Weekly update: 6 December 2024

06 Dec 2024

Kia ora tatou,

Hello to all of us,

Drum roll please for our incoming Board Secretary / Administrator Cheryl Bate. She is Wellington-based and met some of our community last Saturday at the gathering. Cheryl, we are looking forward to getting to know what makes you sparkle and letting you know what makes us sparkle too! Here is how Cheryl introduces herself.

Hi, my name is Cheryl, and I am a Canadian-born Kiwi who has lived in New Zealand for over twenty years with my husband and three daughters. I nurture my creative side by sewing, knitting, and writing books. My current project is a Christmas quilt, as I love Christmas.

I’ve always been passionate about helping others and really enjoy meeting new people. I’m excited for this role with the Deafblind association, and I’m thrilled to be able to contribute in some small way to this community.

Cheryl, Mark (volunteer), and I are engaging in some Tactile Communication learning with Jacqui Iseli, Blind Low Vision NZ Deafblind Coordinator, next week so we can all become more skilled at connecting with you if that is your preferred communication method. We are all excited about this opportunity!

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024: Celebrating Leadership and Building a Sustainable Future

From the World Blind Union.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the World Blind Union (WBU) celebrates the leadership of persons with disabilities and their vital role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable world. The 2024 theme, "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future," is a powerful reminder that true progress is only possible when persons with disabilities have a seat at the table.

Blind and partially sighted people have long been leaders in driving change, yet barriers like inaccessible technology, inequitable opportunities, and exclusionary policies continue to hinder full participation. Addressing these challenges is essential to building a world where everyone can contribute and thrive.

“Leadership isn’t just about being at the table—it’s about having a voice that’s heard and respected,” said Martine Abel-Williamson, President of the World Blind Union. “When blind and partially sighted people are empowered to lead, we all benefit from their insights, innovation, and resilience.”

The WBU is committed to advocating for:

Accessible and inclusive workplaces that recognize and value the contributions of persons with disabilities.
Universal design and digital accessibility, ensuring everyone can fully engage with technology and public spaces.
Inclusive policies and programs that promote leadership opportunities for blind and partially sighted people.

“We have seen incredible examples of leadership from persons with disabilities, but there’s still much work to be done to amplify those voices and break down systemic barriers,” said Marc Workman, CEO of the World Blind Union.

Join us in celebrating the achievements and leadership of persons with disabilities and in building a future where their contributions are recognized and celebrated.

New events

Free webinar: Become a candidate in Auckland’s Local Elections 2025

From Auckland Disability Advisory Panel.

Wednesday, 11 December 2024 5-6pm.

Join the meeting (Microsoft Teams)

(This might not be the only opportunity, so reach out to elections@aklc.govt.nz to find out about other similar opportunities.)

Other newsletters

Seniors Newsletter, December 2024 (Te Tari Kaumātua Office for Seniors)

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 invite us to join their Treaty Bill Submissions Party (Saturday 7 December), offer the chance to win goodies from disabled creators, and more!

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.

The D*List

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.

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)

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 | Manatū 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.

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

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)

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.

Living Blindfully

Weekly show hosted by Jonathan Mosen.

Living Blindfully audio episodes (Living Blindfully)

Monthly show hosted by Carolyn Weston.

Blind Spot on Radio Southland

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 Kāpō Rōpū
Deafblind Association New Zealand