Currently, Blind Citizens NZ has three Special Interest Networks (Networks). The purpose of these Networks is for people from the blind community (blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired) to come together because they:

• have a common interest;
• share the values and causes of the organisation; and
• wish to participate through peer support.

You do not need to be a member of Blind Citizens NZ to join our Special Interest Networks. All Networks meet online via Zoom. To take part, the minimum requirement is a phone (mobile or landline). Devices such as a laptop, iPad, or computer can also be used. Meetings are usually held 6pm to 7pm. Any changes are advised on a case-by-case basis.

Each Network has its own email list, and subscribing to that list is the main way to join. If you do not have email, but wish to participate, contact our National Office (details at the end of this Focus issue), and arrangements will be made for you to join and be kept up to date with happenings.

Communication within each Network between meetings happens via email. Where necessary, the Coordinator will contact members who are not on email. Below are highlights of each of the three Networks, along with details about how to join.

Guide Dog Handlers: Membership of this Network is broad. It is open to: Guide Dog Handlers, anyone on a waiting list for a Guide Dog, anyone who has retired their Guide Dog and remains interested in what’s happening, or you aspire to have a Guide Dog in the future and want to know more about this Network.

Beverley Duncan is the Coordinator. This Network meets a minimum of four times a year and may have guests from time to time. The remainder of this year’s scheduled meetings are on 27 August (AGM) and 9 November. To join, send an email to guidedoghandlers-blindcitizensnz+subscribe@groups.io

Braille: If you are a Braille user, regardless of how and | or where you use Braille, or you aspire to learn Braille, this Network is for you. Chantelle Griffith is the Coordinator.

Meetings are scheduled for 17 June, 3 September (AGM), and 18 November. To join, send an email to
BlindCitizensNZ-BrailleNetwork+subscribe@groups.io

Women: Established in February this year, our Blind Women’s Network is the newest of our Special Interest Networks. If you’re a blind, deafblind, lowvision or vision-impaired woman, or you identify as feminine, this is a welcoming space. The Coordinator is Judy Small. The schedule of meetings is 6pm-7pm on 18 June, 20 August (AGM), 1 October and 10 December. To join, send an email to WomensNetwork-BlindCitizensNZ+subscribe@groups.io