Blind Foundation News – March 2016

(Narrated on 24 March)

Welcome to your Blind Foundation News update for March2016.

This update has information about the Red Puppy Appeal, Engagement Roadshows, a visit from Daniel Kish and other news.

If there is anything within this update that you would like to know more about then please get in touch with the Communications team whose details are at the end of this update.

Red Puppy Appeal

  • You will all know by now that Red Puppy Appeal is coming up on April 1 to 2.
  • If you have already signed up, thank you, thank you and thank you again.If you haven’t, please sign up to collect or coordinate collectors for the Appeal.
  • We still urgently need coordinators for some places including Hastings, Wellington and a few Auckland Areas. We would hate to turn away the volunteers we have in these areas, so if you know anyone who might be able to help let the Red Puppy Appeal Team know.
  • We always really appreciate support from our community and I would again like to invite you to sign up to collect or co-ordinate a collection for this street appeal.
  • Please visit the Blind Foundation website for information on how to sign up or call Jen or Christina on 0800 120 254. Your support is hugely appreciated

Engagement Roadshow

  • The 2016 Engagement Roadshow is coming to a town near you! You are invited to be part of this annual event and have your say.
  • It’s an opportunity for you to talk to Board Chair Rick Hoskin, Board Directors, Chief Executive Sandra Budd and members of the Executive about how things are going for you. It’s also a chance for them to discuss what’s working well and what can be improved.
  • This year the Roadshow will take place in May and then in September and October.
  • A full list of the dates and locations will be available in Outlook magazine and on our website.

Daniel Kish visit

  • American echolocation expert Daniel Kish is coming to New Zealand shortly.
  • Completely blind since childhood, Daniel developed a sonar technique which allowed him to navigate using echoes from repeated tongue-clicks.
  • The skill has led to him being dubbed a real-life Batman.
  • Daniel will be giving two public lectures which all are welcome to attend.
  • The free lectures will be held in Auckland on April 5 and Wellington on April 6.
  • See our website for more information and rsvp to if you would like to attend.

Other news

The following news items can be found on the Blind Foundation website’s newsfeeds.

  • BookLink new version coming soon! Check out the new features for Booklink version 1.3 due to release on March 30th.
  • New Blind Foundation website – We released our new-look website this month. Check out blindfoundation.org.nz to check it out!
  • Register your expression of interest for a TIS training session.
  • Blind Foundation March eNewsletter – In celebration of Red Puppy Appeal this month’s enewsletter is all about guide dogs!

Staff profile

Tucked away in the Cristal lounge at Awhina House you will find Geraldine Lewis our Library Cataloguer.

Geraldine creates bibliographic records for items acquired and produced by the Blind Foundation. This includes all kinds of materials from books, braille, collage, to music and kitsets, to name a few. Cataloguing our records provides efficient access and retrieval for catalogue users.

Each week Geraldine will receive a selection of items to catalogue from our youth library,AccessibleFormats Servicesand external organisations. Geraldine also uploads our catalogues to Te Puna which is a web based New Zealand catalogue.

There is always something different at her desk and that's what she loves about her job.

"I can be cataloguing youth content, braille books, or music, and they are all handled differently."

The diversity in her role has created many opportunities for Geraldine.

"I was lucky enough to attend a librarian conference in Wellington, where I joined a cataloguing group. As a result of that, I got to write an article in their magazine about my role here."

With an interest in research, Geraldine is looking at writing a paper on the transition from the youth library to our main library.

"There is a trend in drop-off in youth library users as they get older. I want to look at how to engage them to transfer to our main library services."

When we asked her what else she enjoys about being here she says it's the support.

"It is a supportive environment; if there are any work issues we discuss them in a team forum and solve them together in a team."

Geraldine started working part time at the Blind Foundation in April 2015, before becoming full time in September. She was previously a family and criminal lawyer, after that she spent several years at home raising her four children. During that time she completed her Master of Information Studies.

Equipment Display Days

The following equipment display days are for now untilMay2016. As these may be subject to change, please call your local Blind Foundation office to confirm details.

Area / Date and Time / Venue
Rotorua / 8 April 10am to 12pm / Parksyde Community Trust, 7-9 Tawera Place, Rotorua.
Palmerston North / 12 April 10:30am to 12:30pm / Blind Foundation Palmerston North, 49 Walding Street, Palmerston North
Hamilton / 14 April 10am to 12pm / Blind Foundation Hamilton Office, 15 Liverpool Street, Hamilton.
Orewa / 19 April 10:30am to 12:30pm / Presbyterian Church Hall, 105 Centreway Road, Orewa.
Wellington / 19 April 11:00am to 12:00pm / Blind Foundation Wellington,121 Adelaide Road, Newtown
Hastings / 9 May 10:30am to 12:00pm / Hastings RSA, Avenue Road West, Hastings
Dannevirke / 19 May 1:00pm to 3:00pm / Citizens Club, Queen Street, Dannevirke.
Stratford / 27 May 1:00pm to 3:00pm / Vineyard Church Hall, 159 Orlando Street, Stratford.

For further information on any of the above, please contact the Communications Team at or 0800 24 33 33.

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