News
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News in brief
Train announcements on track
Auckland Transport and train operator Veolia have been working closely with the RNZFB in developing audio train announcements.
These announcements will let people know what station they are arriving at, what service they are on, including special event trains, and where to change for other services.
Other recent accessibility improvements to public transport information include new braille signage at 1,200 central Auckland bus stops and making the www.maxx.co.nz journey planner more accessible to people using screen readers.
Aged care staff education programme
The RNZFB has launched a pilot education programme in the Auckland region, designed to improve the daily lives of the many blind, deafblind and partially sighted people living in residential aged care facilities.
The self-taught education programme will be run by aged care managers with their staff using an information pack, an audio CD and workbook, which we've provided.
We hope to roll this programme out across the country once feedback has been sought from the pilot. To find out more, phone 0800 24 33 33.
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Voting in the 2011 General Election and Referendum
This year's General Election and Referendum occur on Saturday 26 November.
The RNZFB has been working closely with the Electoral Commission to produce the brochures about the Election and Referendum in accessible formats. You should have received these in early July. If not, please contact the RNZFB on 0800 24 33 33, option one.
Need help to vote?
If you need help to read or mark your ballot paper, a friend, family member or electoral official can assist you. Just ask when you go to vote or free phone 0800 36 76 56 to find out more.
Help for voters unable to get to a polling place.
If you are in a rest home or hospital, your Returning Officer will send someone to issue you with your ballot paper. If you are unable to get to a polling place because of sickness, infirmity or disability you can seek help from your Returning Officer. For contact details and more information visit www.elections.org.nz or free phone 0800 36 76 56.
Step Up For Sight
A team of RNZFB library staff recently climbed Mt Ruapehu to raise money for the new digital talking book players.
The trip wasn't without its drama as the chair lifts which would have taken them up to the starting point weren't working. So the team ended up walking 15km over nine hours!
So far the team has raised over $1,220 for new digital players! Get on board and fundraise for the RNZFB! Sign up by visiting www.stepupforsight.co.nz
Photograph: Staff member holding a DAISY player up at Mt Ruapehu's crater lake
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SEED Leadership
The RNZFB has set out to develop our leaders for a bright future by running a leadership development programme.
SEED Leadership represents Success, Empowerment, Expertise in blindness, and the Development of self and others. The course is organised through the RNZFB with assistance from our consumer organisations and two external providers, and funded by Te Pou.
A group of members, volunteers, staff and others connected to the blindness sector have been chosen to take part in the programme.
One of those participants is member Robert Glenn, who first heard about the course through the Outlook autumn edition earlier this year: "I want to encourage other blind and partially sighted people to develop their own leadership skills. I have enjoyed helping others with disabilities in my role on the Special Olympics Committee so this will help me help others with vision impairment".
Robert, who swims and plays soccer for the Special Olympics, completed the initial three-day course for the programme in June, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Participants will have opportunities to collaborate and share their learning and expertise throughout the rest of the year.
Photograph: Hands holding a small plant
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A Clear Focus on the cost of vision loss
Did you know that in 2009 over 125,000 New Zealanders were living with sight loss, and the cost to our society was $2.8 billion?
This is one of several concerning issues revealed by VISION 2020 New Zealand and Clear Focus, a new research report on the prevalence and costs of vision loss in our country.
VISION 2020 New Zealand has appointed the RNZFB to lead the launch of the Clear Focus report, in consultation with its Clear Focus Working Group.
"We are currently making a coordinated approach to Government and key political parties, highlighting Clear Focus and the need for a national eye health strategy," says Sara Peary, Project Manager for the Clear Focus campaign and RNZFB Executive Director Stakeholder Relations.
"Without a national strategy on prevention, by 2020 it is estimated that 18,300 people in New Zealand will be blind and 174,000 will have sight loss," Sara says.
At the time of writing, the official launch of Clear Focus was set to be held at Parliament on 2 August, hosted by Dr Paul Hutchison MP, Chair of the Health Select Committee, with support from across political parties and the eye health sector.
Show your support for Clear Focus. Sign the e-petition at www.vision2020.net.nz