Out and about with Sandra

Photograph: Chief Executive, Sandra Budd.

The first half of the year has flown by so quickly, and it's hard to believe winter is already here!

To recap on the last few months, January saw my family and I take a relaxing break in Singapore. Despite the humidity, we had a wonderful time.

Then in February, I visited Vision Australia, where I met with Chief Executive Gerard Menses and his senior team, as well as John Rafferty, the new Chief Executive of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. These meetings were invaluable. They provided us with an opportunity to share information about our strategic directions, and discuss the possibility of working together on future projects.

While across the Tasman, I also visited Vision 2020 Australia where opportunities arose to participate in a significant Australasian data collection regarding blindness statistics, which is now underway.

A few weeks later, I was delighted to open the National Deafblind Workshop, held in Wellington from 12-14 March. It was the first time that members of Deafblind NZ Incorporated and the Foundation have come together to discuss common issues, and was an absolute success. This workshop was a chance for everyone to learn how we can develop peer support and grow leadership within the deafblind community.

President of the World Federation of the Deafblind, Lex Grandia, was the workshop's keynote speaker and described his incredible journey as a deafblind person. The Hon Pansy Wong, Associate Minister for Disability Issues, also attended and gave an inspiring address.

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I was also pleased to announce the Foundation has committed to developing a national strategy for deafblind people over the next year.

I had a great time walking Round the Bays in March, raising awareness for the Red Puppy Appeal. Here I am on the far left, with a group of Foundation staff, members and supporters.

More recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Cassette to Digital Capital Campaign launch, held at Premier House, Wellington on 19 May. Several interested guests and supporters attended, including Prime Minister John Key. Neil Jarvis, Executive Director Access, Innovation and Enterprise, and I are set to meet with prospective major donors over the next few months to promote the campaign. We're very excited at all that the new digital service has to offer, ensuring blind and partially sighted New Zealanders have access to information, ideas and dreams.

As is mentioned in the 'Outlook under construction' story (p 31), the way we write, design and distribute Outlook is set to change in the coming months. What won't change, however, is our commitment to keeping Outlook readers informed on the latest Foundation news and developments. I look forward to staying in touch.

Best wishes,

Sandra

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