Blind Low Vision NZ

26/10/2026

Blindness, deafblindness and low vision exist on a spectrum – which does not mean that they are on a sliding scale, but rather that there are a host of different ways in which someone’s vision could be affected.

Someone could have a reduced field of vision, but clear central vision; reduced central vision, but full peripheral vision; patches of vision missing; less detailed vision; reduced ability to detect contrast or adjust to changes in light level; and many other ways for blindness and low vision to present.

The white cane is a tool that helps many people detect hazards and obstacles in their path. If you see someone with a white cane, all you can tell about their vision is that this tool is helpful for them.

In this video Wellington City Council Mayor Andrew Little and Blind Low Vision NZ member CK continue their conversation about using a white cane, touching on the spectrum of blindness and assumptions people make.

23/10/2026

It's Friday Floof time💛 Welcome to our fourth post for Blind Low Vision Month!

The relationship between a guide dog and its handler is about communication, confidence, and trust. This week, we're celebrating the special connections our dogs build with people as they prepare for their future partnerships.

[Image 1] Golden Lab retriever Cam gets a little one-on-one time with Blind Low Vision NZ Dog Care Specialist, Erin
[Image 2] Black Lab retriever Valti at Canine Healing Hands getting a soothing massage behind the ears from massage therapist, Rochelle
[Image 3] Now it's yellow Lab retriever Venice's turn for a rubdown at Canine Healing Hands as she relaxes on her side.
[Video] Puppy raiser Digby plays on the grass with new puppy Terry.
[Image 4] Puppy raiser Lisa get some help in the garden from Scotty the black Lab pup.
[Image5] There's nothing like a little pair bonding. Black Lab retrievers Lulu and Mika enjoy a snuggle together.
[Image 6] Back at Canine Healing Hands, Valti isn't quite done with his massage, as he enjoys a tummy rub from Rochelle.
[Image 7] Yellow Lab retriever Yohan blisses out on his bed. Yohan's a back sleeper.
[Image 8] Golden Lab retriever Malone, prefers to lie on his front and see what the photographer is up to.
[Image 9] Wide awake now, Yohan hopes you enjoy your Labour Weekend.

22/10/2026

Come along with Jamie to the Wiggles show! 💛🎶

Thanks to audio descriptions, Blind Low Vision NZ member Jamie and her little one could enjoy a day full of music, fun and memories.

A big thank you to Audio Described Aotearoa Ltd for making events across New Zealand more accessible through audio description.

Access makes more possible!

21/10/2026

If you're enrolled to vote, Telephone Dictation Voting is now available. If you haven't enrolled yet, remember, enrolment closes this Sunday, 25 October!

Telephone dictation voting is now open!

Telephone dictation voting is a service for anyone who is eligible to vote in the 2026 General Election and is blind, partially blind, or has another physical disability that prevents them from marking their voting paper without assistance.

You must register for this service, even if you’ve used it to vote in the past, and you must be registered by noon, Saturday 7 November (NZ time).

Find out more including how it works, and how to register, on our website here: https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/voting-in-the-election/cant-get-to-a-voting-place/telephone-dictation-voting

21/10/2026

EasyVote cards have now been sent out via the post or email! If you haven't received yours yet, make sure you've checked your enrolment details on Vote.nz by Sunday 25 October to make sure you're all set.

This year, you will not be able to vote if you aren't enrolled by Sunday 25 October.

Election day is Saturday 7 November this year. Telephone dictation voting opens today, and other early voting opens on Monday 26 October.

The blind, deafblind and low vision community deserve to have our voices and interests represented in government. Make your voice heard this General Election.

Image description: Yellow tile with text reading, "This is your last week to enrol to vote. Go to Vote.nz to enrol by Sunday 25 October."

16/10/2026

How time flies! Welcome to the third Friday of Blind Low Vision Month.
Once again, it's time for Friday Floof 💛
Guide Dog training develops concentration, judgement and the ability to respond appropriately in all kinds of situations. To achieve this, we expose our dogs to a variety of situations that exercise their cognitive skills.
[Image 1]: Golden Lab retriever, Cooper enjoys the pool at the enrichment park.
[Image 2] : Yellow Lab retriever Donna gets ready for a swim, courtesy of trainer, Denise.
[Image 3]: Cooper winds down with a well deserved bone.
[Image 4]: Doggos Dean, Gigi, Gizmo, Jolie II, Isha & Iona standing and sitting with their puppy raisers in the Waitematā train station.
[Image 5]: Yellow Lab retriever Dean, and black Lab retriever, Gareth have a tug of war with a chew rope in the enrichment park.
[Image 6] Three black Lab retrievers navigate a bridge. Brood Wren (front) background are her furry friends Willis and Lo.
[Image 7]: Dean relaxes outside a Countdown on the nearest human leg.
[Image 8]: Gareth poses for a pic at the guide dog enrichment run.
[Image 9]: Black Lab retriever, Uri practices being patient and alert in a lift.
[Image 10]: Golden Lab retriever Bingo enjoys a grassy knoll at the enrichment park.

15/10/2026

Today is White Cane Awareness Day!

The white cane is a universal symbol of blindness. It’s also an essential tool, enabling people to get around confidently and safely. White Cane Day is all about celebrating the independence the cane enables for the blind, deafblind and low vision community.

Recently, the Mayor of Wellington City Council Andrew Little, took a walk with CK, a white cane user, to see the city from a new perspective. They talked about the importance of the white cane, how it empowers CK to move with more freedom, and some of the barriers they run into while trying to get around safely.

13/10/2026

Sport is about so much more than being active.

It’s the buzz of trying something new.

The laugh you share with teammates.

The feeling of getting better at something.

It's simply having somewhere to go and people to see.

For people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, access to the right supports, adaptations and opportunities can make it easier to take part in the sports and activities they enjoy – whether that’s cycling, bowls, football, hiking or something completely different.

Accessibility means opening up a world of possibilities. It means getting the chance to play, connect and have fun.

What activity floats your boat?

[Image description] A group of seven kids getting ready to go rafting at Kids Camp. They're all wearing big smiles, as well as safety gear like life jackets and helmets.

12/10/2026

Last week, Brie Crosweller was travelling with her disability assist dog when she was separated from her four-year-old, due to being denied access by a bus driver after her child had already boarded.

While Brie's dog was a mobility dog rather than a guide dog, this is a common experience for guide dog handlers as well.

When you deny a disability assist dog, you deny a person. Shutting someone out due to the very thing that helps them access their community independently and safely means shutting them out from living life on their own terms. In this case, it also created a potentially dangerous situation for Brie's child.

These incidents are not new. Despite repeated complaints, people continue to face discrimination when travelling with their guide dogs and other disability assist dogs.

Transport providers must do more than respond to individual complaints. They need to address why this keeps happening and take action to prevent it. People should not have to keep fighting for rights they already have.

Thank you to the one passenger who stood up for Brie and her child. If more people were willing to speak up when they see someone being discriminated against, these things would not happen as often.

Denying access to disability assist dogs and their handlers is illegal under both the Human Rights Act and the Dog Control Act. If this happens to you, lodge a formal complaint to the public transport provider, and make sure to get a case number so you can follow up. If you aren't satisfied with the result of that complaint, you can then take it to the Human Rights Commission.

Brie Crosweller said her four-year-old daughter was left on the bus alone when she and her dog Lenny were denied entry.

12/10/2026

Growing older should not mean giving up the things that matter to you.

For Lisa, her white cane is her “little magic stick”.

It helps her navigate the world around her, get where she wants to go and keep doing the things she enjoys.

“I just want to keep going.”

With the right skills, tools and support, people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision can find ways to keep moving through the world as life changes.

For Lisa, that means having the confidence to keep going – one journey at a time.

How has using a white cane changed your life?

Image description: A woman uses a white cane while walking outdoors along a suburban footpath. The cane extends towards the camera, becoming the focus of the image. Text reads: “I just want to keep going”.