Weekly update: 31 January 2025
Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
On this last day of January we now have five months until Conference 2025 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington. So far Judy, Ros, and Emmanuel have said they will come. How about all you other keen people out there? Please do let me know what you would like to be part of and what interests you as we are starting to put the programme together. The Conference is for you after all!
Tāmaki Makaurau / South Auckland gatherings are now a happening thing with the first one on Saturday 8 March.
Venue: Chris Orr Recreation Centre at the South Auckland Blind Low Vision Service Centre 30 McVilley Road, Homai Manurewa.
Please let me know if you would like to be there and we can talk about transport needs etc
We are always keen for you to share your experiences and expertise.
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Thank you Andrea for the following, offered with your consent.
I lost my sight and hearing due to Thyroid problems. My sight has returned enough for me to drive but sadly where I brought my glasses they did not explain that the glasses I chose did not work well as progressive nor for night driving so I had to buy three separate pairs - one for distance, one for up close and one for night driving.
I bought a tag from Blind Low Vision NZ saying “I Am Vision & Hearing Impaired”.
It is a valuable tool I use often mostly to the hospital and doctor appointments.
As the blue signs say at reception, "Please tell the staff you have hearing problems", but that message is rarely passed onto the staff, often leading me to be sitting in the waiting room because I have missed my call.
Then it is explaining to 5 different people during the eye examinations I struggle to hear them and hope that I have the same specialist and not the trainees.
I don’t struggle anymore because they can see, the appointments are simple, easy and stress free.
I recently flew to Wellington and picked up the Sunflower lanyard free from the airport. This was introduced for people who have hidden disabilities.
What an amazing experience to travel compared to the last flight.
I checked in with the staff at the check in terminals as it is a struggle to put the sticky labels on my bag, then introduced myself at the check-through counters. As I didn’t get a seat at the front they managed to spot me in the crowd. All staff including the hostesses called me by my name, so I knew they were speaking to me.
A wonderful experience.
Life should not have to be struggle; it’s only taken me 3 years to figure this out.
- Andrea Lamont
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.
Updates (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 (Deafblind Association NZ)
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