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.
Here’s a quick update from Service Delivery staff. Meeting rooms John Mulka, Blind Low Vision NZ are available for you to book and Chief Executive and Rick Hoskin, hold events (adhering to Covid-19 Royal New Zealand Foundation restrictions) and parking and public of the Blind (RNZFB) Board transport options are available. Chair. We now have 19 office locations We have a new office around New Zealand to support you. - 197 Universal Drive, If you are in the area, please pop in Henderson, West Auckland and say hi or feel free to contact us: service so that we can continue Get in touch with us on Our West Auckland Blind Low Vision NZ – West Auckland to empower Kiwis who are blind, 0800 24 33 33 or Blind Low Vision NZ office is 197 Universal Drive deafblind or have low vision. [email protected] if you now open. With about 27% of Henderson, West Auckland would like some extra support. To our Auckland based members [email protected] Since the Covid-19 Pandemic stay up-to-date with the latest living in West Auckland we 09 283 7080. began, we’ve seen a nearly wanted to make it easier for 20% increase in demand for Covid-19 news visit our website: you to connect with us and Covid-19 update our children’s services, adaptive blindlowvision.org.nz receive the personalised It’s been a tough year. This may be technology services, counselling Our Vision, Your Future - vision rehabilitation services services and we have heard from a huge understatement but well Nā matou te moemoea, nā you need to live the life you done to us for making it through this a few of you about how much you koutou te tau tītoki. choose. far. I am incredibly proud of how appreciate services like our library Henderson will be home to Blind Low Vision NZ has adapted operating at a time like this. It is Strategic Plan 2020-2024 our Library team and some through the alert levels, and it is an a privilege to serve you – we are Hopefully you have had a chance of our Auckland based honour to be classed as an essential here to help. to read Our Vision, Your Future – 2 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 3 The Inside Word Feature
our service to you and play our part in making New Zealand a more inclusive place to be. Let’s talk books If you haven’t read Our Vision, and magazines to over 4,500 Your Future in full – we encourage A short history of audio library members, it’s a much- you to do so on our website. books from gramophones loved and well-used service. We hope you enjoy this edition of to Alexa And the only thing that has Outlook Magazine – it’s packed Story telling has been around really changed over the full of interesting stories and tips since the dawn of time. And years is how our library users for you. while the means of telling them receive them. We made the announcement to our members Ngā Mihi may have changed – even today nothing beats losing yourself in a in September about our plans to good book. retire CDs by 30 June 2021 but we are always looking ahead So it’s not surprising that one for new ways to deliver talking of Blind Low Vision NZ’s most books. And that’s something popular services is our Library that Blind Low Vision NZ Library our new Strategic Plan. We look Service’s talking books. Now and Studios Manager, Geraldine forward to delivering on our delivering over 35,000 books Lewis, is really passionate about. key priorities of Independence, Educate and Equip, Social Inclusion and For Purpose John Mulka Organisation in a way that is Blind Low Vision NZ Chief Executive authentic to our four values of Person Centred, Collaborative, Adaptable, and Accountable. We have some exciting initiatives this year. We are one massive step closer to accessibility legislation being passed in New Zealand, receiving unanimous support from political parties. Rick Hoskin We also have 12 initiatives in our Royal New Zealand Foundation of yearly business plan to improve the Blind (RNZFB) Board Chair
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2011 A timeline of talking books The move from tapes to CDs – Over 3,200 members supplied with new digital players by the Blind Low Vision NZ through charitable 1937 funding. The first talking books were distributed on records. These were special slow-running 12- 2014 inch gramophone records, each side reading Blind Low Vision NZ launches BookLink – a for twenty-five minutes. web-based digital download platform for its 2011 - Daisy Player audio books. BookLink app added in 2015. 1961 The switch from records to the Clark and 2018 Smith big Mark 1 18-track cartridges. Launched DAISY Direct. 1937 - Gramophone 1962 2019 Launch of the Library’s new tape talking Blind Low Vision NZ launch the library Alexa book scheme. Skill. 1966 2020 – this is the last platform added The New National Talking Book Library Introduced EasyReader app to our members. 2019 Alexa Smart Available on iOS and android, it’s free to and the sound recording studio in Parnell, Speaker Auckland were opened by the Governor- download. General Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson. 1961 - Multi-track 1969-1970 particularly from the RNIB in the talking book Converted to Mark 4 tape-ette cartridges. machine A history of looking ahead UK and American Foundation for 1986 Some people are surprised to the Blind in the US. But that also The Library moves to the Library of know that our organisation has included titles from NZ authors Congress’s four-track talking book format – a had talking books since 1937. such as Ngaio Marsh and Sir two million NZD investment. Archibald McKindoe. Back then, talking books came in 1987 the form of gramophone records, Flower Power was all the go in 1961, when the gramophone RNZFB took on magazine production. and there were 61 talking book machines in use throughout NZ. records were switched for trendy 1996 cassette tapes – and in 1962 the Joined the DAISY Consortium to help It was quite forward-thinking for new tape talking book scheme 1969/70 - Mark 4 develop the DAISY Standard. the time, and most of the titles launched with over 470 new tape-ette had to come from overseas, talking book machines. 6 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 7 Feature Feature
century, the time was right to in the world to adopt the voice word of mouth with more people launch BookLink in 2014 – a technology into our digital becoming interested in audio web based digital download strategy, and create this new books,” says Geraldine. platform, which soon also type of skill for members. became an app. We really were pioneers in The Compact Disc conundrum DAISY Direct followed in 2018, developing this, and the uptake has been hugely gratifying, One of the trickiest changes to and the benefit of this was that with over 700 active users each Talking Books came in 2011 when people didn’t need to have WiFi tapes were switched over to a to listen with. month.” new technology – the Compact After that came the EasyReader “I think Alexa is the future for Disc, or CD. “The reason was we app in 2020. Already used talking books as people just just couldn’t get blank cassettes by many different blindness want to independently make anymore and it was becoming agencies around the world, their own decisions about the hard to get equipment for our it has excellent accessibility books and content they choose. tape duplicators,” says Geraldine. options for people who have low And as books are downloaded Although the transition wasn’t vision or are blind. instantly, they don’t have to easy for a lot of listeners, there wait for days for them to arrive were some immediate benefits. by mail.” “For example, a book might take Meet Alexa – your talking There are also many other 12 cassettes which we would book friend send out in batches – so you can One of the most exciting benefits to a smart-speaker imagine the frustration getting technological advancements such as checking public the end of your book before you for talking books is the transport timetables, the had read the first half!” Says introduction of Alexa services weather, Covid-19 updates and Geraldine. “The brilliant thing for our members. As technology whatever else you can think of But it was only in 1966 that about the CD was it meant you changes and older tech becomes asking (fun tip: Ask Alexa ‘How we started narrating our own could fit around six books onto obsolete, it’s a truly exciting was your day?’) material when the National Tape the disk – so it was ultimately far development. As Geraldine says, “Being voice Talking Book Library and sound more practical and usable for our Developed by Blind Low Vision NZ activated, for many people it’s recording Studios opened. “After members.” the transition to tapes there in 2018 the Alexa Skill was made a lot easier than having to push weren’t many advancements in available to our library members buttons. The average age of our the technology for many years, New tech for a new century in 2019. Geraldine is particularly membership is 78 and we have but usage of our services was With the rise of digital and MP3 proud of this milestone. “We’re people in their 90s using Alexa, growing… driven mainly by files in the first years of the 21st the first blindness organisation it’s just so easy to use.”
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one of our key priorities is “So I applied for one. When it and I’m up to number 12 now. Why not ask for your Alexa independence and the feedback arrived, it was really easy to set I have exhausted Ian Fleming today? from our members that have up, although I had to make the and James Bond. Plus, I also get Earlier this year, one is that Alexa has given them arrangements for an internet to use it as a clock and radio on Blind Low Vision NZ received independence when it comes to connection but that was done my bedside table. by one of our grandchildren!” funding from the Ministry accessing information. So, what would Ivan say to Ivan laughs. “But we got that of Social Development for anyone who wants to try Alexa sorted out and away we went. 3500 Alexa Smart-speakers If you would like to get but is a bit apprehensive? to distribute to our members. an Alexa contact us on It was painless.” “Just go for it. It’s convenient, This coincided with the launch [email protected] According to Ivan, there are lots it widens your choices, and of our Strategic Plan where or call us on 0800 24 33 33. of benefits with Alexa. “It’s the gives you a whole lot more simplicity of operation, simply independence!” using the spoken word without having to insert discs, plus you We couldn’t agree more. don’t have to send anything Ivan loves his Alexa back like you did with CDs. Also, just the independence of being able to randomly select Ivan Levy – 90, Wellington an author to listen to just by To find out first-hand how our using my voice. Now I simply members are benefiting from ask Alexa by saying an author’s Alexa, we spoke to Ivan Levy name that I have heard of, or from Wellington. Just 90-years that I might like, and it tells young, Ivan has been a library you what’s available. I’ve got member for several years and into the habit now of plugging has enjoyed listening to books in to one author and reading on his DAISY player before through their whole catalogue getting an Alexa. – some of them go up to 20 and 30 books and you can stop “I’ve always been a big reader, listening to the ones that aren’t mainly novels and historical up to scratch and try the next stuff. It’s such a handicap not Ivan had heard about Alexa one.” being able to see in detail so when it was first released, and the ability to listen to books, also knew a person who had “At the moment I’m reading control the listening and rest at used it. He thought it sounded John Grisham and he has the same time was great.” like a great idea. about 32 books in the library 10 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 11 A new era for Outlook – the end of print
This will be the last edition of Outlook that will be printed and posted to your letterbox. With the roll out of the Alexa smart speaker, we see an opportunity to produce it inclusively in an audio led format. You will still be able to access Outlook in a variety of formats – word document, e-text, online, and braille on request - so you can choose a format which works best for you and of course we want to be inclusive of our Deafblind members. We’re excited to embark on a new era and produce the Autumn edition of Outlook in audio using a podcast format – you’ll be able to hear the stories come to life and told through your voices!
If you have an interesting story to tell about your vision loss journey and want to be part of the very first Outlook podcast, get in touch at [email protected]
Spring 2020 • Outlook 13 People People First guide dog and wheelchair team in New Zealand Genevieve McLachlan might even be the first person in world to use both a guide dog and a wheelchair. loved looking after me so took his phases Pedro, whatever I want She has Cerebral Palsy as well as to propel my manual wheelchair.” job very seriously and we had lots to do, he’ll do it. low vision and uses a wheelchair of fun together.” Her Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Pedro also learnt an exceptional for mobility. Sarah Jewitt came up with a Hobbit retired in 2012 and skill which goes above and “My eye condition, Optic Atrophy, design with a body piece and a Genevieve got her current guide beyond what’s expected of means I have no distance or soft strap that connected to the dog Pedro, who is a lab/retriever guide dogs – he learnt the rules depth perception so suddenly centre of Dell’s back, as it would cross. of social distancing during having to use a wheelchair made be for someone walking. lockdowns. Technology and knowledge things a whole lot different. That was just the first in a series about using both guide dogs and “Pedro very quickly worked out “I was now seeing things from of challenges that Genevieve and wheelchairs had advanced and that for some strange reason, the height of a child, with the Dell had to overcome in their four her current Guide Dog Mobility we needed to move away from brain of an adult so I was having years together. Dell had to slow Instructor Kim Norton organised people. an offset harness so that Pedro difficulty processing everything.” her walking speed down, adapt “Pedro’s had to adjust to the to a motorised wheelchair when is well away from Genevieve’s She got her first guide dog Dell, constant changes of COVID Genevieve developed RSI and wheels. a German Shepherd in 1998. This levels which he’s done very well, travel in cars and on planes while was a first for Blind Low Vision NZ “Pedro and I instantly bonded. sometimes better than I have. Genevieve traveled for work. Guide Dogs. He’s such a fun cheeky dog, as It’s lovely to have him by my side After Dell, Genevieve got Hobbit, Hobbit was, who loves to please. and know he’ll help me navigate “None of us knew if this would an 18-month old golden retriever We continue to have lots of safely around our ever changing work, but we were all willing to in 2003. adventures together and nothing environment.” give it a go. The first challenge was to design a harness I could “Hobbit was totally different, and use as I obviously couldn’t hold a very stubborn, if he didn’t want to If you think a guide dog is the right for you, contact us on handle, needing to use my hands do something, he wouldn’t but he 0800 24 33 33 or [email protected] 14 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 15 People People
how to use them. I get help with confidence in myself that I never technology too, if I have a problem had before. I have never looked Donnella Woodiwiss, 79 with my iPad or computer I just back I have improved in myself in make a call and get help. I’m also every way. Deafblind client, Blind Low Vision NZ - Living in Tauranga learning to use my Alexa too which is marvelous. What advice would you give to Donnella one of our deafblind someone who is deafblind? clients is an accomplished The recreational and social If you have a problem just go musician playing the piano activities have had the biggest to Blind Low Vision NZ and they accordion and ukulele in local impact on my life. I have been on will look after you like they have community clubs including the so many trips like coffee groups looked after me. I would tell them RSA. and indoor bowls. It doesn’t cost what Blind Low Vision NZ has done a lot of money but it’s so great just for me then it’s up to them. I found Tell us about how you first getting out and doing things that’s that being blind has made me a became involved with what I really enjoy. There is always better person over the years I have Blind Low Vision NZ. something going on. I’ve even been able to do so much more. I found out quite by chance. I was been on a tandem bike ride - it There’s nothing I can’t do I have had doing some sewing and I couldn’t within the next few days they took was just wonderful! so much support. see what I was doing. Maurice, me to get some hearing aids and my partner said I should go and I have never looked back. They Blind Low Vision NZ latest get some glasses. I went down to sorted everything including all Strategic Plan includes deafblind OPSM and they said they couldn’t the paperwork with the Health in our mission statement – how help me because there was Department. I was so grateful I does that make you feel? I think it’s marvelous – the best something wrong with my eyes. didn’t know I was going deaf and thing you’ve ever done – Ok I went to the eye specialist and the hearing aids made the world of there might not be so many of us they treated me with injections for difference to me. I’ve never looked but we can still benefit from the about 4 years and then referred back. services. Before I acknowledged me to the Blind Low Vision NZ and What services do you use and I was going deaf as well as blind I joined about 5 or 6 years ago. which have made the most I had no idea that there was Tell us about your first encounter impact to your life? support out there. Since joining with Blind Low Vision NZ. Monique and the team in Tauranga Blind Low Vision NZ I have gained One of the first meetings I went to are so helpful and they really look I was sitting down the end of the after you. I have had help learning table but I couldn’t hear anything how to use my white cane as well Did you know that Blind Low Vision NZ offer deafblind services? that was being said. I told the as putting bump-on stickers on the Contact us on 0800 24 33 33 or email [email protected]. person running the meeting and stove and microwave so I can feel nz to find out more. 16 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 17 People People Learn more about Meet Marlie who baked a difference Holly Horrocks this Bikkie Day Thank you to everyone Blind Low Vision NZ has been there Marlie Baker raised more than who was involved in our for Holly since she was 10 years $2300 this Bikkie Day. The old and we have supported Holly enterprising 8 year old was Blind Week street appeal through different stages of her life. Blind Low Vision NZ’s top fundraiser this year on 16 -17 October. and has low vision herself with the Support started with orientation eye condition Nystagmus. Holly Horrocks, 30, from and mobility training with a white Mangakino, did a fabulous job cane, daily living assistance, and Marlie is a fan of guide dogs and being a face of Blind Week this technology services. has done awareness presentations year. to her class at school as well as Throughout attending university, sharing her experience on living Holly continued to use our services with vision loss. She was only 4 such as getting a guide dog, help years old when she did her first with finding work, and increased Bikkie Day and this was her assistance with technology. “He had the expertise to 5th year. understand what our worries Holly has recently moved to Marlie’s mum Jo says they did it for were as parents, and also Mangakino after getting married the blind and low vision community. the experience to tell us that in January so reached out again to everything was going to be "ok" Blind Low Vision NZ in order to be “I think it is important to give back and that Marlie would live a life able to move confidently around as it helps an incredibly valuable full of opportunities.” her new town, equipment for her service continue. I can only imagine house to make it easy to use, and how much more support we would Marlie has also had adaptive daily assistance with finding a job. need from Blind Low Vision NZ if living support and been involved Marlie's vision was lower, or she with recreation opportunities It’s been a pleasure to be there for was blind.” through Blind Low Vision NZ. Holly at different stages of her life. Blind Low Vision NZ is always there She says her first contact with Well done to Marlie for baking a if you need further assistance. Blind Low Vision NZ was with a difference and giving back to her We are only a phone call or email social worker and was a turning community – more than $75,000 away. point for her. was raised for Bikkie Day this year. 18 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 19 Everyday Living Everyday Living
Items to help with cooking are available in our shop. Sharing cooking tips with vision loss We stock a wide range of products for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision. Here are a few you Many might think that taste might easily measure required amount be the dominant sense when using table or teaspoons. might be interested in: cooking with vision loss, but it is a 5. Use a braille labeller to identify KiddiKutter Knife Vox-2 Talking Kitchen Scale combo of senses that make life a items in your kitchen. – cuts food, not fingers! With both a talking function little easier in the kitchen. These colourful knives are great and a screen, this compact You say: Our Adaptive Daily Living for creative kids in the kitchen, kitchen scale is great for the Instructors help people learn tricks coming in blue, green, orange, whole house. Big buttoned yet 1. Use talking scales and have for adapting to sight loss. Read on pink and purple – pick your compact, pick grams or ounces/ patience – Jan Nesbit, favourite colour and off you go! pounds whichever suits you best! for some top tips from the experts, Cambridge. as well as tips that you have shared Use an ice cream scoop to put with us on our Facebook page. 2. muffin mixture into muffin We say: trays – Petronella Spicer, Christchurch. 1. Bump ons (raised sticky dots) 3. I used a marker pen on the can help you identify crucial oven on my most commonly buttons on appliances such as used cooking temperature microwaves and ovens. 180 degrees. Easy to see and adjust the dial if need be – Erin Full price: $105 2. Use colour contrast to help you Price: $25 each Kerekere, Dunedin. Client price: $79 cook – for example cook white rice in a black saucepan. 4. I am ok with use of the microwave. But preparing food Oven Glove 3. Add a metal spoon to water has been a problem. I bought Elbow length oven glove provides more that you want to boil – when a multi grater and dicer from coverage than your standard oven the water is boiling it is going to KMart to help with chopping mitt. The mitt is black, quilted and most rattle noisily at the bottom. and dicing food for cooking - importantly, not readily susceptible to fire. 4. Measuring oils is difficult when Paul Kamau, Porirua. keeping them in their original 5. Bump-ons can be cleaned with Price: $15 per glove bottles, especially if you don’t antibacterial cleaner and stay need to use a large amount. on (good to know in present Keep the oil in a jar with the situations) - Fritha Millington, To learn more about these products speak to one of our wide opening – then you can Tauranga. equipment specialists by calling 0800 24 33 33. 20 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 21 Everyday Living Everyday Living Mask tips Introducing our for people who are blind braille logo or have low vision Our goal is to build braille into our brand so that it We’ve gathered some tips on mask use from a blind and becomes authentically woven in to how we express low vision perspective: ourselves as an organisation and also to give people the confidence to use braille appropriately. 1. Tactile indicators can help you fabrics to help you identify identify the top of your mask your mask, as well as being to ensure you’re wearing it able to identify parts of your correctly. If attaching a tactile mask, such as ear loops. indicator to your mask, be Where possible, always put careful not to puncture or tear 3. your mask on by yourself. If the mask. this is not possible, ensure 2. If making a cloth mask, anybody who is helping you is consider using contrasting known to you, is wearing their Chantelle Griffiths, Adaptive logo is a great way to showcase colours or suitable textured own mask and has thoroughly Communications/ACATS, is one the importance of braille in the washed or sanitised their of the in house team of braille everyday lives of people who hands before touching you or experts who we consulted to are blind or have low vision. your mask. ensure the logo is in line with Braille creates opportunities 4. When not in use, keep your braille protocols in terms of by providing direct access to masks organised and in a size and positioning. Chantelle tactile literacy, and I hope that location that is easy to access. tells us what having a braille seeing it in our logo makes logo means to her and why it’s If you are using a cloth mask, people curious to know what 5. important. take note if it begins to it means, and to find out more fray, slip from your face or “Braille is the primary literacy about how braille—and all the no longer fits snuglyacross medium for people who are other services we offer—may be on your face. If you need to blind or have low vision, and a able to help.” constantly adjust it, consider core part of our identity as an replacing it. organisation. Having a braille
22 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 23 Community Community
Mid-Winter Christmas in Community Events Taranaki, 15 July The Covid-19 public health crisis has meant that our Taranaki volunteers, Graham and community events have been on hold. As the alert levels Val Mosen have a very productive change around the country we hope to get some of these property. A patch of their events up and running, here are a few events that have been vegetable garden is set aside able to go ahead. for the Taranaki blind gardeners group to plant and grow kumara and potatoes. The group is keen Celebrating our volunteers in Deep South Archery Club to support those with reduced Ashburton, 23 July opens its doors to our vision to enjoy gardening in an Mid-Winter feast at the New The Ashburton Community members in Level 1, 17 accessible way. Plymouth Blind Centre. committee had their member November The team in Taranaki celebrated lunch and equipment day Ardy Ayto, Club president of the end of lockdown with a and took the opportunity to Deep South Archery is very mid-winter Christmas dinner at acknowledged volunteers for enthusiastic about members of the New Plymouth Blind Centre. length of service. Blind Low Vision NZ joining in with Several staff and volunteers the Thursday sessions at the Archery prepared the meal, and two Club. On 17 November, members blind musicians provided from Otago and Southland are the entertainment. Val and meeting up in Invercargill to have a Graham’s lovely contribution of day of indoor bowls and or cycling roasted pumpkin was home- at the velodrome and an afternoon grown. Kumara harvesting. of Archery. Find something that suits you. Would you like to get involved with a recreation or a Eleanor Weir, volunteering for community event? Get in touch on 0800 24 33 33 or 25 years, is with Betty Wilson, volunteering for 15 years, go to our website blindlowvision.org.nz and check and Lynne Curd, volunteering Richard Patton (having an archery out the events section to find something that suits for five years, all received lesson) and Deep South Archery you in your local area. certificates. Club President Ardy Ayto. 24 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 25 Community Community Skydive for Deafblind Association Blind Low Vision NZ NZ Charitable Trust Did you know Taringa Turi Kāpō Rōpū Blind Low Vision NZ runs an annual skydive event? Message from Amanda Stevens, Participants sign up to raise $800 Executive Officer Deafblind Association NZ each, and in return get to skydive for free! Maryanne from West As a Charitable Trust, we are who have more experience Auckland has low vision and took here for the sole benefit of so they can make informed deafblind. We have a Board on the challenge in 2018. She decisions. We help with those of five extraordinarily skilled tells us what it felt like to free-fall and other questions. Let’s turn people, some of whom also from 13,000ft: “loss” on its head and think live with deafblindness, plus about the gifts we bring to our “I just couldn’t pass up this an Executive Officer working communities through diversity. amazing opportunity. I thought 25 hours a week (that’s Deafblind Association NZ has no the fundraising would be the me –completely blind and membership fee or protocol for partially deaf). I answer all hard part, but my friends, family joining; you only need to let us communications, so you will and workmates were legends know you are out there and wish always get a one-to-one and I was stoked to raise $1,846. to be contacted and what way response. Person by person The jump and the free-fall were suits you best. We have a free we reach out to any of you incredible and I can’t wait to do it phone number, email address, again. For anyone thinking about experiencing the complexity that comes from living with degrees website, and a Telephone ticking it off their bucket list, of sight and/or hearing loss that Information Service (TIS) line I say go for it!” Maryanne taking part in impact on relating to people and where you can leave a message our annual skydive event Next event is on 5 December. the world around you. to be played to others and hear theirs, too: People often ask us about whether they can get hearing • Phone or text: 0800 450 650 If you’d like more information, please contact Hannah on aids funded or be put in touch • Email: [email protected] or 0800 120 254 with others using audio devices [email protected]
26 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 27 Community Community
• Website: losing hearing. We collaborate www.deafblindassociation.nz with organisations in the Special interest and peer support groups blindness sector, as well as • TIS: 0800 36 33 44 option 5 3 Blind Low Vision NZ is proud New Zealand Vision deaf organisations such as Tu There are also free regional to support and partner Impaired Empowering Tangata Turi, Deaf Aotearoa, calling numbers for the with organisations directly Women (NZ VIEW) and NZSL interpreting Telephone Information Service, representing the interests of Kiwis National President: Janet Palmer agencies. We are regularly so please just ask the Call who are blind or have low vision. 04 476 7329 in contact with the World Centre at Blind Low Vision NZ. [email protected] Federation of the Deafblind Blind Low Vision NZ funds us to (WFDB) and reach out to our Contact details Parents of Vision Impaired provide peer-to-peer support friends in Australia, Canada, Albinism NZ New Zealand (PVINZ) Inc. to augment their service and Scandinavia. We support (06) 367 5900 Executive Officer: Dr Rebekah provision, alongside regular the Relay Service, particularly [email protected] Graham contact with their Deafblind in respect of those who are albinism.nz 022 621 5740 Coordinators. We also receive non-verbal. That means we [email protected] funding from Rātā Foundation support you to connect with Blind Citizens NZ pvi.org.nz Mail: PO Box 7144, Newtown, and the Lottery Minister’s others living with deafblindness Wellington 6242 Retina New Zealand Discretionary Fund. so you can meet up in your 0800 222 694, or 04 389 0033 0800 569 849 area, online, or by Zoom. You might have communication [email protected]. [email protected] skills around hearing, but Be seen, be heard, be blindcitizensnz.org.nz retina.org.nz are now losing vision, or skills connected! facebook.com/BlindCitizensNZ Search Retina New Zealand or around blindness and are now Retina Youth to find them on Blind Sport New Zealand social media. (09) 930 1579 [email protected] Support and Education blindsport.kiwi for our Youth, their Families and their Friends Deafblind Association of NZ 021 0235 4395 Charitable Trust [email protected] 0800 450 650 [email protected] These details are correct at the Deafblindassociation.nz time of printing. Please check Kāpo Māori Aotearoa the Blind Low Vision NZ 0800 770 990 website for updated details [email protected] and more information at kapomaori.com blindlowvision.org.nz
28 Outlook • Spring 2020 Spring 2020 • Outlook 29 The gift of a life without limits
One in three of our services are funded by generous individuals who leave a gift in their Will to Blind Low Vision NZ. A gift in your Will of as little as 1% can make a lasting difference to Kiwis living with vision loss.
Please contact Supporter Care on 0800 366 283 or blindlowvision.org.nz to receive an information pack today.