News
- Know your rights
- Helen Keller Communication Day
- World blind youth report
- Guide Dog Appeal gets a big WOOF!
- Obituaries
- Vision 2002 Report, Sweden
- NZ Paralympic Multi Sport Games
- Blind lawn bowling champs
- Abel Tasman National Park trip
- TIS
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Know your rights
A handy reference guide summarising legal rights for blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders is being sent out to members at the end of this month.
Funded by the Law Foundation of NZ, this is the first time legislation information for members will be brought together in one easily available source and be available in accessible formats.
Helen Keller Communication Day
Deafblind NZ Inc. celebrates deafblindness on 27 June by encouraging the wider public to include deafblind people in their social and work lives.
World blind youth report
A discussion paper, 'The Status of Blind Youth in New Zealand'is now available to members. It outlines issues focused on during the World Blind Union Youth Committee meeting in Malaysia last year.
For more information contact Ezekiel Robson at: e@bmets.co.nz.
Guide Dog Appeal gets a big WOOF!
Held from 28 - 30 March, the Guide Dog Appeal was successful, raising more than $700,000 for guide dogs and other essential RNZFB services.
Obituaries
Jann Rutherford
Accomplished jazz pianist Jann Marie Rutherford died in Hamilton in March at the age of 38. Blind since birth, she was philosophical about it, stating that because she hadn't known sight it hardly counted as a disability. Her extensive and award-winning career was halted last year when, sadly, she was diagnosed with cancer.
John McDonald
Former RNZFB Board member and Vice-President of the Association of Blind Citizens John McDonald unexpectedly passed away on 16 April at Wanganui Hospital.
Well-known and respected, John constantly worked to improve the lives of blind and vision impaired individuals. His column, "Blind Chat", was a regular feature in the Wanganui community newspaper, The River City Press.
A loving family man who was never short of a story or two, John will be sadly missed.
Vision 2002 Report, Sweden
In July 2002, John McDonald attended the 7th International Low Vision Congress in Sweden to present a paper on how the Low Vision Clinic in Wanganui was established with volunteer community support and input from local professionals.
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Mr McDonald's paper was well received in a programme filled with practical scientific papers and lectures.
After his return from Sweden, Mr McDonald shared his new knowledge and experiences with several interested groups and individuals.
NZ Paralympic Multi Sport Games
The country's best vision-impaired bowlers headed to Auckland in March to take part in the NZ Paralympic Multi Sports Games. The round-robin competition saw tight competition between finalists David Monk and Marilyn Savage, with David snatching the win, 15-14. Following the award ceremony, blind players, directors, helpers and bowlers with other disabilities joined in for three games of triples. Thanks go to organiser Gary Sutcliff from Bowls NZ, and to the tournament host, Silverdale Bowling Club.
Blind lawn bowling champs
Planning is underway for the 2003 New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowling Championships to be held at Hamilton City Bowling Club.
Players, greens and the weather were all in excellent form for last year's event, which was held at the Papanui Club greens in Christ-church from 23 to 28 November. This was the Garden City's first taste of a national tournament for the vision-impaired, and local bowlers were impressed by the high standard of play. The winners within the B1 men's and women's divisions were Marilyn Savage (Auckland) and David Monk (Tauranga).
Abel Tasman National Park trip
A five-day guided walking tour has proved so successful that organisers hope to make it an annual event.
In November last year, 18 Foundation members, staff and volunteers trekked through Abel Tasman National Park.
The walkers ranged from age 20 to older than 60. Disability levels varied from vision-impaired, to blind, to totally deaf-blind.
Guiding was one-to-one, which allowed walkers to find their own pace.
For enquiries about future walking tours, please contact your local RNZFB recreation advisor.
TIS
Keep up to date with what's going on at the Foundation by using the Telephone Information Service (TIS).
For the TIS free calling areas:
Auckland Ph 302 3344
Hamilton Ph 834 2288
Wellington Ph 389 3858
Christchurch Ph 355 8381
Dunedin Ph 455 8833
Callers outside the main five centres can phone 0800 36 33 44.