Deafblind Association New Zealand

Weekly update: 20 December 2024

Kia ora tatou,

Hello to all of us,

This is the last email for 2024 while I look forward expectantly to working with you in 2025. This is especially exciting as I can now let you know Conference 2025 will be held at the Brentwood Hotel, 26-28 June, checking out  on 29 June. I am looking forward to being with those of you who have been to the conference before and with enthusiasm to greeting those of you new to the conference, designed specifically for deafblind needs. Please note the dates in your diary and reach out to me if you feel there is anything that might make you hesitant about coming. We want to have you there and we can help support so you have a nourishing and great time with your peers.

It's that time of year when we have expectations of being jolly – I do hope that is the case. Sometimes however we know what this world can do. There will be those of us who may be grieving, who may be working through life's challenges - please know that we know that all of life is here, and we are thinking of you too. Below are a couple of numbers that may be helpful.

Health Line: 0800 611 116

Getting help for family violence this summer (NZ Police)

Let’s all stay happy and safe in the coming weeks and these tools are always there for you. Personally a punnet of strawberries seems like a great thing to me just now! Catch you in 2025 on 17 January.

Jonathan Mosen is now no longer producing Living Blindfully as he has moved to the States. We have taken the link to his podcast off our list. Thank you Jonathan for everything you have contributed to our community and wish you and Bonnie the very best!

We now take the opportunity to greet with enthusiasm our incoming patron, Vanushi Walters, and to thank Hon. Ruth Dyson for everything that has joined her mana to enhancing ours. ❀

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A reminder about the Deafblind movie "Feeling Through"

In last week's weekly update we mentioned the first-of-its-kind film Feeling Through - and we thought we'd remind you about it as something to check out over the holiday break.

Feeling Through

Warm Holiday Greetings from WFDB

From the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB).

"May your Christmas be very merry and the new year filled with cheer!"

Dear WFDB Network,

On behalf of WFDB, we would like to extend our heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members and partners.

Please be advised that our team will be on leave during this festive season, and we will resume normal operations on 13 January 2025.

As we look forward to the year ahead, we are excited to continue advancing the rights of persons with deafblindness around the world, together with all of you.

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful holiday season.

Walking with a robot guide dog at a conference in Beijing

From Martine Abel-Williamson, World Blind Union president.

Having a go at robot guide dogs was a highlight for me when I attended the World Blind Union Asia Pacific (WBUAP) Regional Seminar on Information Accessibility and Assistive Technology, held from 2 till 4 December.

The exhibition was one of the highlights as they had prototypes there of 3 robot guides. The one I walked with, had 6 legs, and where the dog’s head would be, is a main sensor. I was intrigued to think that, if one really wishes to replicate a dog, that it would have 4 legs – you can’t tell me that a company can’t let 4 pins move like the 4 legs of a dog?

You put on this headset and it would tell you in Mandarin that an obstacle is in the way or that you’re approaching steps, etc. It’s not too bad in guiding on steps either.

I’d find listening to a headset overwhelming in a noisy environment, but those items are after all still prototypes. The other 2 robot guides basically looked like those delivery robots one nowadays find in some hotels. It’s just that they stuck a handle kind of piece that you hold on to on, and then the robot gives guiding a go. Not sure why some are set on letting the robot look like a dog, maybe because of the cute factor, because, as long as the machine can guide you, the shape wouldn’t matter, especially if you wish to travel with it in buses, planes and taxis – space would be a considering factor then definitely.

One of them you could even ask for instance to: take me to the ANZ bank in Queen St and then it’ll give it a go. I suppose all depends on whether one wishes to know what exactly is around you or rely to some extent on the device.

I’m not sure by when those will get released though. I think they’re working on those in Japan as well.

They had multi-line Braille displays on hand and even demonstrations of where one would upload say the map of a specific country and maths and other science graphics. It was great to simply call up a particular map for instance instead of having to go and print it out somewhere.

Another interesting feature in some environments, is the presence of electrical charging stations, all lined up between the road and where one would walk on the footpath. I suppose when you encounter those, you’ll know you’re getting to the outer edge of the footpath, so, they can be kind of beacons, but then again, they might be connected to bikes or cars, so, one couldn’t simply then decide to cross the road where you locate those.

The rest of the event consisted of presentations around technology in education and employment settings, and AI got most of the attention where people would demonstrate its value in an array of situations.

For a change I didn’t experience airport woes this time round.

Well, this is it for me for 2024, international travel-wise. My next opportunity is in mid-January when I’ll be travelling to Brisbane to be trained by Lego to become a Lego Braille Bricks Ambassador. Three persons from NZ and 9 from Australia will have this chance to become familiar with exactly what Lego designed in terms of games, pre-Braille experiences, and all sorts.

Recently-advertised roles

AHIA AusHFG EOIs – Renal and Ambulatory and Community Care

From Te Tāhƫ Ora Health Quality & Safety Commission.

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, have not received any EOIs for two of the three groups they advertised on the Consumer Opportunities page:

If you have experience of these services and are available to represent an Aotearoa New Zealand perspective in the review of these facility guidelines, please contact DJ Adams at DJ.Adams@hqsc.govt.nz and he will connect you with the team.

They are also advertising two new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) .

Consumer opportunities (Te Tāhƫ Hauroa Health Quality & Safety Commission)

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Advertised roles: training and rehabilitation

Blind Low Vision NZ is advertising for a number of roles across New Zealand, including for an adaptive communications and adaptive technology trainer based in ƌtautahi Christchurch.

Find out more about the training role (Blind Low Vision NZ)

They are also looking for a rehabilitiation instructor, based in Auckland

Find out more about the rehabilitiation role (Blind Low Vision NZ)

They are advertising three other roles too, in coordination and administration.

See all Blind Low Vision NZ advertised roles (Blind Low Vision NZ)

Other newsletters

World Blind Union's Global Outlook: December 2024

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Disabled Person's Assembly (DPA) Information Exchange: 19 December 2024

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Family Violence and Sexual Violence Update (MSD) – December 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. The newsletter has wrapped for the year, but you can check out previous editions, and their website, below.

Weekly update / newsletter: The D*List Delivered (Substack)

The D*List website

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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

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.

Calendar (events)

Reminders about role / funding opportunities

The DbI (Deafblind International) Youth Network is looking for an assistant network coordinator.

Email network coordinator Simon Allison simon.allison@sense.org.uk to find out more about this exciting volunteer role.

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See the Person, Support Their Potential: The Oppenheim Tertiary Education Trust Fund 2025 applications are now open.

Applications close on 8 January 2025, so spread the word, and share the link below!

Full details, including the applicant guide (Blind Low Vision NZ)

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Nominations for the Ministry of Health Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDECs).

Any nominations or pātai(questions) can be forwarded to the Ministry's appointments team at appointments@health.govt.nz. Applications close on 12 January 2024.

Find out more about the Health and Disability Ethics Committees vacancies (Ministry of Health | Manatƫ Hauora)

Please let Pauline Melham, Pauline.Melham001@whaikaha.govt.nz, or Siobhan Lynch, Siobhan.Lynch009@whaikaha.govt.nz at Whaikaha know if you're applying for a position, or get shortlisted. They are also happy to let the Ministry of about any applications coming in, if you're part of Whaikaha's database.

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Reminder about Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) Open Vacancies

The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) is actively recruiting a range of roles across Australia, the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste. They strongly encourage people with disability to apply. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact PLMSP.HR@thepalladiumgroup.com.

Search PLMSP roles on Palladium's career page

Feedback requested reminders

Review of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010 - public consultation

The Ministry of Justice is undertaking a review of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010, and are now seeking public feedback on options for change set out in a discussion document. Submissions close on 6 December.

The Government decided to review the Act in December 2023 as part of its 100-Day-Plan commitment to enable more virtual participation in court proceedings. The review is part of a wider work programme to improve the performance of the courts system.

Review of Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010 (Ministry of Justice)

If you would like to provide a submission or feedback, you can do so:

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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 %28The 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.

Blind Spot on Radio Southland

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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.

able.co.nz

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 Kāpƍ RƍpĆ«
Deafblind Association New Zealand