Part Three: Sector news
This is the Office's email update of 11 June 2010.
08: Queen’s Birthday Honours
A number of people involved in the disability sector received a Queen's Service Medal (QSM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2010.
Mr Mike Gourley, from Wellington, is a radio broadcaster who has done much to break down barriers for disabled people and expose disability issues to a wider audience. Born with a physical impairment, Mike served as president, for five years, of the Disabled Persons Assembly.
Mr Ian Beker, from Invercargill, has been the General Manager of Southland Disability Enterprises a large employer of people with disabilities. He also authored a book focusing on employment for people with disabilities.
Mrs Margaret Bowler, from Feilding, established the Manawatu branch of New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association in 1990 and has been actively involved ever since. She uses her own property and horses.
Mrs Shona Bramley, from Hamilton, has been helping people with asthma and respiratory diseases through Asthma and Respiratory Care services for many years. She is a board member and is also organiser of a number of major fundraising events.
Mrs Karla Hammond, from Whakatane, is a member of Quota International Club which fundraises for local organisations including services for people with disabilities. She is involved in organising the Biennial Eve Rimmer games, a multisport event for people with disabilities and Patron of the Bay of Plenty Disabled Persons Assembly.
Margaret Townshend, from Tauranga, is prominent in community service in Paeroa Te Puna and Tauranga area for several organisations. She organises the annual appeals for Red Cross and IHC and is a past president of the Tauranga Riding for the Disabled and Plunket.
09: CCS Disability Action Make a Mother’s Day Campaign
CCS Disability Action's Make a Mother's Day campaign, launched on 25 May is still running. A TV commercial illustrating the challenges that a mother with a disabled child faces each and every day is running until the end of July 2010.
10: NZ Carers Alliance news
The NZ Carers Alliance, a coalition of 40+ national non-profits lobbying for improved recognition and support for carers, will meet in Wellington on Thursday 17 June 2010.
The Alliance is planning the launch of its We Care! social awareness campaign, which will give all New Zealanders an opportunity to add their voices to those of the non-profits, urging thoughtful decision-making for carers and those they support. Further details about We Care! will be announced soon.
For more information:
Email: sara@carers.net.nz
Website: http://www.carers.net.nz
11: Royal Foundation of the Blind
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is seeking expressions of interest from those wishing to seek nomination in this year's election to the Foundations Board of Directors.
For more information:
Contact: Mrs Raewyne Lovich
Phone: 09 355 6920
Email: rlovich@rnzfb.org.nz.
12: CCS Disability Action online discussion 'Making It Work'
CCS Disability Action has launched an online discussion forum called ‘Making It Work' to provide a place for people with disabilities to discuss their experiences of education and employment. This is part of the ‘Journey to Work' project initiated by CCS Disability Action and Workbridge.
For more information:
Contact: Jo Boyle
Email: comms@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
13: Wellington Total Mobility Card to have Braille cell
Greater Wellington Regional Council is replacing its paper based Total Mobility vouchers with a smart card containing a Braille cell.
The Braille will make it easier for people to find the correct card in their wallet and be more efficient and accurate.
Total Mobility is a subsidised taxi service.