City hosts sight-loss conference
The unique issues faced by Maori who are blind will be in the spotlight in October when the Christchurch branch of Ngati Kapo O Aotearoa, New Zealand’s national roopu/support agency for Maori with sight disabilities, hosts its biennial hui in the city. Supported by Christchurch City Council, the conference will bring together groups and individuals from across Aotearoa, to discuss their work and share ideas.
Working on the basis of “by Maori disabled, for Maori disabled”, Ngati Kapo aims to improve the quality of life for kapo (blind) Maori and their families by providing support and advocacy, working across all sectors of the community. Membership is also open to people with other disabilities, and able-bodied people who support the society’s aims, regardless of their ethnicity.
Christchurch Coordinator Mere Courtis says that as well as helping kapo Maori and their whanau, the society works hard to change the community’s perceptions of blind people generally.
“Our motto is ‘ahakoa kaahore maatou i te kite-kei te kite’. Loosely translated, this means ‘we may be blind but we still have vision’. This sums up what we’re all about. We work closely with the Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind, the Guide Dog Society and other organisations to improve the quality of life of blind and partially sighted people across New Zealand.”
Ngati Kapo’s Hui A Tau 2005 will be held at the Scenic Circle Russley Hotel from 14-16 October. To find out more, call Kania Worsley on 0800 770 990.
For more on Christchurch City Council’s services and policies for people with disabilities, look on the web at www.ccc.govt.nz/community or call 941 8999 |
