Is Braille one of your passions | Appointee needed for

If Braille is one of your passions, we hope you will read on… Blind Citizens NZ has representative | appointee positions on several national organisations. When the terms of office for these positions fall due the Board decides whether to reappoint the incumbent or to publicise the position. When publicised, unless otherwise notified by the incumbent and | or they have served the maximum term set by the respective organisation, they may submit a further expression of interest.

The Board resolved it would publicise its appointee position to The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT). The term of office is three years.

Leyna Coleman has served two terms as Blind Citizens NZ’s appointee (six years) and is eligible and welcome to reapply. Expressions of interest from financial Ordinary (voting) Members of Blind Citizens NZ who meet the required criteria for this position are likewise welcomed. As an overview only is provided in this Focus issue, anyone interested should request the position description which outlines all requirements, attributes etc. The Board of Blind Citizens NZ will give preference to prospective appointees who can demonstrate competence and | or are suitably qualified in the following areas. You will:

  • be able to read uncontracted Braille by sight or by touch;
  • be able to demonstrate some experience in one or more of the following:
  • be a Braille reader who uses Braille on a daily basis;
  • be a parent of a Braille user;
  • have some experience of the production of Braille;
  • have some experience of the teaching of Braille;
  • have knowledge of deafblindness;
  • have had some involvement in advocacy for Braille.

Skills in three of the following five areas are also required. You will:

  • be a touch reader of contracted Braille and rely on Braille as your primary means of literacy; and | or
  • be the holder of either a Trans-Tasman Braille Proficiency Certificate, a Braille Writer’s Certificate, a Braille Proficiency Certificate, or an equivalent qualification as determined by the Board of Trustees from time to time; and | or
  • have a sound knowledge of technical aspects of codes, e.g. mathematics, music, foreign language; and | or
  • have an understanding of international attitudes and standards; and | or
  • have had three years’ experience in either Braille transcription or Braille teaching.

Expressions of interest in this position will be considered by the Board at its November 2024 meeting. These should identify the strengths, expertise, knowledge, and attributes you bring to the position. Please contact National Office for the position description (contact details at the end of this Focus issue).

Expressions of interest must be received at National Office by 4pm, Thursday 14 November 2024 via either of the following: