• How do I apply for membership?
• Can anyone become a member?
• Membership criteria
• Needs Assessment: information for new members
• RNZFB services
• Full (governing) members
• Associate members

How do I apply for membership?

Contact the Foundation on 0800 24 33 33 or visit your local office. They will give you a registration package, and application form.

An application needs to include a report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist, which should be completed before the application is forwarded to the RNZFB.

Can anyone become a member?

Membership is assessed by the RNZFB based on information about your, or your child's, ophthalmic condition. This information is provided by your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist (eye specialist).

No one is too young or too old to become a member of the RNZFB.

Many members are not completely blind and have some useful vision; however, all members meet the registration criteria.

Membership criteria

Adults

In the opinion of a registered ophthalmologist or optometrist the person's visual acuity does not exceed 6/24 in the better eye with corrective lenses, or there are serious limitations in the field of vision generally not greater than 20 degrees in the widest diameter.

Children and young adults

All children and young adults (21 years of age and under) who are currently registered with Visual Resource Centres regardless of their degree of vision loss.

A Needs Assessor will phone you to let you know whether you (or your child) are eligible for registration, and a letter will confirm this.

Follow this link to read about Help for non-members.

If you are eligible, a needs assessment is arranged with you.

The RNZFB also encourages family, relations, friends and others to extend their support by becoming involved in the organisation as Associate members. Read more about becoming an Associate member.

Needs Assessment: information for new members

A Needs Assessment takes place when you become a member of the RNZFB, or when your vision-related circumstances change.

The Needs Assessor gathers information about:

• Your eye condition and any vision-related difficulties.
• Your age, health, support networks, local services, cultural and language differences
  (Mana Kāpō and Pacific Services ensure we provide culturally appropriate services).
• What you are able to do, whether you are doing it safely, and what other things you would like to be doing.

You are involved in all the decision-making and goal setting.

The Needs Assessor can suggest simple techniques for everyday tasks, recommend visual aids and refer you to support agencies.

Once the assessment is completed, RNZFB instructors can develop a programme to ensure you remain as independent as possible.

The Needs Assessor will make contact again after services have been provided to get feedback on those services and to see how things are going.

Services are confidential and provided to members without charge. There is a charge for equipment, although prices are subsidised for members.

Members may be entitled to discounted taxi, inter-city bus and rail travel. Discounted local travel varies from region to region. Members who wish to claim discounts obtain an ID card to show that they are RNZFB members.

To apply for an ID card, phone 0800 24 33 33 and choose option 1.

RNZFB services

Seeing You Through is a brochure introducing the RNZFB's services to new members. You can read more about our services on our website, or phone 0800 24 33 33 for more information.

Full (governing) members

Members meet the eligibility criteria to receive services or are the parent or guardian of an eligible child. Full members take part in the in electing the Foundation's Board of Directors, meetings and consultations. The Foundation encourages all people eligible for services to take part in shaping the direction of the organisation.

Full members take part in governing the Foundation by:

• Attending annual and special meetings.
• Voting for the Board of Directors.
• Being consulted on important documents such as the strategic plan.

Associate members

Associate members are people not eligible for the RNZFB's services. They include the family and friends of blind, deafblind and vision-impaired members, Foundation volunteers, donors and other supporters. Associates elect one person to the Board of Directors.

Follow this link for more information about Associate membership.