Shopping Independently with Blindness and Low Vision

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Shopping Independently with Blindness and Low Vision Formerly Blind Foundation Autumn Outlook 2020 Shopping independently with blindness and low vision: Finding shops • Inside the shop • The accessible future Feedback on our services Blind Low Vision NZ is committed to providing high quality services. To provide feedback on our services, please contact Denise Kitto, Manager National Services, at [email protected] Or C/- Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland 1149. Please get in touch if your vision needs change on 0800 24 33 33. Cover photo: Jackson Paraha facebook.com/BlindLowVisonNZ blindlowvision.org.nz ISSN 2703-4216 The inside word Message from the Chair and Chief Executive • Covid-19 • Introducing our regional service model • Eye health 2 Aotearoa develops seven-point plan Feature 13 Shopping independently with blindness or low vision. People 18 Celebrating 130 Years Everyday living Accessible religious content to practice your faith • 24 Sharing tips on personal grooming with vision loss Community Life without limits around the country • Message from parents of Vision Impaired NZ (PVINZ) • Consumer 29 organisation contact details Autumn 2020 • Outlook 1 The Inside Word Hello to All Welcome to the 2020 Autumn edition of Outlook, our flagship publication aiming to keep you up to date with what’s going on at Blind Low Vision NZ and to share helpful information and stories featuring some of the great people in our community. Covid-19 Update Covid-19 Level Alert We want you to have the support Recovery Plan you need to get through the What it means for you: Covid-19 crisis. If your vision has worsened or you don’t have access Level 2 - Reduce: to the essentials such as food or The disease is contained, but the medicine, please get in contact and risk of community transmission we will help in any way we can – remains. 0800 24 33 33, • Essential services designation [email protected] now applied across the You may have been contacted by organisation. Operational a member of our team to check in decisions to be based on on your health and wellbeing and Alert Levels by a town, city, make sure you have access to the and territorial local authority, essentials. We want no one left regional or national level. behind during the Covid-19 crisis • Service delivery to a client will and we have joined with blind, low require approval. vision and deafblind organisations • All offices re-open to employees to make sure we are doing only, with limited numbers using everything we can to support you. social distancing and shifts. (This It has been an honour to be classed will vary depending on locations as an essential service and at Alert and buildings). Level 2 we can look at resuming face-to-face client visits. 2 Outlook • Autumn 2020 • Physical distance and infection Level 1 - Prepare: control guidelines followed The disease is contained in including PPE. New Zealand. • Contact tracing measures • All offices re-open to employees, established and implemented. members, volunteer groups and the public. • Individual client service appointments may occur in the • Meeting appropriate public office or offsite. health requirements, and health • All offices are closed to and safety requirements. members/clients, volunteer • No restrictions on gatherings. groups or the public. For the full recovery plan go to blindlowvision.org.nz Autumn 2020 • Outlook 3 The Inside Word Support in your local area waiting time, we have moved into Since starting at Blind Low Vision a regionalised structure. The idea NZ in August 2019, it has been full is that a supportive and local team speed ahead for Chief Executive structure will be better equipped John Mulka and the team. We are to respond to the specific needs pleased to share that we have for you and your area. Although made great progress in embedding we only officially moved to this a new approach to providing the model in March 2020, promisingly, service you are looking for. our data is already showing improvements in bringing you In the last issue of Outlook we service faster. shared information about our approach to service being person- We have a fantastic team directed, putting the people we supported by regional and area are here to serve firmly in the managers – a mix of new and director’s seat. Since then, in old faces from the organisation. order to better manage increased Find out more about them and demand for services and reduce our services areas on page 8. 130 years strong and looking ahead This year marks 130 years since we first formed as Jubilee Institute for the Blind New Zealand. Over this time our purpose has remained grounded in supporting people who are blind or have low vision, but the way we go about it is always evolving. The latest change to our name – now Blind Low Vision NZ – inclusively acknowledges the many people we are here for who identify as having low vision. The way we provide service is another striking example of how 4 Outlook • Autumn 2020 Autumn 2020 • Outlook 5 things have changed. Once, we only Strategic plan had one location – in Auckland. 2020-2024 Now we have offices in 18 locations We would like to thank everyone around New Zealand, and counting. who fed into the recent consultation Promisingly, our plans to further process for developing our next monetise our Parnell site to support long-term strategic plan. It’s service delivery are developing well. important we focus our efforts Out of this, clients will benefit from around what matters most to you, the brand new facilities developed our clients and family. as part of the retirement village joint venture. Early indications suggest you want us to be focused on advocating Plans to open an office later this for accessiblity, employment and year in West Auckland fit in with the technology. By the time you read long lens we are casting over how this our strategic plan will have we are ensure we are best placed to been finalised. You can find more serve clients in their communities. on blindlowvision.org.nz 6 Outlook • Autumn 2020 Meanwhile, we remain committed We wouldn’t be where we are and active in driving for systemic without the support of generous change with accessibility and eye New Zealanders who give their time health care in New Zealand. and money to making a difference for people who are blind or have On page 10 you can read more low vision. about our progress with Eye Health Aotearoa and the seven-point plan Nga Mihi, for action. You can also find out the latest on the Access Alliance’s campaign to introduce accessibility legislation in New Zealand. We are pleased with the progress, but we also cannot rest on our laurels to see it through to completion. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge and thank the many people who John has met over the past six months who have helped John Mulka him become acquainted with the Blind Low Vision NZ Chief Executive community. Having travelled the length of the country, it has been an insightful exercise to understand how Blind Low Vision NZ can best meet the needs of our clients and work together with the consumer groups in the wider community. Speaking of great people, a special congratulations goes to Pip McCann who received a Queen’s Service Medal in the New Year Honours list this year. Pip has dedicated many Rick Hoskin years of service to raising puppies Royal New Zealand Foundation of and funds in support of our guide the Blind (RNZFB) Board Chair dogs service, first in Auckland and then in Queenstown. Autumn 2020 • Outlook 7 The Inside Word Introducing our regional service model In March 2020, we officially moved to a new model for delivering service. The idea of the new regional approach is that a supportive and local team structure will be better equipped to respond to the specific needs for you and your area. Alongside this, our Primary Service expected of them to make sound, Providers (PSPs) based in all areas client centric decisions.” are your local point of contact responsible for arranging the services that can best meet your Dan Shepherd: Area Manager personal goals for living with Auckland and blindness or low vision. Northland We are pleased to introduce you to our leadership team representing “As a part of the blind and low your local area. vision community myself, I am continually seeking ways to make Northern region a difference. This role allows me to be part of a Liz Ansell: team that shares that commitment Regional Manager and to deliver better quality service and support to clients.” “The new model builds accountability and empowers local leadership to know what is 8 Outlook • Autumn 2020 serve. I am now in a position where Sefulu Calvert: I can lead and support a team of Area Manager highly motivated and committed Waikato and professionals so that the people we Bay of Plenty help continue to achieve their goals.” “I aim to be principle centered as it Chloe Billington: applies equally to everyone; myself, Area Manager my team and the clients I serve. Nelson, Wellington Principles will never fail you.” and Kapiti Central and In previous roles I’ve had Southern region the opportunity to meet representatives from Blind Low Vision NZ and have been amazed Bryce Tietjens: by your breadth of services. Regional Manager I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to join the team.” “Since joining I have found the Carolyn Stiles: passion around Blind Low Vision Area Manager NZ - its people, volunteers and Christchurch, partners – to be just amazing. I Dunedin, have been blessed to have met Invercargill and many incredible people.” Timaru Israel Coello: “It’s all about our clients.
Recommended publications
  • 1 5 March 2021 Ms Mary Drakeford Clerk of Committee Finance
    1 5 March 2021 Ms Mary Drakeford Clerk of Committee Finance & Expenditure Committee Parliament WELLINGTON Dear Mary SUBMISSION: Petition Regarding Continued Use of Cheques (2017/574) NATURE OF PETITION On 27 February 2020 I launched a petition so that people can continue to pay Inland Revenue and other government departments by cheque. The petition (2017/574) reads: That Government agencies, such as the IRD and ACC, be required to accept cheaues as legal tender for payment of taxes and services. The stimulus for setting up the petition was twofold: 1. On 16 May 2019, KiwiBank (majority owned by the Crown1) announced its decision to stop issuing and accepting cheques from 28 February 2020; 2. Inland Revenue had announced that it would stop accepting cheques from 1 March 2020; and 3. A number of constituents had highlighted to me their deep concerns in their own ability to operate in an electronic or digital banking environment. RECOMMENDATION That the Finance & Expenditure Committee undertake an inquiry to assess whether Government agencies and entities, including IRD, ACC and KiwiBank, have and will put in place adequate provisions to allow those people who are not able to, cannot afford to, or it is not safe for them to pay for goods and services digitally and who have traditionally been able to complete these transactions by cheque. In doing so, the inquiry should especially have regard to the planned closures of bank branches in rural and smaller communities. BACKGROUND The discontinuance of cheques is a significant issue for some in our communities. To put it in context: .
    [Show full text]
  • Here Providers Are Underfunded and Over-Delivering
    Briefing to Incoming Ministers An invitation for government and community to work together for change November 2020 Contents 1 An invitation for government and community to work together for change 2 Social Service Providers Aotearoa: Our Agenda for Change 3 The change required 4 How SSPA can help deliver change 5 The foundational challenges to change Transforming the existing funding system Developing a sustainable workforce 8 Appendix 1 - About Social Service Providers Aotearoa 14 Appendix 2 - A briefing paper on pay equity, fair pay and sector sustainability Prepared by Social Service Providers Aotearoa, November 2020 Contact: Brenda Pilott SSPA National Manager [email protected] 027 430 6016 An invitation for government and community to work together for change Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA), the sector representative group for child, family, whānau and community providers, looks forward to continuing our work with the government and is pleased to present this briefing paper. We have included our agenda for change. This is a medium-long term agenda but we have highlighted some areas that are a priority to make progress, gather momentum and see early results. In preparation for this briefing we consulted our members to understand their biggest concerns, issues they face, the positive trends they are seeing in their communities, and their ideas for the future. The social service system requires far-reaching change to meet our objective of genuinely building services around what children, families, whānau and their communities need. Currently, our overall system of support does not reflect that. Funding streams are fragmented and this cascades down to siloed contracting and service delivery.
    [Show full text]
  • RLTP – Submissions from Local Boards, Partners and Key Interest Groups
    Submissions on the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 from local boards, partners and key interest groups Contents Part A – Local Board submissions on the RLTP .............................................................. 1 Albert-Eden Local Board ................................................................................................... 2 Aotea-Great Barrier Local Board ....................................................................................... 6 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board ..................................................................................... 8 Franklin Local Board ........................................................................................................ 14 Henderson-Massey Local Board ...................................................................................... 20 Hibiscus and Bays Local Board ....................................................................................... 25 Howick Local Board ......................................................................................................... 28 Kaipātiki Local Board ....................................................................................................... 30 Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board ....................................................................................... 35 Manurewa Local Board .................................................................................................... 43 Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • INZ Please Watch!(On Pg
    November 14 - November 20, 2019 | Weekly Vol. 2 | No. 59 | FREE www.indiannews.co.nz facebook.com/indiannews.nz twitter.com/indiannews_nz instagram.com/indiannewz Ph: +64 9 846 8080 FOR YOUR BUSINESS & LIABILITY INSURANCE Call or make an appointment for FREE QUOTE to review your current insurance JUST ONE PLACE Contact Ram - P: 09-846 9934 | E: [email protected] FOR ALL FINANCIAL SERVICES YOU NEED Mortgage Brokers Insurance Brokers Accountants Asset Finance Brokers For Quality Insurance and HEAD OFFICE BRANCH OFFICE 35 Morningside Drive, St. Lukes Level 1/203 Great South Road PROFESSIONAL Quick Claims Mt. Albert, Auckland Manurewa, Auckland Settlement Ph: 09 846 9934, Fax: 09-846 9936 FINANCIAL Ram Vashist Ravi Mehta Rohit Takyar Ameesha Sachdev SOLUTIONS GROUP M: 021 401 535 M: 021 181 0076 M: 021 172 8962 M: 027 540 5748 www.professionalfinancial.co.nz | Email: [email protected] 'S PAPATOETOE AWARD WINNING TEAM Popular ARRANGED coming soon. INZ please watch!(On pg. 3) Raj Pardeep Singh Principal LLB/BA (Hons.) 'Osama's brother' - this racist slur prompted What's Canterbury Turban Day Inside? Partner • Measures to stop migrant exploit. (Pg.16) LLB/MIT/B.Com • Annakut in Parliament (Pg.5) Specialist in Sale and Purchase • NZ Sikh Games coming up (Pg.19) of Property & Business Leases, • 550th Prakash Parv celebrations (Pg. 6) Criminal Law, Family Law, Employment Law • Historic Ayodhya verdict (Pg.11) Property Law, Wills & Trust • Kartarpur corridor open (Pg.11) Immigration Law - all types • Indian Hockey in Olympics (Pg.19) of visas and appeals (Initial Consultation FREE) (On pg.
    [Show full text]
  • FSOCT Trust Newsletter Feb-March 09
    LIGHTING LIVES FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN TRUST Official Newsletter February/March 2009 ABOUT US: True and long lasting solutions Trust Vision Statement The 2008 Annual Report of ‘It takes a family to the Officer of the Children’s raise a child and failing It is our vision to Commissioner provides for that, a village to protect some alarming reading. them’ Light One Life at a Time – establishing a movement of positive change for New The report shows that since While For the Sake of our Zealand. 2000 more than 350 children Children recognise that whose safety or welfare had many CYF officials working To change the ‘heart’ of our been brought to the attention at a grass roots level are nation, For the Sake of Our of Child Youth and Family hard working, and do all failing that, a village to pro- Children Trust (FSOCT) have died. 86 in the last year they can with the resources tect them . alone. Not all of these deaths they are given, this report Trust Mission Statement were due to abuse or ne- clearly shows there is much Ronald Regan once noted, To raise awareness and advo- glect, some died of natural room for improvement. Fur- ‘Families must continue to cate for the establishment of causes, some in accidents, ther and more importantly be the foundation of our FSOCT principles throughout some for medical reasons this report highlights again nation. Families – not gov- New Zealand to achieve a and some chose tragically to the continued disintegration ernment programs – are the child-friendly New Zealand take their own lives.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2019/2020
    Annual Report 2019/2020 1 Contents President’s Report 4,5 Chief Executive’s Report 6 Strategic Direction 8 Strategic Areas of Focus 8 A Year in Review 9-14 Kaituitui / Regions 15-20 Performance Report 22-42 From our President Kia ora koutou, The last twelve months have been challenging times for us all. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted many systemic disability issues but it also offered us the chance to advocate for change. Many disabled people were suddenly cut off from the supports they rely on to live independently in Alert Level 4 or three. With the affects of this pandemic still playing out it has shown us that we can do things differently and retaining some of these new ways of doing things is part of a more inclusive NZ going forward. Lockdown also showed that working from home can be done. Many disabled people would benefit from this as a form of reasonable accommodation. The digital divide revealed that many disabled people either didn't have or didn't know how to use the technology that allowed people to stay connected while face to face meetings were banned. More work and more funding are required to ensure that disabled people have the skills and can afford to participate in the digital world. DPA would like to acknowledge Countdown who gave DPA members an online code to prioritise them in online shopping so that disabled people could access food during lockdown. DPA initiated Bubble Hui initially to check up on the health and wellbeing of our s Report ’ members.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018/2019
    Annual Report 2018/2019 1 Contents President’s Report 4,5 National Office Report 6,7 DPA Submissions 8 DPA in the Media 9 My Life, My Voice 10 DPA’s International Connections 11 Kaituitui 12,13 Our Regional Assemblies 14 -16 Performance Report 19 - 38 From our President Kia ora, My second year as National President for DPA has been interesting, challenging and invigorating. I have really appreciated the support and guidance I have received from the members of the National Executive Committee. DPA continues to work in a changing environment. As a pan-disability organisation we are committed to ensuring that we continue to listen to disabled people across all age groups and with as wide a range of life experience and perspectives as possible. This rich information helps to inform the policy advice we give to government agencies and informs our contribution to the work we do as partners in the DPO Coalition. We continue to reach out to our community and nominate amazingly skilled and capable disabled people to working groups. Gerri PomeroyWe have had further change in our National Office. Esther Woodbury our National Policy and Projects Manager resigned in December 2018, Henrietta Bollinger; Policy Advisor/Analyst resigned in early 2019. Lynne Edmonson retired from her role as National Operations Manager in April. DPA took this opportunity to restructure and recruit for a Chief Executive. This recruitment resulted in the appointment of Prudence Walker as Chief Executive in early July 2019. We have appointed Ingrid Jones, based in Palmerston North to a Policy and ProjectsPresident role and have recruited further people to our policy team.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNUAL REPORT 2020 OUR DIVERSITY WORKS WHĀNAU We Are the National Body for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
    G.57 ANNU AL REPORT 2020 ABOUT THIS REPORT CONTENTS Tēnā koutou katoa The primary goal of Diversity Works New Zealand, as the 4 OUR PURPOSE national body for diversity and inclusion, is to support organisations in their journey to unlocking the potential from 4 OUR VISION a diverse workforce. Since being established as the Equal Opportunities Trust in 1992, we have been sustained by a 5 OUR DIVERSITY WORKS WHĀNAU unique partnership between government and employers, aimed at building an increasingly inclusive Aotearoa. 6 HOW WE DID THIS YEAR In order to achieve this goal, we need to implement a 7 HOW WE CREATE VALUE business strategy that responds to the interests of all our stakeholders, supported by an annual workplan that secures 9 CHAIR’S REPORT the resources and reputation on which our organisation depends. 10 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S UPDATE This understanding informs our approach to our annual FUTURE FIT reporting. In this report we aim to provide a succinct 12 assessment of our current and longer term strategy in OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES relation to the key considerations for diversity and inclusion 14 in New Zealand, our performance against financial and non- OUR FINANCIALS financial objectives, and our priorities and expectations for 17 Financial Statements the year ahead. Notes to the Financial Statements This annual report was approved by the Board of Trustees Independent Auditor’s Report on 15 October 2020, and we present this to our members and the wider stakeholder community as a basis for 30 OTHER INFORMATION engagement, with an invitation for any feedback.
    [Show full text]
  • Q+A Colmar Brunton Auckland Central Poll 24 – 30 September 2020
    Q+A Colmar Brunton Auckland Central poll 24 – 30 September 2020 Attention: Q+A, Television New Zealand Contact: (04) 913-3000 Release date: 4 October 2020 Level 1 46 Sale Street, Auckland CBD PO Box 33690 Takapuna Auckland 0740 Ph: (09) 919-9200 Level 9, Legal House 101 Lambton Quay PO Box 3622, Wellington 6011 Ph: (04) 913-3000 www.colmarbrunton.co.nz Contents Contents .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Methodology summary ................................................................................................................................... 3 Results summary ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Party and electorate vote question order and wording ................................................................................... 5 Party support – Auckland Central electorate ................................................................................................... 6 Candidate support – Auckland Central electorate ............................................................................................ 7 Q+A Colmar Brunton Poll - Page 2 • ‹#› Methodology summary CLIENT: Television New Zealand. RELEASED: Sunday 4 October 2020 POLL CONDUCTED: Interviewing took place from Thursday 24 to Wednesday 30 September 2020. MEDIAN FIELDWORK DAY: Sunday (50% of sample size target reached on this day).
    [Show full text]
  • Feed My Sheep for I Have Five Brothers
    FEEDFEED MYMY 1 SHEEPSHEEP Preaching the Gospel in a Postmodern New Zealand Society John A Haverland 2 Feed My Sheep 3 FEEDFEED MYMY SHEEPSHEEP Preaching the Gospel in a Postmodern New Zealand Society John A Haverland 4 Feed My Sheep © John A Haverland 2000 First published 2000 Reprinted May 2001 This electronic edition produced May 2003 ISBN 0-9582145-1-4 Published by Grace & Truth Publicatons P.O. Box 8979, Christchurch, New Zealand e-mail: [email protected] No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior permission of Grace & Truth Publications. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Cover photograph Pastoral scene from Canterbury, New Zealand Cover & book design by Dafydd Hughes 5 DEDICATION To my parents, for your selfless love, for your Christian example, for your dedication to the church of the Lord. To my wife, Harriet, for all your help in this project, for your loving companionship in marriage, for your willing support in the ministry of the gospel. To our children, William, Joanna, Michael and Peter, who will be part of the next generation; may you live to see a reformation and revival in this country brought about by the preaching of the Word. 6 Feed My Sheep John Bunyan’s “GODLY PASTOR” Now Interpreter led the pilgrim into a private room, and there he ordered his man to open a door.
    [Show full text]
  • Saturday, October 10, 2020
    TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10-11, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.70 GOLD-WINNING GRAPES HUNGER PAGE 15 INSIDE TODAY PROGRAMME WINS NOBEL PAGE 3 PEACE PRIZE PAGE 2 DRAGONS DIVA DEN Priscilla Queen of the Desert came to the Tairawhiti Arts Festival in the form of the Dragons Diva Den at the Festival Club at the Marina Restaurant last night. Two Gisborne celebrities — Walter “the Wiz” Walsh (back right) and Rutene Spooner (back left) — joined the line-up as Miss De Boat (Walsh) and Haka Kahn in front of a full house. The other stars of the show were Elektra Shock (front left), Miss Lady B (middle) and Diamond Belle (front right). The Divas are back in action for a second show tonight. The festival ends tomorrow. Picture by Matai Collins MARAE across Tairawhiti have been Pasifika churches. given “a once in a lifetime” Provincial “This latest government investment Growth Fund $14.26 million investment in our economic recovery recognises the to create jobs, ministers Shane Jones and role of marae which, are often the heart Nanaia Mahuta announced yesterday. of their communities and what they “A total of 351 marae all over the provide,” said Mr Jones. $14.26m country will receive much-needed “Marae are the centre of faith, sport upgrades while more than 3100 local jobs and family and community gatherings. will be created through this investment, They often do double service as which totals $96.5 million,” Regional accommodation, conference centres, Economic Development Minister Mr health and welfare hubs, and host some Jones said.
    [Show full text]
  • Blind Low Vision NZ Is Committed Talking Books Are Here to Stay, but the Way We Are to Providing High Quality Services
    Formerly Blind Foundation Spring Outlook 2020 Let’s talk books: A short history of audio books from gramophones to Alexa The inside word New West Auckland Office, Covid-19 update, Feedback on 2 Strategic Plan. our services Feature Blind Low Vision NZ is committed Talking books are here to stay, but the way we are to providing high quality services. 5 delivering them is changing. A short history from gramophones to Alexa. To provide feedback on our services, please get in touch at [email protected] People Or C/- Private Bag 99941, Genevieve – the first guide dog team in New Zealand Newmarket, Auckland 1149. 12 to also use a wheelchair. Donnella – deafblind and Please get in touch if your vision never looked back after receiving hearing aids. Holly – needs change on 0800 24 33 33. the face of Blind Week 2020. Meet Marlie, the top Bikkie Day fundraiser. Cover photo: Karen in the kitchen with her Alexa Everyday living Sharing cooking tips with vision loss. How to put on 20 a mask from a blind or low vision perspective. facebook.com/BlindLowVisonNZ Community blindlowvision.org.nz Events from around the country. Message from 24 Deafblind Association New Zealand. Consumer organisation contact details. ISSN 2703-4216 Spring 2020 • Outlook 1 The Inside Word The Inside Word Hello to All Welcome to the 2020 Spring edition of Outlook, our flagship publication aiming to keep you up-to-date with what’s going on at Blind Low Vision NZ and to share helpful information and stories featuring some of the great people in our community.
    [Show full text]