Consumer Events
- Deafblind NZ Inc
- Deafblind Residential Programme
- Guide Dog Society
- NZ VIEW (New Zealand Vision Impaired Empowering Women)
- Retina New Zealand Inc
- RNZFB complaints policy
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Deafblind NZ Inc
Deafblind NZ Inc's National Office has moved to the Auckland Business Centre, Level 1, 6 Clayton Street, Newmarket, Auckland.
Deafblind NZ Inc wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Deafblind Residential Programme
Dates for the fourth National Deafblind Residential Programme are Friday 18 March to Monday 21 March 2005. The first residential programme for people who have both vision and hearing impairment was held at the Mt Hutt retreat near Methven (west of Christchurch) in March 2002. Since then this has become a successful annual camp.
Where:
Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC) situated on the edge of Tongariro National Park, Turangi, North Island.
Activities include:
Bush walks, gorge walking, mountain walking, caving, low and high ropes, orienteering, abseiling, rock climbing (indoor and outdoor), kayaking and canoeing, tube rafting, initiative problem solving, flying fox, group and team games. A tentative Leadership Training component is being explored as well.
Additional activities:
Hot pools (extra cost), horse riding (extra cost), camp fire (BYO marshmallows), cards and board games, puzzles, quad bikes (extra cost), RNZFB specialist instructors (O&M, Daily Living, Communications and Counselling). The cost will include: cabin or lodge accommodation, meals and drinks, a range of activities taken by skilled instructors operating under a strict safety policy, all required equipment, transport during the programme to and from activities, specialist RNZFB staff.
Who can attend?
People with combined vision and hearing loss, and their family/whanau and friends. There is no age limit. People who have unique communication or medical needs or high support needs must be accompanied by a support person and/or communicator guide.
For more information, contact:
Richelle Frantz
RNZFB Deafblind Services
rfrantz
0274 372 685
03 375-4302
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Guide Dog Society
The Guide Dog Society is a consumer group for anyone with an interest in guide dogs, run by its members and separate from RNZFB's Guide Dog Services. We offer peer support, social activities and some advocacy. To keep up with our latest news listen to Harness Talk, our weekly TIS bulletin, on option 531. For other enquiries, leave a message with your contact details so we can get in touch.
NZ VIEW (New Zealand Vision Impaired Empowering Women)
Our aim is to promote the interests and well being of women who are blind or vision impaired. We have now established seven Area Groups and we are looking at a membership drive in the South Island. For more information, or to become a member and receive our quarterly newsletter, contact the National Secretary, NZ VIEW on 09 376 5359.
Retina New Zealand Inc
A newly formed support group in Hamilton for Waikato members will start meeting regularly in 2005. The Auckland branch is again meeting twice a year. Susan Mellsopp has been appointed newsletter editor and Lynn Keogh is now responsible for gradually updating our website. Our direct line for peer support enquiries is 0800 233 833.
RNZFB complaints policy
We welcome your feedback, which helps ensure we are providing quality services. We appreciate your compliments and we aim to resolve your concerns and complaints in a professional and understanding manner. If these cannot be sorted at the source, you may wish to take the matter further by contacting the manager concerned or the complaints coordinator, Adrienne Henderson (DM Quality Assurance), PO Box 2237, Dunedin or ph 03 466 4230.