Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
There’s a lot to reflect on this week. All of the details are below. The social narrative is changing for blind and disabled. Shining a light on past events allows them not to continue in the same way. Power imbalances can be harsh and obvious and sometimes they can be subtle, like the perspectives society holds towards marginalised groups. I’m please we are part of the mahi that is bringing change. Clear details are below for you to decide on your own perspective. 
Be Seen Be Heard Be Connected just about sums it up I think!
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Abuse in Care – Final Report Release
Message from Paula Tesoriero, Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive, Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People
Tēnā koutou katoa
Yesterday the Abuse in Care Royal Commission released its final report – Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light.
This email will talk about the Royal Commission and acknowledge the topic of abuse and neglect. You may choose not to read it, and that is ok. If you are struggling with the content of the email or the Royal Commission report, please access support from the links below.
The report is the result of the largest and most complex Royal Commission public inquiry ever held in New Zealand. Disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, Deaf and Turi Māori have been a significant focus of the Inquiry. Many individuals and whānau have shared their experiences of abuse and neglect.These experiences should never had happened.
I want to honour the survivors who bravely shared their experiences with the Commission and New Zealand. It is important that we honour their courage and learn from their experiences.
We all have a responsibility to keep people safe.
I am aware that there were many people who encouraged members of our community to come forward, and I would like to mihi to you for supporting your family, friends and peers through these challenging times.
I have had the privilege of meeting a number of survivors over the years, with each person’s story leaving an indelible mark on me. Today I think of the many survivors, such as Sir Robert Martin and Alison Pascoe who have passed, and who are not here to see the report finalised and the national apology. I think of survivors such as Gary Williams MNZM and members of the Survivor Experiences Service’s Deaf Advisory Group who have and will continue to ensure the voices of Deaf and disabled people are included through all areas of this ongoing work.
We will now work alongside our colleagues across government, to provide Ministers with advice and to respond to the final report and its accompanying recommendations.
The learnings and experiences shared throughout the Inquiry are already guiding our work. This includes our commitment to strengthening our Quality and Safeguarding work.
This report will continue to influence our work.
I want to end by again thanking the survivors. Your stories will have an ever-lasting impact on our country.
Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light.
The full report is available on the Royal Commission’s website.
An executive summary of the report is available in English, te reo Māori and in alternate formats (NZSL, Easy Read, Braille, audio and large print).
You can access the report below.
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Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions
Speech by the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister spoke in Parliament on 24 July. You can find his speech below.
PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care (Beehive.govt.nz)
The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care.
Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors (Beehive.govt.nz)
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Announcement about a Public Apology
On Monday 22 July the Prime Minister Right Hon. Christopher Luxon announced he will make a formal public apology on 12 November 2024.
The Ministry is working closely with the team responsible for organising the Public Apology to ensure the process is accessible for Deaf and disabled people.
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Content warning
Much of the content presented in the report contains explicit descriptions of tūkino – abuse, harm and trauma – and may raise difficult emotional responses for readers. If you or someone in your close circle needs support, help is available.
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Additional information
Information services that offer free support, information and help can be found below.
Support available (Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry)
If you are experiencing abuse and neglect, or are concerned about a disabled person being abused or neglected, you can find information on who to contact below.
Help and support for violence, abuse or neglect (Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People)
The Survivor Experiences Service aims to provide a safe, supportive, confidential place where survivors of abuse in care, and their whānau, can share their experiences.
Home (Survivor Experiences Service)
Ngā mihi mahana
Paula Tesoriero MNZM (pronoun: she/her (Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission))
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Vacancy – Secretariat, DPO Coalition
Wellington, contract.
Part-time, 60 hours per month (average 15 hours per week).
Applications close 5pm, Friday 2 August 2024.
The Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO) Coalition is advertising for a Secretariat to provide a full range of administrative and executive support to the DPO Coalition and DPO Managers.
Links for more information as word documents follow.
Advert for Secretariat, DPO Coalition (DOCX 28 KB)
Job description for Secretariat, DPO Coalition (DOCX 82 KB)
The DPO Coalition comprises Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand (Blind Citizens NZ), Balance Aotearoa, Deaf Aotearoa, Disabled Persons Assembly NZ (DPA), Mana Pasefika, Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand, People First New Zealand.
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Events
No new events this week.
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Other newsletters
Blind Citizens NZ
Blind Citizens NZ Bulletin: July 2024
DPA (Disabled Persons Assembly) fortnightly update Information Exchange: 23 July 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.
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 – meets monthly on 2nd Saturday.
- Taranaki – New Plymouth – meets bi-monthly.
- Manawatū /Te Papa-i-Oea – Palmerston North – meets quarterly, next due October.
- Kāpiti – meets quarterly.
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington/Lower Hutt – meets quarterly, next due October.
- Kirikiriroa – Hamilton – Tuesday 30 July, meets bi-monthly. Organiser Judy Small.
- Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland – event planning is underway for North and South.
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.
Disney On Ice is back in Auckland
When: Sunday, 11 August, 2024 at 6pm.
Where: Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland 1010.
Details were provided in 19 July update.
EGL – SAMS and Tama hui
28 August 10:00am – 2:00pm (venue in West Auckland to be advised).
Hui for for community-led disability leadership informed by the Enabling Good Lives approach. A smaller online hui, for the deaf community is proposed for 27 August 2024 6:00 -7:30pm. Register for either by emailing egl@sams.org.nz.
The Wiggles’ Wiggle Groove Tour!
When: Saturday 28 September 2024 at 10am
Where: Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland 1010.
Details were provided in 19 July update.
Thursday 3 October Deafblind UK Online Conference 2024
Theme: “Standing out and fitting in”. The conference is free and all are welcome.
DbI Asian Regional Conference Pokhara Nepal
1st to 3rd March 2025.
Deafblind International Notice of Asian Conference 2025
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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 were provided 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)
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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
2024 Audio Described Nationwide Events Booklet
The events list with booklet page numbers was provided in the 23 February update.
The full calendar is available as a word document via the following link.
2024 Events Information (DOCX 60 KB)
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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