Parent News
January 2009
Happy New Year and welcome to 2009 and the January edition of Parent News! It’s hard to believe that 2008 has come and gone! So perhaps it’s worth us taking a step back to review the last year….
In early 2008, BCA held a forum specifically for people who are deafblind (people who experience the partial or total loss of both sight and hearing) which focused on support and services, funding and the rising costs of living. This was an important forum which provided BCA with information about how to best support and advocate for people who are deafblind to ensure that they too receive a fair go.
Last year also saw continued involvement with the Victorian Electoral Commission with a focus on local council elections. Accessibility was at the forefront of our involvement, with our consultation leading to the use of Braille and large print ballots for the first time in Victoria! Much more work is needed to ensure that voting continues to be accessible.
In addition to a number of other activities, BCA held its State Convention in Ballarat in October. A number of popular sessions were held, including a session run by Young Blind Citizens Victoria (YBCV) focusing on hair and makeup, a session on how to prepare for an emergency and an early morning session of tai chi followed by a discussion about extreme sports. With the convention recorded, you too can enjoy the sessions by visiting our website www.bca.org.au
Our branches were also busy in 2008, with YBCV holding a fantastic session on parenting. This session focused on the subtleties and practicalities of parenting and provided hands on experience about how to change nappies, feed a baby etc. Due to its popularity, this session was recorded and is available on their webpage www.bca.org.au/ybcv. Our Geelong and Districts branch also kept things busy, with a winery visit, BBQ and lots of day getaways undertaken.
Much like 2008 this edition is brimming with articles focusing on education changes in Victoria, great youth programs organised by Guide Dogs Victoria, important changes to public transport entitlements, some great articles in ‘Tech Savvy’ and some bargains to get that purse/wallet working.
Like 2008, 2009 promises to be a great year for BCA, with our foot pressed firmly on the accelerator in terms of lobbying, submission writing and plans for the 2009 National Convention in Brisbane. Here’s hoping that it can be half as successful as 2008!
Finally, special thanks to Bridget Jolley, who helped to pull together this edition of Parent News.
Until the next edition,
Jessica Zammit
Editor
BCA Forum: VCE Forum for students who are vision impaired
A New Era of Service Delivery for Young People
Exciting News Regarding Travel on Public Transport and the Multi Purpose Taxi Program
Free Sunday Travel for Disability Pensioners and Carers
Changes to the Multi Purpose Taxi Program
Low Cost PCs for Centrelink Customers
Toyota Paralympic Talent Search Program
German Scientists Develop Bionic Eye
Playroom Helps Blind Babies Light Up
Some may see a problem, but I do this job as well as anyone, says blind judge
A Life in Song - Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
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Every 1st Sunday of the month, 11:00am |
Laughter Session at Federation Square Join in a 30-minute laughter session at Fed Square, Every 1st Sunday of the month at 11:00am. Everyone is welcome to experience first-hand the fun of a laughter session and gain the benefits of laughter, which improves the physical, emotional, spiritual and social health of individuals, workplaces and society. Contact Federation Square on (03) 9655 1900. |
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29 Jan |
BCA is holding a forum for new and current VCE students. Please get in quick as this session is subject to attendance. For more information, see page 12. |
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Jan - Mar |
Zoo Twilights Jazz performances and special zoo keeper talks at the Melbourne Zoo. Find more information at the Visit Victoria website www.visitvictoria.com |
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Jan - Mar |
Rhythm of Africa Traditional and contemporary artists capture the energy and spirit of Africa at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Find more information at www.zoo.org.au |
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31 Jan – 8 Feb |
St. Kilda Festival Free summer festival on the St. Kilda foreshore. Find more information at the St. Kilda Festival website: http://www.stkildafestival.com.au |
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Feb |
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Concert Series Australian soloists perform free summer concerts at the relaxed parkland surrounds of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Find more information http://mso.com.au |
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Commencing 16 Feb |
“On the Go” Hand Felting – VA Kooyong Have you ever wondered how beautiful multi-coloured felt scarves are made and would like to learn this technique? Vision Australia are running four weeks of hands on experience - by the end of the program you will have completed one scarf and possibly one other felted item. Cost will be dependent on materials used. For details contact Maret Pertmann on (03) 9864 9260. |
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18 Feb |
“Come N Try” Tandem Bike Riding Day Vision Australia and Blind Sports Victoria invite you to “come n try” tandem bike riding at the Vision Australia Cricket Pavillion, 454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong from 10:30am-2:00pm. Registration costs $7.00 and includes sausage sizzle. Please RSVP ASAP by contacting Di Hayward on (03) 9760 0006 |
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1 Mar 10am-4pm |
Guide Dogs Victoria’s Annual Open Day, Chandler Highway, Kew (Melways Ref 45 B1) Come meet Wags the Dog and loads of adorable puppies at Guide Dogs Victoria Open Day. With Guide Dog demonstrations, live entertainment, giveaways, show bags, competitions and loads of fun activities for the kids. Open Day is a fantastic family day out. Free parking off site with shuttle bus service. Entry via gold coin donation. For more information call (03) 9854 4444 or visit www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au |
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Commencing 3 Mar |
“On the Go” Board, Ball and Brain Vision Australia Kooyong are offering a six week fun-filled experience for people who are blind or who have low vision to explore some interesting leisure activities including swish, carpet bowls, adaptive board games, easy card games, table soccer and more. This program will run weekly on Tuesdays 10.00-12:00pm. For details contact Sal Prestia on (03) 9854 9260. |
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Commencing 16 Mar |
“On the Go” Hand built pottery – VA Kooyong Are you interesting in pottery and developing that creative streak? Would you like to learn some simple hand building techniques? Why not join a group of like minded people for a four week pottery program? The program will run on Mondays from 10:30am-12:30pm. For details contact Prue Bathgate on (03) 9864 9260. |
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7-23 March |
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival More than 140 food and wine themed events will be held at various venues in Melbourne and across Victoria. |
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22 Mar |
Sailing Day – Corio Bay Corio Bay Geelong Lions Club in conjunction with Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) are offering a free sailing day on Corio Bay for Vision Australia clients from 9:00am-12:30pm. Lunch provided. Bookings are essential - phone (03) 5248 8633. |
In this edition, we hear from Bridget Jolley, Treasurer on the YBCV committee about current projects and what’s to come…
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Hi everyone,
YBCV is pleased to announce that we have released our first ‘Blind Living Booklet’ titled “Blind Living: Hair, Beauty and Fashion; Tips for girls from girls”. This booklet contains advice from professionals in these fields and occupational therapists, as well as tips from people who are blind or vision impaired. You might also find the final chapter (which contains disaster stories) particularly entertaining. YBCV hopes that this booklet will help girls and young women gain a better understanding of hair, beauty and fashion and the knowledge and confidence to express themselves more in these areas. We currently have large print copies available at no cost. Audio/electronic copies on CD will be available very soon, also at no cost. The booklet is also accessible on our website: www.bca.org.au/ybcv/projects_completed.html. If you would like a copy, please contact Bridget Jolley at bridget55555@hotmail.com or on 0433 783 575. YBCV asks that the booklet is not reprinted or copied without YBCV’s express permission.
We are now in the beginning stages of working on a new ‘Blind Living’ booklet which will focus on cooking. We are looking for any questions and/or tips related to cooking from a blind/vision impaired perspective. If you would like to help or contribute, please email us at ybcv@bca.org.au. Please include a first name and age (which can be kept private).
YBCV is also in the beginning stages of implementing a mentor program. This involves linking young individuals who are blind or vision impaired (aged 11-14), with an older blind or vision impaired mentor (aged 18-30). YBCV hopes that this program will help provide support and a beneficial social environment that will provide the opportunity for the mentoree to become more independent and more capable of practising self-advocacy. We hope to begin a pilot program in the second half of this year. Application forms for mentors and mentorees will be out soon. More details will be available soon on YBCV’s website www.bca.org.au/ybcv.
In the last six months YBCV has held a couple of social events, including scrapbooking, attending an audio-described session of Wicked and running a progressive dinner. We hope to have another activity soon, so stay tuned.
For more information about the Blind Living Booklets, or YBCV in general, please contact us via email at ybcv@bca.org.au
BCA’s position on the closure of Vision Australia’s Education Services
In November last year Blind Citizens Australia called for a meeting to discuss the impending closure of Vision Australia's school age education services. This meeting was aimed at 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.
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 was 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’ve now called 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."
BCA is continuing 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. BCA would like to see evidence that a special school education is less effective than a mainstream one with this sort of action going ahead.”
An article prepared by Vision Australia is included on page 14.
One-off bonus
Pension Payment
BCA supports the Federal government's decision to provide a one-off bonus
payment to pensioners receiving the Disability Support Pension and Disability
Support Pension (Blind).
October’s announcement of a one-off payment of $1400 for single pensioners and $2100 for married couples receiving a pension was welcomed by BCA.
"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 BCA. "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, under 11% earn more than $1,000 a week.
While the bonus was a welcome reprieve, Ms. McKenzie said that BCA 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."
New BCA Branch
in the Newcastle/Hunter Region
Blind Citizens Australia
has now formed a Branch for the Newcastle/Hunter region. 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" said Lauren Henley, the newly elected President of the Newcastle/Hunter branch of BCA. "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 cited 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 BCA or the Newcastle Branch, please call 1800 033 660.
Just finished VCE? BCA is holding a forum on education, specifically for students who have just completed their VCE, are heading into their final year, or are just starting Year 11.
BCA is keen to hear from students about their experiences in managing class work, completing school assessment coursework (SACs), accessing teaching support, obtaining materials in preferred format, completing exams and much more. This is a great opportunity for parents, visiting teachers and students to provide insight into what is working well and areas that need improvement. This information will form the basis of BCA’s policy work.
When: Thursday January 29, 2009
Time: 10.00am-12.30pm followed by a light lunch
Where: Statewide Vision Resource Centre, 370 Springvale
Road, Donvale
RSVP by: Friday 23 January, 2009 by calling (03) 9654 1400
or emailing jessica.zammit@bca.org.au
In addition to hearing your thoughts, this forum will also provide you with an introduction to what BCA does and some information about your rights as a student now and when completing post-secondary studies. Information will also be provided from Young Blind Citizens Victoria, a young group of people who are blind or vision impaired.
How to get to SVRC!
Public Transport: 2 options
1. Catch the Belgrave or Lilydale train from the city to Nunawading Station and then the 273 “The Pines - Nunawading” bus from the station to the corner of Springvale and Mitcham Roads. Walk on the west side of Springvale Road in a southerly direction for a block and a half down Springvale Road to the SVRC. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes from Southern Cross Station and the connecting bus runs every 30 minutes. OR
2. Catch the 207 bus from Melbourne Central and Myer or the 307 bus from the corner of Queen and Little Collins Streets which will deposit you on the corner of Mitcham and Springvale Roads. Walk on the west side of the Springvale Road in a southerly direction for a block and a half down Springvale Road to the SVRC. Buses run every 30 minutes.
For up to date public transport information call 131 638 or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.
By Car:
Melways Ref 48 F4.
There is no parking available at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre or Heatherwood School. Please park in the lower carpark behind the Donvale Sports Centre—the building beside (to the north) of the SVRC. You can then walk through the double gates and the Statewide Vision Resource Centre is to the left.
Source: www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=823&news=833 17 October 2008
Vision Australia has recently reviewed the role it will play in supporting children who are blind or have low vision as they grow and develop into young adults.
The review has taken into account our desire, as a national organisation, to offer a broad range of consistent services to as wide a group of children as possible, ensuring our limited resources can be focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for them.
"We believe children who are blind or have low vision have a right to be educated within a mainstream education environment supported by specialist services which address their specific needs. This is consistent with the principles established in Article 24 (Education) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," says Vision Australia CEO, Gerard Menses.
This is a practice followed in all Australian states and territories.
As such, Vision Australia will no longer provide or manage education services for children who are blind or have low vision. The responsibility for the education of all students from the Vision Australia Education Centre will be transferred to the State Government and other specialist education providers.
"This is a Vision Australia policy decision and our final resolution has been made independent of funding discussions with the Department of Education. It has been made purely in the best interests of children who are blind or have low vision encouraging their full integration into mainstream systems," said Mr. Menses.
Seven full time students attend the Vision Australia School along with 11 part time pupils who already attend mainstream schools 2-3 days per week.
"To complement their mainstream education, children will be supported through the provision of enhanced life skills programs that Vision Australia will expand and roll-out nationally. We believe this approach will ensure children who are blind or have low vision are given the best possible chance to grow up into successful individual adults, said Mr. Menses.
The services will cease on 18 December 2009 and Vision Australia has committed to continue supporting students on a needs assessed basis during the 2010 school year.
Guide Dogs Victoria are currently seeking interest from ladies aged 18-35 with vision loss who want to be part of a group.
It's an opportunity to
challenge yourself in a safe environment with other women; develop confidence
and skills to be more involved in life's opportunities; discuss and do things
you haven't tried or thought
about before; make new friends; and a fabulous opportunity to get out of the
house!
Whether you are 18, 25 or 35, married or single, tall or short, fashionable or not, we would like you to be part of Angelic. It is your chance to have your say. This group is all about YOU.
For details, contact Shelley Pannier on (03) 9854 4444 or shelley.p@guidedogsvictoria.com.au
The Occupational Therapists at Guide Dogs Victoria are keen to develop and run a Sensory Motor group for children who have a vision impairment and / or additional needs.
This group will aim to:
§ Help children build physical, social and cognitive skills in an encouraging, fun and safe environment
§ Help children learn, develop and gain skills and confidence through music and movement, structured group play and interactive experiences
§ Support parents to promote the ongoing physical and sensory development of their child.
Activities will be aimed at improving:
§ Fine motor skills (grasp and manipulation)
§ Gross motor skills (balance, coordination and strength)
§ Social skills (friendships, communication, body language, confidence and self esteem)
§ Cognitive skills (new learning, attention and thinking)
§ Body awareness
We envisage that the program would be run at Guide Dogs Victoria, for one session a week over a 10-week period. Two different age groups (4-7 years and 8-12 years) would be included.
We would love to hear from any parents who would like
their child to attend this group. If you are interested or would like further
information please contact Shane McSweeney or Rachel Hansen on (03) 9854 4444.
accessed 11 November 2008.
The Brumby Government will provide free Sunday public transport to Victorians who receive a Disability Support Pension or a Carer Payment from next weekend.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said some members of the community had limited travel options and it was important to assist those without ready access to transport.
“This initiative will assist
people who receive a Disability Support Pension or a Carer Payment who are
under the age of 60, so they can enjoy free Sunday travel just like Victorian
Seniors Card holders,” Ms Kosky said.
“Free travel will
be provided in the form of a Sunday Pass Metcard which is valid on trains,
trams and buses travelling within Zones 1+2 in metropolitan Melbourne and also on
town bus services in Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
“As an added bonus, two
off-peak free travel vouchers will be provided to use on the metropolitan and
V/Line transport network.
“This will help around
160,000 Victorians who are on fixed incomes and may not use public transport
regularly due to cost constraints.”
Application forms will be
available at premium train stations, staffed V/Line stations, The MetShop and
Metcard agents. Customers can apply for their Sunday Pass on the spot at railway stations or mail
in a form and receive their Sunday Pass in 14 days. Applicants must fill out a form and show identification and
evidence that they receive a Disability Pension or Carers Payment.
In addition, application
forms can be downloaded and printed off from the Metlink website at
metlinkmelbourne.com.au
“With so much to do in
Melbourne such as visiting parklands, going to the Museum, the National Gallery
of Victoria, the Shrine of Remembrance or Melbourne’s many Sunday markets, this
ticket provides even more incentive to get there using public transport,” Ms
Kosky said.
“The Brumby Government
recognises the importance of accessible public transport and we are making
further improvements to the network.”
Free Sunday travel will start
from Sunday 26 October 2008. For further information customers can
contact Metlink on 131 638. A TTY facility is available for customers with
hearing difficulties. Call (03) 9619 2727.
The Victorian Government has announced important changes to the Multi Purpose Taxi Program in Victoria, as a result of the Essential Services Commission review (which BCA provided a submission to) and lobbying from disability groups including BCA.
Some of these changes are as follows:
§ The release of a $14 million package over 4 years
§ Annual trip caps have doubled to a total of $2180 per year which will have a significant positive impact for people with a disability. People on an M40 card will still have unlimited travel (ie. no cap).
§ The trip cap will be increased from $30 per trip to $60 per trip.
§ The government are releasing 200 new conventional taxi licences in the network to ensure the greater availability of taxis.
§ A number of great initiatives have also been implemented for people who are reliant on wheelchair accessible taxis (WATs). These include the release of an extra 330 WAT licences to ensure greater availability of taxis and a performance regime for taxis, with a quota on how many wheelchair users must be picked up, amongst others
§ Enforcement has increased from 9 officers to 36 officers to ensure that drivers are meeting taxi service standards
The Victorian Taxi Directorate has indicated that all MPTP members will be contacted by mail and advised of these changes.
All of these changes will take effect from December 13, 2008.
For more information about these changes or about the Multi Purpose Taxi Program in general, visit www.taxi.vic.gov.au.
Source: American Foundation for the Blind: http://www.afb.org
When parents learn their child has a visual impairment, it can be overwhelming. Parents wonder, will my child fall behind at school? Or will my child make friends? Or will my child have a successful career? With only 93,600 visually impaired school-aged children in the USA, over half of whom have additional disabilities, it’s easy for families facing vision loss to feel alone. To help these families connect with each other and give busy parents, grandparents and other caretakers a place to find comprehensive resources and support 24 hours a day, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI), today launched FamilyConnect (TM), an online, multimedia community for parents and guardians of children with visual impairments. FamilyConnect gives parents access to message boards where they can talk to other parents, compelling videos featuring real-life families, parenting articles, a blog, a glossary of more than 30 eye conditions, and links to local resources.
A recent NAPVI/AFB survey of parents of children with visual impairments showed that parents/guardians turn most commonly to physicians (82%), educators (76%), and web sites (65%) for information and support regarding their children's vision problems. This is consistent with national statistics from the 2006 Pew Internet & American Life Project that show 80 percent of American adult Internet users have searched for health information online. For parents living in rural areas with fewer resources, the web is particularly important to finding relevant, trustworthy information and the right services. . When I talk to parents of visually impaired children they almost always ask about three things: they want to talk to other parents who have children with the same eye condition as their child, they want access to the latest health and education information, and they want to know what the future holds, said Susan LaVenture, Executive Director of NAPVI. FamilyConnect offers parents all these things -- and more -- in one place.
In addition to joining a community of parents, visitors to Family Connect can create a personal profile and receive information on news and events based on their child’s age, eye condition, and location. The goal of www.familyconnect.org is to provide connections and support. By providing accurate information and creating a forum for meaningful discussion, families and their visually impaired children will feel empowered to reach their full potential.
About NAPVI: The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) is an international membership organization serving families in the U.S. and in 55 countries. (Australia has its own chapter formed in 2005). NAPVI helps parents to find information and resources for their children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities. NAPVI provides leadership, support, and education to assist parents in helping children reach their potential.
Related Websites:
Family Connect http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.asp
NAPVI: National Association for Parents of Children with Visual
Impairments http://www.spedex.com/napvi/
AAPVI: Australian Association for Parents of Vision Impaired http://www.aapvi.org.au/national/contacts.html
A partnership between WorkVentures and Centrelink now enables Centrelink customers to purchase their own professionally refurbished and internet ready Personal Computers (PCs). All Centrelink concession card holders are eligible to purchase the Pentium 4 PC pack for $250 plus delivery.
Please note this pack does not include adaptive technology. Contact your local Centrelink office or phone WorkVentures on 1800 112 205.
There are a growing number of online companies selling prescription spectacles very cheaply. Just try Googling ‘cheap spectacles’ and search in Australia and you’ll no doubt come up with more. Here are some I found:
AusSpecs (Australian
Spectacle Wholesalers) frames and prescription lenses from $55 to $118 http://www.ausspecs.com.au/index.php
Glasses Online Quotes $65 to $280 http://www.glassesonline.com.au/
Stingy Specs have a range of frames
for $29; frames and lenses packages start at $54 http://www.stingyspecs.com.au/
Eye Glasses Online quotes $55.50 to $128 http://www.eyeglassesonline.com.au/
Of course, you need to go to your optometrist or ophthalmologist for the
prescription first, and then choose frames and the package online.
Source: Adapted from The Road to Beijing, www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1961,
When the Athens Paralympics were held four years ago, Bryce Lindores could never have imagined he’d be competing in the next Games.
Six days before his 18th birthday, Bryce was sitting in the back of a ute that was towing a car. In an instant, the shackle snapped and hit the Gold Coast teenager in the head, blinding him. “It was a hard time,” he says. “I was tired during the recovery process and couldn’t do much. I ended up in hospital for five weeks.”
Before the accident, Bryce had led a very active life, playing rugby, tennis and touch football.
Gerrard Gosens (a fellow Paralympian), who is Vision Australia’s Special Projects Manager, offered hope when he visited Bryce in hospital. “I gave Bryce and his family an insight into what can be achieved by someone who is blind,” says Gerrard, who will be running in 1500m and 5000m events at Beijing – his third Paralympics. “Then I got the call from Paul, who is a talent ID from the Paralympics. He said come out to the track,” says Bryce.
He organised for Bryce to receive equipment, such as a talking watch and a soccer ball with a bell in it, and also introduced him to tandem cycling. This sport enables a cyclist who is blind or has low vision to ride with a sighted “pilot”. A-grade cyclist Steve George will be Bryce’s pilot in Beijing.
“I’ve noticed a dramatic change in Bryce since I first met him,” says Gerrard. “It’s been a long road to recovery, but sport has great mental and physiological advantages.”
Bryce is the first to agree. “Cycling has changed the way I think. I started to take it seriously in September 2006, then I went to the World Championships and won a bronze.
“I now train six or seven days a week for three hours a day,” he says. “I’m riding 100km a day and going to the gym three times a week. I’m very excited about the Paralympics – and I’ll celebrate my birthday in Beijing!”
Source: http://www.paralympic.org.au/Sport/TalentSearch.aspx
The Toyota Paralympic Talent Search Program is an initiative of the Australian
Paralympic Committee (APC) introduced in 2005 following the Athens Paralympic
Games. Its main aim is to identify people with physical disabilities or vision
impairments who display the athletic potential to one day make it to
Paralympic level competition.
The Program is a great success story with 27 Talent Search athletes going on to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. The challenge now is to identify the next group of talented athletes that will become the sporting stars of future Paralympic Games.
Toyota Paralympic Talent Search Program is only open to people with disabilities which would enable them to participate in events currently on the Paralympic Games schedule. Each Talent Search Day involves a series of testing including general measurements as well as sport specific tests. Coaches from the targeted sports are involved in the testing process and are ultimately the “talent spotters”. The APC then works in conjunction with our Paralympic coaches, State Disability Organisations and State Sporting Organisations to ensure each talented participant has access to coaching and competition opportunities for his/her chosen sport and displays a high level of commitment and dedication to achieving goals. This is just the first step in the process of identifying people with disabilities who display the potential to make a future Australian Paralympic team. In most cases it will take years of training and preparation to reach the standards required to compete at a Paralympic level.
All participants are provided with information and guidance to help them become involved in physical activity at any level they wish to pursue.
Those identified as showing potential will be encouraged to take the next step in their sporting endeavors, which will vary from sport to sport and person to person. Examples of what these next steps may be include: committing to a regular training program with an identified coach; joining the relevant sporting club and taking part in regular competition; and linking with an athlete mentor who is a past or present Paralympian.
The program has tested over 1000 participants from all States and Territories since the inception of the program in 2005.
For details visit www.paralympic.org.au or contact Tim Matthews on 03 9614 6800 or email tim.mattews@paralympic.org.au.
Source: www.itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=77439
German researchers today reported that a 12-year
project to develop a wireless implant that can restore vision to the blind has
been successful. The researchers unveiled details of a fully implantable visual
prosthesis for patients who have lost their sight through diseases of the
retina. Sufferers of retinitis pigmentosa have light sensitive cells in the
retina destroyed, but the connection of the nerve cells to the brain remains
intact. The scientists have bypassed the defects of the retina by means of a
visual prosthesis.
The system comprises the implant and an external
transmitter integrated in a spectacle-frame. The implant system converts the
image patterns into interpretable stimulation signals, and data and energy are
transferred to the implant by a telemetric link. Nerve cells inside the eye are
then stimulated according to the captured images. The intact cells are
innervated by means of 3D stimulation electrodes that rest against the retina
like small studs. "For normally sighted people this may not seem much, but
for the blind it is a major step," said Dr Hoc Khiem Trieu from the
Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS in Duisburg. The project was funded
by the German Ministry of Education and Research.
Source: ‘The Australian’, “Playroom helps blind babies light up”
Adam Cresswell, September 30, 2008
The sensory playroom at the headquarters of Vision Australia is where some parents get to see for the first time proof that the baby they feared could not see can in fact distinguish light and dark.
The Sydney facility, which is designed to stimulate the other senses of blind and vision-impaired children, features a light room equipped with strobe lights, mirrorballs and fibre-optic lights safe to the touch.
If the eyes of babies too young to talk follow the lights, it tells specialists volumes about their level of residual vision, which is present to some degree in the majority of cases. "In some cases it's the first time that parents have seen that their child can see something," said Jane Ellis, Vision Australia's senior manager for client services.
"They are often overwhelmed -- there are often tears. It's not a lot of vision, but it's something to work with."
Working with whatever eyesight babies have got is vital.
As Ms Ellis explains, the goal is to help blind and vision-impaired babies keep up with the development of sighted children, whose skills are built on visual cues.
"Babies learn to lift their head up when they are about eight weeks old," Ms Ellis said. "That's in response to something they see.
"If you have a baby that's blind or with low vision, they have no incentive to lift their head up ... (and yet) lifting the head up strengthens the neck muscles, which helps you to sit up, and later to stand.
"We are teaching parents how to maximise their child's development, using other senses."
The sensory playroom is fitted with a range of toys and other objects designed to stimulate a child's other four senses.
A "tactile path" helps stimulate a toddler's ability to distinguish different surfaces using the soles of their feet, while in another corner they can jump into a mass of soft balls. Other toys are designed to make a noise, or vibrate.
Rose Bowditch, from the NSW Southern Highlands, discovered last year that her now 20-month-old daughter Emily had a rare inherited vision disease called Leber's congenital amaurosis. She and husband Matthew have taken Emily to the sensory playroom several times, because it offers so many different sensations not easily available at home. "Her face just beams with delight," Mrs. Bowditch said.
Adapted from Shaer Levitt, “Seeing with Your Skin”, found at http://thefutureofthings.com/news/5479/seeing-with-your-skin.html
“Does seeing through skin cells sound like crazy science fiction to you? Think again. Professor Leonid Yaroslavsky, a researcher from Tel Aviv University, Israel, thinks that humans have an ability to see through their skin. This discovery may lead to new therapies that could help the blind see.”
Professor Yaroslavsky believes that human skin can "see" colours and shapes. He created an optic-less imaging model which is likely to lead to a new form of optical imaging technology which may solve the limitations of existing lens-based imaging devices. His model may also explain how this controversial ancient instinct, which is observable in some plants and animals, might have evolved over millions of years.
Yaroslavsky says that while there are people claiming to have an ability to see with their skin, biologists usually dismiss this possibility. He thinks there is probably a perfectly scientific explanation for this phenomenon and believes that once it's understood, skin vision could lead to new therapies for helping the blind regain sight and even read.
Scientists are familiar with manifestations of skin vision in nature. Plants orient themselves to light and some animals can see without the use of eyes (for example pit vipers, which use infrared vision, and reptiles, which possess skin sensors). Skin vision in humans is probably a natural atavistic ability involving light-sensitive cells in our skin connected the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Professor Yaroslavsky is working on a theoretical framework for skin vision and developing imaging simulation theories by using computer software. These theories may lead to future devices with practical applications. He says that such devices will end up having distinct advantages over conventional optics-based imaging. He expects these devices to have special sensors for detecting radiation at sea and in airports to indentify terrorist threats, innovative night vision devices or near-weightless mechanisms to steer spaceships in space.
The lenses currently used for optics-based imaging have many problems. They only work within a limited range of electromagnetic radiation. Relatively, these are still costly devices greatly limited by weight and field of view. The imaging Professor Yaroslavsky has in mind has no lenses and he believes the devices can be adapted to any kind of radiation and wavelength. They could essentially work with a 360-degree field of view and their imaging capability will only be determined by computer power rather than the laws of light diffraction.
But before all these dreams come true, the crucial mission of convincing biologists to take a chance on his theories still stands before Professor Yaroslavsky. Biologists' input is necessary to move the research to the more practical level.
TFOT [the Future of Things] has recently covered a worm that can sense light through simple photoreceptors discovered at the University of Michigan. We also brought you the smart contact lenses that can help glaucoma patients to measure their current risk factor developed at the University of California, Davis.
RadaR
RadaR is a new online game for children who are blind or vision impaired. RadaR is not only very entertaining, but also educational. It teaches the children to safely ‘surf the Internet’ - via keyboard commands and has been developed by Sonokids. A very special feature of RadaR is the beautiful audio-story, with real voices, sound-effects and songs. For the Australian RadaR comedian Dave Hughes, Nine news presenter Eva Milic, blind radio presenter Amanda Tink, and Hollywood actor Brian Cox are a few of the famous voices behind the main characters: Mik the dolphin, Max the bat and Mo the mole. These three animals have in common that they do not rely on their eyesight to find the way, but ‘see with their ears’ instead.
Their adventure proves to be symbolic for the virtual
world and online communication. After listening to an episode of the
audio-story, the player will do an interactive training ‘mission’ on the
computer. While playing RadaR, unknowingly the player builds his or her own
website and after successfully completing all missions, the player will have a
personal website, for keeps, powered by Sonokids’ accessible content management
system MaX 4.0.
CBeebies
CBeebies is educational and entertaining content offered by the BBC for young children. CBeebies games specifically made for blind and visually impaired children can be found through the Tweenies and Teletubbies links found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/fun/
These games are:
Tweenies: Make Music with Max
Tweenies: Hide and Hear: The Adventures of Debbie Duck
Teletubbies: More than One
Teletubbies: Let's Count
For more information visit; www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/about/specialneeds/blind_visually_impaired_cbeebies.shtml
Sonokids
Source: From Quantum Technology’s Newsletter Livewire June 2008
Sonokids has set up and maintains an international,
multilingual webportal which is fully accessible for children with a vision
impairment. On the Sonokids web site you will find accessible audiogames such
as Shoot the Banjobusters, play a drum-solo or remix your own pop-song. All
audiogames are fully compatible with assistive technology such as JAWS. You can
visit Sonokids at http://www.sonokids.com
Editor’s note: In this edition of Parent News, we have included two inspiring articles about two men who have challenged the boundaries to become successful in their chosen professions.
Source: ‘The Times’, “Some may see a problem, but I do this job as well as anyone, says blind judge” by Frances Gibb, January 5, 2008
Justice is blind, so we’ve often been told, but the saying now has a new meaning with the appointment of Britain’s first blind full-time judge to sit on jury trials.
Judge John Lafferty, 58, has been sworn in as a circuit judge, presiding over criminal trials at Snaresbrook Crown Court in northeast London. He makes his notes on a Braille machine and a woman comes to read him papers every morning for three hours. His law books are on CD-Rom and in Braille.
The judge previously sat part-time as a recorder (appointed in 1990) after a career as a solicitor with a firm in East London. Managing paperwork for trials is no different, he says, from when he was a civil litigation partner.
“If counsel needs to introduce a new piece of evidence in the middle of the trial, I get it read out to me.”
He rejects the notion that he is at any disadvantage in not being able to see witnesses or read evidence. As for not being able to assess the demeanour of witnesses, he said: “I don’t use visual cues when I interact with people in my ordinary life and I’m not conscious of being less competent in being able to deal with people than a sighted person is.”
He added: “In a jury trial, the assessment of the demeanor of the
Witness is ultimately for the jury. I am there to rule and direct on the law.
“Most good judges are not influenced by appearance but I am obviously even less so: if someone turns up impeccably dressed, it’s not going to affect how I assess them – or, conversely, if they dress inappropriately.”
He was encouraged to apply for the job part-time in 1999 because a blind solicitor, John Wall, had been appointed a deputy Chancery master, dealing with applications in civil disputes, and another, Amir Majid, was appointed a special immigration adjudicator. “So it seemed that the possibility of a judicial career was opening up.”
He added: “I didn’t have concerns that I would encounter any problems – only with the perception from other people that there might be a problem. I had been very successful as a lawyer.”
When it comes to exercising authority in court, his early experience as
an English teacher at a comprehensive school in Motherwell has served him well. “I was able to control 30 pupils – I never felt insecure. I found that if you were reasonable with them, they were with you.”
In court, if he has to ask counsel to read out a document, he explains to the jury why, but otherwise his blindness is not announced to the court.
As a child Judge Lafferty was partially sighted but lost his sight completely in his twenties. He left his special school at 15 with no qualifications.
It was an experience of discrimination that turned him to the law. He had failed to secure a higher teaching post at another school and put it down to being blind. “I became very cross and decided to change to law, where it seemed that ability speaks for itself.”
He went to Leeds Polytechnic and did his solicitor’s examinations,
Securing a place with a law firm. He has also done a part-time masters degree in Scottish literature at Glasgow University.
He has one blind predecessor on the bench (in the magistrates’ courts rather than the Crown court): in 1754 Sir John Fielding, known as the Blind Beak of Bow Street, succeeded his brother, the novelist Henry Fielding, as magistrate. He remains an encouragement to the 66 per cent of visually impaired people aged 29 to 49 who are unemployed.
Judge Lafferty said: “I would hope that I am not seen as exceptional –
If you work hard you can be successful. And I hope that my appointment will encourage actual or prospective employers of other visually impaired people to look positively not at what we couldn’t do, but at what we could, with support, do as well as anyone else.”
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is an Indigenous Australian musician, who was born blind. He’s never learned Braille and does not use a cane or Guide Dog. In 2008 Geoffrey was nominated for four ARIA awards, including Album of the Year. He won two; Best World Music Album, and Best Independent Release. This year, he also won three Deadly awards (which are awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for their achievements in music, sport entertainment and community) for; Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Single of the Year. His first solo album, ‘Gurrumul’, peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Charts, and No. 1 in the mainstream iTunes charts. The following article is from the magazine Deadly Vibe, and can be found at http://www.vibe.com.au/vibe.asp?pageID=2152
“A Life in Song - Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu”
It’s the kind of voice that stops people in their tracks. From the moment you hear the haunting, lilting tones of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu in Wiarthul, the first track off his debut album Gurrumul, you know that you are listening to something truly special.
The reaction to this intensely shy but incredibly gifted young musician from Arnhem Land has been nothing less than explosive, and it’s not just the fans – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – who have been raving. Music critics have been falling over themselves to praise Gurrumul, with adjectives such as “astounding”, “beautiful” and “angelic” appearing in magazine and newspaper articles across the country. Bruce Elder from the Sydney Morning Herald calls Gurrumul’s singing voice “the greatest voice this continent has ever recorded”.
So what does he think of so much adulation?
“Manymak,” he says, laughing quietly. “Good.”*
Gurrumul was born blind, and grew up on Elcho Island surrounded by a supportive family and a community who encouraged, rather than sheltered, this obviously talented young man.
“My mum bought me a small toy keyboard,” Gurrumul says. “I liked it and taught myself straight away. All instruments – whether it is piano, guitar, bass, yidaki, drums – all of them I like playing. I just love music.”
It is the music of his island home that remains a strong influence on Gurrumul today.
“The old people who have sung songs for me and at ceremony and in Elcho and Ski Beach and Gove all my life,” he says. “They were my first musical influence. Next is the church music from Elcho when I was a little boy. Then I always listened to the radio, especially The Eagles, Elvis, people like that.”
Gurrumul is related to Mandawuy and Galarrwuy Yunupingu, and played with Mandawuy in the internationally successful Yothu Yindi before forming Saltwater Band, who he is also releasing an album with this year.
Unlike so many of today’s musicians and pop stars, Gurrumul has no interest in fame, and would like to make money from music only to help his family.
“I just want to keep playing and singing,” he says. “I hope I can make some money for me and for my family. This would make my family even more proud of me.
“I am still learning about what it is to make it into the charts. I feel it makes me a little bit famous but I am not sure.”
Gurrumul is equally uncertain as to why he has made such an impact on a mainstream audience.
“Dunga ngarra (I don’t know),” he says. “Maybe because I am just singing with my voice? I don’t know what I think.
“I just want them (the listeners) to be happy, to listen to Yolngu music and enjoy it and like it. But I also want them to learn about Yolngu and how we have a lot of good stories.”
It has taken Gurrumul more than 10 years to put this album together. He credits friend and producer Michael Hohnen, creative director of Skinny Fish Music who also plays double bass on Gurrumul, as a motivation and inspiration behind the album. But it is also his home and his family who have inspired Gurrumul to create.
“I feel that I have been taught a lot of things from my family, and that they give me the inspiration to write music and songs,” he says.
“We have a big library of culture and songs and stories, so I have a lot of stories that can give me inspiration too.”
Because he is shy, and more comfortable speaking in Yolngu than in English, Gurrumul has done very few media interviews, preferring to leave the talking to Michael. But when he picks up a guitar (Gurrumul is left-handed, and as all the guitars he had access to when he was a boy were strung right-handed, he plays guitar upside down), it’s a different story.
“I am shy,” he says. “But when I sing and play guitar I am more comfortable.
“I don’t have much to say to people when I talk. That is for other Yolngu. But I can play and sing and tell people things through my songs. We (Yolngu) have like an encyclopaedia of stories ready to tell people, if they want to listen.”
People certainly do want to listen, with Gurrumul making it to Number One on the iTunes Australia roots music chart, running strong in the mainstream iTunes music chart, and is currently sitting in the Top 40 in the ARIA mainstream album chart. He has also been invited to perform alongside music royalty – playing support for Sir Elton John at his Darwin concert this month.
But all this hype does not seem to have affected this softly spoken, gentle man, who cares only for the music. “Music is my life,” he says simply.
“These are songs that I sing for all my families, and Yolngu. When I sing it is like I am singing for my fathers and mothers and aunties and my clan. It makes me feel strong and happy, like I am giving people a message and a good feeling.”
He is also aware of the importance of sharing his culture, and the role his music can play. “Some people might learn these stories now,” he says. “But some might learn them in the future. Like young kids who grow up and then listen to the songs on the CD in the future. I feel like my voice can help give them the stories.
* Gurrumul’s responses have been translated by Michael Hohnen.
We’ve come to end of another edition of Parent News. If you have any information that would be of benefit to other parents or would like to contribute a piece, please forward this no later than March 27, 2009 to Jessica Zammit by mail (Ross House, Level 3, 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000), email jessica.zammit@bca.org.au or call (03) 9654 1400.