We offer a wide range of services to our members and clients to empower and support them to lead independent lives.

Whether it’s everyday life, moving around, accessing information or specialist services, our staff work alongside members and their families to help them reach their potential. There are various training, tools and tips we offer.

We equip our members with the adaptive skills, technology, resources and opportunities they need to create new beginnings and lead independent lives.

How to become a member of the Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind

In order to become a member of the RNZFB, you need to have a referral from an Optometrist or an Ophthalmologist (Eye Specialist).

If you have seen an Optometrist or Eye Specialist in the last six months, you can ask him/her to put a referral through for you direct to us, on the appropriate application form, without having to make an appointment to see them specifically for the referral.

Alternatively, you can ring our toll free number 0 800 24 33 33 and ask for an Enrolment Pack, then fill in as much of the Application for Registration form as you can, take it to your Optometrist or Eye Specialist to fill in the eye report and they will send it direct to the RNZFB.

If it is more than 6 months since you saw an Optometrist/ Eye Specialist, it is best to make an appointment to see him/her in order to obtain an up-to-date eye report.

There is no cost to join the Foundation of the Blind, but in order for your application to be accepted, some criteria (which relate to your visual acuity and fields of vision) must be met.

The Next Step

If your application for registration is accepted (i.e. you meet the required vision criteria for membership) by the Needs Assessor in your area, he/she will send you a letter of acceptance and make an appointment to visit you in your home the next time he/she is visiting your area.

During the assessment, the Needs Assessor will get you to advise him/her of the difficulties you are experiencing due to your vision loss and will recommend the appropriate services to assist you.

The Needs Assessor will then send her report to the Service Manager, who will then pass this on to the specific instructor/team in your area.

This could be:

• Adaptive Daily Living Instructor (ADL), whose assessments and instruction cover areas such as magnification, lighting, identifying time, identifying controls of the stove, washing machine etc, tactile markings and introducing you to items of RNZFB equipment available to you.
• Orientation & Mobility Instructor (Q & M), whose assessments cover areas such as how to orientate within/around an area, the use of a mobility aid e.g. a support cane or long cane.
• Adaptive Communications Instructor (ACI), who specialises in areas such as computers, touch-typing and learning contracted Braille etc.

Other teams include:

• Employment Consultants
• Counselling
• Deaf-Blind
• Guide Dogs
• Sports/Recreational
• Volunteer Services

Once the instructor or team receives the referral from the Service Manager, he/she will arrange an appointment with you and discuss how you can overcome some of the difficulties associated with your vision loss.

Remember, there is no charge to become a member and, once enrolled, most RNZFB services are provided free of charge. However if an instructor recommends a certain item of equipment, such as a talking watch or a magnifier, the equipment will need to be purchased by you.

Supporting our members

RNZFB Northland also co-ordinates support groups in Dargaville, KeriKeri and Kaitaia.  Socials are held in Whangarei and dates, times, venues and contact people for these can be found by visiting the ‘Events Calendar’.

The support groups provide an opportunity to meet with others who are living with sight loss and offer peer support in a safe and relaxed forum to share concerns, ask questions, and come up with ideas and hints over afternoon tea.  At times RNZFB rehabilitation staff or invited speakers will be present to share information and there is generally entertainment provided. 

There is no charge to become a member of the RNZFB and, once enrolled, most RNZFB services are provided free of charge. However if an instructor recommends a certain item of equipment, such as a talking watch or a magnifier, the equipment will need to be purchased by you.

More detailed information on all RNZFB services are outlined in the booklet entitled “Seeing You Through” available from your local office or by ringing our 0 800 24 33 33.  You can also visit our National website at www.rnzfb.org.nz/ourservices