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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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Blind Citizens Australia State Conventions were held during October and November. Some audio archives are available for listening and others will become available soon.
For further details, visit the Convention 2008 page.
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.
Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) today called for a meeting between parents, consumer groups, service providers and the Victorian government to discuss the impending closure of Vision Australia's school age education services amid concerns that it would reduce opportunity and choice for children and their families.
Vision Australia's recent announcement of the impending closure of their specialist school for children who are blind or vision impaired and the transfer of their visiting teacher program to the Department of Education has raised strong concerns among many within the blind community, including members of BCA, which is the peak national consumer body for people who are blind or vision impaired. Consumers, particularly adults who have been through both the mainstream and specialist schooling systems as children, are keen to ensure that children who are blind or vision impaired are able to access the widest range of choice when it comes to educational options.
Their concern is echoed by Blind Citizens Australia's President, David Blyth. "We would have preferred to have seen a thorough review of children's education services before this decision was made", he said. "Since we're past that point we are now calling for a full and frank discussion of what is planned for future delivery of specialist education services for children who are blind or vision impaired in Victoria."
Blind Citizens Australia will continue to call for evidence based policy making on this matter through discussions with Vision Australia as the major service provider and the Victorian government as the major funding body associated with specialised service delivery for children with disabilities.
"The Australian government recently ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disability specifically protecting the right to an education which includes specialist Braille and orientation and mobility training as well as peer support and mentoring", said Mr Blyth. "We want to make sure that children who are blind or vision impaired have access to those things not just in theory or on paper, but in a well resourced environment which meets all their needs. At the moment there isn't even a consistent qualification for teachers working with students who are blind or vision impaired. We'd like to see evidence that a special school education is less effective than a mainstream one if this sort of action is to go ahead."
Media contact: Leah Hobson, National Policy Officer 0430 210 980
Today's announcement of a one-off payment of $1400 for single pensioners and $2100 for married couples receiving a pension was welcomed by Blind Citizens Australia, the peak national representative body of, and for, people who are blind or vision impaired.
"This is a fantastic move not just for the Australian economy, but for people with disabilities like blindness who struggle to meet costs" said Robyn McKenzie, Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia. "Many of these people not only fight to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, they also have extra costs associated with their disability. For someone with no vision just buying a mobile phone which has the capacity to read out what appears on the screen can cost upward of $800. That's a lot on a pension alone."
Social disadvantages are a fact of life for many people who are blind or vision impaired. A recent study by Vision Australia found that 63% of working age people who are blind or vision impaired are either unemployed or underemployed. Of those who have work, only 10.5% earn more than $1,000 a week.
While the bonus is a welcome reprieve, Ms. McKenzie said that Blind Citizens Australia was hoping to see some positive longer term outcomes from the government's Pension Review and the establishment of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy. "We believe that the government is taking the right steps towards reducing disadvantage for people who are blind or vision impaired, but there's still a long way to go."
Media contact: Leah Hobson, National Policy Officer 0430 210 980
Read the 2008 Pension Bonus – Frequently Asked Questions
On Sunday 12th October a group of thirteen people from across the Newcastle/Hunter region came together for the first time. In many ways they were all very different: different ages, occupations and lives. But they all had two things in common - their sight loss, and their desire to make their local area a better place for people who are blind or vision impaired to live.
"We're really keen to see things change in the area" says Lauren Henley, the newly elected President of the Newcastle/Hunter branch of Blind Citizens Australia. "Even just raising awareness among the general public about the needs of our community is really important. So often people just don't know what they need to do or say."
Lauren cites the example of the Greater Union Glendale, which could upgrade its facilities to show films with audio description for minimal cost. "Having audio description available means we can hear a description of what is being seen on-screen. It's the difference between going to a movie and not ever setting foot in a cinema."
"The formation of this branch is a great step forward for BCA" said Executive Officer, Robyn McKenzie. "We believe strongly in people who are blind or vision impaired being able to advocate for themselves at a local level and that's especially important for people in rural and regional areas."
The group hopes to meet on a regular basis in the Newcastle area. For more information about Blind Citizens Australia or the Newcastle Branch, please call 1800 033 660.
Media contact: Leah Hobson, National Policy Officer 0430 210 980
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.
Whilst the date for submissions has now past, you can still send letters supporting our cause. BCA has created a pro-forma letter for this purpose.
There are several things to note about this letter:
If you have any further questions, please contact Leah Hobson at the BCA head office by phone on (03) 9654 1400 or 1800 033 660, or via email at leah.hobson@bca.org.au.
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.
In response to the Federal government's announcement of a subsidy for the Australian production of hybrid cars, Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) today expressed concern that pedestrians who are blind or vision impaired would be less safe on Australia's roads and footpaths with the anticipated increase to the number of silent vehicles across the country.
As the peak national representative body for people who are blind or vision impaired, BCA called for governments and manufacturers to help combat what could be a deadly silence for those relying on the sound of cars approaching to cross roads and travel independently. The move comes amid anecdotal evidence that some people who are blind or vision impaired have already had near misses with silent vehicles like hybrid cars.
"Unless we do something now to ensure these vehicles are made safe, it will only be a matter of time before someone suffers a serious injury or is killed," said Robyn McKenzie, BCA Executive Officer. "We're urging the Federal government and Toyota to set aside funding in the $35 million subsidy for hybrid car production to develop safety measures. We also encourage government departments which are purchasing hybrid cars to make sure their staff are aware of the safety issues these cars can have for pedestrians."
Other members of the blindness sector have backed the suggestions. "As an organization providing seeing eye dogs and orientation and mobility training, this trend makes us very concerned about the safety of pedestrians who are blind or vision impaired," said Vision Australia Chair Kevin Murfitt.
In the coming weeks, Blind Citizens Australia will be working with governments and blindness sector bodies across Australia to ensure that the balance between a greener Australia and the needs of people with disabilities remains fair.
Media contact: Leah Hobson, National Policy Officer 0430 210 980.
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.
Read the Quadrennial Report of the World Blind Union, 2005-2008 here.
On 29 June 2008, The ABC Radio National program Street Stories was about blind and vision impaired people and the use of technology. The program featured a number of Blind Citizens Australia members including Greg Madson and Jenny and Trevor Dawson. You can
listen to Street Stories - Tricks of the Trade here.
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.
Read Blind Citizens Australia's submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry into the 2007 Federal Election.
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.
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: 17 November 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