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:

You do not need to be a member of Blind Citizens NZ to join our Special Interest Networks. All our Networks meet online using Zoom. To join these meetings, the minimum requirement is a phone (mobile or landline).

If you have a laptop, iPad, computer, etc., that’s great, as these are amongst the technology options that can be used to join meetings. Meetings are typically held from 6pm to 7pm. Any changes are advised on a case-by-case basis.

There is an established email list for each of the Networks. Subscribing to the respective email list is the primary way of joining a Special Interest Network. However, if you do not have email and wish to join, 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 amongst members of each of the Networks in between meetings happens via email, and where necessary, the Coordinator will contact those members who are not on email.

Here are highlights of each of the three Networks, and 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, or you have retired your Guide Dog and remain 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. Meetings are scheduled for 28 May, 27 August (AGM), and 9 November. To join, you can contact our National Office, or you can 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 15 April, 17 June, 3 September (AGM), and 18 November. To join, you can contact our National Office, or you can send an email to
BlindCitizensNZ-BrailleNetwork+subscribe@groups.io

Women: This is the newest of our Networks, formally established in February this year. 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 Women’s Network next meets on 16 April, at 6pm. To join, you can contact our National Office, or you can send an email to
WomensNetwork-BlindCitizensNZ+subscribe@groups.io