• Goal one: Increase the participation of blind and vision-impaired people in society
• Goal two: Ensure continuity of service delivery
• Goal three: Raise community awareness of blindness and work with others to reduce preventable blindness
• Goal four: Value and expand the Foundation's key relationships
• Goal five: Achieve a high profile

Page 11

We have set ourselves five strategic goals to be achieved if we are to successfully implement our strategic direction.

Goal one: Increase the participation of blind and vision-impaired people in society

Goal two: Ensure continuity of service delivery

Goal three: Raise community awareness of blindness and work with others to reduce preventable blindness

Goal four: Value and expand the Foundation's key relationships

Goal five: Achieve a high profile

These goals will provide the umbrella for all work undertaken at the Foundation. We will ensure that our resources are focused on activities that clearly link to each of these goals. Each goal has key activities and ways of measuring achievements. The measures include both output and outcome measures.

Page 12

Goal one: Increase the participation of blind and vision-impaired people in society

Objective 1.1: We will provide services based on member priorities and evidence-based research.

Key activities

We will:

• Conduct research to identify which services and methods of service delivery produce the best outcomes.
• Establish priorities for services based on research and member consultation.
• Identify better ways of measuring members' satisfaction with services.
• Conduct research on members' expectations regarding use of Foundation facilities.
• Communicate these research results and their effect on service priorities.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Ensure that the research outcomes influence service improvements.
• Ensure that at least 90% of surveyed members are satisfied with services received.
• Consult with members about priorities for service provision.

Objective 1.2: We will operate culturally relevant programmes for Maori, Pacific Island and other ethnic populations.

Key activities

We will:

• Encourage and assist Maori and Pacific Island members to access the full range of services offered by the Foundation.
• Identify and deliver culturally appropriate and effective services to Maori and Pacific Island members, whanau/aiga/families and their communities.

Page 13

• Provide information to Maori and Pacific Island communities about sight loss to extend their awareness and acceptance of this.
• Provide information and support to whanau/aiga/families of Maori and Pacific members to enable greater participation of these members in their own communities.
• Identify need for specific services to other ethnic populations.
• Develop a communications plan to effectively communicate information to Maori, Pacific Island and other ethnic populations.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Ensure the number of Maori and Pacific Island referrals to rehabilitation and support services is proportionate to the number of Maori and Pacific Island members.
• Ensure that 100% of Maori and Pacific members report that services were delivered in a culturally appropriate way during evaluation and follow-up.
• Record the number of programmes delivered to these communities.
• Record and analyse the number of other ethnic populations.

Objective 1.3: We will provide better support for children, young people and their families.

Key activities

We will:

• Deliver comprehensive, professional and consistent assessments and programmes to children and their families.
• Implement a consistent training and information package for parents and external agencies.
• Develop transition programmes into and from school.
• Research the specific needs of young people and formulate appropriate responses.
• Support advocacy by parents and consumer organisations for better education and other developmental services for blind and vision-impaired children.

Page 14

• Advocate for a better and more comprehensive standard of curricular and extra-curricular education for blind and vision-impaired children.
• Advocate for blind and vision-impaired children's access, as of right, to the expanded core curriculum.
• Promote braille to blind and vision-impaired children and their families.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Record the number of children and young people who receive services.
• Ensure that 100% of staff members meet minimum competencies.
• Ensure that a national referral, assessment and evaluation process is operating.
• Ensure that the research outcomes influence service responses.
• Ensure that parents and external agencies have access to training and information.
• Record the percentage of students who successfully transit into and out of school.

Objective 1.4: We will better meet the needs of our older members.

Key activities

We will:

• Research the specific needs of older people, communicate the results, and formulate appropriate service responses.
• Ensure that rehabilitation staff members are competent to provide services to older people.
• Facilitate improved access to training in adaptive technology, use of the telephone and/or braille.
• Develop peer support programmes and social activities in liaison with community committees.
• Communicate to older members that they are not too old to benefit from services.

Page 15

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Ensure that the research outcomes influence service responses.
• Identify the percentage of older members living independently.
• Identify the percentage of older members competent in adaptive technology, use of the telephone and/or braille.
• Ensure that all staff meet minimum competency levels.
• Record the number and range of peer support programmes.
• Record the number of older members having training in adaptive technology, use of the telephone and/or braille.

Objective 1.5: We will provide services that meet the specific needs of people who are deafblind.

Key activities:

We will:

• Identify people who are deafblind within New Zealand.
• Provide information about deafblindness as a unique disability to all service providers who are working with people who are deafblind.
• Provide the necessary support to people who are deafblind that will enable them to lead full and satisfying lives in their community alongside their sighted and hearing peers.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Record the number of service delivery interventions provided to people who are deafblind per year.
• Ascertain the percentage of surveyed deafblind members satisfied with services received.
• Ensure that the number of referrals of deafblind people to rehabilitation and support services is proportionate to the number of deafblind members.

Page 16

Objective 1.6: We will assist members to secure or retain employment in their careers consistent with their skills, abilities and interests.

Key activities

We will:

• Provide vocational advice to blind and vision-impaired children in school settings.
• Enhance programmes to enable greater access to adaptive communications and adaptive technology nationally.
• Establish and maintain relationships with employers nationally to provide paid work experience.
• Implement awareness programmes with employers to enhance equal opportunities for members by assisting in removing policy, programme and attitudinal barriers.
• Encourage and promote braille as a literacy tool.
• Identify the best approach for the provision of placement services.
• In conjunction with consumer organisations, lobby the education sector, for improved educational outcomes for blind and vision-impaired children.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Identify the percentage of members in employment.
• Identify the percentage of members who enter paid work experience.
• Increase the percentage of school leavers entering tertiary study or employment.
• Record the number of members who receive vocational services.
• Record the number of meetings held with public and private employers in regard to employment and equal opportunities.

Page 17

Objective 1.7: We will reduce the isolation experienced by our members.

Key activities

We will:

• Research the key contributing factors to blind and vision-impaired people experiencing isolation and initiate measures to reduce these.
• Ensure that we communicate with members in the appropriate way and make any necessary changes.
• Encourage community committees to provide opportunities for members in their area to meet together.
• Provide easy to understand information to members when they need it.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Ensure that the research outcome influences service improvements.
• Ensure that members feel more connected and less isolated.
• Measure member satisfaction about the way we communicate with them.

Objective 1.8: We will evaluate and determine a replacement for audiocassettes and enhance the experience of reading through listening.

Key activities

We will:

• Scope and select the most cost-effective delivery method.
• Select user-friendly player systems.
• Develop partnerships with government and community organisations to assist with funding the chosen solution.
• Structure audio content in the selected format to enhance the reading experience
• Broaden the range and number of audio titles available from the Foundation library.

Page 18

• Advocate for removal of international copyright barriers.
• Advocate for an extension of mainstream library services to include the needs of blind and vision-impaired people.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Have an agreed reading device and distribution methodology.
• Increase audio titles.
• Overcome copyright barriers.
• Ensure that at least 90% of surveyed members are satisfied with the reading experience.

Goal two: Ensure continuity of service delivery

Objective 2.1: We will ensure the new governance and related management processes are functioning effectively and efficiently.

Key activities

We will:

• Complete the governance changes (including registration as an incorporated society if appropriate and if agreed by members) and comprehensively review the effectiveness of the results.
• Communicate with members and appropriate agencies on governance issues in a timely manner.
• Encourage participation in governance by all members.
• Encourage those who support the objectives of the Foundation to become associate members.
• Implement a new Board of Directors' policy manual.
• Design a system of evaluating the Board of Directors.

Page 19

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Achieve public recognition for good governance.
• Record the percentage of members who are governing members.
• Record the percentage of members who vote in Board of Directors elections.
• Implement the Board evaluation methods.

Objective 2.2: We will ensure the Foundation is sufficiently resourced and prudently managed.

Key activities

We will:

• Set a policy for financial reserves, noting the risks of reserve levels that are too high or too low.
• Review the use of all property and plant assets to ensure they are delivering value for money.
• Review the future of the Foundation's major property holdings on the Parnell and Homai sites - occupancy, ownership and investment and development strategy.
• Consider which (if any) services or facilities members might pay for in part or in whole.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Ensure sufficient resources are available to implement strategic goals.
• Comply with key financial performance indicators.

Page 20

Objective 2.3: We will reflect current best practice, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Key activities

We will:

• Benchmark the efficiency and effectiveness of services and processes against comparable national and international organisations and communicate the results.
• Link staff training to service delivery standards.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Ensure all staff meet minimum competency levels.
• Compare ourselves with overseas benchmarks.

Objective 2.4: We will lobby government to fund essential habilitation, rehabilitation and literacy services for blind and vision-impaired people.

Key activities

We will:

• Advocate for full state funding of all habilitation, rehabilitation and literacy services.
• Retain and increase government funding in support of library services.
• Encourage joint funding initiatives between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.
• Incorporate the results of the costs of blindness research into lobbying activities.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Increase the amount and percentage of state funding received.
• Record the funding received from joint initiatives.
• Ensure that proposals for funding are based on evidence of need.

Page 21

Goal three: Raise community awareness of blindness and work with others to reduce preventable blindness

Objective 3.1: We will increase knowledge of blindness and deafblindness within the community.

Key activities

We will:

• Develop interactive educational resources for inclusion on the Foundation website and other health related websites.
• Develop and implement a blindness and deafblindness awareness programme for health professionals and residential facilities, e.g. nurses, optometrists, home care support workers, rest homes and hospitals.
• Increase and expand internal and external training sessions and campaigns.
• Establish a communications programme to achieve this objective.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Record the number of educational resources produced and made available.
• Record the number of times blindness awareness web pages are accessed.
• Record the number of training sessions held.
• Record the number of media releases issued and media items about blindness awareness.
• Research the effectiveness of these awareness programmes.

Objective 3.2: We will work with others to reduce preventable blindness.

Key activities

We will:

• Develop and implement a range of prevention campaigns in association with other agencies, consumer organisations and eye health professionals.

Page 22

• Develop a clear framework governing the extent of the Foundation's involvement in blindness prevention.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Record the number of prevention campaigns developed in conjunction with other organisations.
• Propose and adopt a blindness prevention framework.

Objective 3.3: We will effectively advocate on blindness issues.

Key activities

We will:

• Lobby local and central government and other stakeholders on blindness-related issues including health and disability, transport, access to education, environmental design, design of footpaths and accessible formats.
• Undertake lobbying which reflects the priorities and views of the Foundation and its members.
• Use the Foundation's brand and publicity and collaborate with other stakeholders to challenge society's stereotypes of blind and vision-impaired people.
• Educate eye health professionals and other agencies so that they give potential members accurate information (in an empathetic way) and make appropriate referrals to the Foundation.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Achieve positive changes in legislation, protection of existing legislation and government policies.
• Achieve positive changes to service practices, policies, service delivery and new models of services.
• Record the number of oral and written submissions.
• Receive appropriate and timely referrals for service.

Page 23

Goal four: Value and expand the Foundation's key relationships

Objective 4.1: We will be responsive to Foundation members.

Key activities

We will:

• Implement and extend policies and practices that ensure member feedback influences directors' and managers' decision-making.
• Identify and meet the needs of members who receive initial services but have minimal, if any, subsequent Foundation contact.
• Review the effectiveness and acceptability of the unstaffed 0800 number and consider alternatives.
• Review and improve the Foundation's induction programme to reflect the ethos of a member-focused organisation.
• Pilot improvements in the delivery of equipment services.
• Broaden the range and number of braille titles available from the library.
• Consider developing residential training programmes.
• Analyse and review low vision services based on research outcomes.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Record the number of times the Foundation formally consults with members.
• Ensure members have regular contact from the Foundation to determine their needs.
• Ensure that members can contact the Foundation easily.
• Amend the induction programme.
• Improve access to blindness specific equipment.
• Increase the number of braille titles.

Page 24

Objective 4.2: We will provide an environment which encourages staff to maximise their contribution.

Key activities

We will:

• Ensure staff performance is recognised and rewarded fairly within organisational constraints.
• Review recruitment processes so that the Foundation attracts high calibre people.
• Provide staff with access to high quality orientation and training.
• Survey staff satisfaction.
• Develop strategies to recruit and retain field staff.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Record the number of staff members who attend orientation and training.
• Complete a recruitment process review and implement recommendations.
• Measure staff satisfaction.
• Record and analyse staff turnover.
• Analyse the results of staff performance reviews.

Objective 4.3: We will involve community committees as an integral part of the Foundation's services to members.

Key activities

We will:

• Assist community committees to develop peer support programmes.
• Establish more effective communications through links with the Chief Executive, locality co-ordinators and staff.
• Develop a newsletter to ensure community committees are kept informed of the Foundation's national and local activities.
• Hold national workshops for community committee representatives every two years.
• Hold regional forums for community committee representatives at least once a year.

Page 25

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Seek community committee feedback.
• Record the number of peer support programmes in operation.
• Produce newsletters.
• Hold biennial national workshops.
• Hold annual regional forums.

Objective 4.4: We will ensure effective partnerships with consumer organisations.

Key activities

We will:

• Review and adopt an effective partnership model with each consumer organisation.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Seek feedback from consumer organisations.
• Adopt a partnership model.

Objective 4.5: We will ensure effective relationships exist with agencies working on behalf of blind and vision-impaired people and other professional organisations.

Key activities

We will:

• Collaborate with other blindness-related agencies.
• Establish an active programme of networking and communications opportunities with related agencies.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Establish good working relationships with related agencies.

Page 26

Objective 4.6: We will recognise the valuable contribution and commitment of all volunteers.

Key activities

We will:

• Undertake major recruitment drives for volunteers.
• Provide volunteers with appropriate training and supervision.
• Review volunteer policies.
• Encourage volunteers to become associate members of the Foundation.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Record the number of quality volunteers recruited and retained.
• Record and analyse the turnover of volunteers.
• Ensure that placements of volunteers are safe and appropriate.
• Get feedback from volunteers and members.
• Ensure volunteer workloads are appropriate.
• Increase the number of volunteers who are associate members.

Goal five: Achieve a high profile

Objective 5.1: We will encourage and nurture the goodwill and trust of Foundation supporters, donors and the New Zealand public.

Key activities:

We will:

• Undertake fundraising and public relations campaigns which encourage involvement and investment in the Foundation.
• Generate income through fundraising programmes directed at individuals, corporates, trusts and foundations.

Page 27

• Increase the number and value of bequests (including endowments) through a proactive bequest programme.
• Develop a strategy to ensure that all staff recognise the value of, and are able to develop, fruitful relationships with Foundation members, supporters, donors and the public.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Achieve or exceed the annual budget fundraising target.
• Achieve a fundraising cost ratio of not more than 25%.
• Increase donor renewal rates and donor giving levels.
• Increase the number of private donors and bequestors.
• Increase the number of corporate sponsors
• Gauge staff understanding of, and commitment to, establishing and maintaining key relationships.
• Record the number of public relations and media stories that positively reflect the work of the Foundation

Objective 5.2: We will be recognised as an authority on blindness related matters.

Key activities

We will:

• Develop key messages supporting the Foundation's brand.
• Identify target audiences, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, teachers and parents.
• Develop and implement a communications plan to deliver key messages to target audiences.

Page 28

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Identify messages and audiences.
• Record the frequency of media inclusion of key messages.
• Record the number of contacts with Members of Parliament.

Objective 5.3: We will be recognised as a highly professional and progressive organisation.

Key activities

We will:

• Design a communication strategy to develop relationships with targeted businesses and government agencies.
• Reflect good employer practices.
• Implement health and disability standards.
• Undertake peer review and programme evaluation for selected programmes.

How will we measure our achievements?

We will:

• Design and implement a communications strategy.
• Measure staff satisfaction.
• Meet accreditation standards.

Return to Contents Page