Deafblind Association New Zealand

Strategic Plan 2026-2030

Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued.

Our strategic priorities

The strategic priorities areas we will focus on over the next four years to achieve our vision:

Support

The Goals: People who are deafblind have greater opportunities to access the connections, information and support needed to participate fully in everyday life.

What Success looks like: People who are deafblind are better connected, have access to relevant information and support, and have opportunities to participate and lead.

Focus for 26/27 Build foundations: Listen, understand and build community-led connections and leadership capacity.

Focus for 2028: Lift our responsiveness: Gather the needs of community members, respond to identified needs and strengthen peer/community support.

Focus for 2029/30: Ready for the future:

Advocacy

The goals: People who are deafblind are recognised, understood, and can participate in decisions that affect their lives.

What Success looks like: Deafblindness in Aotearoa is better understood, community voices influence decisions, and advocacy contributes to positive change.

Focus for 26/27 Build foundations: Build our advocacy capabilities and community voice.

Focus for 2028: Lift our responsiveness: Use evidence to influence policy and systems.

Focus for 2029/30: Ready for the future:

Sustainability

The goals: The Association has the capability and resources to deliver on its vision.

What Success looks like: DBANZ has strong governance, capable leadership, effective operations team and systems, and has the sustainable funding to deliver its priorities.

Focus for 26/27 Build foundations: Strengthen governance, operational capacity, peer leadership and organisational systems.

Focus for 2028: Build organisational capability and funding.

Focus for 2029/30: Ready for the future: Consolidate, evaluate and prepare for the future.

"We want to dance. We want to eat ice cream by the sea"
Blanche Davidson-Tasmania, DBANZ conference 2025

Report ends.

Contact details