Opinion
Page 21
Greater independence
By Chantelle Griffiths
Most members of the Foundation will understand when I say that one of the greatest gifts a person could give me is more independence. In March I got my first guide dog Remmi - and I don't think I have to explain what a difference she is going to make to my life. In that same month I also gained back a little more independence when I was able to fill out my Census forms on-line. It is the first time in New Zealand and maybe even the world that people, sighted and vision-impaired, have been able to fill in the forms online.
It meant that I didn't have to rely on a sighted person to assist me with the paper forms and that I could answer in privacy. I think it is great that the Foundation worked with Statistics New Zealand on the production and testing of the accessible version of the on-line form. I found it simple to use and the information the Foundation sent me in braille and recorded on TIS was very helpful.
I was on the Adaptive Technology course at the Foundation in Auckland at the time and they also took us through the process. The only thing left to do now is find a better way to be allocated the individual pin number you need to access the on-line forms. Currently you have to rely on someone to read it out for you as it is on the paper forms that get delivered to your home. Being able to fill out my Census form independently may sound like a small thing, but was actually very empowering. Every small step counts towards achieving that gift of greater independence. I'll definitely be using the online form next time.
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