I am pleased to introduce the 30th Annual Report of Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) for the year e nded 30 June 2005.
The highlights for this year include:
The five key activities which BCA undertakes to achieve our objectives remain unchanged. They are: individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, information dissemination, peer support and consultation. We provide these services to our members and to all blind or vision impaired Australians.
Blind Citizens Australia continues to be recognised as a source of authoritative and quality advice on issues affecting blind or vision impaired Australians. In 2004-2005, BCA has contributed to consultations conducted by the departments of Family and Community Services, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Attorney-General's Department, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and the Australian Building Codes Board.
BCA collaborates with other blindness organisations on matters of common concern through the Australian Blindness Forum. As a founding member of Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), BCA works co-operatively with national disability peak bodies on issues of mutual interest. BCA has also been actively engaged in international action for blind or vision impaired people through the World Blind Union, South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment and our Overseas Service Branch.
In the 2004-2005 financial year Blind Citizens Australia returned a small profit and retained a modest bank balance which enabled it to continue its vital work into the next year. Full details are in the Financial Statements of this report.
I thank all of those members and supporters who have made donations to BCA during the year. Donations from members and supporters during this year totalled $13,500. I also thank those blindness agencies and commercial organisations who have continued to financially support us over a number of years and to those who have provided support for the first time this year.
I particularly express our appreciation to RBS.RVIB.VAF Ltd, the new multi-State service agency, for its substantial financial support to BCA, in particular its welcomed support for our New South Wales office.
In 2004-2005, the Victorian Government, through the Department of Human Services, funded BCA, in the amount of $85,000, to provide a state wide information and advocacy service for people who are blind or vision impaired. The Victorian Government's funding of BCA for this service has enabled BCA to do things in Victoria that we have been unable to do in other States, such as developing a standard for the installation of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) throughout the metropolitan rail network.
The Western Australian Government, through the Disability Services Commission of WA, funds Blind Citizens WA for systemic and individual advocacy and information dissemination for blind citizens in WA. BCA would encourage other State and Territory governments to look to the Victorian and Western Australian models as examples of how a consumer driven information and advocacy service can assist in the improvement of services and support for blind or vision impaired residents and taxpayers in their States and Territories.
In 2004-2005, The Federal Government Department of Family and Community Services provided $167,000 for BCA's secretariat support and to meet the substantial costs of communicating with our members in a range of formats. BCA also received further funding from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations of $16,500 to complete a project to enhance the capacity of Job Network providers to assist people who are blind or vision impaired to gain employment. We also acknowledge the significant financial support received from Captain Cooke Industries, The Royal Society for the Blind of South Australia, Guide Dogs Association of Victoria and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia.
Blind Citizen Australia depends very much on volunteers to support our work on behalf of blind or vision impaired people. I record our appreciation of those people who have supported BCA in a voluntary capacity in the last year in the National Office and the New South Wales office and at the State and Branch levels. BCA volunteers contribute their expertise in a range of tasks including labelling envelopes, formatting Braille, copying newsletter cassettes, answering phones, entering data, sending out Branch notices, recording interviews and writing submissions. The effort and time commitment of volunteers is appreciated by the BCA Board and staff.
At the beginning of the year, Maryanne Diamond left BCA to take up the position of CEO of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO). I record our appreciation to Maryanne for her continuing advice and assistance to the Board and to me during this year.
From July to September 2004, Nadia Mattiazzo, in addition to her role as Victorian Advocacy and Information Officer, took on the role of Office Manager to provide both leadership in the office and support to the Board in the management of BCA pending the appointment of an Executive Officer.
In October 2004, Frank Nowlan joined BCA as its Executive Officer. Frank served in this position until March 2005, when he resigned for personal reasons. On behalf of the Board and members, I record our appreciation to Frank for his contribution to BCA as Executive Officer during this period and his continuing contribution to BCA in a voluntary capacity.
On Frank's resignation, the Board decided not to appoint an Executive Officer immediately. Instead, the Board has taken the opportunity to review BCA's business operations, administration and the role and function of the National Office. Business management consultant John Smithies has been engaged on a six month contract until November 2005 to work with the Board to review its operations and manage the business of BCA over this period. John is making substantial progress in these tasks and we look to the conclusion of our review and the new arrangements for the management of BCA to take effect at the end of 2005. The changes in leadership in the office over the year have placed additional stresses and workloads on our staff. I thank all staff for the positive way in which they have responded to these challenges.
There have been a number of changes in our administrative staff in this year. BCA's three casual lottery telemarketers in Bathurst, Margaret Stocks, Joyce Pratley and Marjorie Hicks, completed their final BCA Lottery in June after six years of service to the organisation. I want to acknowledge the hard work and long service they provided during their time at BCA. BCA Finance Officer, Belinda Ayres left during March and was replaced by Henry Kuswanto who will work with us until the business review is completed. I thank Belinda for her hard work while at BCA. Of particular importance, I want to finally mention the retirement in June of Rosalyn Bates, who has been our key administrative person for the last 5 years. Prior to joining our staff, Rosalyn had provided many years of voluntary help to BCA and its members. On behalf of the Board and members, I record our appreciation of Rosalyn's contribution to our organisation and extend to her our very best wishes for her retirement.
The changes in office leadership and the review of our operations have required an increased commitment and workload for our Board members. I want to particularly mention the outstanding contributions of Karen Knight, John Simpson and Theresa Smith for the manner in which they have taken on additional responsibilities as BCA Directors in this year.
The David Blyth Award was presented to Bill Jolley at the 2004 Annual General Meeting. The presentation of this Award recognises Bill's substantial contribution to improving the lives of Australians who are blind or vision impaired, as a leader and Executive Officer in BCA and as an advocate for Braille and for access to information and technology. Bill has also been an active contributor to the international effort on behalf of people who are blind or vision impaired through his contributions to the introduction of computerised Braille production in Africa and to BCA training and development projects in Vietnam and Fiji. On behalf of all BCA members and friends, I congratulate Bill on this Award and thank him for his tremendous contributions over many years.
This report is the collective effort of various Directors and members of staff. As you read it you will understand the valuable work BCA undertakes on behalf of Australians who are blind or vision impaired and the positive impact this work has on the Australian community overall.
Back to top of PageBlind Citizens Australia is the united voice of blind or 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.
Back to top of PageServicing the individual and systemic advocacy needs of people who are blind or vision impaired is the core business activity of Blind Citizens Australia. Once again, it has been a very busy and productive year. Over 240 individual cases were undertaken during the reporting period, with a portion requiring emergency assistance. Disability discrimination complaints and Centrelink related issues made up the bulk of these cases. Highlights of our systemic work include providing submissions and evidence to inquiries on employment, elections and literacy.
We are pleased to report below the excellent advocacy outcomes BCA has achieved over the past year.
BCA has continued to provide advice and advocacy support to primary, secondary and tertiary students and institutions. Course design, the timely provision of accessible education materials and the provision of support services remain the most frequently raised issues of concern to students. Referred to in the last annual report, and of continuing concern, is the issue of whether the school or parents should pay for support services including the provision of accessible study materials. This issue remains unresolved in the independent schools sector.
BCA made a comprehensive submission to the National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy undertaken by the federal Department of Education, Science and Training. The focus of our submission was to highlight the need for teachers to become proficient in the teaching of Braille to ensure all students who are blind or vision impaired in Australian schools have access to this most important medium of literacy.
Australian Universities Teaching Committee (AUTC) Vision Project In 2003 the Australian Universities Teaching Committee (AUTC) provided funding for the Creating Accessible Teaching and Support (CATS) project that aimed to identify ways students with vision impairments could be supported by good university teaching practices.
BCA has been on the Steering Committee of the CATS project from the time of its inception. Over the 2004-2005 period, the CATS team has produced, amongst other activities under phase one of its project plan, an extensive review of the literature relating to students with vision impairments, the development of a web based resource to support good teaching practice for students with disabilities in higher education and the development of a booklet providing information about supporting and teaching students who are blind or vision impaired. The second phase of the project, funded by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, is currently underway. This involves, amongst other tasks, a framework to broaden the project to encompass the needs of all students with disabilities in higher education.
The Standards for Education were tabled in both Houses of Federal Parliament on the 17th March 2005 and should be passed during the 2005 spring session if no notice of motion to amend is given. BCA was actively involved over the ten year period it took to formulate these Standards and we wrote to all major and minor parties prior to the November 2004 Federal Election calling on parliamentarians to support the passage of the Standards through Parliament regardless of the election outcome.
We see it as a major step forward that the Federal parliament will now, in all probability, pass the education standards. BCA is hopeful that the Disability Standards for Education will clarify the rights of students in all sectors and decrease the need for BCA advocacy in this area.
BCA has continued its representation on the Australian Standards ME64 Committee dealing with Standard 1428 relating to access. BCA is also represented on ASNZ1428.1 and ASNZ1428.4 which relates to building access, placement of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) and accessible signage.
In 2004, we were invited to present at a series of Wayfinding Symposiums in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. These were very successful and provided valuable information on access issues for people who are blind or vision impaired to representatives in the building industry. Attendees ranged from access consultants, building surveyors, orientation and mobility instructors and representatives from local councils and various road construction authorities. On the strength of our representation, BCA received many requests for information relating to our presentation.
BCA's advocacy service has provided advice and support on issues of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. These include cases involving alleged discrimination during the interview processes and supporting workers when negotiating the terms and conditions of their current employment. Assistance has also been given at the other end of the employment relationship during redundancy, resignation and retirement.
BCA made a submission in September 2004 in response to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's (HREOC) call for comments, asking whether a public inquiry on issues affecting people with disabilities and equal employment opportunity should be undertaken. Our submission stated unequivocally that a public inquiry should be conducted on this important issue.
In February 2005, HREOC announced a public inquiry into employment and disability. BCA made a comprehensive submission to this inquiry where, amongst our recommendations, we called on the Commission to ensure;
"That all Governments work with the education sector and employers to increase the availability of work experience opportunities for people with a disability…and that the Federal public sector should revitalise its role as a model employer of people with disabilities".
We await with interest HREOC's report on this important inquiry. Our expectations are that the Commission's report will confirm the existence of the many barriers that prevent people with disabilities from gaining employment and achieving continued success in employment relationships.
An exciting outcome in the goods and service industry involves the National Australia Bank developing banking templates and distributing a limited number of free headsets through blindness agencies to use with audible ATMs. However, on a less positive note, finance companies continue to place unreasonable conditions on applications for finance. Refusal of finance has been the subject of a number of complaints brought to our attention. We will strive to achieve good outcomes in this area to bring about precedent cases and encourage any person who is blind or vision impaired that has been refused finance by banking and financial companies to contact the BCA National Office.
We continued to experience an increase in the number of cases involving discrimination against people using dog guides in 2004-2005. This is a disappointing trend and we will continue to advocate on behalf of blind or vision impaired people who face discrimination when accessing goods and services.
The Federal Government's proposed changes under the 'Welfare to Work' reforms announced in the 2005-2006 Federal Government Budget in May 2005 highlight the need for ongoing dialogue with policy makers. We are pleased to report that the 2005-2006 Budget announcement contained no changes to the means test free and tax free status of the Disability Support Pension (Blind) for both current and new applicants, including those who apply after 1 July 2006. Also, new applicants to the DSP (Blind) after 1 July 2006 will not be subject to the new participation tests that require persons to look for work if they are able to work 15 hours or more per week.
BCA has had some successful outcomes in having debts to Centrelink significantly reduced or waived. We have supported people in claiming back-payments from Centrelink as well as providing advice in relation to payment portability, income and asset testing, taxation and appropriate payments.
BCA continues to be extremely appreciative of the assistance provided by Centrelink's Disability Services Branch which has clarified many issues for us and looked into a number of matters that have affected customers. The support of this branch has enabled BCA to provide more timely advice and saved many people from having to pursue formal appeal processes.
In January 2005 BCA made a submission to the Victorian Parliament's Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee Inquiry into Electronic Democracy advocating for the introduction of Electronic Assisted Voting (EAV) at election time to allow people who are blind or vision impaired to cast an independent, secret and verifiable vote.
Following our submission, BCA was invited to give evidence at the Committee’s public hearings.
The final report of the inquiry was released during May 2005. BCA is pleased to report the Committee's recommendation that calls on the Victorian Electoral Commission, in consultation with relevant stakeholder groups, to develop and implement a system of electronic voting machines for local and general elections in Victoria that permit 'the casting of a private, unassisted vote for the blind, those Victorians with limited vision, and Victorians with low levels of English literacy'. (2005. Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee, Victorian Electronic Democracy, Final Report, p.xxvii)
In March 2005, BCA made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) review of the November 2004 Federal election. As with the submission to the Victorian e-democracy inquiry, BCA advocated for accessible voting through Electronic Assisted Voting (EAV). Following our submission, BCA was invited to give evidence at the Committee's public hearings. To further advocate the issue of accessible voting through electronic means, BCA National Policy Officer published the following article:
'One vote, one click: upgrading democracy for the blind or vision impaired'. Power, John. (2004) Access Online. Federal Election Edition, October.
Through our individual and systemic advocacy work, BCA greatly values the working relationships with individuals, government, affiliate blindness organisations and the disability and community sector. Moving forward we will continue to provide the most professional and supportive advocacy environment that empowers people who are blind or vision impaired both at the individual and political level.
Back to top of PageThe Victorian Advocacy and Information service, including information and individual advocacy services, has continued this year in accordance with the funding agreement between BCA and the Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS). Once again, the staff at DHS have been very encouraging of BCA's work in Victoria, and have offered invaluable support in BCA's important role in the State Disability Plan.
BCA's Victorian Co-ordinating Committee has again worked hard to identify priorities and set directions for the Information and Advocacy service. The Committee has identified the long-standing issues of public transport, access to information and services, and access to advocacy services as priorities for the year. Their work has been much appreciated, as has their cooperative approach.
Victoria has always maintained a high standard of production and quality in our SoundAbout audio magazine, thanks to the hard work and commitment of our members involved in presenting, copying and mailing out each issue. Victoria was part of a national working group continuing the production of SoundAbout magazine, incorporating both national content, and material prepared by each State.
BCA's membership of the Victorian Government's Public Transport Access Committee enables the organisation to stay in touch with current developments in public transport, and work to bring about accessibility for travellers who are blind or vision impaired. We have needed to work hard this year to ensure that our needs for accessibility of transport services are communicated to Ministers within the State Government and other parliamentarians, and to senior policy-makers within the Department of Infrastructure and private transport companies. Our main access priorities have included audible announcements at stations and on vehicles, use of tactile ground surface indicators, non-visual identification of buses and education of transport providers. These issues are expected to involve considerable work in the coming year, particularly the continuing redevelopment of Spencer Street Station.
Safety at level crossings has also been highlighted as an issue of concern and BCA has had representation on the Pedestrian Safety at Level Crossings Group that has been involved in providing invaluable suggestions and feedback to the Department of Infrastructure. As a result of the Coroner's findings into two accidents at railway crossings a plan has been developed which will seek to upgrade all crossings that have been deemed unsafe. Work has now begun in the development of four prototype level crossings which will assist the Department to develop a set of standards for configurations of railway crossings to meet the safety requirements set down in the Coroner's recommendations.
The upgrade of the Spencer Street Railway Station continues to take place and BCA is ensuring members are kept up to date with changes to the precinct. We are also providing input into the upgrade via a consultation process conducted by the consultants employed to facilitate the improvements. We will keep members fully informed of the changes that will affect the use of the Station via our e-mail lists and our publications.
In November 2004, BCA was asked to organise a consulting group of blindness service providers and interested individuals to provide feedback in relation to the development of a public transport SmartCard. The SmartCard, which can be used on all Victorian public transport, will finally give those who are blind or vision impaired the capacity to use the automated barriers independently; an issue which has been a high priority for the Victorian Advocacy and Information service. It is hoped that a prototype of the SmartCard will shortly be made available for further consultation.
The City of Melbourne has begun work on the construction of kiosks where people with disabilities can access special assistance or generalised mobility aids throughout the Central Business District. These Mobility Centres will be especially useful during the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the first Centres will be available at Federation Square, Flinders Street and/or Spencer Street Stations. BCA has been represented on the working group which was established to ensure that these Centres meet the needs of their users.
We have also provided information to local Councils', which have been conducting reviews of their Disability Action Plans and it is exciting to note that many Councils are adopting a 1.8 metre, or greater, clearance from building line to footpath items.
An important part of the Information and Advocacy service in Victoria is the contact generated between BCA and our members through forums and other presentations to community groups. In this last financial year, BCA received funding from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to conduct a number of forums throughout Australia which were aimed at employment service providers. These forums brought to the fore the issues faced by blind or vision impaired people when seeking employment. Job Network providers gained a greater awareness of the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired. BCA also produced a resource manual for Job Network providers which can be used to assist in the provision of their services.
In late 2003, BCA was asked to provide sponsorship for the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Conference which was to be held in Melbourne in January 2005. BCA provided in-kind sponsorship and was asked to take up a position on the organising committee for this event. The Conference was held in Melbourne early this year and BCA provided Braille transcription and production services for the event.
We have continued to take opportunities to make presentations to already existing groups of vision impaired people within the community. Presentations have been made to several low vision support groups and self-help groups with the support of one of Victoria's blindness agencies. At all presentations the role and services of BCA were described and the concept of self and peer advocacy was introduced and discussed. Group participants were encouraged to share their ideas and concerns about issues they encountered as vision impaired residents of their local communities. We have also continued to present at the Disability Discrimination Act Workshop conducted by Vic Roads.
In October 2004, Victoria held its second State Convention in the regional city of Geelong. The Convention was opened by Mr Ian Trezise, State MLA for Geelong and registrations averaged 75 per day. Access issues relating to public transport, library services and education were high priorities for those in attendance. As a result of these issues, the Victorian Project has worked hard with National Buses to find a means whereby people who are blind or vision impaired can alert bus drivers of their need to access the vehicle without having to hail down the bus. We hope that in the future, this can be achieved via electronic means. Another positive result of the Victorian Convention was the interest shown in the development of a regional branch covering the Greater Geelong area. We congratulate the commitment of those involved in seeking to develop an active and viable branch in this important regional city.
BCA continues to be represented on Standards Australia ASNZS 1428 Parts 1 and 4 Working Groups. These groups deal with access to premises, the installation of TGSIs and the use of accessible signage.
We are grateful for the hard work of our Victorian volunteers in assisting BCA National Office with mail-outs, recording and copying of audio information, and other vital tasks such as photocopying and answering telephones. Many of our members who assist us with voluntary work have also had the opportunity to become involved in our advocacy work, especially in the area of pedestrian safety and branch development. It is with much gratitude that we extend thanks to all our volunteers for their commitment to BCA and their part in the provision of information and other services to the general membership.
BCA receives numerous calls from Victorian members, requesting information, referral and short-term advocacy on a wide range of issues. A portion of these calls required urgent action. Requests for information mostly centre on locating appropriate blindness-specific and community services to which the caller can be referred, as well as information and advice about entitlements and access to benefits for public transport and taxis. We also offer information to anyone in the general community who wishes to provide appropriate services to people who are blind or vision impaired. This year, for example, several queries about the provision of information in accessible formats have been received.
Requests for short-term advocacy are also wide ranging in their focus. Again, the common themes of access to the pedestrian environment and to public transport services and entitlements predominate, but we also receive requests for advocacy in relation to blindness agencies, employment discrimination and education services.
BCA would like to thank all those who have provided invaluable assistance to the Victorian service this past financial year. Our Victorian Advocacy and Information Officer, Nadia Mattiazzo, records her thanks to those members of the Victorian Co-ordinating Committee for their assistance to her in the last 12 months. Over this year Nadia has also participated in the community program Leadership Plus that supports and promotes people with disabilities into leadership positions within the Victorian community.
Back to top of PageThe BCA NSW office in Sydney is currently attended on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 am to 4 pm by one BCA staff member.
The service provides advocacy advice to members and those seeking information about low vision equipment and services. The Sydney office also attends to the many requests to represent the blindness community at meetings and various disability discussion forums.
In summary the tasks undertaken by the Sydney office over the reporting period include:
A highlight for the year was the second NSW State Convention in Mudgee in Central Western New South Wales. The initiative of holding our State convention in a regional centre was very successful and those who attended benefited from the peer support and information exchange and enjoyed the social activities. I record our appreciation to Mary Lovett and the Members of the Central West Branch for their enthusiasm and hospitality and for making it such a successful convention.
BCA wishes to extend our appreciation to the Board and CEO of RBS.RVIB.VAF Ltd for their continued support of the NSW service.
Back to top of PageTEDICORE has been in operation for the past seven years as a project funded by the Federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Over that time, Blind Citizens Australia has sought funding on an annual basis for the continuation of the project.
While Blind Citizens Australia has been the peak disability body hosting and supporting the project, TEDICORE has always had a mandate to represent all disability groups to achieve better access to and equity in telecommunications. TEDICORE's advantage is that it has the resources and ability to advocate on general telecommunications issues which will benefit many people with different disabilities in ways that would not necessarily be done by any one disability body representing its own constituents. There is a direct flow-on benefit to blind or vision impaired people by the activities undertaken by TEDICORE and the strong input into its activities by our BCA representatives.
This report will highlight some examples of TEDICORE's work in the past year and the outcomes for blind or vision impaired people.
The Australian Communication Industry Forum (ACIF) convened a Working Committee for the development of a Code on information about the accessibility of phone features in early 2004. This Code will be used by importers and manufacturers of phone equipment to provide information to service providers about which features of their phone products are accessible. The service providers will in turn provide information to consumers about accessible features. This should assist when people with vision impairment are deciding on particular models of phones based on such features as size of font on displays, size of buttons and lettering, speech output of pressed keys and good contrast. There have been significant delays in advancing the work as industry increases its own understanding of communication issues. It is anticipated that the Code will be completed and registered in the foreseeable future.
In January 2005, the government regulator, now the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released a report completed by eight consumer representatives on strategies to strengthen the consumer voice in achieving better equity in telecommunications. As part of the project group, BCA contributed to the development of recommendations with HREOC and other stakeholders. These include:
BCA would like to thank Gunela Astbrink for her ongoing work on the project. For further information on the TEDICORE project, visit the BCA website: www.bca.org.au.
During 2004 BCA was successful in obtaining a grant from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to undertake a short-term employment project. The aim of the project was to provide Job Network providers with comprehensive information, resources and training on the employment needs and potential of job seekers who are blind or vision impaired.
BCA developed a resource manual and delivered employment forums in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Dubbo in central west NSW in August 2004. These information sessions and training workshops demonstrated that there is a wide variety of industries and occupations that people who are blind or vision impaired can be employed in, given appropriate opportunities, training, support and access to adaptive technology.
The resource manual and employment forums provided information on:
The employment forums included presentations by employees who are blind or vision impaired, and presentations by best practice employers, which provided insight into the challenges and solutions associated with obtaining and maintaining employment for people who are blind or vision impaired.
The workshops included demonstrations of adaptive technology, and discussion forums, which provided an opportunity for questions and answers, for developing networks and identifying resources to promote employment opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Evaluation of the project enabled BCA to provide comprehensive advice and recommendations for further training and development of employment services for people with a disability. Feedback from Job Network providers who attended the employment forums indicated that they acquired a significant increase in knowledge and confidence in the provision of employment services for job seekers who are blind or vision impaired.
Back to top of PageThe NPDC consists of the BCA Board members, a representative from each State or Territory that has more than 50 full members, as well as one representative of Class (A) Organisational members and a co-opted representative of the National Women's Branch. In 2004-2005, the ACT Branch achieved a membership of 50 and was represented on the NPDC for the first time. The NPDC has responsibility for guiding the development of BCA policies. There is an NPDC group on each of the four following areas: Education and Employment, Transport and Environmental Access, Library and Information Access and BCA Membership and Development.
In addition to the Board, other members of the NPDC are Mathew Mirabella (VIC), Bill McKennariey (NSW), Terry Boyle (QLD), Kym Hand (SA), Erika Webb (WA), Craig Magill (ACT) and Lee Kumutat (Women's Branch representative). The positions of Tasmanian representative and representative of Organisational members were vacant in 2004-2005.
The Council holds two face to face meetings each year. Between meetings, the Council functions through Strategic Management Groups (SMGs) which meet monthly by telephone. Each SMG deals with a specific aspect of BCA's work and consists of Council members and other members of BCA who have skills or interests relevant to its work. The Chair of the SMG is responsible for working with other NPDC members to identify BCA members with relevant skills and interests. Below are the major highlights from each of the SMGs for the year.
The three NPDC representatives on the Membership & Development Strategic Management Group (M&D SMG) are Theresa Smith, Chair (NSW), Craig Magill (ACT) and Mathew Mirabella (VIC). The M & D SMG has been working on a number of projects during 2004-2005.
Firstly, the M&D SMG is using the funds raised by Darren Fittler to run a series of one-day forums in the capital cities, commencing in 2006, targeted at blind or vision impaired youth in years 10-12. The SMG will develop the forums to provide students with the opportunity to network and discuss their post-school options, including further education or employment. More details about the forums will be provided as the project develops further.
The second project was the development of a Branch Booklet to provide members with information about the establishment, governance and operation of a BCA branch. The Booklet was sent to three BCA branches in order to receive feedback about its content before being distributed to all branches and members interested in receiving a copy. The Branch Booklet represents an important resource for our membership.
In 2004-2005 there was no organisational member representative on the NPDC. The M&D SMG developed a plan to contact all organisational members seeking their feedback on how their organisation can become better involved in the work of BCA. It is hoped that an improved process of communication with organisational members will strengthen their relationship with BCA.
The M&D SMG continues to seek feedback from all members on how to become more active with BCA. The SMG is particularly focussed on remote regions of Australia and less active states, such as Tasmania.
Theresa Smith, Chair of Membership & Development SMG
E-mail: tsmith24@une.edu.au
The NPDC representatives on the Transport and Environmental Access Strategic Management Group (T&EA SMG) are Tony Starkey, Chair (SA), Robert Altamore (ACT), Bill McKennariey (NSW) and Erika Webb (WA). Other members include, Barry Chapman (NSW), Peter Johnson (WA), Keith Hayes (WA), Dave Gordon (TAS), and Nadia Mattiazzo (VIC).
The Transport and Environmental Access (T&EA) SMG continues to monitor and be vigilant on ensuring that people who are blind or vision impaired are able to navigate and participate in the community as independently as possible
The Access to Premises Standard which currently has a minimal impact on people who are blind or vision impaired continues to be in draft and has not yet been accepted as Government policy for inclusion in the Australian Building Code.
We congratulate the South Australian Government on improved access for people with disabilities with the introduction of the Plus One Companion Card which allows a companion to travel free of charge on the Metro system when assisting a person with a disability. This support is already available in some other states.
Taxi subsidy schemes are particularly critical to the ability of people who are blind or vision impaired to participate in the community and travel safely. We particularly welcome the South Australian Government's action to expand that State's taxi subsidy scheme to include people who are blind. For Many years, South Australia was the only State that did not allow blind people access to its taxi subsidy scheme. The New South Wales Government is trialling the use of SmartCard technology to replace paper vouchers. This trial has been well received by its participants and taxi drivers and we hope for a positive response from the New South Wales Government in the coming year.
Local governments throughout Australia are developing policies that govern the use of footpaths. BCA through its branches has had considerable input into the consultation process. The Transport and Access SMG would like to encourage all members of BCA to contact their local council to check if they have a policy that ensures there is a minimum pedestrian clearway of 1.8 metres wide and 2.1 metres high from a building line. Our Pedestrian Safety Policy is available to support your advocacy from the BCA website www.bca.org.au or contact BCA National Office on 1800 033 660.
In 2004-2005, BCA continued to be a contact point for members who requested advice and advocacy on systemic barriers to access in the built environment and Transport.
Tony Starkey, Chair Transport and Environmental Access SMG
E-mail: tstarkey@rsb.org.au
The Education and Employment Strategic Management Group (E&E SMG) consists of a very experienced and dedicated group of talented BCA members. Members of the group are spread across Australia; this has given the group access to a wide range of varying experience, which has become one of its great strengths. The NPDC members of the group are Greg Madson, Chair (WA), Theresa Smith, co-convener (NSW), Kym Hand (SA) and Terry Boyle (QLD). Other members include Derek Stiller (ACT), Kevin Murfitt (VIC), Lee Kumutat (NSW), Ros Martin (NSW), Robyn McKenzie (VIC) and Michael Simpson (NSW).
In 2004 BCA took the opportunity to have representation on an Australian Vice Chancellors Committee (AVCC) working group given the task to develop guidelines on information access for students with print disabilities. In November of 2004 these guidelines were published.
The guidelines are not a prescriptive list but are presented as advice on good practice, with the aim of assisting individual institutions to meet the needs of students with print disabilities through strategies and arrangements, which are appropriate to their local circumstances. The guidelines relate to:
The BCA Board identified priorities out of the 2003-2005 BCA Strategic Plan that needed attention and the Education and Employment Strategic Management Group has been focussing on those priorities relating to education and employment.
People who are blind or vision impaired are not always aware of adaptive equipment schemes that are available. In an attempt to address this, the SMG undertook to document adaptive equipment schemes in their states. Greg Madson, Chair Education and Employment SMG
E-mail: gmadson@fnas.uwa.edu.au
During this year, BCA's Library and Information Access Strategic Management Group (L&IA SMG) was under the overall responsibility of Susan Thompson as the designated Board member and joined by BCA members Jan Miller (TAS), Lynne Davis (NSW), Bev Burrows (QLD), Frank Nowlan (VIC) and Fiona Woods (NSW). The SMG was also assisted by fellow Board member John Simpson, and Mathew Mirabella, a member of the National Policy and Development Council.
This year the SMG focused both on ongoing issues, as well as some specific new projects in both library services and information access. The areas of work for the SMG included:
In addition, BCA was involved in a collaborative project with the Australian Caption Centre relating to the availability of described DVDs in Australia.
Access to important information presented as on-screen text only, on television was the subject of a resolution at the 2003 BCA National Convention.
In September 2003 BCA made a submission to Free Television Australia as part of the review of The Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice (the Code). The submission urged that commercial broadcasters be required by the Code to provide important information in audio alongside the information displayed on screen, in situations where this information is of important societal or community importance such as issues of abuse or health issues, dealt with in various informational programs, or information related to critical emergency situations such as fires or other disasters.
BCA also sent a copy of this submission to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (the ABA), as the government body with responsibility for registering the Code under The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the BSA). The BSA provides that in registering a code, the ABA should be satisfied that, amongst other things, there has been 'adequate consultation with the public', and that 'the matters contained in the Code provide adequate Community Safeguards'.
The revised Code was registered in July 2004, and reflected none of the matters raised in our submission.
BCA wrote directly to the ABA to express concern over this outcome and Free TV Australia contacted and met with BCA, and provided a copy of the guidelines they had developed relevant to matters raised in our submission. However these guidelines are not a part of the Code, and therefore would not make the broadcaster accountable to the ABA under the Code denying access to a blind or vision impaired person to important audio information.
BCA is disappointed that the ABA in registering the Code without this vital component. We believe this continues to treat blind or vision impaired people (as a group covered by the DDA) less favourably by denying them potentially critical safety information.
The area of specialised library services is always a critical issue for many blind, vision impaired and print disabled people, and is a rapidly changing area.
With this in mind, the SMG has begun the task of developing a comprehensive library services policy. It is intended that this BCA library services policy will cover issues such as alternative formats for materials, accessible navigation of content within the library collection, the differences between specialist blindness agency libraries and public libraries and what we expect from each to insure accessibility and equity, specialist book access equipment required, and issues around collection development, such as abridged books.
In late 2004, the SMG met with senior staff of the National Information and Library Service, and canvassed some of these issues as they relate to that agency's library service. This policy is intended to cover all libraries that provide services to blind or vision impaired Australians, including those in states receiving library services from other agencies.
Sue Thomson, Chair, Library and Information Access SMG
E-mail: susan@sthompson.net
BCA communicates with its members and with the blindness sector and the broader community through a number of media channels using a variety of alternative formats.
Our quarterly Newsletter, Blind Citizens News, is read widely both in Australia and internationally. Nadia Mattiazzo has edited Blind Citizens News during this year. Neville Kerr continues to host the Horizons radio program. This program is produced each week and is heard throughout Australia on Radio for the Print Handicapped stations, a number of community stations and on the internet through our web site. We express appreciation to Audio Read and its Principals Tony Blackwood and Warren Lesnie for providing us with the web space necessary to store and present Horizons and other audio materials on the internet.
Our audio magazine, SoundAbout, which has been produced for more than ten years, continues to provide a style of communication welcomed by many of our members. Thanks to Greg Madson who chaired the SoundAbout Committee and Dale Simpson, for technical expertise, Stephen Jolley for coordinating State presenters and those around Australia who have provided technical support.
The BCA website is maintained by Barry Chapman. During this year John Power, BCA National Policy Officer, has assisted him with by keeping current documents available on the policy page. Our fully accessible website is becoming increasingly important as a means of communication with our members and the general community both in Australia and internationally.
The BCA-l discussion list is available for members as an e-mail forum for discussion and sharing of information on issues important to them.
During 2004-2005 BCA surveyed its members to obtain information on their use of each of our communications media and how they might be improved. The survey was presented to the NPDC at its meeting in May 2005 and an NPDC SMG is overseeing its implementation.
Membership of BCA is voluntary and achieved through a once only membership joining fee payment. Membership provides entitlements to vote and receive regular news, information and invitations to BCA events.
All blind or vision impaired citizens, carers and family members have access to BCA advocacy services and advice irrespective of whether they are members of BCA.
We continue to be active in organisations outside BCA through representation in our own right or members taking part in activities as individuals. A list follows at the end of this section.
We have continued to be involved in co-ordinating bodies in the blindness field, namely: Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities, Australian Blindness Forum, Australian and New Zealand Accessible Information Group and South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment.
Our responsibility is to represent people who are blind and people who are vision impaired. In so doing, we believe it is critical to be part of other organisations and to receive information from them, to give advice to them and to ensure that when they speak out or develop policies on blindness or disability related matters, they do so in the context of our published policies. We have enjoyed productive working relations with many external bodies, and we value the contacts we have made and the information and advice we have received.
AFDO is the peak body in Australia representing people with disabilities. BCA has worked collaboratively with the broader disability community through the Federation to further our common causes, while we continue to independently advocate for people who are blind or vision impaired on issues of specific concern to our members. BCA was pleased to provide AFDO and its Chief Executive Officer, Maryanne Diamond with office space and administrative support during the early part of the year, when AFDO was establishing its operations, securing premises and recruiting its staff.
One of our most important involvements is through our nominees to the first Board of RBS.RVIB.VAF Ltd. June Ashmore, Lynne Davis and Maryanne Diamond are among the 12 founding directors of the newly merged agency. They will continue in this role until the organisations Annual General Meeting in 2006.
Blind Citizens Australia is also a member of the Australian Communications Industry Forum, Consumers' Telecommunications Network and Vision 2020 Australia.
We have continued to work with, to advise and receive information from our members on various bodies, even though they do not necessarily directly represent BCA.
Lynne Davis has continued as a member of the National Disability Advisory Council for this year. NDAC is the advisory council to the Federal Minister for Family and Community Services.
Aileen McFadzean has continued to represent BCA on the Centrelink Customer Reference Group during this year.
Members of Blind Citizens Australia serving on national and international bodies as direct representatives or nominees of BCA chosen by the Board are:
Members of Blind Citizens Australia serving on National and International Bodies in their own right;
Other International Organisations
| ACT: | Michael Johnston |
| Home: 02 6288 4149 | |
| E-mail: mc.johnston@bigpond.com | |
| Adelaide: | Tony Starkey |
| Home: 08 8172 0645 | |
| E-mail: tstarkey@rsb.org.au | |
| Brisbane: | Lynette Eagers |
| Branch Phone: 07 3891 2522 | |
| E-mail: leagers@pacific.net.au | |
| Central West NSW: | Mary Lovett |
| Home: 02 6373 1293 | |
| E-mail: mlovett@winsoft.net.au | |
| McLeay/Nambucca: | Ossie (Oswald) Gallagher |
| Home: 02 6566 5004 | |
| Melbourne: | Natale Cutri |
| Home: 03 9337 7645 | |
| E-mail: natalecutri@optushome.com.au | |
| Sydney: | Diana Braun |
| Branch Phone: 02 9744 7366 | |
| E-mail: Sydney@bca.org.au | |
| Tasmania: | Miss Maree Brown |
| Home: 03 6223 7416 | |
| E-mail: Maree.Brown@utas.edu.au | |
| Tweed Valley: | Ian Harrison |
| Home: 07 5536 1491 | |
| E-mail: ianh@onthenet.com.au | |
| Blind Citizens WA: | Greg Madson |
| Home: 08 9371 2111 | |
| E-mail: bcwa@q-net.net.au |
| Computer Users: | Peter Scanlon, |
| Home: 03 9878 3623 | |
| E-mail: Peter.Scanlon@justice.vic.gov.au | |
| Women's Branch: | Lee Kumutat |
| Home: 02 4620 4873 | |
| E-mail: leek@quantech.com.au | |
| Overseas Service: | Ivan Molloy |
| 8 Morrisons Avenue Mt Martha VIC 3934 | |
| Home: 03 5975 1858 | |
| Youth Branch (VIC): | Michael Curran |
| Home: 03 5449 6803 | |
| E-mail: mick@jantrid.net | |
| Youth Branch (QLD): | Amanda Tink |
| Home: 07 3252 4141 | |
| E-mail: amanda@hitsandpieces.net |
The members of the Board are: Robert Altamore (President), Theresa Smith (Vice-President), Karen Knight, Tony Starkey, John Simpson, Gregory Madson and Susan Thompson.
The Board meets monthly by teleconference and holds two face-to-face meetings each year, in association with meetings of the National Policy and Development Council. The Board also has a sub-committee on Finance and Fundraising, which is led by Karen Knight.
In 2004-2005 John Simpson was appointed Company Secretary during the vacancy in the Executive Officer position.
The Finance Committee members are:
BCA Board - Karen Knight (Chair), John Simpson, Theresa Smith;
External Members - Maryanne Diamond, Michael Simpson.
| John Smithies | Business Manager |
| Aileen McFadzean | National Advocacy Officer |
| John Power | National Policy Officer |
| Nadia Mattiazzo | Victorian Advocacy & Information Officer |
| Judi Potts | Administration/Executive Support Officer |
| Robert Mascitti | Administration/IT Support Officer |
| Henry Kuswanto | Finance Officer |
| Rowena Jitts | Administration Officer |
National Office Melbourne | |
| 13 Barrett Street | |
| Kensington, VIC 3031 | |
| Post: | PO Box 24 Sunshine 3020 |
| Phone: | 03 9372 6400 |
| Freecall: | 1800 033 660 |
| TTY: | 03 9376 9275 |
| Fax: | 03 9372 6466 |
| E-mail: | bca@bca.org.au |
| Website: | www.bca.org.au |
NSW Office | |
| 4 Mitchell Street | |
| Enfield, NSW 2134 | |
| Phone: | 02 9744 9844 |
| Fax: | 02 9744 6599 |
Blind Citizens Australia: 30th Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2005
Back to top of PageThe directors of the company declare that:
This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Director Robert Altamore
Dated: 2 September 2005
Director John A. Simpson
Dated: 2 September 2005
Your directors present this report on the company for the financial year ended 30 June, 2005.
The names of the directors in office at the time of this report are:
Robert J. Altamore
Karen L. Knight
Greg A. Madson
John A. Simpson
Theresa F. Smith
Tony F. Starkey
Susan J. Thompson
The profit of the company for the financial year after providing for income tax amounted to:
| Year ended | Year ended |
| 30 June, 2005 | 30 June, 2004 |
| $15,786.70 | $(5,329.01) |
No significant changes in the company's state of affairs occurred during the financial year.
The principal activity of the company during the course of the year was consumer advocacy for blind people in Australia. No significant change in the nature of this activity occurred during the year.
No matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year which significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the company, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the company in subsequent financial years.
The company's operations are not regulated by any significant environmental regulation under a law of the Federal Government or of a State or Territory.
As the company is limited by guarantee, no dividends are permitted to be paid.
Since the date of the last Directors' Report, Mr John Simpson has received or become entitled to receive benefits in respect of trading with Information Alternatives Pty Ltd, of which Mr Simpson is a director and shareholder. With this exception, no director has received or has become entitled to receive, during or since the financial year, a benefit because of a contract made by the company or related body corporate with a director, a firm which a director is a member or an entity in which a director has a substantial financial interest.
This statement excludes a benefit included in the aggregate amount of emoluments received or due and receivable by directors shown in the company's accounts, or the fixed salary of a full-time employee of the company or related body corporate. This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Director Robert Altamore
Dated: 2 September 2005
Director John A. Simpson
Dated: 2 September 2005
| 2005 | 2004 | |
| Income | $ | $ |
| Interest received | 2,722.30 | 2,962.91 |
| Charged Services - Income | 22,636.20 | 72.00 |
| Conventions | 26,527.18 | 47,438.55 |
| Fundraising - General | 36,207.50 | 47,360.79 |
| Fundraising - Lottery | 129,998.29 | 150,204.98 |
| Fundraising - Jeffrey Blyth Foundation | 10,000.00 | 11,111.00 |
| Government Funding | 251,897.90 | 259,280.58 |
| Grants - ACIF | 5,180.00 | 2,100.00 |
| Grants - Agency | 70,000.00 | 72,500.00 |
| ID Cards | 5,255.00 | 2,480.00 |
| Memberships | 2,130.00 | 2,830.47 |
| Projects - TEDICORE 03 / 04 | 4,918.64 | 93,924.48 |
| Projects - TEDICORE 04 / 05 | 94,000.00 | 0.00 |
| Projects - EIF | 35,053.72 | 15,125.36 |
| Reimbursements | 3,660.31 | 4,517.34 |
| Specific Purpose Income | 0.00 | 6,951.96 |
| Miscellaneous Income | 402.37 | 0.00 |
| Total income | 700,589.41 | 718,860.42 |
| 2005 | 2004 | |
| Expenses | $ | $ |
| Accountancy & Audit | 5,030.00 | 4,856.68 |
| ACIF Disability Expenses | 5,860.77 | 2,436.67 |
| Advertising and promotion | 862.64 | 0.00 |
| Annual General Meeting Expenses | 3,046.18 | 3,199.28 |
| Bank Fees | 1,256.11 | 2,277.92 |
| BCA Newsletter | 25,610.44 | 20,354.59 |
| Branch Support | 790.02 | 320.50 |
| Charged Services - Expense | 3,945.00 | 0.00 |
| Consultants and Contractors | 18,248.75 | 0.00 |
| Convention Expenses | 20,539.56 | 47,590.06 |
| Depreciation | 14,741.00 | 20,028.07 |
| General Fundraising Expenses | 3,284.12 | 2,231.30 |
| Insurance | 6,796.78 | 6,045.57 |
| Interest | 416.40 | 722.92 |
| Internet | 2,319.37 | 2,273.56 |
| Lottery Expenses | 118,523.31 | 120,291.53 |
| Meals | 0.00 | 125.00 |
| Meetings / Conferences | 1,434.10 | 387.51 |
| National Advocacy Service Expenses | 36,297.29 | 40,319.80 |
| National Policy Service Expenses | 41,568.31 | 49,535.19 |
| Postage | 3,658.54 | 2,999.80 |
| Printing & Stationery | 9,972.49 | 13,127.92 |
| Project Expenses - NSW | 14,794.68 | 10,876.36 |
| Project Expenses - TEDICORE | 87,125.52 | 93,891.56 |
| Project Expenses - World Blind Union | 2,532.35 | 10,519.86 |
| Project Expenses - EIF | 11,396.30 | 16,896.81 |
| Project Expenses - Horizon | 603.60 | 469.75 |
| Rent & Services | 19,614.87 | 19,318.90 |
| Relocation Expenses | 0.00 | 18,132.73 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 4,859.96 | 2,868.67 |
| SoundAbout Communications | 10,019.05 | 6,819.17 |
| Staff Amenities | 1,083.62 | 859.62 |
| Subscriptions | 5,246.27 | 3,439.02 |
| Sundry Expenses | 700.59 | 401.90 |
| Superannuation | 15,932.51 | 18,804.84 |
| Telephone | 15,928.73 | 15,199.25 |
| Training | 1,386.36 | 0.00 |
| Travel & Accommodation | 23,558.48 | 14,599.63 |
| Wages | 141,794.46 | 146,678.61 |
| Workcover | 4,024.18 | 5,288.88 |
| Total expenses | 684,802.71 | 724,189.43 |
| Profit from ordinary activities | 15,786.70 | (5,329.01) |
| Income tax revenue relating to ordinary activities | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Net profit attributable to the organisation | 15,786.70 | (5,329.01) |
| Total changes in equity of the organisation | 15,786.70 | (5,329.01) |
| Opening retained profits | 200,591.76 | 205,920.77 |
| Net profit attributable to the organisation | 15,786.70 | (5,329.01) |
| Closing retained profits | 216,378.46 | 200,591.76 |
| 2005 | 2004 | |
| $ | $ | |
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash Assets | ||
| Cash At Bank | 232,761.24 | 245,262.79 |
| 232,761.24 | 245,262.79 | |
| Receivables | ||
| Trade debtors | 293.60 | 9,077.47 |
| 293.60 | 9,077.47 | |
| Other | ||
| Prepayments | 0.00 | 681.82 |
| 0.00 | 681.82 | |
| Total Current Assets | 233,054.84 | 255,022.08 |
| Non-Current Assets | ||
| Property, Plant and Equipment | ||
| Furniture & Fittings | 13,300.00 | 13,300.00 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (8,068.00) | (7,440.00) |
| Plant & equipment | 116,485.15 | 115,476.06 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (105,308.00) | (96,272.00) |
| Computer Equipment | 46,503.08 | 44,777.00 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (42,282.00) | (37,205.00) |
| 20,630.23 | 32,636.06 | |
| Total Non-Current Assets | 20,630.23 | 32,636.06 |
| Total Assets | 253,685.07 | 287,658.14 |
| Current Liabilities | ||
| Payables | ||
| Unsecured: | ||
| - Creditors | 15,080.64 | 16,996.91 |
| - Superannuation Accrued | 2,053.87 | 6,761.28 |
| 17,134.51 | 23,758.19 | |
| Current Tax Liabilities | ||
| GST Payable Control Account | 1,966.19 | 6,484.78 |
| GST Deferred | (531.13) | (531.13) |
| Amounts Withheld From Wages | 2,194.00 | 2,614.00 |
| 3,629.06 | 8,567.65 | |
| Other | ||
| Prepayments | 0.00 | 30,500.00 |
| Holdings Account | 0.00 | 3,535.13 |
| 0.00 | 34,035.13 | |
| Total Current Liabilities | 20,763.57 | 66,360.97 |
| Non-Current Liabilities | ||
| Interest-Bearing Liabilities | ||
| Unsecured: | ||
| Finance Lease | 5,899.67 | 7,866.23 |
| Less: Unexpired interest charges | (2,238.78) | (2,655.18) |
| 3,660.89 | 5,211.05 | |
| Provisions | ||
| Provision for Annual Leave | 12,882.15 | 15,494.36 |
| 12,882.15 | 15,494.36 | |
| Total Non-Current Liabilities | 16,543.04 | 20,705.41 |
| Total Liabilities | 37,306.61 | 87,066.38 |
| Net Assets | 216,378.46 | 200,591.76 |
| Members' Funds | ||
| Accumulated surplus (deficit) | 216,378.46 | 200,591.76 |
| Total Members' Funds | 216,378.46 | 200,591.76 |
| 2005 | 2004 | |
| $ | $ | |
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash assets | 232,761.24 | 245,262.79 |
| Receivables | 293.60 | 9,077.47 |
| Other | 0.00 | 681.82 |
| Total Current Assets | 233,054.84 | 255,022.08 |
| Non-Current Assets | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | 20,630.23 | 32,636.06 |
| Total Non-Current Assets | 20,630.23 | 32,636.06 |
| Total Assets | 253,685.07 | 287,658.14 |
| Current Liabilities | ||
| Payables | 17,134.51 | 23,758.19 |
| Current tax liabilities | 3,629.06 | 8,567.65 |
| Other | 0.00 | 34,035.13 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 20,763.57 | 66,360.97 |
| Non-Current Liabilities | ||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 3,660.89 | 5,211.05 |
| Provisions | 12,882.15 | 15,494.36 |
| Total Non-Current Liabilities | 16,543.04 | 20,705.41 |
| Total Liabilities | 37,306.61 | 87,066.38 |
| Net Assets | 216,378.46 | 200,591.76 |
| Members' Funds | ||
| Accumulated funds | 216,378.46 | 200,591.76 |
| Total Members' Funds | 216,378.46 | 200,591.76 |
| 2005 | 2004 | |
| $ | $ | |
| Cash Flow From Operating Activities | ||
| RECEIPTS: | ||
| Memberships | 2,130.00 | 2,830.47 |
| Interest and Dividends received | 2,722.30 | 2,962.91 |
| Grants, Projects, User charges, and Dividends | 765,310.82 | 784,373.74 |
| PAYMENTS: | ||
| Wages and Salaries | (141,794.46) | (146,678.61) |
| Supplier and Other operating costs | (638,135.04) | (599,588.05) |
| Net Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities (note 3) | (9,766.38) | 43,900.46 |
| Cash Flow From Investing Activities | ||
| RECEIPTS: | ||
| Plant and equipment sold | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| PAYMENTS: | ||
| Plant and equipment purchase | (2,735.17) | (317.27) |
| Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities | (2,735.17) | (317.27) |
| Net increase / (decrease) in cash held | (12,501.55) | 43,583.19 |
| Cash at beginning of the financial year | 245,262.79 | 201,679.60 |
| Cash at the end of the year (note 2) | 232,761.24 | 245,262.79 |
Accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
This is not a general purpose financial report. It is a special purpose report, prepared for the members of the company to enable compliance with the requirements of the Corporations Law and the Income Tax Assessment Act.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Statements of Accounting Concepts, applicable Accounting Standards and the applicable disclosure requirements of Schedule 5 of the Corporations Regulations.
The accounts are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous year.
| a) | Acquisitions of Assets |
| The cost method of accounting is used for all acquisitions of assets regardless of whether shares or other assets are acquired. The cost of assets acquired is independent of directors' valuations, and will be depreciated over their useful lives, as set by the Commissioner of Taxation. | |
| b) | Inventories |
| All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Cost includes direct material, direct labour, and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenditure, the latter being allocated on the basis of normal operating capacity. Costs are assigned to individual items of stock mainly on the basis of weighted average costs. Livestock has been valued at market value. | |
| c) | Unearned Revenue |
| The unearned revenue shown in the accounts will be brought to account over the life of the contract based on the interest rate implicit in the contract. | |
| d) | Employee Entitlements |
| The amounts expected to be paid to employees for their pro-rata entitlement to long service and annual leave are accrued annually at current pay rates having regard to experience of employee departures and period of service. | |
| e) | Income Tax |
| The income of this company is exempt from income tax by virtue of Section 23(e) of the Income Tax Assessment Act. |
For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash includes cash on hand and in banks and investments in money market instruments, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.
Cash at the end of the year as shown in the statement of cash flows is reconciled to the related items in the balance sheet as follows:
| Trust company accounts | 40,000.00 | 40,000.00 |
| Cash at the end of the year | 40,000.00 | 40,000.00 |
| Operating Profit / (Loss) | 15,786.70 | (5,329.01) |
| Bank cheque accounts | 132,481.92 | 121,827.04 |
| Cash investment accounts | 60,279.32v | 83,435.75 |
| Depreciation | 14,741.00 | 20,028.07 |
| (Profit)/loss on sale of assets | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Increase / (decrease) in Creditors and accruals | (13,112.43) | 20,542.98 |
| Increase / (decrease) in Provisions | (2,612.21) | 3,588.14 |
| Increase / (decrease) in Prepaid income | (34,035.13) | 14,583.17 |
| Increase / (decrease) in Funds to be returned | 0.00 | (8,444.44) |
| (Increase) / decrease in Prepayments | 681.82 | 1,679.02 |
| (Increase) / decrease in Receivables | 8,783.87 | (2,747.47) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 182,994.86 | 249,163.25 |
We have audited the accounts set out on the accompanying Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement and the Notes to and forming part of the Accounts in accordance with Australian Audit Standards.
In our opinion the accounts of Blind Citizens Australia are properly drawn up:
A. So as to give a true and fair view of:
B. In accordance with the provisions of the Corporation Law: and
C. In accordance with the Statements of Accounting Concepts and applicable Accounting Standards.
BRENT MURPHY
Registered Company Auditor
MCDONELL CUNNEEN & ASSOCIATES