Weekly update: 17 January 2025
Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
I do love a bit of excitement and enthusiasm to start the year. Every New Year I make the same resolution – this year I will do something I have never done before, and there is always something. 😊
2025 starts for Deafblind Association NZ with the launch of our updated website for you. I am a JAWS screen reading user of very moderate ability and I find it very easy to navigate. Please do send in your comments, both positive because the team like to know we are doing well for you, and any ways you feel the website might be improved. I want to acknowledge with thanks the mahi Aimee, website developer, and Kevin, President, have done over the recent weeks to make this a happening thing for you and me. Here are their introductory comments.
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Our new website is live!
After much work behind the scenes, we're proud to say that the new Deafblind Association NZ website is live.
You'll notice some changes - it's faster, easier to navigate, and we've tidied up its structure and content. This means some things may be in a slightly different place than previously: if you can't find something, please let us know!
You'll also notice one major change - we've introduced a page specifically for listing upcoming events. As a result, in our newsletters, we'll announce new upcoming events, but simply link to the events page for reminders of events we've already announced.
We're very excited by this evolution of our site, making it easier for our readers and also our staff to use and maintain it.
It's based on the fantastic static website platform Bear Blog, designed to be very flexible, fast, accessible, simple and adaptable. We love it. A huge thank you to its developer, Herman Martinus, for all his help, and to everyone who helped us get it over the line!
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You will find as we go forwards that peer-to-peer gatherings are updated monthly with venues and who to contact. I need a little training on how to do this so please do be patient with me this month. I am always looking for leaders in areas so please do contact me if you want to use your skills to help coordinate. It is usually just a matter of contacting people and feeding back to me.
Whakatū / Nelson kicked off 2025 with our first gathering this week. Including deafblind, whānau, and volunteers there were ten of us. At the precise moment I was scraping what should have been eclairs into the compost bin a volunteer turned up with cake and instantly received my gratitude. How we laughed! Below is the photograph with alt text. Please let me know if this is the kind of text that helps you know what is in the photo meant to set a scene.
I also want to put in a cheerful “Hello!" here to Deafblind Coordinators, Blind Low Vision NZ:
Jacqui Iseli,Te Whanganui a-Tara / Wellington-based
Amy Arnold while Laura Morse is on leave, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland-based
Sarah Walters, Te Waipounamu / South Island
Angela Chamberlain, Te Papa-i-Oea / Palmerston North-based.
I also look forward to working with Cheryl Bate, Board Secretary, aimee whitcroft, website designer, and Kevin, Frysna, Sharon, Dave, Tom, Sally, and Phil – your wonderful, dedicated, and knowledgeable Board. 😊 ❤
Other newsletters
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
Event reminders
Check our calendar of events for reminders of all the other events coming up, and updated dates for our regional peer-to-peer gatherings.
Feedback requested reminders
National Housing Survey
The Urban Advisory is running a 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.
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?"
Email Tom for details, at tsmith@blindlowvision.org.nz.
Regular / ongoing events
No Labels on Wellington Access Radio
You can listen to the show on Wellington Access Radio on Tuesday just after 1pm, 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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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.
Deafblind Association New Zealand access to TellMe
See TellMe numbers for your area
End of report and this week’s update.
Amanda Stevens
Executive Officer
Taringa Turi Kāpō Rōpū
Deafblind Association New Zealand