About this newsletter

This newsletter is compiled by Ruth Bijl, Manager Research and Planning. The next newsletter will be released in March 2007. This is slightly later than usual, owing to the Christmas period and the Strategic Planning process.

The newsletter is emailed to Policy Analysis and Information e-mail list subscribers. It is also available on the Telephone Information Service option 311 and on the Foundation website www.rnzfb.org.nz

If you would like more information on the topics covered below please contact Ruth Bijl: 09 355-6894; toll free 0800-243-333; e-mail rbijl@rnzfb.org.nz; or fax (09) 366-0099. You may write to Ruth in print or braille or on cassette at RNZFB, Private Bag 99941, Newmarket, Auckland.

Strategic Planning Process

We are working towards the preparation of the next three year RNZFB Strategic Plan 2007 - 2010. You should have received a consultation document relating to the first strategic planning round. Members informed the Foundation that they did not want to deal with a 'blank paper' approach to strategic planning nor did they want to be overwhelmed with information. The consultation paper tried to achieve a happy balance between providing sufficient information to encourage participation in the planning process and brevity. The paper posed eleven questions, which, at the risk of repeating myself, are worth restating. They are:

• Is the description of the current situation realistic?
• Are there other things we need to consider, that we haven't?
• Do you agree with the focus for the years to come?
• Are there any other conclusions that we should come to?
• In your view, what is the Foundation here to do, above all else?
• Which Foundation services are most important to you?
• Do you think the Foundation should deliver all the services currently offered?
• Could any services be provided by other organisations? If so, which ones and by whom?
• Should we do any additional things?
• Would you be willing to pay for any services and, if so, which ones?
• What qualities do you think the Foundation should live up to and be recognised for?

The closing date for written submissions was 6 October 2006 but you will also have an opportunity to comment on the draft Strategic Plan which will be distributed for consultation in mid November 2006.

Submissions made by the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind

Review of Local Electoral Act – Particular Interests Work Stream

The Department of Internal Affairs requested information from the Foundation regarding the Local Electoral Act. The Foundation's submission stated that blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people should have the same rights as sighted citizens to participate independently in society and suggested that, in terms of voting, this right is diminished in two regards: access to information and, secrecy of voting. We noted that the current Local Electoral Regulations (2001) do not appear to exclude Braille as an option within the definition of postal voting as an authorised voting method; however, under the current regulations, internet voting and telephone voting (the Foundation's preferred method) are not legally valid methods. We commented that a regulation would need to be passed or the Act amended to make telephone or internet voting legal options. We commented that the Foundation has had success with telephone voting but that our current version of the Telephone Information Service (TIS) would need further development to increase its security should it be used to elect local or central Governments. We recommended an amendment to the Act or through Regulation while the Department undertakes further feasibility analysis, to allow the possibility of telephone and/or internet voting.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/localelectoralact

Auckland District Health Board Healthy Ageing 2020

Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) consulted on a draft Healthy Ageing Strategy. The Foundation's submission stated that it believes that agencies providing services to older people should develop programmes that equip older people to lead independent lives. We recommended that ADHB should be encouraging a model of service delivery that promotes the notion of independent seniors; people who are supported in the community to maintain their independence (their draft strategy did not appear to promote this model). We reminded ADHB of some of the Foundation's services that assist seniors to maintain their independence in the community.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/adhbhealthyageing

Manukau City draft Long Term Council Community Plan

The brief written submission sought to keep blindness-related matters in the Council's view including accessibility of public transport, design, audit of housing stock, employment issues and the Foundation's role and services. Martine Abel spoke to Councillors about issues faced by blind and vision-impaired people day-to-day.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/manukaulongtermplan

Hutt City draft Long Term Council Community Plan

The Foundation found that the Hutt City draft Plan was not fully accessible for blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people. The Foundation made a range of recommendations regarding how accessibility could be improved. The submission also commented on other physical accessibility issues. We recommended that the Council review their service measures so that the Council's performance in terms of meeting the needs of blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people could be assessed.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/huttcitylongtermplan

Tasman District Council draft Long Term Council Community Plan

This brief written submission requested that the Council include its response to the Total Mobility Scheme in the Plan and commented on other physical accessibility issues.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/tasmandistrictcouncil

The Commissioning Rule, Contracts and the Copyright Act 1994

The Department of Internal Affairs requested comment on a discussion paper regarding two aspects of the Copyright Act; commissioning and contracting out of the Act. The discussion paper is arguably the prelude to a wider review of the Act. The issues of interest to the Department have relevance to the Foundation's Library Services and the production of materials in accessible formats. The Department was essentially interested in examples in practice where the Act may require some clarity regarding ownership rights. The Department used the example of photography, where the 'creative' art, was used to justify retention of ownership by the photographer, not the commissioner. The Foundation gave the example of a 'manufacturing' process, not a creative one, where it reproduces material in accessible formats and acts as the owner of the copyright of that reproduction (master). We requested that the Department kept the Foundation involved in any further review of the Act.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/commissioningrule

Land Transport Rule Operator Licensing, Land TransportNZ

We noted that the content of the Operator Licensing Rule (81001) was of importance to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired New Zealanders because of their reliance on public transport options to attend work and go about their everyday business. We also noted that the Foundation, as a charitable organisation, was also affected by the rule.

We commended the proposal to include information in Braille in taxis but expressed concern that the decision may be swayed unduly by financial arguments put by the industry and urged the Authority to support a fundamental human right by requiring information to be made accessible through Braille. We also suggested that consideration be given to providing basic information in other accessible formats such as audio.

We recommended that consideration be given to strengthening the requirements for Taxi drivers to communicate in English.

The Foundation approved the proposal to widen the conditions for exempting passenger services operated by incorporated charitable organisations.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/landtransportoperatorlicence

Inquiry into the quality and care of services provision for disabled people, Social Services Select Committee

The Foundation prepared a comprehensive submission to the Committee. We explained what the Foundation did and pointed out to the Committee that not all disability is the same. Key messages included that there are costs associated with living with a disability and that the Blindness Benefit needed to be maintained and that the Foundation was struggling due to insufficient government funding. We commented that barriers needed to be broken down by changes in attitudes and through legislative reforms. We concluded that the most important issues that need to be addressed in the recommendations made by the Committee include the need to:

• substantially increase accessible information throughout the community and improve access to the built environment to encourage more independent travel
• continue to remove barriers to the full participation of blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people such as through social marketing campaigns, audio-described visual material and legislation requiring compliance with NZ Standard 4121 and RTS 14 for environmental design
• provide full government funding to cover the costs of rehabilitation services to be provided by adequately trained and remunerated staff
• provide full government funding to cover the costs of quality support services provided by suitably trained and remunerated staff
• deliver funding increases provided to the public sector equitably across the voluntary sector
• consider the needs of people holistically and deliver interventions when the interventions can most benefit the individual, such as focusing on early interventions for children and their family; keeping people in their job, not getting people back into the workforce after they have lost their job, and teaching the elderly coping and adaptation skills so they can age in place.

The written submission can be accessed on:

www.rnzfb.org.nz/newsandevents/submissions/disabilityservicesinquiry

Websites of interest

Official Consultation Processes

Parliament's new website has a new look and feel to it and many new features. It brings together three old sites (Office of the Clerk, Parliamentary Service and Speaker of the House) into one integrated site. It also has a new address: www.parliament.nz replaces the old address of www.parliament.govt.nz. Matters being consulted on by government can be found on this website.

The 2006 Social Report

The 2006 Social Report is now available. The Report is produced by the Ministry of Social Development and uses a set of statistical indicators to monitor trends over time. It is a useful background resource if you want some statistical facts regarding such indicators as life expectancy through to perceptions of safety. No new disability information is reported in the 2006 Report. In terms of trends however, obesity is increasing which is of concern as obesity is associated with some types of vision-loss, for example diabetic retinopathy. The report can be accessed on-line through http://www.socialreport.msd.govt.nz

University of Auckland Sleep Disorder Study

You may be interested in receiving an update on the Sleep Disorder Study being undertaken by the University of Auckland. Some of you may have participated in it. The study explores the sleep patterns of blind and vision-impaired people and compares them with a matched sample (control group) from the New Zealand population.

To date the researchers have finished interviewing 150 people who have no light perception and are close to completing interviews with people with vision-loss who have some light perception. Once they have completed these interviews they will be interviewing people from the control group. The researchers expect to complete interviews around mid October, after which they will undertake data analysis and feed back to research participants. I hope to bring you results from their research in the next newsletter.

Biologic Treatment for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lucentis for the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The product is said to preserve quality of life for those affected by wet AMD and help them participate in everyday activities such as reading and driving according to Dr Andrew von Eschenbach, Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the FDA. Lucentis was shown to be safe and effective in trials. Trials showed that nearly 95 percent of participants maintained their vision at 12 months compared with 60 percent who received the control treatment and that approximately one-third of patients in the trial experienced improved vision. (Refer www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01405.html).

Assistive Technologies - System for wearable audio navigation

A working prototype which includes a laptop computer, tracking chip, sensors and a global positioning system, has been developed to assist blind and vision-impaired people navigate unfamiliar surroundings. The system would supplement other techniques such as long cane or guide dog use. There are plans to commercialise the technology following further market refinement including 'miniaturising' the computer system. (Refer www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060815102854.htm).

Retinal Prosthetics

Blindness caused by retinal degenerative processes included retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration may benefit from advanced retinal prosthetics. Similar technology is already being successfully applied to assist people with severe and profound hearing loss through cochlear implants. Now, six blind people have been implanted under FDA trials with visual implants. The oldest implant was implanted more than four years ago and is still being used daily by the recipient. With the implant, blind people have been able to see different shapes and images and visually identify the difference between a cup, plate and spoon. They could also identify large letters. There are plans to test a 'second-generation' implant soon. (Source: Oticon Clinical Update, June 2006).

Dietary intake and Age Related Macular Degeneration

A commentary in the latest Archives of Ophthalmology discusses issues associated with diet and age related macular degeneration following on from the finding of the so-called Rotterdam study that concluded that a high dietary intake of beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and zinc was associated with a substantially reduced risk of AMD in elderly peoples. The author, Dr Julie Mares, states that "smart food choices may also lower [patient's] children's risk for developing AMD ... [if they eat] a variety of nutrient-rich foods". She observes that a long-term diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also costs less than many high-dose antioxidant supplements.

It's not all rocket-science after all!