What's New

Current Happenings: On Wednesday 5 October Circa Theatre is producing an audio described performance of Roger Hall's "Four Flat Whites in Italy". Directed by Ross Jolly, this commences with a touch tour at 1.15 pm, with the show commencing at 2pm, Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street (next to Te Papa).

Four Flat Whites in Italy is a about a fun-filled dream holiday (yeah right) in Venice! Rome! Tuscany!. It's 2007 and guide book in hand, retired librarians Alison and Adrian, are excitedly embarking on their long-awaited (and carefully saved-for) Italian trip of a life-time. But when their best friends pull out at the last minute, they find themselves sharing their precious holiday with their neighbours - Harry, a wealthy plumber and his new wife Judy. As these delightfully mismatched couples valiantly negotiate the pit-falls of a later-in-life OE, it's not just the Italians the intrepid travellers have to deal with - it's also each other!  Will the holiday be heaven or hell, or both?

Ticket Prices: Circa is offering members and guests of this Association and the RNZFB the concession ticket price of $38 (regular adult price is $46). Further discounts are available for group bookings. Enquiries to the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or visit in perrson at 1 Taranaki Street. Please indicate when booking if you are a member or gugest of the Association or RNZFB, if you require a headset (for audio description) and/or have seating requirements.

Conference 2011: Anyone keen to keep abreast of the Association's annual Conference this weekend can do so by checking out the streaming option. We commence at 2pm Friday 30 September, concluding  no later than 2pm Sunday 2 October. "Building our Future" is this year's theme and guest presenters at our open day on Saturday 1 October will speak on a range of topics. In alphabetical order presenters are: Wellington Mayor Ceilia Wade-Brown official opening (approximately 9.20am); Thomas Bryan RNZFB Head of Support Services and Stephanie Lange RNZFB Employment  Consultant/Practice Advisor; Kevin Beaver Dad of a Vision Impaired child and Chair-Parents of Vision Impaired; Trevor Garrett Chief Executive Charities Commission; Paul Gibson Disability Commisisoner Human Rights Commission, Heather Newell Director Foresee Communications and Manager NZ Blackbaud, Carmel Sepoluni Labour Spokesperson for Disability Issues. If you'd like to read the agenda, annual report etc, taking this link will inform you of the breadth of organisational activities and outcomes this past 12 months, and of the discussions that will happen this weekend.

Publications: We'll be increasing our library of informational publications by three. Watch this space for advice of the launch of three new briefs, each of which is a supplement to "The Great Barrier Brief". "The Great Barrier Brief" identifies issues which form the basis of the Association's advocacy programme. Taking this link will lead you to "THE GREAT BARRIER BRIEF" and the Association's register of issues. Supplementary publications include:  "Are We Being Taken for a Ride?" (Issue 1: Nationally Consistent Total Mobility Scheme);  "Are You Walking the Talk?" (Issue 5: Accessible Telecommunications Services) and "Is this the Right Bus?" (Issue 2: Accessible Public Transport).  To learn more about the issues faced by blind and vision impaired travellers we encourage you to read "Is this the Right Bus?"  Hard-copies are available upon request, by contacting our National Office and ask for them.

Focus: In recent publications we have endeavoured to keep members informed of funding streams, along with the implications faced, from changes in these. The potential for a down-turn in activities due to decreased funding is a reality. The June issue of Focus will inform readers of the approach now being taken as we take stock of this situation.  We continue to recognise  the financial support for the production of Focus from our Wanganui Branch and an Association member whose wishes to remain anonymous are respected. Cumulatively this has resulted in costs for three issues of Focus in 2011 being funded.  While you're waiting for our September issue (released later than usual), have a read of our June Focus issue for an update about Association activities and  the General Election and Referendum on Voting Systems.

Summary of Board Meetings: Summaries of key outcomes of Board meetings are produced following each Board Meeting.  These are distributed to Branches and made available to others interested in following the Association's workload.  Visit our News page and have a look at our meeting summaries, the latest of which provides highlights of the Board's July 2011 meeting.

President's BLOG: The President's BLOG is a public commentary on issues of concern to blind and vision impaired people living in New Zealand.  If you have not already subscribed, now is the time to do so - the President's BLOG reflects the Association's perspective with a view to improving an understanding of blindness issues.  Take this link to visit the President's BLOG and hear from our National President, Clive Lansink..

Review of RNZFB Constitution: The Foundation's Board of Directors  has completed its review of the Foundation's Constitution.  Proposed amendments will be voted upon by governing members. This outcome follows on from the Governance Working Group's report and recommendations, submitted to the Foundation's Board of Directors in November 2009 and progressed for action since. That report and recommendations are publicly available.

Schedule of Association 2011 Board Meetings: The Board's next meeting will be held over the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 Novembery. Observers can attend - if you wish to take advantage of this opportunity you should contact the Association's  National Office for more details.  

Benefit Issues - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): This resource is available in all formats. The  FAQ is available by taking this link or you can contact the National Office for a copy in your preferred format.  If you are having difficulties with benefit entitlements and would like some assistance, you should contact the Association's Executive Officer Rose Wilkinson. 

National Feedback Line:  If you are keen to keep abreast of issues raised on the Association's National Feedback Line, remember Martine Abel records this weekly.   If you have missed the most recent bulletin or you want to hear an earlier recording, take the Feedback Line link .

You are encouraged to check out our Website - please feel free to pass on any feedback and suggestions for improvement.