Weekly update: 13 December 2024
Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
Some sad news to start I’m afraid. Last Sunday Vaughan Dodd, immediate past president of Deafblind Association NZ, passed away in the loving company of family and his adored cat, Ariana. Last week we sent a tactile card to Vaughan at the Hospice of a cat with the following message, “ “Deafblind Association NZ Board and all of our community send you, Ariana, and family arohanui. We know you for all you contribute to our advocacy in a personal and professional capacity and we honour you.”
Vaughan’s voice and determination will forever be embedded in our advocacy mahi.
Just to remind you that next week will be the last Friday update for 2024.
Thanks to Jacqui Iseli, Deafblind Coordinator Blind Low Vision NZ, for sending through the link to the trailer for “Feeling Through” – a film about Deafblindness.
If you have acquired deafblindness I encourage you to read the newsletter below from Dr Peter Simcock below and consider joining the Deafblind Association NZ international Acquired Deafblind Association NZ Network. They are really good people!
I am still in the last few negotiations for finalising the accessible venue for 26-29 June 2025. I have my fingers crossed I can deliver that news to you in a sleigh next Friday!
Have a lovely weekend and I do hope you stay grounded through the busy coming week or two.
Deafblind movie: Feeling Through
A new movie about Deafblind people has been nominated for the Academy Awards next year!
Called Feeling Through, the movie came about after writer / director Doug Roland had “a late-night chance encounter with a Deafblind man on a New York City street”. The film also stars a Deafblind actor – a first – and partnered with the Hellen Keller Services to cast the actor.
The website, below, has links to the short film, transcript, audio descriptive version, trailer and documentary about its making.
AHIA AusHFG EOIs – Renal and Ambulatory and Community Care
From Te Tāhū 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:
- Renal Dialysis Unit design guidance review
- Ambulatory Care and Community Health design guidance review
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 Tāhū Hauroa Health Quality & Safety Commission)
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 Ōtautahi 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
Wrapping up 2024 – Eye Health Aotearoa newsletter for 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. This week, they look at one heck of a year, wrapped (accessibly), and offer a chance to win by sharing your thoughts in their community survey.
Link to weekly update below.
The D*List Delivered (Substack)
Following is a link to have a browse of The D*List website or sign up to receive their weekly newsletter.
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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.
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.
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:
online through the Ministry's consultation hub - Citizen Space
in writing to:
Courts System Policy
- Ministry of Justice – National Office
- DX SX10088
- Wellington.
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National Housing Survey
The Urban Advisory 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 this edition of the show on Wellington Access Radio on Tuesday just after 1:00pm, 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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Living Blindfully
Weekly show hosted by Jonathan Mosen.
Living Blindfully audio episodes (Living Blindfully)
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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