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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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On Tuesday 25th March, the Board of Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) approved the permanent appointment of Robyn McKenzie as Executive Officer. Ms McKenzie has been acting in the role for the past six months.
"We’re very pleased with Robyn’s work thus far," said David Blyth, BCA President. "In the past six months she has overseen a successful National Convention, worked towards our upcoming change of premises, and re-introduced New Horizons, BCA’s weekly radio program. Robyn’s appointment is a positive step towards securing a strong future for the blind community in Australia."
Ms McKenzie comes to the position of Executive Officer with fifteen years experience in service provision for people who are blind or vision impaired, specialising in the areas of education, employment and training. Her personal experience of growing up with juvenile macular degeneration has given her a particular passion for empowering young people who are blind or vision impaired to gain leadership skills. "I see that as one of my key goals in this job," explained Ms McKenzie. "It’s up there with forming good relationships with government, expanding our capacity as an organisation and meeting the advocacy needs of the steadily growing number of Australians who are blind or vision impaired."
For more information about Robyn McKenzie or Blind Citizens Australia, contact the head office on (03) 9372 6400.
Media contact: Leah Hobson, National Policy Officer, 0430 210 980.
As the Government pushes its work choices rollback through Parliament this week, it is also rolling back the capacity for people with disabilities to lodge discrimination complaints.
This is due to a decision, as part of the work choices rollback, to withdraw funding given to the Human Rights Commission by the previous Government to deal with the extra complaints it would receive when unfair dismissal laws were repealed.
"These two decisions together are quite ironic," said Robyn Mckenzie, Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia. "Blind people experience a rate of unemployment four to five times higher than the general community. We're already seriously disadvantaged, and now, if we're discriminated against, this government decision will weaken the capacity of the Human Rights Commission to deal with our complaint."
Discrimination complaints have increased since the repeal of unfair dismissal laws. In the 2005-06 financial year there were 560 disability discrimination complaints, with a rise to 802 complaints last year. The number of complaints is expected to be over 900 this financial year. Withdrawal of the work choices funds will mean that the usual six month turn-around for handling of complaints will blow out to 18 months or more.
"Blind Citizens Australia calls upon the Government to continue this funding - amounting to $1.8 million in a full financial year- so that the Human Rights Commission can continue its work," Ms McKenzie said.
Media contact: Leah Hobson, National Policy Officer, 0430 210 980.
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.
Listen to audio archives from the 2007 Blind citizens Australia National Convention.
New Horizons, Blind Citizens Australia's new weekly radio program, can be heard on RPH stations throughout Australia and over the Internet. Listen to New Horizons.
On December 4 2006, Sensis introduced a number of changes.
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: 12 May 2008
Blind Citizens Australia
Ross House
247 - 251 Flinders Lane
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Telephone: (03) 9654 1400 or
1800 033 660
TTY: (03) 9376 9275
Facsimile: (03) 9650 3200
E-mail: bca@bca.org.au