Focus April 2024

Welcome to our April Focus issue. You can download the Word, PDF, or audio version, or you can read it here. 

List of Articles

 In this edition

Taking heart from the past to chart a path forward
by Áine Kelly-Costello, Focus Editor

Who’s an Island? Not me
Jonathan Godfrey, National President

Blind Citizens NZ 2024 Scheduled Election
Rose Wilkinson, Returning Officer

Call for Applications to fill Blind Citizens NZ’s World
Blind Union Primary Country Delegate Position pg 16

Focus Editor – Call for Expressions of Interest

How I lost Braille and found it again
by Jonathan Craig

2024 Annual General Meeting and Conference
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata

Membership Renewal Reminder | Form

Ways to support Blind Citizens NZ’s Income
Generation Efforts

Opportunities to regularly engage with the National President

Blind Citizens NZ Board | National Office Contacts

Acknowledgement of financial support

Focus December 2023

Welcome to our December Focus issue. You can download the Word, PDF, or audio version, or you can read it here. 

List of Articles

Welcome to the December 2023 edition
by Áine Kelly-Costello Focus Editor

Exploring te ao Māori and te reo Māori – whakaaro from one Pākehā blind person
Áine Kelly-Costello, Focus Editor

He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
Jonathan Godfrey
National President

Call for Applications to fill Blind Citizens NZ’s World Blind Union Primary Country Delegate Position

Challenging Others Challenging Ourselves
Highlights of Blind Citizens NZ’s 2023 AGM and Conference

Focus Editor
Call for Expressions of Interest

Opportunities to engage with the National President throughout 2024

Blind Citizens NZ Braille Special Interest Network

National Office Closing and Opening for Christmas and New Year

Blind Citizens NZ Board
National Office Contacts
Acknowledgement of Financial Support

Focus October 2023

Welcome to our October Focus issue. You can download the Word, PDF, or audio version, or you can read it here. 

List of Articles

Welcome to the October 2023 edition
by Áine Kelly-Costello Focus Editor

Let’s not settle for subpar representation
Áine Kelly-Costello, Focus Editor

Accessibility and taking chances
Jonathan Godfrey National President

How secret is your vote in this year’s General Election
Rose Wilkinson, Chief Executive

Vote by Telephone Dictation at the 2023 General Election

Challenging Others Challenging Ourselves | Blind Citizens
NZ 2023 AGM and Conference

Blind Citizens NZ Large Print Calendars

Announcing the outcome of Blind Citizens NZ 2023 Scheduled Election
Rose Wilkinson, Returning Officer

Blind Citizens NZ Board | National Office Contacts

Acknowledgement of financial support

National Conference AGM and Conference 2023

AGM and Conference 2023 | Challenging Others, Challenging Ourselves

Our 2023 AGM and Conference starts at 9am Friday 13 October, through to 5:15pm Saturday 14 October. You can check out our programme, and agenda information here as either MS Word or PDF. 

Check back for more information about how you can join Blind Citizens NZ during our two-day AGM and Conference – that is if you are unable to attend in person. Virtual options include our YouTube channel, or you might prefer to register to be part of the ‘virtual’ real-time proceedings on ZOOM.

Focus June 2023

Áine Kelly-Costello – Focus Editor

Welcome to the second edition of Focus for 2023.

My editorial takes you on a journey—pun intended—through some of the many facets of a blind-friendly transport system. President Jonathan Godfrey had no idea what he’d write about for his column but wrote one anyway. And long-time tech guru Jonathan Mosen brings us a fascinating read on the potential and pitfalls of using artificial intelligence algorithms in visual descriptions.

We’re also introducing a new feature this time, an update from the executive Officer on an area of advocacy Blind Citizens NZ has been beavering away on. The idea is to make the often gradual goings-on behind the scenes more visible. This time, the topic is universal access to ID. Updates in this edition on the 2023 Blind Citizens NZ elections and conference are also not to be missed. Enjoy!

As always, please do send me your feedback and your ideas for articles or topics, by August for the September edition.

Email me at focus.abcnz@gmail.com, or get in touch with the full Focus committee (Board Member Paula Waby, Chief Executive Rose Wilkinson and me) by emailingfocus@blindcitizensnz.org.nz

Note on referencing
by Áine Kelly-Costello Focus Editor

Putting a blind-friendly transport system on the political agenda
Áine Kelly-Costello

Trying
Jonathan Godfrey, National President

Blind Citizens NZ 2023 Scheduled Election
Rose Wilkinson, Returning Officer

Draft Blind Citizens NZ 2023-2026 Strategic Plan 

Visual description via AI, the promise and the problem
Jonathan Mosen

Advocating for a universally accessible form of ID

Update – Membership Subscription Review 

2023 Annual General Meeting and Conference Challenging Others Challenging Ourselves

Leadership | Advocacy Workshop – We’re calling for expressions of interest

Ways to support Blind Citizens NZ’s Income Generation Efforts 

Vacancy: Advertisement and Description | Chief Executive Disabled Persons Assembly New Zealand

Here you will find the Braille Ready Format (BRF) file of the Job Advertisement and Description for the position of Chief Executive of the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) New Zealand. For the full advertisement and description including in other alternate formats (Large Print, Audio, Easy Read and New Zealand Sign Language) please see this link Vacancy – DPA Chief Executive (infoexchange.nz)

Focus April 2023

Welcome to our April Focus issue, our first for 2023. You can download the Word or PDF versions, or you read it here

Saying the quiet part out loud
by Áine Kelly-Costello, Focus Editor

How do I know?
Jonathan Godfrey, National President

Blind Citizens NZ 2023 Scheduled Election
by Rose Wilkinson, Returning Officer

The endless hunt, and fight for accessible home appliances
by Thomas Bryan

Notice of Special Meeting of Members | Membership Subscription Review

2023 Annual General Meeting and Conference
Challenging Others Challenging Ourselves

Leadership | Advocacy Workshop
We’re calling for expressions of interest

When the rain doesn’t stop
by Áine Kelly-Costello

Appointment of Blind Citizens NZ World Blind Union
Country Delegates

Stats NZ Census update to disability sector

Ways to support Blind Citizens NZ’s Income
Generation Efforts

Blind Citizens NZ Board | National Office Contacts

Acknowledgement of financial support

Auckland Severe Weather and State of Emergency

There is a wide range of information about the impact across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as a result of severe weather conditions since Friday 27 January 2023. Some of this information is available in alternate formats on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) website (Braille Ready File, Audio, Large Print, Easy Read, New Zealand Sign Language). The following link to NEMA’s website will enable you to review relevant information…

https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/news-and-events/news-and-events/auckland-severe-weather-what-support-is-available-and-where-can-you-get-help/

Included here you will also find the most recent NEMA Factsheet in audio, BRF and Large Print. This contains a wealth of information including contact details…

There is also information available through the “My Information” on the Amazon Alexa Smart Speaker Skill. If you have not joined up to that service, ask Alexa to “Enable My Information” and you will hear the main menu of the TellMe service. Then you can select from the main menu.

Do not hesitate to contact Blind Citizens NZ if there is anything you feel there is someone from our community from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in need as a result of severe weather, where we may be able to provide information or guidance

Focus December 2022

Welcome to our December Focus issue, our final for 2023. You can download the Word, PDF audio or BRF (Braille Ready Format) versions, or you can read it here. 

In this edition
by Áine Kelly-Costello Focus Editor

The logistics of reading a book of your choice
by Áine Kelly-Costello Focus Editor

What is partnership?
Jonathan Godfrey National President

Membership Subscription Review

Call for applications | expressions of interest in Blind Citizens
NZ World Blind Union Country Delegate Positions

Awhina House Lessons Not Learned
by Mary Schnackenberg

New or Refreshed Strategic Plan for Blind Citizens NZ

Cyril White Memorial Fund – Applications

Blind Citizens NZ Large Print Calendars

Ways to support Blind Citizens NZ’s Income
Generation Efforts

Blind Citizens NZ Board / National Office Contacts

Acknowledgement of financial support

Take steps to stay COVID-19 safe this summer

Getting your second COVID-19 booster dose

My Covid Record

Focus October 2022

Welcome to our October Focus issue. You can download the Word or PDF version, or you can read it here.

• How Blind Low Vision NZ’s approach to Counselling lost it’s way, and what comes next
  by Áine Kelly-Costello Focus Editor
• Hold the Cheese 
  Jonathan Godfrey National President​
• Blind Citizens NZ 2022 Award Recipients​​​​
• Sharing your experiences with the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care
  By Jonathan Mosen
• Outcome of Blind Citizens NZ 2022 Election​​​
• Then and Now
  Poem by Kay Clark​​​​​
• Blind Citizens NZ Large Print Calendars​​​​
• Blind Citizens NZ Board / National Office Contacts​​
• Acknowledgement of financial support

AGM and Conference 2022

Here’s where you can join Blind Citizens NZ during our two-day AGM and Conference i.e. check out our YouTube channel, or email to be part of the ‘virtual’ proceedings on ZOOM (admin@abcnz.org.nz)

National Conference – Blind Citizens NZ (abcnz.org.nz)

Blind Citizens NZ will be holding our AGM and Conference in Invercargill at the Ascot Park Hotel. We start with the official opening Friday morning 7 October, finishing with dinner and organisational awards the evening of Saturday 8 October. If you are interested in attending but yet to register, there is time to do so. You can attend in -person or virtually via ZOOM.

Darren Ludlow long-standing Invercargill City Councillor and Radio Southland’s Station Manager is doing the honours and carrying out the official opening. 

Guest presenters over the two days are:

▪ Hon Poto Williams Minister for Disability Issues;

▪ Ms Ronelle Baker Senior Advisor Census Accessibility Statistics NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa;

▪ Ms Paula Tesoriero (MNZM) Chief Executive Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People;

▪ Latoa Halatau-Talagi (MNZM | Beamish Memorial), Co-Chair Pacific Disability Forum | Member of Government’s Community Steering Group | National Enabling Good Lives;

▪ Leo McIntyre, Chair Balance Aotearoa | Member of DPO Coalition delegation to Geneva;

▪ Thomas Bryan (Beamish Memorial) | second country delegate to World Blind Union | Member-for-Life Blind Citizens NZ;

▪ Clive Lansink (Beamish Memorial) | Director Accessible Information Communications | Member-for-Life Blind Citizens NZ 

For more information, or to register email admin@blindcitizensnz.org.nz  Alternately phone 0800 222 694.

We’ll update with more information and the agenda in the near future. 

Independent Monitoring Mechanism Online Forum, 29-30 March and 5-6 April 2022, Disability Convention: How is New Zealand Doing?

Independent Monitoring Mechanism Online Forum

March 29th-30th and April 5th-6th, 2022

Disability Convention: How is New Zealand Doing?

An online forum to find out about how the government is progressing on implementing the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Disability Convention) will be held Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 March, and Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 April.

The Forum – ‘The Disability Convention: How is New Zealand doing?’ –  is being hosted by the Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) made up of the Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman and the Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition (Blind Citizens NZ is a member of the DPO Coalition).

The Forum is being held ahead of New Zealand’s second examination by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A subsequent IMM Forum Report will inform the Committee on the status of disability rights here in Aotearoa.

Government ministers and officials are attending the forum and members of the public are invited to observe proceedings. 

The Forum will examine issues raised in monitoring reports published by the IMM over the past two years. Making Disability Rights Real in New Zealand and Making Disability Rights Real in a Pandemic. 

The review will centre on New Zealand’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, how poverty is addressed, the integrity of the person, equity and access during humanitarian crises, equality, non-discrimination, access to justice, accessibility, and independence.

Observers will be able to send questions for consideration by a moderation panel at the beginning of each session. Instructions for accessing the Forum are available here in Large Print, Audio and Braille. All alternate formats including Easy Read and New Zealand Sign Language, as well as updates can be located at the following link…
https://www.hrc.co.nz/our-work/people-disabilities/disability-convention-how-new-zealand-doing/

You can locate each of the IMM’s two reports as follows:

1. Making Disability Rights Real in a Pandemic 

2. Making Disability Rights Real
https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/resources/making-disability-rights-real-2014-2019-0

Ngā mihi
Independent Monitoring Mechanism Team

Focus – December 2021

Focus October 2021

2021 AGM & Conference

Annual General Meeting and Conference

Join Blind Citizens NZ in our celebrations of 75 years of blindness advocacy history

Come and join Blind Citizens NZ as we celebrate our 75-year blindness advocacy history (Working Together), this October.  Business sessions commence 11am Friday 8 October. Saturday is our “open day” with invited guests and speakers. Business sessions conclude Sunday 10. We’re at the Brentwood Hotel Kilbirnie Wellington,

Our theme “Working Together” is indicative and symbolic of Blind Citizens NZ’s proud history.

Contact us via email admin@abcnz.org.nz or phone 0800 222 6940

June Focus

Along with routine contributions in our June Focus issue, there is information about the election of two Board Members, our 2021 AGM and Conference and celebrating 75-years of Blind Citizens NZ. Check out the balance of items including Kylee Maloney’s contribution, information about EvaTech’s ScripTalk (talking medication labels), Zoom Pharmacy, and the opportunity to have a say regarding government’s significant programme of work to strengthen social cohesion in New Zealand and build a safer, more inclusive society.

New Zealand Blind Advocate elected President of World Blind Union

24 June 2021

Media Release

The World Blind Union has announced the outcome of its 10th General Assembly, first ever global accessible online participatory process to elect its new Table Officers for the coming four years (2021-2025).

280 WBU delegates have elected Martine Abel-Williamson as the new President of the World Blind Union. 

Blind Citizens NZ extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms Martine Abel-Williamson, Global President of World Blind Union.

For the past 20 plus years, Martine has held a myriad of roles here in New Zealand and in the international arena. The in-depth knowledge and skills Martine brings to this global position is immense. 

Martine is in no doubt about the expectations there will as WBU President. She says “the timing is amazing… I am so honoured to be able to hold this position on behalf of the 253 million blind and low vision people from around the world. The support of my peers to take on this role is great. I believe they are really saying one doesn’t have to live in a large, wealthy country to make a difference. New Zealand has shown leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic over the past year and a half. Together with my fellow officers, I will continue to prioritise the wellbeing of blind people across the world. I’m surrounded by a great team and our work for the WBU’s new quadrennium has just begun.”

From 2007 to 2017, Martine represented Blind Citizens NZ as one of New Zealand’s two country delegates at both regional and global WBU events. During that time, and subsequently as WBU’s Global Treasurer, she has demonstrated her commitment to making a blind bit of difference for all blind, deafblind, low vision and vision impaired people across the world.

“Martine’s commitment towards addressing the needs of blind people around the world has been evident for well over 10 years, and Blind Citizens NZ is pleased to support her efforts”, says Dr Jonathan Godfrey, National President Blind Citizens NZ. He went on to say “I am sure she will do New Zealand proud, and on behalf of our blind community of New Zealanders, congratulations Martine!”

An invitation for Martine to officiate at World Blind Union’s General Assembly proceedings in Spain, in person on 28 June remain an option. Achieving an MIQ space for her return is the challenge she now has.

About Blind Citizens NZ

Founded in 1945, the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand Inc (Blind Citizens NZ) is a disabled people’s organisation (DPO), with branches and networks across the country. We are New Zealand’s leading blindness consumer organisation and one of the country’s largest organisations of disabled consumers. Our members are blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired (hereafter referred to as blind). 

Blind Citizens NZ exists to give voice to the aspirations and lived experiences of blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired people living in New Zealand. We aim to achieve this by heightening awareness of our rights and to remove the barriers that negate our ability to live in an accessible, equitable and inclusive society. 

About World Blind Union

The World Blind Union (WBU) is the internationally recognized organization, representing the 253 million blind, vision impaired and low vision people in 190-member countries. The voice of the blind, WBU speaks to governments and international bodies on issues concerning blindness and low vision in conjunction with members. 

WBU brings together all the major national and international organisations of blind people and organisations that provide services to blind to work on the issues affecting the quality of life for blind people. Globally, WBU is divided into six regions, with each region. Each region has its own President and volunteer executive team.

Contact details

Martine Abel-Williamson
021 411 042

Jonathan Godfrey
029 538 9814

April Focus

Equity and Governance: 75 Years of Blindness Advocacy in New Zealand 1945-2020 by Greg Newbold

Discounted purchase price to members of the blind community $30 (incl GST). Contact Blind Citizens NZs National Office 0800 222 694 or email admin@abcnz.org.nz

Equity and Governance picks up from where Greg Newbold’s previous book, Quest for Equity, left off, and covers the Association of Blind Citizens’ history since 1995. After briefly reviewing the Association’s first 50 years (1945–1995), the book covers the group’s convoluted and eventful history over the subsequent 25 years…

The last 25 years has seen as much activity and passion from within the Association of Blind Citizens as at any time in its history and significant developments have occurred. This book chronicles the intricate matrix of activities and campaigns engaged in by the Association since its 50th Jubilee in 1995.

Check out the PDF which shows the front and back covers and remainder of content on the back cover…

December Focus

International Day of Disabled Persons

It’s International Day of Disabled Persons, and now more than ever, the voices of our disabled community must be heard!That’s why we are proud to support the DPO Coalition in launching a video series today, amplifying the voices and experiences of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.Play the first episode below for Prudence and Jonathan’s important stories about the challenges of getting kai during Alert Levels 3 & 4, and what we can do to make sure that food and shopping are accessible for our whole team of 5 million!Please share this video to make sure our stories are heard this #DisabledPersonsDay

This video contains the following accessibility features: NZSL, Captions in English & te reo Māori; Audio Description.The DPO Coalition acknowledges the contribution of all disability sector organisations to make sure that the wellbeing of, informational needs, and support for disabled people was monitored and improved upon throughout the impact of COVID-19.

#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs#UNIDDP#BuildBackBetter

2020 Blind Citizens NZ’s Annual General Meeting

Take this link for Blind Citizens NZ’s Annual General Meeting event. We have interesting topics for discussion, guest presenters and we are launching “Equity and Governance”, our 75-year history. Check out the brief programme attached. Do join us…

View Livestream

September 2020 Focus

Our September Focus issue brings highlights for Blind Citizens NZ, and news. You’ll also find information about our AGM on 10 October and ways to register (ZOOM or in Person), and the election of two Member-at-Large positions which closes 4pm, 29 September. You’ll also find more information about the General Election and for blind people, registering to vote using Telephone Dictation Voting. 

AGM Registration

This year (2020), Blind Citizens NZ is holding a one-day Annual General Meeting. With the exception of our book launch which updates everyone about the past 25 years of our work, and 75 years in total, our celebratory event is happening next October 2021.

Our AGM on Saturday 10 October 2020, is a combination of both in person and virtual (by Zoom) attendance. We commence at 11am, concluding no later than 4.30pm. The physical venue is the Brentwood Hotel, Kilbirnie, Wellington. If you plan to attend in person, please be assured the hotel’s meeting facilities enable plenty of room for physical distancing to happen. While the AGM is more about the business side of the organisation, we will have a guest speaker. There will also be presentation of organisational awards, as determined by the Board, and of course our book launch.

You can register by contacting our National Office (Freephone 0800 222 694, or email admin@abcnz.org.nz). Or complete the registration form available here, and email it to us.

June 2020 Focus

Check out our June issue for information about award nominations, and postponement of our 75 year celebrations. Readers please note there is an extension for nominations for Blind Citizens NZ’s Extra Touch Award. These now close 4pm, Wednesday 29 July 2020.