Opinions and Letters
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We welcome letters and feedback on any of the articles or issues presented in the magazine.
Please send your letters to the Editor, Outlook, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland. Or email: comms
Focus Groups 2005 - summary of findings
Each year the Foundation of the Blind seeks feedback about services, to assist us in our annual planning and service development. Focus groups are one method to get this feedback, and this year the topic was Children's Services.
In June, we invited selected parents and whanau of younger members to meetings in the 5 main centres (including central and south Auckland) and also in New Plymouth, Tauranga, Palmerston North, and Nelson.
They provided the Foundation with informal feedback on its current services and shared ideas for service development.
We also held separate afternoon sessions for service providers who work with our staff. Attendees included Resource Teachers Vision, staff at BLENNZ (formerly Homai National School for the Blind), and Group Special Education staff. The feedback we received included:
- Requests for more Developmental Orientation and Mobility, more Adaptive Daily Living instruction and more Peer Support programmes as these are clearly valued activities.
- More information such as regular newsletters and a joint information package about services for children from all relevant organisations.
- Access to a specialist in vision-related behavioural difficulties.
- A need for an advocacy service to support parents as they work through whether vision-impairment is a factor in their child's life.
- More opportunities for networking with other parents.
- Concern about how to ensure a successful transition from secondary education to tertiary study or work; a "Preparation for study" immersion course was recommended.
- Concern at the lack of funding for services in the vision education sector. Children are slipping through the cracks as their needs are not fully identified and/or catered for.
- The value of teamwork and collaboration between all organisations and across all disciplines.
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- The importance of earlier and more comprehensive introductions to adaptive technology.
Overall, parents and professionals reported that the Foundation is responsive and in some cases "wonderful". We distinguish ourselves from other organisations as we ask "what are your child's needs?"
Adrienne Henderson, Divisional Manager,Quality Assurance.
Blessings though blind
The first day I walked through the Foundation doors
I was in a sad and sorry plight
But since being with the Foundation staff
My darkness has turned to light
The sound of their caring voices
The touch of their hand, so gentle and kind
These are the signposts they put along the highway of life
For those of us who are blind
Whatever lies ahead
Whether my skies are grey or blue
I can now face it with the courage and strength
That I have received from you
My friends, the best things in life are free
No price tags on them will you find
These things I have come to know
Since I joined the Foundation of the Blind.
Grace Kerrison, Dunedin.
Step out of your comfort zone
I'm a landscape gardener, deafblind, and president of Deafblind NZ (Inc). I was born deaf and my vision deteriorated significantly in my teens.
Now I have limited tunnel vision in moderate light. The best way I've found of dealing with my disability is to step out of my comfort zone with support from my wife Cheryl and the RNZFB.
In 2001 Cheryl and I were about to close down our small landscape business due to my sight loss. I joined the Foundation and got the support we needed to keep the business going.
Now I'm working with Wellington designer Peter Kundycki, the RNZFB and Twinings Tea to create the "SensibiliTea VIP Garden (for Vision Impaired People)" at the Ellerslie Flower Show (16-20 November in Auckland).
With perseverance and faith come great rewards - you just need to sometimes step out of your comfort zone.
Merv Cox, Wellington.