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Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is the united voice of blind and vision-impaired Australians. Our mission is to achieve equity and equality by our empowerment, by promoting positive community attitudes, and by striving for high quality and accessible services which meet our needs.
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The Commission is currently surveying people with disability about their experiences of using taxi services in Victoria.The survey will run from 5 to 26 February 2010.
It is a follow up to a similar survey conducted in 2006. That research informed the report "Time to Respond" which made recommendations to government and the taxi industry about how to improve taxi services.Three years on the Commission is keen to find out if things are getting better (or worse) on the ground.
The information gathered will be used to guide improvements to the taxi industry. In particular, results will be included in a progress report on Time to Respond,due for release in June 2010. Blind Citizens Australia encourages as many people who are blind or vision impaired to complete this survey.
How to complete the survey:
Download the survey in word and email your completed survey to contact@marketsolutions.com.au
Complete the survey on line via the Commission website www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au
Complete the survey over the telephone- please contact Liesl Oliver on 9032 3435. If you require an interpreter please call 1300 152 494 or TTY 1300 289 621.
An information sheet about the survey is available in braille, large font and electronically. Please contact the Commission on the numbers above to request one.
In late 2009 the Australian Government release the Media Access report Access to Electronic Media for the Hearing and Vision Impaired. Read the submission to the Media Access Review by Blind Citizens Australia.
Blind Citizens Australia held its National Convention in Brisbane on the weekend of 17 and 18 October. Listen to audio archives of the Convention.
Australian Web Access Review (AWARe) gives you an opportunity to have your say on the accessibility, or lack of it, of prominent Australian websites. More importantly, users' feedback will be used to help drive awareness of and improvements to web access in Australia.
read the Media Access Australia Press Release and visit the AWARe site.
In June 2009 the Australian government announced its intention to follow up on an election campaign promise and nationally harmonise disability parking programs across Australia. BCA made a submission after a long and hearty community debate over whether a disability parking permit is a necessity or a convenience for most able-bodied Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
On 16 March 2009, the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) released a report recommending that the government should not continue to pursue accessible voting for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Read the report and what you can do
New Horizons, Blind Citizens Australia's weekly radio program, can be heard on RPH stations throughout Australia and over the Internet. Listen to New Horizons.
The Companion Card program is a program which allows people with a disability to attend cultural, sporting and entertainment events with a companion who attends for free. Visit the above link for details.
The Australian government is undertaking a review of pensions for people with disabilities, carers and seniors. Blind Citizens Australia put in a submission to the review which talked about the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired. A summary of the submission is also available.
Blind Citizens Australia recently responded to a review of organizations which provide help to jobseekers with disabilities run by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. This review is about the way these services are funded, how they report to government and how they are run every day.
On 18th July 2008, the Australian government announced the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. For more information, please see the press release issued by the Attorney General's Department. BCA has been actively supporting the ratification of the Convention through writing submissions and attending government consultations.
The Federal Government is undertaking an inquiry into media access for people who are blind or vision impaired and deaf or hearing impaired, including film, television, DVD and internet content. Read Blind Citizens Australia's submission to the Media Access Inquiry here.
The Federal Government has decided to develop a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy to help people with disabilities find work. Recently the government asked the public to say what they felt was important to consider when developing the Strategy. Read Blind Citizens Australia's submission to the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy consultation here.
Read the text of the speech to the Every Child Matters conference, given by Leah Hobson, Blind Citizens Australia's National Policy Officer.
Read Blind Citizens Australia's Position Statement on Silent Vehicles.
Read Blind Citizens Australia's Volunteering Policy.
Read Blind Citizens Australia's response to the Equal Opportunity Act (Victoria) Review Options Paper.
In 2007, BCA held two public transport forums in Victoria, which combined, were attended by over 120 people. A report containing the recommendations of these forums has been prepared and contains information that will be forwarded to public transport operators. Read more.
As part of their legal requirements, the Victorian government is undertaking a review of the Equal Opportunity Act (1995). Blind Citizens Australia recently made a submission to the review which can be found here.
Blind Citizens Australia in collaboration with the City of Greater Geelong marked International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3, 2007 with the public launch of the BCA Obstacle Notice, a national campaign to make residential streets safer for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Blind Citizens Australia, in conjunction with the Blythe-Sanderson Group,
proudly launched the
Blind Citizens Australia Obstacle Notice
at the BCA National Convention 2007. This A6 notice provides a self advocacy tool for people who are blind or vision impaired that assists in removing obstacles from local communities. It also raises the profile of BCA and awareness of blindness and vision impairment. The notice is now available for members in all states and territories of Australia. Select the above link for details.
Blind Citizens Australia is working with the Australian
banks and the Australian banking industry to establish a comprehensive
search facility for members to locate audio enabled ATMs in their area.
Find your nearest audio ATM
Visit the home of audio description. The website is maintained by Media Access Australia and includes general information on audio description, how audio description began in Australia, titles available and where to buy them.
Keep up-to-date with news from our National Policy Officer.
Read the fare and guide dog policy for Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue.
Send comments to: Barry Chapman, Webmaster <barrych@bigpond.net.au>
Last Modified: 8 February 2010
Blind Citizens Australia
Ross House
Level 3, 247-251 Flinders Lane
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Telephone: (03) 9654 1400 or
1800 033 660
TTY: (03) 9639 1728
Facsimile: (03) 9650 3200
E-mail: bca@bca.org.au