This page
contains general and special interest email lists, information
on TIS (the telephone information service), and contact
details (whether it be names, addresses, email addresses,
websites or phone numbers) for a variety of blindness related
groups. Blind Low Vision NZ (was previously also known as The
Blind Foundation
and prior to that the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the
Blind).
Blind Low Vision NZ (BLVNZ)
general information
Blind Low Vision
NZ assess and offer remedial options to blind and vision
impaired people within New Zealand. If you would like to keep
up to date with information and communications from within the
Foundation via phone, email or their website, (or simply just
join a group depending on your needs), please have a look
below.
Blind Low
Vision NZ general inquiries
For all general inquiries, such as who to get in touch with, how
to join etcetera, or to leave feedback.
phone 0800 243333
8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday or email info@blindlowvision.org.nz
Blind
Low Vision NZ website A comprehensive site featuring a variety of topics
related to their services and activities. https://blindlowvision.org.nz/
To sign up to specific email lists, the first
step is to subscribe to a group. To do this, please send a blank
email to the group you wish to subscribe to (for example if you
would like to subscribe to the nvda group, send a blank email
to nvda+subscribe@nvda.groups.io
and then you should receive a request confirmation. To
activate your subscription, just reply to the confirmation email
and send it without writing anything else.
Find or create a group
The main webpage is https://groups.io/
You can search for other groups from your group home page, or even
set up a new group. Locate the link that says find or create a
group, then press the Enter key on it. In the search box, type in
your search query (such as "blind") then press the Enter key. It
should then come up with a list of groups that may suit your
search criteria. From any group page you can search for and locate
other groups that you might be interested in.
The BLVLibrary email group is a place where we
can share information and support people that use the New Zealand
Blind Low Vision Library service. This group is open to members
and clients of Blind Low Vision NZ and anyone who wishes to learn
more and support the library service (e.g volunteers).
To subscribe send an email to: BLVLibrary+subscribe@groups.io
The web page is: https://groups.io/g/BLVLibrary
Assistive Technology
Interest Group (ATIG NZ)
For Blind Low Vision NZ clients to provide peer
support and discuss matters relating to assistive technology.
To subscribe to the Assistive Technology Interest Group email
list, send a message to atig-nz+subscribe@groups.io.
Group web page:https://groups.io/g/atig-nz
NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is screen reader
software for the Windows operating system. The central
purpose of this group is discussing how to use NVDA.
To subscribe send an
email to: nvda+subscribe@nvda.groups.io
Group web page https://nvda.groups.io/g/nvda
A group for blind people
wishing to discuss all things related to cooking (eg. discussing
favourite recipes or the value of certain cooking equipment and
so on).
To subscribe send an email to: Outofsightcooks+subscribe@groups.io
The web page is https://groups.io/g/outofsightcooks
NZ VI chat
A group for blind and vision impaired New
Zealander's to discuss general eyesight related topics.
This is for topics about and relating to
blind folks and blind issues, which don't really fit on other
lists.
To subscribe send an email to: nz-vi-chat+subscribe@groups.io
Video Without Pictures
A group for blind New
Zealander's to discuss all things TV, Movie & Music.
Including associated tech, accessibility issues, new releases,
audio description, favourite bands and the ongoing saga of Star
Trek vs Star Wars.
To subscribe send an email to: videowithoutpictures+subscribe@groups.io
The web page is https://groups.io/g/videowithoutpictures
A group for blind & partially sighted
musicians, music teachers and students who use braille music or
any form of adaptive tech to read and write music. With a
particular focus on resourcing teachers and students.
On Blind Android Users, you are only limited by your
imagination!
Feel free, express yourself, share your knowledge and help one
another.
Got any device news, apps that are useful to the blind,
tutorials (audio or written) or anything related to Android? Go
ahead and share the good news!
These special interest email groups below are
owned and moderated by people outside of Blind Low Vision NZ.
Please note: we are not responsible for the content or comments
made in these groups and they do not necessarily represent the
opinions of Blind Low Vision NZ.
A group for blind New Zealanders who are interested
in being involved with and ensuring the ongoing use of Braille
and its associated support services.
For issues to do with braille as it is used in
New Zealand.
To subscribe to the NZ Braille email list send a message to: Nzbrl+subscribe@googlegroups.com
This is a list for Aussies and Kiwi's to discuss
accessible technology from washing machines to pc's.
To subscribe send an email to: atug-subscribe@damorris.com
ozapple
A list for Aussies and Kiwi's to discuss anything
Apple related.
To subscribe send an email to: ozapple-subscribe@damorris.com
Only Apple Talk &
Support
A group to talk
about and support only Apple products. All IOS, TVOS
WatchOS, MacOS as well as the hardware to go with
it... iPad, iPhone, AppleTV, appleWatch, Mac's and
iPodTouch.
This group is for anyone using the above listed software and
hardware from beginners through to experienced users.
For Apple products ONLY!!! To subscribe send an
email to: only-apple-tns+subscribe@groups.io
Mac
VoiceOver beginners
This
group is for Blind VoiceOver users who are still learning to use
the Mac. Whether you are starting out with a Mac as your
first computer or whether you are a Windows switcher, you are
welcome here. We will share information, tips, pointers, and
encouragement. To
subscribe send an email to: Mac-vo-beginners+subscribe@groups.io
Mozilla
Thunderbird
A group for blind
users of the Mozilla Thunderbird email client.
This is one of the many blind Android lists.
Its unmoderated for the most part.
To subscribe send an email to: anatad+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Blind gamer's discussion list
This is a list where all gaming topics are
welcome. The primary goal of the list is discussing games
accessible to the blind and visually impaired.
If you are looking for the latest news in accessible gaming, tips
and tricks on that favorite game, or you simply want to know what
is out there then this is the right place.
To subscribe send a message
to: blind-gamers+subscribe@groups.io
Web page: https://groups.io/g/blind-gamers
Thunderbird
A group for discussing all things Thunderbird, such
as questions on how to use some of its features, add-ons
etcetera.
The telephone
information service (also known as TIS) and how to join
The telephone information service (TIS) enables
BLVNZ members to listen to a variety of recorded information via
their touch-tone phone. (For example you may want to know what is
on TV, hear what is happening within BLVNZ, or leave a message via
a discussion group).
If you would like to listen to TIS, dial the TIS number for your
local area, or the 0800 36 33 44 number, and listen to see
what information is available. There may be some options (such as
TV and radio schedules) that are available to members who register
and get a user number and pin number. To join TIS and get access
to extra information which requires a user number and pin number,
phone 0800 24 33 33 and
ask to have access to the telephone information service. A staff
member will then assist you. Only people registered with BLVNZ as
members may use TIS. When you have contacted the Foundation
to join up to TIS, you will be asked for a 7 digit user
identification number. This will be your phone number usually (as
it is the easiest to remember) and is only used on some menu
options. You will also be asked for a 5 digit personal
identification number; you should make this a number you can
easily remember.
Once registered, simply dial into the TIS number nearest you and
press the corresponding numbers for the information that you want
to hear.
If you do not require the extra functionality (such as being able
to listen to TV and radio schedules), you can simply ring in and
listen to a variety of general information. Menus are read
out three times. If you miss hearing the first announcement, you
will get another two chances before it will disconnect you! If you
do not make a selection after the third announcement, the service
will assume you have left the phone unattended and the call will
be disconnected.
Navigating the TIS menu's
bulletins using your phone's numeric keypad
You can use the following keys on your
phone while listening to a bulletin:
0 - Stops and returns you to the previous menu
1 - Goes back to the previous segment
3 - Goes forward to the next segment
8 - Pauses for 1 minute
# - Help
Contact numbers for TIS
around New Zealand
You can call in and listen to TIS from anywhere
around the country: New local free phone TIS numbers are as follows:
Whangarei: 09 929 9099
Tauranga: 07 929 6199
Gisborne: 06 929 1033
Wanganui: 06 348 4403
New Plymouth: 06 929 3088
Nelson: 03 929 5033 All other existing local TIS numbers remain the same as follows:
Auckland 09 302 3344
Hamilton 07 834 2288
Napier-Hastings 06 835 9136
Palmerston North 06 354 8316
Wellington 04 389 3858
Christchurch 03 355 8381
Timaru 03 688 6921
Oamaru 03 433 1026
Dunedin 03 455 8833
Balclutha 03 418 3332
Gore 03 203 3001
Invercargill 03 218 6470
For locations outside of these areas, please phone: 0800 36 33 44 Please note,
that not all options will be available on the 0800 nationwide
number. Please also note that as information becomes updated,
numbers for various options may be added or removed.
Some useful options available
on the TIS (telephone information service) are:
Option 1 Library and telephone
information service news Option 2 Radio and
television schedules Option 3 Blind Foundation
news and information Option 4 Regional menus Option 5 Blind community
groups Option 6 Community
information Option 7 Government
information Option 8 Commercial
services Option 9 Newspapers
Not all options are available from the toll free number.
ABCNZ
(Association of Blind
Citizens of New Zealand)
The ABCNZ is a social
group who actively advocate on behalf of blind and vision
impaired people across New Zealand. Some of their
achievements include pushing for accessible talking ATM's,
and advocating for audio description on NZ television. As
well as advocacy, the ABCNZ provide social events for their
members.
ABCNZ
general enquiries via phone (For
all general enquiries, such as who to get in touch with or how
to join etcetera) 0800
222 694
ABCNZ
nationwide feedback line
(This is a number that you can dial into to leave vision or
ABCNZ related feedback for others to listen to). 0800
363 344 option 5
option 1 option 1
You will receive a reply very quickly from
Yahoo asking if you meant to try to subscribe. The simplest
action to take is to hit reply and send, without doing any
editing. If that works, your request goes to the list owner
and moderator for approval.
NZ
blindness, disability and support organisations
websites
Achieve: A network
established to ensure equal opportunity and access to
post-secondary education and training for people with
impairments. It can be found at http://www.achieve.org.nz/
Phone: (0800) 80 80 98.
Albinism
Trust: Support and information on topics related to
albinism (such as eyesight, skincare, mobility, and education
etcetera). It can be found at http://www.albinism.org.nz/
Email: albinism@inspire.net.nz Deafblind
NZ: Support group for over 18 years deaf and blind
members. It can be found at http://www.deafblind.com/new_zealand.html
Phone (09) 524 8598.
Diabetes
NZ: Issues relating to diabetes. It can be found at http://www.diabetes.org.nz/
Phone: (0800) 369 636.
DPA
NZ Inc (Disabled Persons Assembly): Information and
support for issues related to persons with a disability. It
can be found at http://www.dpa.org.nz/
Phone: (04) 801 9100.
Glaucoma
NZ: Support groups, research and information for
people affected by glaucoma. It can be found at http://www.glaucoma.org.nz/
Phone: (0800) 452 826.
Health
and Disability Advocacy (Health and Disability Commissioner):
A variety of information related to health and advocacy. It
can be found at http://www.hdc.org.nz/about-us/disability
Phone: (0800) 11 22 33.
Macular
Degeneration New Zealand: Macular Degeneration
awareness, education, support and research. It can be found at
http://www.mdnz.co.nz/
Phone (0800) 622 852.
Ngāti
Kāpō o Aotearoa: A national Maori kapo (blindness)
education, advocacy and support group which is open to all. It
can be found at http://www.kapomaori.com/ Phone: (0800) 770 990.
NZ
VIEW (New Zealand Visually Impaired Empowering Women):
A support group for blind and partially sighted women,
promoting independence, self worth and dignity. Email:
aislabie@clear.net.nz
Please contact Ailsa Morgan, National
Administrator Phone:
(07) 348 2765.
Parents
of Vision Impaired NZ: A support group for parents of
vision impaired children of all ages. It can be found at http://www.pvi.org.nz/
Phone: (07) 839 4205.
Retina
New Zealand Inc: Research into causes and treatments,
information and support. It can be found at http://www.retina.org.nz/Phone: (0800)
233 833.
Support
and Education for Youth, their Families and their Friends
(SEYFF): A support group for 17 to 30 year olds.
Please contact Donna McCaskill, Secretary Phone: (09) 355 6900
or 021 02354395 Email:seyff@xtra.co.nz
FIRSTPORT: A New Zealand website covering information,
advice, support and equipment relating to disability in New
Zealand. https://firstport.co.nz/
Phone (0800) 171 981.
NZ sports organisations
Sport NZ: The Sport New
Zealand website can be found at https://sportnz.org.nz/
Phone: (04) 472 8058.
Blind
Sailing: Blind sailing opportunities care of the
Royal NZ Yacht squadron. It can be found at http://www.sailingblind.org.nz/
Phone: (09) 360
6804 or via the RNZFB on 0800 243333.
Blind
Sport New Zealand: A variety of sports at national
and international level for blind and VIP members. It can be
found at https://www.blindsport.kiwi/
Phone (09) 930 1579.
Taranaki region contact
details
New Plymouth Blind Low Vision NZ regional office
Physical address: RNZFB rooms, 131 Vivian Street, New
Plymouth 4310
Mailing address: PO Box 178, Taranaki Mail Centre, New
Plymouth 4340
Administrator: (06) 759 1169
Listed below are contact details for various
groups operating within the Taranaki region, as well as
contact details for Blind Low Vision NZ staff who service the
Taranaki area. Whether you are a blind member looking to join
a particular group, or a sighted friend or family member
looking to meet up with others, please feel free to contact
these groups to find out more.
Getting a referral for
assistance
In order to be
referred to Blind Low Vision NZ staff, you will need to
make contact via our New
Plymouth office and be referred to the appropriate
person as needed.
Please call (06) 759 1169 between Monday and Friday from
9am to 12pm.
Outside of these hours, please call
(0800) 24 33 33.
The New Plymouth
office can also put you onto an email list so that you
keep up to date with events in your region.