Deafblind workshop marks promising future

Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
Media release

18 March 2010

Deafblind workshop marks promising future

Between 12-14 March, over thirty deafblind members of The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) and Deafblind (NZ) Incorporated gathered for a three-day long workshop in Wellington. The first of its kind in New Zealand, the workshop was designed to provide a forum where deafblind people could grow peer support networks, be encouraged to develop leadership skills, and learn about community services available to assist them.

Workshop participants were joined by a variety of guest speakers, including Lex Grandia, President of The World Federation of the Deafblind, Associate Minister for Disability Issues Pansy Wong, and government and community services workers.

RNZFB Chief Executive Sandra Budd says, “Deafblindness is a unique impairment which affects how people are able to communicate, get around the community and access information. This workshop has been an excellent opportunity for deafblind people to share their experiences within a supportive environment and discuss solutions for the future.”
Merv Cox, President of Deafblind (NZ) Incorporated adds, “This workshop is an exciting step. We should not underestimate the significance of deafblind people coming together, or of others realising the challenges we face.”
Deafblind people have a combination of sight and hearing impairments. Most deafblind people have some useful sight or hearing, though there are some who are totally deaf and blind. There are thought to be more than 1,500 people in New Zealand whose deafblindness has had a significant impact on their lives.
ENDS
Notes to editor:

• The RNZFB is the main provider of sight loss habilitation and rehabilitation services to 11,500 blind and partially sighted members.

• Each year nearly 1,200 New Zealanders who have become blind or experienced sight loss register as members.

• The RNZFB equips its members with the adaptive skills, technology and resources they need to overcome barriers they face to participating fully in society and leading independent lives.

• The vision of the RNZFB is to empower and support blind and partially sighted New Zealanders to ensure they have the same opportunities and choices as everyone else.

• Only one-third of the RNZFB’s $26 million operating budget comes from Government. We must fundraise $17.3 million annually.

ENDS

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