Interview with Pam Crothall and Don MacNeill

Pam Crothall was born in Christchurch, in 1958. Backgrounds early childhood and registration with the Foundation for the Blind in 1967. Discusses problems with schooling and mentions Geoff Gibbs. Recounts restrictions on partially sighted people learning Braille and using talking book machines. Details using Official Information Act to access her file held by the Foundation to apply for a guide dog. Mentions Homai College.

Discusses New Zealand Association of the Blind and Partially Blind meetings, existing members, AGMs, conferences and increasing memberships. Mentions 1983 conference during Mary Schnackenberg's presidency and political activism there. Also mentions Linda Beck, Peter Debinchy, Frank Wright and Don McKenzie. Talks in detail about the Christchurch Association branch and Braille week. Mentions Project 4000. Details hostel closures including McCoy, Tawa, Hutchinson and Fernwood.

Recounts varied employment history and Foundation placement officers Ozzie Fallington and Colin Hansen. Tells of problems with the Under 8 Worker's Permit. Discusses further education, completing a certificate and diploma of social work at University of Canterbury. Talks about new technology available for blind people including speech synthesiser computers, scanners and Braille composers. Outlines career path to current position as Manager of the Mainstream Supported Employment Programme at the State Services Commission.

Discusses involvement in New Zealand View since 1989 and position as secretary of the Wellington branch of the Association. Don MacNeill discusses his ongoing involvement in this organisation.

Interviewer(s) - Greg Newbold

Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 45 Minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3260.

Search dates: 1994