Outlook: Winter 2018 Blind Foundation Adapted in accordance with Section 69 of the Copyright Act 1994 by the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, for the sole use of persons who have a print disability. Produced 2018 by Accessible Format Production, Blind Foundation, Auckland, New Zealand This edition is a transcription of the following print edition: Published by Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Copyright 2018 ISSN: 1177-052X Transcriber's Note Images have been omitted; image captions have been retained. If reading this volume on a portable braille device, note that this e-text is unproofed by touch. Notes inserted by the transcriber are prefixed by the abbreviation tn. Cover Information Photograph caption: Chris Orr and his guide dog walking off a train in Auckland. Feedback on our services The Blind Foundation is committed to providing high quality services to all its clients. To provide feedback on our services, please contact Denise Kitto, National Manager, Customer Service and Advice, at feedback@blindfoundation.org.nz or C/- Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland 1149. Please get in touch if your vision needs change on 0800 24 33 33. www.facebook.com/rnzfb blindfoundation.org.nz Contents Message from the chair: An update from Rick Hoskin, RNZFB Board Chair. Page 2 The inside word: An update from Sandra Budd, Blind Foundation Chief Executive. Page 4 Feature: Conquering public transport: Sharing stories and tips to get around your town. Page 7 Technology: Exploring the possibilities of smart speakers; Product lookout: Seeing AI app; Help us review new technology; Shop products; Seven tips with lighting. Page 14 People: Sharing access stories; Former truck driver George finds a way to remain in the cab after sight loss; From being bullied to becoming a bestseller author. Page 22 Special interest and peer support groups: Update from Blind Citizens New Zealand; Blind Sports Awards return; Connect with the peer support network. Page 28 Get involved: Community highlights; From the library; Join us and Let's Talk; RNZFB Board Elections; Equipment Display Days and Pop up Days. Page 31 Page 2 Message from the Chair For seven years the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) Board and management have taken the Engagement Roadshows around the country speaking to clients, families and volunteers, using set questions to help develop our services. I am delighted to share that this year we have moved to a "Let's Talk" format, encouraging participants to guide us with their thoughts and sharing important information about our services. Find out about a Let's Talk event happening near you, on page 35. I hope to see you there. Congratulations to Queen's Service Medal recipients The Board proudly congratulates Martine Abel-Williamson and Dorothy Nola Burgess who were recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Both have been awarded the Queen's Service Medal. Martine has been well known to us for her work as a disability advisor for the Auckland City Council, and also for her current work with the World Blind Union where she holds the position of Treasurer. Nola is an amazing lady who has been a stalwart of the Gisborne Community Committee for many years. She is a strong, warm-hearted lady who has tirelessly kept the face of the Blind Foundation alive in one of our more remote areas. In memory of George Phiskie I would also like to acknowledge the sad passing of George Phiskie, aged 96. Many will have fond memories of him and the impact he had on those he came in contact with. He contributed to our community in many ways, including running our Whangarei Community Committee and socials for over 30 years. George took tourists through the Waipu caves with his guide dog, earning worldwide fame while collecting donations for our guide dogs service. He was also awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to blind people and the community. Page 3 Having started his association with the Blind Foundation at school age, it is great to imagine that George has been a part of our organisation for so much of its history. He must have seen huge changes from the early days through to the way we operate today. George will remain an icon in our community. As one of the many people he inspired, I know he will be fondly remembered. Foundation Ventures Limited established I am pleased to share the RNZFB Board has set up Foundation Ventures Limited. This company will create additional sources of revenue; innovate and develop creative ways to provide services and develop digital, technological or information technology projects that can be taken to market. The Board of Foundation Ventures Limited will comprise four Independent Directors who are experts in the start-up arena. RNZFB 2018 Elections The annual election for RNZFB directors is upon us. This year Carolyn Weston, Peter Hoskin and I will complete our terms. Though the three of us may well stand again, nominations are sought. Please take part and vote to get those people on to the board that you think will best help the organisation to keep moving forward. Find more information about the elections on page 36. Rick Hoskin Board Chair Page 4 The Inside Word From Sandra Budd, Blind Foundation Chief Executive. Kia Ora, I'm delighted to be writing to you again, there is plenty to share. The feature story of this issue shares some of your experiences of conquering public transport when you are blind or have low vision, as well as some tips from our team. We have heard that you would like to read more about things that you might be able to apply to your own life, so I hope you find something of interest in the pages that follow. Since the last issue of Outlook, our team has made exciting progress against our five year strategic plan. We also have some news to share about work we are Page 5 doing with technology that can help with everyday living and provide access to more information. Read more about it in the Technology section, on page 14 of the magazine. Right now, I am enjoying taking part in the first of our "Let's Talk" event series together with Board Chair Rick Hoskin and others. This is a great chance to meet with people, and listen to what really matters to you. I would love to see you at your local event, so be sure to check when there is one happening near you and come along if you can. Read on for more about some of the key activity happening at the Blind Foundation. Progress creating a new service model As we shared in the last issue of Outlook, a focus has been on reconstructing the way we provide service, so that you have the experience you want with us. We have been using the insights taken from co-design research, conducted together with service users and staff last year, to begin developing how that will work. Now we are gearing up to begin using a different model—one that puts you, our service user, firmly in the driver's seat. Starting with new clients first in Christchurch and Tauranga, we will begin developing this into a way of working that will soon replace our current ways of working. Improving the way new clients request our services Related to the new service model, one of the first things we have done is introduce some changes to make it easier for new clients to request services from us. We started using the new process in April, which means Blind Foundation staff now take on more of the "information gathering" responsibility needed to complete registration. Gone is a lengthy form, and in its place are a number of options to request services—including online, via our contact centre, or by coming into a Blind Foundation office. Developing a roadmap for Guide Dog Services We are surveying our guide dog handlers and other interested parties, to seek feedback. The insights received from various groups will assist us in further developing our initiatives to be incorporated in our five-year roadmap. These initiatives are about strengthening our capabilities to meet demand and ongoing support for this highly valued service. Low vision clinic trial In September, we will begin a trial of community-based low vision clinics in partnership with Matthews Optometry Group. This will offer a free service to people with low vision, who may not need the full services of the Blind Foundation. We know there is a growing need for low vision services due to the ageing population. People's quality of life is deteriorating because they are not getting timely, post-vision loss rehabilitation services. The Blind Foundation aims to setup Page 6 a sustainable working low vision rehabilitation service that meets the needs of New Zealanders with low vision who need support to maximise their remaining vision. Post vision-loss rehabilitation isn't yet a priority in the health and disability system. So this trial is about testing a different way of delivering low vision and rehabilitation services, and providing evidence-based results that demonstrate the need for increased low vision services across New Zealand. Reviewing our brand As we begin to change how we deliver services to ensure we are giving service users—and potential users—what they are looking for, we need to ensure we reflect this in every expression of our organisation. Reviewing our brand is about shaping a firm understanding of what we stand for and the experience people can expect from us. As this process begins, we will consider with an open mind what the Blind Foundation looks like in the future. We will also take into account what people appreciate about us today and what currently stops people from connecting with us. Let's Korero more Lastly, in addition to the Outlook magazine we now publish "Korero", a monthly newsletter for our service users and their supporters. This is available on the Telephone Information Service menu 341, on our website under "News and Events/Our Publications", and is also sent out via email. If you would like to receive this newsletter via email but haven't seen it, please get in touch to make sure we have your current email address on file. Contact 0800 24 33 33 or email generalenquiries@blindfoundation.org.nz Warmest regards Sandra Budd Chief Executive Page 7 Feature Conquering public transport: Sharing stories and tips to get around your town. Love it or hate it, public transport is an everyday feature for many Kiwis who are blind or have low vision. Some of us have been using buses or trains for years, while others are becoming acquainted for the first time as they lose their sight—and driver licence—too. There are many stories to share. Some tainted with frustration, but all of them reflecting independence and resilience. Here, we share a few stories from around the country. On page 12 you will also find some handy tips for helping with your public transport journey. Page 8 Vicki Hilliam's Story Age 66, Auckland. Photograph caption: Vicki Hilliam at her local bus stop. Experiencing a change in vision is hard enough, however it was made all the more difficult for Aucklander Vicki, who also had to learn a new way of getting around. As a new client of the Blind Foundation, Vicki's driver licence was revoked a week before last Christmas. Before then, her main mode of transport was driving. "When you are used to using a car, it's quite frightening to move to public transport—there is so much to learn and it is quite an overwhelming experience." Luckily her cousin, a seasoned public transport user, came to visit and gave her an intensive crash course in Auckland's public transport system. He showed her how to use the Auckland Transport "Hop card" to pay for a fare, how to use the Auckland Transport app to find out when the next bus or train is coming, and how to plan her journey. "Why didn't I use it before?" Now that she has learned the ropes, she wishes she made the switch to public transport much sooner. "It's a huge learning curve. I encourage anyone who still has a driver licence to start learning how to use public transport now, so that if your vision deteriorates to the point where you can't Page 9 drive then it isn't such a shock. "Also it's an eco-friendly option, and I am often on the train or the bus looking at all the people stuck in traffic wondering why they aren't on here with me." She says one of the best things she did was obtain a Total Mobility card through the Blind Foundation, which gives her a 50 percent discount on taxi fares. It would also give her a discount on public transport, but she qualifies for a Gold Card, which gives her free fares. "Personally I would never have thought of joining the Blind Foundation because I am low vision, not blind, but the Total Mobility card has opened up a lot of doors for me." She lives in Titirangi, a suburb located in the forest close to Auckland's Waitakere Ranges, and mixes taxis with public transport for safety and convenience. "I don't like catching public transport at night and sometimes the buses and the trains don't connect up that well, so it's good to have the taxi as an affordable option too." Barbara Billington's Story Age 59, Wellington. Barbara uses public transport as her main mode of getting around. It means that, without the option of driving, she can independently get to the places that she needs to go—like travelling from Linden to Lyall Bay in Wellington to get to Bible group. "I use it often, and I find the level of service pretty good. It allows me to get around without relying on others to drive me or paying for taxis." Overcoming the barriers Barbara is totally blind and her guide dog Lacey helps her navigate and get to the places she needs to go safely "She helps me find the door, and find a seat on the train. But her help can only go so far." At Linden station, there are no ground tactile surface indicators which relay important information to people with vision impairments—such as where the edge of the platform is. Page 10 Photograph caption: Barbara Billington with her guide dog Lacey. "I have fallen down the gap between the train and the platform more than once. I really hope that all train stations get tactiles soon, not just the busy ones." She has been working with Wellington Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Kim Norton on ways to make sure that this does not happen again. One of these is a manual ramp which can be dispatched to cover the gap. "Kim encourages me to be vocal to get the guard's attention so that they can put down the ramp. It's not the best solution but at least it means I'm safe." Barbara says other passengers are generally helpful by offering her a seat, and sometimes even helping her with the manual ramp. It can be a challenge though if people distract her guide dog Lacey from her job. If people ask to pat Lacey and she has time, then she will take off Lacey's harness which is the cue that she is out of work mode and able to greet people. But sometimes she just needs to get from A to B. Page 11 John Manning's Story Age 79, Dunedin. John Manning has never driven a car. Even before he was diagnosed with Glaucoma he used public transport as his main mode of getting around. He has lived in Dunedin for the past 25 years using the bus system and is very familiar with it. "The public transport system in Dunedin suits me just fine. I have no trouble walking to one of my local bus stops, of which there are three, travelling into the city centre and visiting the public library, the art gallery or our two museums." He makes this journey at least three times a week and has learnt a few tips along the way to make it enjoyable. "My white cane is a great help in signalling my bus as it approaches and some bus drivers recognise me which is very helpful." He suggests those new to public transport get in touch with the Blind Foundation to receive some support and orientation on navigating the system, and says it can also be helpful to get in touch with the local transport agency and request a large print timetable. "Tell the transport agency which district you live in and let them know where you are likely to travel to on a regular basis, and where the best bus stops are to get to your destination." Photograph caption: John Manning. Pages 12-13 Five Tips For Catching Public Transport Here are some tips from the Blind Foundation's Orientation and Mobility team for catching public transport. 1 Be prepared. Pre-plan trips by using websites and apps or give your transport authority a call in advance. If possible, use travel cards such as the Auckland Transport "hop card" or the Wellington "snapper card", or carry the correct cash. 2 Be visible. Carry a white cane to signal the bus and/or wear light-coloured clothing. Ask the bus driver to let you know when you arrive at your destination and sit near them on the left hand side, if possible, so that they can see you. 3 Be proactive. If you catch a bus from a stop with multiple buses, a laminated bus card indicating which is your bus can help catch the driver's attention. Your transport authority may have these or contact the Blind Foundation. Always confirm with the driver that you are on the correct bus before getting on. 4 Be careful. Use handrails when embarking and disembarking and ask the bus driver to lower the step to get on and off if needed. 5 Be vocal. If you would like advice or support, get in touch with your transport authority. Our Orientation and Mobility team are also here to help—call 0800 24 33 33 or email generalenquiries@blindfoundation.org.nz Box: Do you have a transport tip you would like to share with others? Contact communications@blindfoundation.org.nz or call 0800 24 33 33 and ask to speak to our Communications Team. End box. Page 14 Technology Exploring the possibilities of smart speakers Smart speakers are some of the latest emerging technology capturing people's attention. Being audio-led devices, it makes them a particularly exciting concept for people who are blind or have low vision. Dunedin office welcomes new "smart room" In July we opened a new "smart room" in our Dunedin office, funded by the Dr Marjorie Barclay Trust. It's smart, because it contains an Amazon Echo smart speaker linked to other appliances such as blinds, fans and lights, controlled using voice commands. Used in this way, the smart speaker can enable access to information as well as make some things a lot easier for living independently at home. Blind Foundation technology advisor, Thomas Bryan, says Dunedin's smart room is a great tool for demonstrating the possibilities. It will also provide a perfect training ground in the future. "Anyone who can talk can use a smart speaker. It's as simple as asking it to turn on or off an appliance, turn up the heating, close the blinds and ask it for information such as public transport timetables or to book you a taxi—all by simple voice commands." Page 15 Photograph caption: Dr Marjorie Barclay Trust members with Blind Foundation representatives checking out the technology. Photograph caption: Blind Foundation Chief Executive Sandra Budd excited about the opening. Photograph caption: Thomas Bryan and Joy McClintock test out the devices. Box: If you live in the Dunedin area and would like to visit the smart room, details of an open day will be available soon. Phone the contact centre to register your interest: 0800 24 33 33 End box. Page 16 Imagine accessing our library on a smart speaker in your home Such is the potential of smart speakers, that the Blind Foundation has partnered with Sonnar Interactive and researchers from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to conduct a usability study. This study is tracking an initial 50 users to understand how we might best support the use of smart speakers by people who are blind or have low vision. At the same time, we are also developing an "app" that can be used on a smart speaker by Blind Foundation service users. In the future, this app has the possibility of connecting a user with a wide variety of information from the Blind Foundation. The top priority though, is making the Blind Foundation library catalogue available via the app. This work is being done with the vision that a library member would eventually be able to seamlessly transition between devices. Sonnar Interactive's CEO, Jarek Beksa, says: "Imagine reading a book on your DAISY player or on your phone without the need to touch the screen or buttons, you simply talk to your device. And imagine all your books being available to you instantly. This is the future we are building." Page 17 Blind Foundation's product owner (voice solutions), Phil Turner, explains that making the library easily available in this way will help to reduce the reliance today on sending CDs via post, on top of providing a much simpler tool. "We have heard from library members that they would like greater control over choosing the books they read. We have heard that they would like them to arrive faster and not have to deal with an annoying pile of CDs. The solution we are developing will make all of those problems go away." Photograph caption: Trevor Plumbly, Blind Foundation library member. Blind Foundation library member, Trevor Plumbly, is one of the first testers taking part in the usability study. He shares: "What thrilled me about Alexa [the smart speaker] was the speed of the response. The other thing was that I didn't have to push and find buttons. It was just the sheer simplicity and convenience of it. "So instead of me sitting with an iPad punching in anything like "Julian Lloyd Webber", I didn't have to do it. I just said "play Julian Lloyd Webber" and it did. I think it's quite one of the most fantastic things I've discovered recently." Stay tuned for more information to come as the usability study and app development progresses. Page 18 Product lookout: Seeing AI app Photograph caption: Thomas Bryan. Our technology advisor Thomas Bryan, who also happens to be blind, uses Microsoft's Seeing AI app to assist him in a variety of ways. He tells us more about the free app's features. The Seeing AI app is available for iPhone and iPads and will be available soon for Android devices. It is designed to narrate text, objects, colours and so much more, using your phone's camera and AI (artificial intelligence). I use it for: Reading short text. It speaks text as soon as it appears in front of the camera—ideal if you want to know an address on a package or want to know what's on a page. Reading a document. The app provides audio guidance to capture a printed page, giving instructions to line the camera up before it takes a photo of the page. The app then processes the text and reads it aloud. Recognition of products. Audio beeps help find the barcode on packaging, it then scans the code and if it is recognised, the app will tell you the name of the product. Describing a person. When you take a picture of a person, with their permission of course, the app will process what the camera has captured and will try and describe what it sees. E.g. Smiling women with glasses, light hair, aged about 27. Colour recognition. It describes the perceived colour. Handwriting. This is a new feature and depending on the handwriting, the app will try and recognise the words and read them out. iPhone and iPad users can download the app from the iTunes store. Page 19 Help us review new technology We would like your input, as Blind Foundation service users, to help us try out different technology products. We are looking for a handful of reviewers across the low vision and blindness spectrum to review products, from time to time, that may be suited to you. Your experiences will help the Blind Foundation's technology panel select products for training and support. Technology experience is not required! Box: Sound like you? Phone the contact centre to register your interest on 0800 24 33 33. You will be asked to provide some basic information, including how you use technology at the moment. End box. New products available in our shop We stock a wide range of products for people who are blind or have low vision. From magnifying glasses and talking watches to canes and braille readers, we stock useful tools for all levels of vision. Talking bathroom scale. This battery operated talking bathroom scale announces weight in a clear voice and can be set to either the metric (kilograms/grams) or imperial (pounds/ounces) system. Client price: $70.00 Public price: $93.00 White oval talking clock keychain. Simple to use, this talking clock and alarm makes knowing the time easy. Simply touch a button and a chime sounds and the time is spoken. Alarm sounds as a beep. Client price: $24.00 Public price: $24.00 To browse more items, visit blindfoundation.org.nz/shop or call 0800 24 33 33 and speak to our equipment specialists. Page 20 Seven tips to make light your friend for people with low vision By Blind Foundation rehabilitation instructors Kat Crane and Miriam Stettner. Lighting can be both friend and foe when living with low vision. Many people benefit from extra light, however light can create a disabling glare when poorly controlled. The suggestions below can assist with making light your friend. 1 Try to keep general lighting within the home even, particularly around hazardous areas such as steps. Some people find it difficult to adapt from dark to light and vice versa. Some compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs can take time to reach full strength, so avoid putting these in risk areas. 2 Wear a visor or peaked hat, plus sunglasses with side filters to control low winter sun. Some people wear light sunglasses for indoors and darker for outdoors. Ask for a glare assessment from your local Blind Foundation staff who have sunglasses with a range of colours and light transmissions. 3 Move your TV and computer screens to avoid reflections. Sun filter roller blinds are particularly effective at controlling glare within the home whilst maintaining essential light. 4 Light the path to the bathroom at night using plug-in wall lights with sensors, available from hardware stores. Page 21 5 For detailed tasks, invest in an adjustable task lamp and position it to avoid glare feedback from the bulb. The Blind Foundation can provide a task lighting assessment to help you work out which type of light source suits you best. 6 If dark cupboards are a problem, use a head torch or fit an interior light. Some light-emitting diode (LED) strips are battery operated and can "stick on" to avoid expensive electrician bills. 7 Keep your magnifier safe—ensure it is covered and out of direct sunlight to avoid fire risk. If you do not have a case, use a sock! Box: Our friendly Blind Foundation rehabilitation staff can assist with all aspects of daily living and have many more tips to share. If you would like support, please contact our contact centre on 0800 24 33 33. End box. Page 22 People Getting the stories out to Show that Access Matters The Access Alliance has been busy mobilising support for an accessibility law at the heart of a more inclusive Aotearoa. Here's a recap of highlights from the past few months from Access Matters Community Organiser Áine Kelly-Costello. Sharing Stories In April, 60+ members of the disability community came together for the inaugural Access Matters story-sharing workshop. Guest speaker Dr Deborah Russell MP explained the journey she had been on to understand how integral so many forms of accessibility are to our lives, and also how stories really drive home the day-to-day examples of how an Accessibility Act could make a difference to us. This fed into a session where we honed our own stories in groups. Each group focused on helping one person to develop their story, and those stories were filmed. Using these stories and more, we created a booklet which campaigners from across the country have been presenting to their local MPs and even some ministers. This way, they bring their own stories, and a sample from our disability community. Box: Submit your own story. We encourage you to share your access story by following the instructions on our website: accessalliance.org.nz End box. Page 23 Behind the Scenes We now have a Parliamentary Champions for Accessibility Legislation Group containing MPs from all parties except Act. It is a highly supportive group taking action to accelerate the progress of accessibility legislation in New Zealand. We also have support from Minister for Employment Hon. Willie Jackson. Representatives met with Minister for Disability Issues Hon. Carmel Sepuloni recently. She is awaiting further research from her office on international accessibility legislation but has agreed to continue working with the Access Alliance. Meanwhile, we are making it clear that we will do everything we can to support Minister Sepuloni, her officials, and colleagues in Government and across Parliament, to introduce an Accessibility Act in this term of government. Susan's access story My name is Susan. I live on my own in Hamilton with my guide dog. I need to use the public transport system to get to appointments, meetings, and just to meet with friends for a coffee or attend a concert. Recently, the bus company changed all the bus routes and added new ones in the northern suburbs. The bus I would usually take into town was changed from half hourly to hourly, and it also uses a slightly different route than it used to. This means I can seldom use this familiar route anymore and I find it harder to catch. When these changes happened in late January, I received one of those three way fold pamphlets with tiny maps and minuscule print in the mail. Since January, I have needed to plan every bus trip meticulously. One time when I called the help centre for support planning a trip on a new route, they gave me incorrect information. It caused me unnecessary and stressful delays getting to a medical appointment. I was offered some help retrospectively by the bus company, after I complained about this incident. But when they were planning these changes they could have been more proactive advertising and explaining them in accessible formats. Accessibility law reform could ensure that all information is available in an accessible format and offered to those who require it in a timely manner so we can remain independent. Photograph caption: Susan Melsopp with her guide dog. Page 24 Trucking on. Former truck driver George finds a way to remain in the cab after sight loss. People can be surprised to learn of George Nevill's occupation as a truck driver trainer, given his level of vision—and the necessity of sight for driving. While George isn't behind the wheel driving trucks anymore, he works in a job doing the next best thing. Now, he sits in the passenger's seat and uses his years of driving experience to train future drivers for LW Bonney and Sons. He works seasonally and is about to train drivers for the fifth dairy farm season which begins in September. The Hamilton resident teaches drivers how to be safe on the road, coaching on handling techniques as well as providing guidance on loading. He makes the most of his remaining vision by using adaptive tools and technology, as well as using other senses, such as hearing, to process how the truck is handling. "My vision loss happened over night" Before his vision deteriorated, George had been a driver for LW Bonney and Sons for 12 years. He was on a job in Blenheim when he had a stroke that affected his optic nerve. There were no symptoms to suggest a stroke had happened and he woke up with hazy vision in his left eye. He went to get it checked out but nothing was picked up and he continued working, relying on his right eye. "By night fall, I was unloading the trailer and I couldn't see the end of it. I had had another stroke, in my right eye this time. "For a while, I was a dithering mess. I had lost my profession, my passion—I had been a truck driver for the past 30 years. I went into a state of depression." There is a way through When George joined the Blind Foundation, what helped him was the peer-to-peer support group—Hamilton Blind and Vision Impaired Social Group. Page 25 He is now the president of the group. Photograph caption: George Nevill pictured in front of LW Bonney and Sons trucks. "My whole attitude changed. I met people who were positive and were getting on with life, and I was just amazed at what people could do." He also got a call from his former employer offering him a position as a trainer. "When my eyes went crook, I thought that was it, that would be the end of my employment. But Calven Bonney himself gave me a call—he told me it was a job that I knew so well, I could do it with my eyes closed anyway." The Blind Foundation's employment and adaptive technology services helped set George up with the tools he needed to make the most of his remaining vision. The team assessed what equipment he needed such as magnification programmes and devices, and a hand held voice recorder for note taking. Box: Would you like to find out about a Blind Foundation social group in your area, or support finding tools to help you with your career? Contact us by calling 0800 24 33 33 or email generalenquiries@blindfoundation.org.nz End box. Page 26 From being bullied to becoming a bestselling author Bestselling author Steff Green, from Waipawa, Central Hawke's Bay, hopes to help children who are being bullied with her upcoming book. Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones follows the story of Little Death, a grim reaper who is ostracised for being different. It is something that Steff experienced herself growing up with a vision impairment. "I could never play sports like other kids. I was also a generally imaginative, weird, and introverted child. "I wasn't like the other kids, so they would ostracise me, call me names, deliberately invent games to humiliate me, lock me in cupboards, tell me that I was stupid, useless, pointless, that I should just go away, that I should never have been born." She says that as a child you can't understand that the bullying isn't about you—it's about someone else and their insecurities. "It's hard to deal with this as a kid, because you think "if I could just be like everyone else, then all this torture would stop." But I couldn't make my eyes work—the same way another kid can't change the colour of their skin or their cultural background or whatever their bullies chose to pick on." Steff grew up to be a bestselling author. She is known for her dark fantasy and paranormal novels for adults where she explores mythology and humanity. Steff has published 22 books, and won the 2017 Attitude Award for Artistic Achievement. Page 27 Photograph caption: Steff Green pictured holding her new book. She teamed up with illustrator and friend Bree Roldan to produce her first children's book, which she hopes will help children going through an experience like she went through. We know there are lots of parents of kids out there who are going through bullying and we think this book might help them. "I want kids like me to be able to see themselves in this book and understand that it does get better, and that just because other people don't accept them doesn't mean something is wrong with them." At the end of the book, Little Death learns to accept who he is and makes friends with other kids who are bullied—together, the "freaks" have more fun than their bullies. Steff and Bree used crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to raise $8000 to print the book, and have since been approached by a publisher. She hopes the book will be available in schools and for sale by February 2019. Pre-sale information will be published on Steff's website: steffmetal.com Page 28 Special interest and peer support groups Blind Sector Forum Aotearoa New Zealand The Blind Foundation is proud to support and partner with organisations directly representing the interests of Kiwis who are blind or have low vision. These voluntary groups, known as consumer organisations, work to create a better New Zealand for people who are blind or have low vision. We collaborate on projects and advocate for change, sharing information along the way. Together, this group is called the Blind Sector Forum Aotearoa New Zealand (BSFANZ). Read news from some of these groups, and find details to get in touch with them in this section. Entries open: Blind Sport New Zealand Blind Sports Awards The Blind Sport New Zealand Blind Sports Awards brings athletes, coaches, support staff and volunteers from the blind and low vision sports community together to celebrate their achievements in 2018. Nominations are open now across seven categories including: Top Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Top Team of the Year, Top Coach of the Year, the Emerging Talent Award, Volunteer of the Year and Leadership Award (proudly sponsored by the Blind Foundation). Winners in each category will be considered for the Blind Sport New Zealand Supreme Award. Blind Sport New Zealand National Manager Dan Shepherd says: "There is so much worth celebrating in the blind and low vision sports community, and it's exciting to have the opportunity to come together as a community and share that success." The awards will be hosted at the Grand Millennium in Auckland on 27 October and tickets are on sale now. For more information and to nominate, go to blindsport.kiwi or email casey@blindsport.kiwi. Page 29 Update from Blind Citizens NZ The Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand (Blind Citizens NZ) is a disabled people's organisation (DPO). Our membership is diverse, comprising blind, deafblind, vision-impaired and low vision people (referred to as blind and vision-impaired from now on) of varying ages and backgrounds, in branches and networks throughout the country. We are a well-established, member-led, consumer-driven organisation governed by blind and vision-impaired people. Membership categories include children, and sighted family and friends. Blind Citizens NZ gives voice to the aspirations and lived experiences of blind and vision-impaired people. We achieve this by bringing together people who share a common interest, and support our work. We work with and alongside central and local government, the Blind Foundation, disability consumer organisations, banks etc., to remove the barriers of discrimination faced by blind and vision-impaired people daily. Through our advocacy, Blind Citizen NZ has been integral in achieving for example, Telephone Dictation Voting in general elections, referenda, and by-elections, and audio description in New Zealand. Having a form of ID accepted by everyone is challenging. We are working with Government and DPOs on a nationally accepted form of identification, and we are making progress. Access to government-produced information can be challenging at the best of times and is another issue we are making progress on with government. Box: If you are interested in finding out more about joining Blind Citizens NZ or if you have an experience to share that will inform our work, we welcome you to contact us via the details listed in the information following (page 30). End box. Page 30 Contact details Albinism Trust Phone: (06) 367 5900 Email: vision@inspire.net.nz Website: albinism.nz Blind Citizens New Zealand Mail: National Office, PO Box 7144, Newtown, Wellington 6242 Phone: 0800 ABC NZ INC (0800 222 694) or (04)389 0033 Email: enquiries@abcnz.org.nz. Website: blindcitizens.org.nz Blind Sport New Zealand Phone: (09) 930 1579 Email: dan@blindsport.kiwi Website: blindsport.kiwi Deafblind Association of NZ Charitable Trust Phone: 0800 450 650 Email: info@deafblindassociation.nz Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Phone: 0800 770 990 Email: info@kapomaori.co.nz Website: kapomaori.com New Zealand Vision Impaired Empowering Women (NZ VIEW) Phone: 06 757 2615 Email: nzviewinc@gmail.com Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand (PVINZ) Inc. Phone: (04) 293 8236 or 0274 402 073 Email: judith@pvi.org.nz Website: pvi.org.nz Retina New Zealand Phone: 0800 569 849 Email: admin@retina.org.nz Website: retina.org.nz Retina Youth Phone: 0800 569 849 Email: youth@retina.org.nz Website: retinayouth.org.nz and Facebook group Support and Education for our Youth, their Families and their Friends Phone: 021 0235 4395 Email: seyffnz@gmail.com These details are correct at the time of printing. Please check the Blind Foundation website for updated details and more information at blindfoundation.org.nz Page 31 Get Involved Community Highlights We have had a busy few months stacked full of all sorts of events. Here's a snapshot of just some of what's been happening. EPIC Youth Camp, Nelson Archery, low ropes, climbing, laughing yoga and even a session in financial savviness were just some of the activities on offer at the EPIC youth camp in Nelson. From 28 June-1 July, Blind Foundation youth aged 17-30, met up with their peers and made new friends. Recreation and Community Assistant Hannah Jones says a proud moment for one participant was the low ropes course. "She was nervous to try it out but with the encouragement of the group, she successfully completed the entire course." The camp fire was another highlight, where participants sat around keeping warm, sharing stories and connecting with each other. The Epic Youth camp is an annual event open to the Blind Foundation's community of young adults. Photograph caption: Participants challenged themselves on a low ropes course. Photograph caption: The fire where people came together to connect was a highlight. Page 32 Canterbury Blind Bowls Club celebrates 60 years The mats were left rolled up and the bowls stayed in the box when the Canterbury Blind Indoor Bowls Club celebrated their 60th anniversary in April. The club had their inaugural meeting in 1958 with a small group of players and coaches. Sixty years on, it has grown to be one of the largest blind bowls clubs in New Zealand and currently has 31 members. A celebratory lunch was a great opportunity to thank all those past and present who participated and made the club what it is today—a vibrant mix of players and coaches from all different backgrounds and age ranges who enjoy comradery and a decent dose of competition. The club is looking forward to the next 60 years. Photograph caption: The celebratory lunch featured a themed cake to mark the occasion. A Trip to the Life Flight Trust in Upper Hutt Members of the Upper Hutt Community Committee took a trip to the Life Flight Trust, otherwise known as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, in March. Attended by 34, the group were keen to hear about the important role the Trust plays in Wellington. A speaker told of a successful rescue mission he was on in Wairarapa the night before, where the crew rescued a couple from the bush. A series of errors such as the bus arriving late, having trouble finding the venue, the speaker being delayed by the rescue mission, and the bus struggling to start on their return all added up to make the trip an adventurous day. Thank you to Upper Hutt Community Committee Treasurer Wayne King for providing this information. Box: Get involved: Find out what's happening in your area. There are many events, clubs and activities supported by the Blind Foundation all over the country. If you fancy finding out more or getting involved, phone the National Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 or email generalenquiries@blindfoundation.org.nz End box. Page 33 From the library The Blind Foundation accessible library is one of our most loved services for Kiwis who are blind or have low vision. Here are the most popular titles people are reading this winter. Top five CD loans 1 The 5th horseman. By James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. Just as patients are about to be released from San Francisco Medical Center with a clean bill of health, their conditions take a mysterious turn for the worse. 2 The adventures of Moriarty: The secret life of Sherlock Holmes's nemesis. By Arthur Conan Doyle. We think of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, but far more seductive is the pairing of Holmes and Professor James Moriarty, "the Napoleon of crime"—a rivalry unparalleled in the world of crime fiction. 3 The 6th target. By James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. When a horrifying attack leaves one of the four members of the Women's Murder Club struggling for her life, the others fight to keep a madman behind bars before anyone else is hurt. 4 At the edge. By Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray. An anthology of 22 dark and dystopic stories from some of Australia and New Zealand's well-known speculative writers. 5 Alley urchin. By Josephine Cox. By 1870 Emma Grady had spent seven years of servitude as a convict in Australia. Now, having earned her ticket of leave, she lives for the day when she will return to Marlow Tanner—the man she loves—and whose tragic child she had borne and lost. Page 34 Top five Booklink loans 1 Skeleton key. By Anthony Horowitz. Reluctant teenage spy Alex Rider, on a routine mission at the Wimbledon tennis championships, gets caught up in Chinese gangs, illegal nuclear weapons and the suspect plans of his Russian host, General Sarov. 2 Make me. By Lee Child. Jack Reacher has no place to go, and all the time in the world to get there. "Breathless and bloody ... You can't help lapping it up."—Evening Standard. 3 Pouliuli. By Albert Wendt. A novel of Samoan life exploring the themes of betrayal, corruption and violence; guilt and redemption; and the failure of love. 4 61 hours. By Lee Child. Reacher finds himself in Bolton, S.Dak., when the tour bus he is on skids off the road and crashes. A highly sophisticated methamphetamine lab run by a vicious Mexican drug cartel has begun operating outside this town at an abandoned military facility. 5 Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone. By J.K. Rowling. Harry thinks he's an ordinary boy until he is rescued by an owl, taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. Box: To register for Library services, or to find out more about BookLink, please call the Library team on 0800 24 33 33, or email to library@blindfoundation.org.nz. End box. Page 35 Join us and Let's Talk We'd love to catch up over a cuppa, a bite to eat and have a chat. Join us for a Let's Talk event—coming to a town near you. RSVP to Noreen Parker, 09 355 6920, nparker@blindfoundation.org.nz The Let's Talk meetings, previously known as Engagement Roadshows, are held annually and provide an opportunity for an informal chat with some of the Blind Foundation decision makers. Board Chairman Rick Hoskin, members of the board, Chief Executive Sandra Budd, members of the leadership team and staff members are travelling the country and looking forward to catching up with you and your supporters. The meetings are a chance for conversations about the services that the Blind Foundation offers, the developments being undertaken, what the future holds and at the same time hearing from those attending about what is important for them. Upcoming Let's Talk locations. Timaru When: 9 October, 10am-12pm Where: Timaru Bridge Club, 63 Wilson Street, Seaview, Timaru Greymouth When: 10 October, 10am-12pm Where: Uniting Church Lounge, 203 Tainui Street, Greymouth Masterton When: 16 October, 1pm-3pm Where: Wairarapa Community Centre, 41 Perry Street, Masterton Palmerston North When: 17 October, 1.30pm to 3.30pm Where: St Peters Church, 229 Ruahine Street, Palmerston North Wellington When: 18 October, 2pm-4pm and 5.30pm-7.30pm Where: Blind Foundation Offices, 121 Adelaide Road, Newtown Albany—North Auckland When: 14 November, 10am-12pm Where: Albany Community Hub, Main Hall, 575A Albany Highway, Albany Manurewa—South Auckland When: 15 November, 1pm-3pm Where: Blind Foundation Guide Dog Services, 20 McVilly Road, Manurewa We would like to capture the topics you wish to discuss prior to the meeting, so please tell us what you would like to talk about when you RSVP. Box: For more information and to RSVP please contact Noreen Parker by phone on 09 355 6920 or by email at nparker@blindfoundation.org.nz End box. Page 36 Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) Board Elections 2018 The RNZFB has elections for directors to the Board every year. Each director serves for a term of three years. This November, three directors will be completing their term: Rick Hoskin (current Board Chair), Peter Hoskin and Carolyn Weston. The retiring directors may be nominated and stand again. The Board is responsible for the governance of the organisation and leads the Foundation forward in fulfilling its objectives under the strategic plan. The Constitution lays out how elections are held and how the Board operates. All candidates are nominated and elected by governing members. As the election nears, we will share information about the candidates and the election process. Between now and then, we will prepare and send out information about what it means to be a Board member and where you can find out more information. The results of the election will be announced at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday 10 November in Nelson. Remember only governing members can vote in the Board election. If you are a client of the Blind Foundation and unsure if you are also a RNZFB Governing Member entitled to vote, please call the National Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33. If you want to register to vote, they can help you with that too. Key dates to pencil in your diaries. 17 August: Call for nominations to stand as a Director. 14 September: Last day for nominations. 4 October: Voting packs circulated. 2 November: Last day to vote. Box: If you would like more information about Board elections, the Constitution or the voting process or timeline, please contact the Returning Officer, Jane Moore jamoore@blindfoundation.org.nz. End box. Page 37 Equipment display days and pop-up open days We regularly hold equipment display days across the country providing the opportunity to find out about specialist equipment and services for people who are blind or have low vision. Some of these have now become pop-up open days offering more information on a wider range of our services, as well as free sessions on helpful topics. Come along to an event near you. tn: Information from the print table has been listed. End tn. Hamilton Venue: Hamilton Social Centre, 15 Liverpool Street, Hamilton Date and Time: TBC Levin Venue: Levin Senior Citizens Rooms, Cambridge Street, Levin Date and Time: 5 Sept, 1.00am to 1.00pm South Auckland Venue: Blind Foundation Guide Dog Auditorium, 30 McVilly Road, Manurewa Date and Time: TBC Wanganui Venue: Wanganui BF Office, 102 Peat St, Wanganui Date and Time: 6 Sept, 1.00pm-3.00pm Waipukurau (Pop-up) Venue: 30 Jellicoe Street, Waipukurau Date and Time: 6 Sept, 9.00am-3.00pm (pop up: 10am-2pm) Upper Hutt Venue: Wellington Office, 121 Adelaide Rd, Newtown, Wellington Date and Time: 21 September, 11.30am-2.00pm Invercargill Venue: Invercargill BF Office, 172 Queens Drive, Richmond, Invercargill Date and Time: 25 Sept, 1.00pm-3.00pm Tauranga Venue: Tauranga Office, 160 Seventeenth Ave, Tauranga South Date and Time: TBC Whakatane (Pop-up) Venue: Conference Room, DRC Whakatane, 141-143 King Street, Whakatane Date and Time: 6 Nov, 11.00am-1.00pm Mosgiel Venue: Mosgiel RSA, 6 Church Street, Mosgiel (TBC) Date and Time: 11 Oct, TBC Morrinsville Venue: TBC Date and Time: 23 Oct, TBC Blenheim Venue: Blenheim Bowling Club, 65E Weld St, Blenheim Date and Time: 6 Nov, 10:00am-1:00pm Nelson Venue: Elim Christian Church, 625 Main Road, Stoke, Nelson Date and Time: 7 Nov, 10:00am-1:00pm Wanaka Venue: St Johns Rooms, 4 Link Way, Wanaka (TBC) Date and Time: 20 Nov, TBC *** Find the latest event details on blindfoundation.org.nz and on the Telephone Information Service (TIS) menu 3 7 8. Page 38 Blind Week Street collection Friday 26 & Saturday 27 October 2018 Volunteer today at: blindweek.org.nz or call 0800 787 743 End of Outlook Winter 2018