New Zealand Federation for Deaf Children Incorporated (NZFDC) is the Executive of a National group made up of Parent Groups throughout New Zealand, from Northland Parents of Deaf Children in the north to Southland Association for Deaf Children in Invercargill.  

We are a registered incorporated society and our Executive committee and Member groups are run by volunteers.

http://www.deafchildren.org.nz/

Quoting from:  

http://www.aihw.gov.au/indigenous-observatory-eye-health/

This paper (see below) summarises the findings of the 2008 National Indigenous Eye Health Survey (NIEHS). It reports the overall prevalence of blindness and vision impairment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 5 to 15 years and adults over the age of 40 years. 

The paper also presents some data from the National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit, Medicare, hospital data and case studies. 

What levels of vision loss do Indigenous Australians experience? 

Vision loss refers to both low vision and blindness.

• Over the age of 40 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have 6 times the rate of blindness of other Australians.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have less poor vision than other Australian children.
• 35% of Indigenous Australian adults report they have never had an eye examination.

What are the main causes of Indigenous vision loss?

 The most common cause of blindness in Indigenous adults was cataract (32%), and the most common cause of low vision was uncorrected refractive error (54%). Refractive errors include near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism.

In Indigenous children, uncorrected refractive error was the most important cause of low vision (56%) and blindness (33%).

More information: http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737418928&libID=10737418927

Thursday 7th March 2013

Lorimer Dods Lecture Theatre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW   2145 

For Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Professionals 

Guest Speakers:

Joanne Wolfe the Division Chief of Paediatric Palliative Care in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology & Palliative Care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and the Director of Palliative Care at Children's Hospital Boston (CHB). Dr Wolfe is an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at Harvard Medical School & holds an MD degree (1990) from Harvard Medical School & an MPH (1998) from the Harvard School of Public Health. 

Her extensive research has focused on understanding & easing suffering in children with life-threatening illnesses. 

Venerable Robina Courtin is an Australian-born Tibetan Buddhist nun who travels the world teaching Buddhist psychology & philosophy & helping those in need.  A former Catholic turned political activist & radical feminist, Robina has touched countless lives with her extraordinary energy & fiery compassion.

Well known for her work with people in prisons in Australia & the US, including inmates on death row, Robina is the subject of Amiel Courtin-Wilson's award-winning film Chasing Buddha, the ABC Compass documentary Key to Freedom & is featured in Vicki MacKenzie's book Why Buddhism? and Christine Lundberg's film On the Road Home. Robina aptly states her mission:

"My main wish is to communicate with human hearts; for people to realize their marvellous potential for clarity, contentment and empathy for others." 

www.chw.edu.au/prof/education