Civil Defence resource for blind community

A new Civil Defence resource that will make it easier for people who are blind or partially sighted to access civil defence emergency information was launched today.  

The brochure was produced in partnership between the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) and the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. It is a significant achievement which will assist blind and partially sighted New Zealanders to be prepared in a disaster.

The information in the new resource is aimed at improving understanding of the types of hazards that can happen in New Zealand, with civil defence advice on what to do to be better prepared.

RNZFB Chief Executive, Sandra Budd, said the RNZFB’s aim is to empower its members and help them take responsibility for themselves. 

"It is our dream for blind and partially sighted people to have access to the same literature and information as their sighted peers. Through working with the Ministry on this project, we are removing barriers for our members to very important information.”

The Get Ready Get Thru brochure has been produced in braille, audio CD and cassette formats and electronic text. It is also available on our Telephone Information System for members to access by their phone line. Covering all of the ways our members access information. The resource is available from the member resource area on this website, the RNZFB Library (phone 0800 22 33 33) and as audio files on the Ministry’s public education website, www.getthru.govt.nz