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2025 August

Welcome to our August Newsletter

Technology Can Help When Life Takes a Tumble

A smiling Chandra sitting at an outdoor table, holding a small glass bowl in her left hand, before it was broken. She is wearing a navy-blue top and a glass pendant necklace. In front of her is a plate with a slice of quiche and a fresh green salad. Chandra, has done it again! Breaking her arm! The same arm!  

If she didn’t laugh, she'd probably cry. Trust us, we’re feeling it too.  

For most, a broken arm is a temporary hurdle. Even though it is temporary, it will certainly affect how you use technology, how you work, communicate, and care for yourself and loved ones.  

Technology can help, with dictation, voice control, and AI tools like ChatGPT, making it easier to stay connected and productive. However, just like permanent disability, temporary access needs often expose accessibility barriers. Poorly coded websites, unclear labels, and inaccessible design can make tech frustrating or unusable whether your access need is permanent or temporary.  

Because, accidents do happen and any one of us could end up with temporary access needs, right now is always the time to ensure your digital spaces are accessible for everyone. 

If you’d like help to improve your digital accessibility ready for when life throws unexpected challenges, then email Access Advisors. We’re always here. 

If you want to hear more about temporary access needs and learn how to make your digital world more inclusive and resilient for everyone, then read our latest blog, Temporary Access Needs. 

Disability - Permanent, Temporary or Situational 

A chart with five accessibility categories: touch, see, hear, speak, and cognitive. Each category lists examples of access needs across three levels—permanent, temporary, and situational. For touch: one arm (permanent), arm injury (temporary), carrying a baby or computer (situational). For see: blind (permanent), cataract (temporary), sun on screen (situational). For hear: deaf (permanent), ear infection (temporary), noisy surroundings (situational). For speak: non-verbal (permanent), laryngitis (temporary), heavy accent (situational). For cognitive: ADHD (permanent), fatigue/depression (temporary), open office landscape (situational).

Digital Accessibility Is a Global Standard  

Blue tile with a dark blue world map as a background. In the foreground the are 4 people, a man standing with a white cane, a woman in a wheelchair with a laptop on her lap, a man standing holding an open laptop and a woman standing wearing headphones white symbols for internet, wifi and accessibility are above their heads.The European Union’s Accessibility Act is now in effect. Australia is also moving forward with new guidance that recommends WCAG 2.2 Level AA. 

New Zealand, however, still has no enforceable accessibility legislation for the private sector. Digital barriers remain, and disabled people continue to face exclusion. 

We have been advocating for change alongside Access Matters for years. Our team supports businesses through audits, training, and practical advice to help meet international standards. 

It is time to bring digital accessibility legislation back to the table in Aotearoa. 

Read the Digital Accessibility is a Global Standard blog on our website.  

Deafblind Conference 2025 

Kevin Prince on stage giving opening speechAccess Advisors recently had the honour of participating in the Deafblind Conference in Wellington. It was an inspiring event that truly lived up to its tagline: “a space where people come together to Be Seen Be Heard Be Connected.”  

Our Senior Access Advisor and President of the Deafblind Association of New Zealand, Kevin Prince, took centre stage alongside many amazing organisers and speakers.

Over three days, conversations centred around supporting those with dual sensory loss, featuring voices from Minister Louise Upston, researcher Dr. Sally Britnell, NZ Police, Banking Ombudsman, and many more.

Innovation was a key theme, with discussions on new assistive technologies and AI’s role in the future. Chandra joined a tech panel to discuss how mainstream technology can empower deafblind people.  

Beyond the talks, it was also a chance to connect and reconnect. Our Kevin was fully of smiles meeting Kevin the guide dog. Chandra also reunited with friends old and new. 

Coinciding with Helen Keller’s birthday, the event also marked the first global Deafblind Awareness Day, celebrated with cake. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible. We left feeling connected, inspired, and hopeful.  

If you want to learn more, check out our Deafblind Conference 2025 blog post or visit the Deafblind Association’s website and Deafblind NZ’s Facebook Page. 

Chandra and Stace Robertson   Kevin about to cut the cake. The cake is square and has bright yellow icing. Several other people are standing around the table   Dave Wilson - past president and Chandra, smiling, taking a selfie   Kevin Prince kneeling next to Kevin the black lab guide dog

Upcoming Events

ATSNZ Disability Expo banner

The ATSNZ Disability Expo is the event for showcasing products and services designed for the rehabilitation, aged care, home care markets and leisure and recreation markets.

Auckland 6-7 August and Christchurch 19-20 August.

Access Matters Logo

Join Access Matters for a powerful and thought-provoking webinar to explore how the justice system can be reimagined to centre the voices, rights, and experiences of disabled people and those with access needs. 
Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2025 
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM NZT 
Platform: Zoom 
Register now to secure your spot.

Explore all of our future and past News & Events. Contact us if you'd like us to speak at your event, or would like us to run a webinar.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s keep working together to create a more accessible Aotearoa for everyone.

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