafblind Association Board Member;
Andrea Midgen, Chief Executive Blind Low Vision New Zealand;
Catherine Greenwood, Chair NZSL Board;
Paula Tesoriero, Chief Executive Whaikaha;
15:00 Tea Break
15:30 Seen, Heard, Counted: Research to Understand Deafblindness in Aotearoa NZ
Dr. Sally Britnell, Auckland University of Technology, Deafblind Association Board Member
Followed by Q&A
16:15 Knowing your way around the health system:
Interactive game enabling our community to identify relevant agencies in the health system.
DJ Adams, Health, Quality and Safety Commission
16:45 Feedback on the day and close
Kevin Prince
18:00 Dinner followed by Crafts, Socializing, Relaxation time in conference room annex.

Rāmere Friday

9:00 Day One Summary: Amanda Stevens, Executive Officer, Deafblind Association
9:15 Disability Support Service, MSD - Changes and what they mean for our community
Alastair Hill, Programme Director for the Disability Service Taskforce Q & A
9:35 Dual sensory impairments and experience of complexity in the medical system -new developments and shared goals.
Lisa Seerup, President, Hearing New Zealand and independent audiologist
Aretha Mulder, Audiologist, Southern Cochlear Implant Programme
John Billings, Dispensing Optician and Board Member, Blind Low Vision NZ
Maldwyn Greenwood, Technical Manager (NZ) JANDS
10:40 Tea Break
11:10 Support in Daily Life - Banking
Kate Kenworthy, Senior Investigator, Banking Ombudsman Scheme
Conn Meyer, Resolution Adviser, Banking Ombudsman Scheme
Q & A to follow
11:45 Exciting Emerging Technologies and managing domestic appliances
James Le Page, Head of Test, Consumer NZ
Discussion and Q & A
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Support in Daily Life - Personal Safety & Emergency management
Inspector Mike Higgie, Operations Manager Emergency Communications, Police
Sharon Johnston, Manager Community Inclusion, Police
Hugh O’Donnell, Advisor Community Readiness & Recovery, FENZ
Phil Soal, Community Risk Manager, FENZ
14:30 Peer to Peer Support and Goal 4 -Growing Confidence and Leadership
Amanda Stevens, Executive Officer, Deafblind Association
Discussion and Q & A
15:00 Afternoon Tea break
15:20 President Lions Club NZ – Pledge to Helen Keller, Current Mahi, Eye health
Tobi Hipp
15:45 Support in Daily Life - Transport
Leigh-Ann Harris, Andrew Myers (Metlink)
Grant Hinton, (Transdev)
16:45 Feedback and Close for the day
Tom Eats, Deafblind Association Board Member & Events Committee lead
17:00 Craft Breakout/Games
18:00 Dinner followed by Crafts, Socializing, Relaxation time in conference room annex.

Rāhoroi Saturday

9:00 Day 2 Summary: Agenda for day three
Kevin Prince
9:15 Making the most of Digital Technology
Martine Abel-Williamson, President, World Blind Union
Brian Gubb, Community Member
Dr Chandra Harrison, Managing Director Access Advisors
Interactive Session
10:30 Tea break
11:00 Group activities – Delegate choice from the following 3 and a chance to showcase experience and knowledge.
Usher Syndrome Workshop
Paul Glover, USH Ambassador, Sharlene Turner, Blind Low Vision NZ
Haptic Training
Jacqui Iseli, Blind Low Vision NZ
Craft Activities
12:15 Lunch
14:00 Excursion
18:00 Dinner Audio described interactive event
Helen Keller Day Cake for dessert for Deafblind awareness week.

Rātapu Sunday

9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Check Out

Contact Cheryl for further information