Áine Kelly-Costello – Focus editor

Welcome to the final edition of Focus for 2022. I hope you have time to relax and connect with loved ones over the holiday period. I start off this edition with some reflections on the logistics behind doing what should theoretically be simple but often isn’t: tracking down a book of our choice in a format of our choice and diving in. The National President’s column reflects on what makes a good partnership. Also look out for thoughtful reflections from Mary Schnackenberg on what the original design of the Awhina House Blind Low Vision NZ site got right in Auckland–namely, good practices which are missing in action as the new facility gets designed now.

Between the September edition of Focus and this one, Blind citizens NZ’s Annual General Meeting and Conference took place in Invercargill. I couldn’t be there but many members sent in their appreciation for a Conference well-run. If you were unable to join in and you’d more information about the AGM and Conference, contact Blind Citizens NZ’s National Office (contact details at the end of this Focus issue).

As always, your ideas for topics to be covered in focus and your contributions are most welcome. 

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@abcnz.org.nz  

Pitches for the March edition are due by 13 February 2023.