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Member Update

Wednesday 28th July

With many of our members affected by lockdown extensions in Sydney today we encourage all members who might need support or just someone to chat to reach out we are here for you all, 1800 033 660 or email us at bca@bca.org.au.

Also just a reminder that nominations for BCA’s David Blyth Award and the BCA  Certificates of Appreciation close on Wednesday August 4. If you know someone who has made a huge difference to the lives of blind or vision impaired people please get in touch via phone or email.

CEO Update

This week BCA CEO Emma Bennison discusses our international student forum coming up next Monday as well as a couple of new recordings that have been added to our website. And just a reminder, applications for our project manager role working across our Eye to the Future program close this week.

View the video on:

Save the Date

BCA Happy Hour

Thursday, 29th July 7:30 – 8:30pm AEST

Join Jane Britt this Thursday night to discuss intersectional leadership.
Next week, happy hour will be hosted by Martin Stewart who will chat about cortical vision loss.

BCA Trivia

Saturday, 31st July 8:00 – 9:00pm AEST

Hosted by Tony Grant trivia will be general knowledge with just a splash of Olympic based questions.

To join a Happy Hour or Trivia:

International Student Forum

Monday, 2nd August 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Are you an international student, currently studying in Australia? Join representatives from BCA’s International Engagement Working Group to discuss study, blindness, and the services that may be available to support you.

For more information, visit: https://www.bca.org.au/2021/07/05/bca-international-student-forum/

BCA Inform – Policy, Projects and Future Prospects

Tuesday, 3rd Aug 7:15pm – 9pm AEST

Please join us for an interesting night of updates, hosted by Angela from BCA! You will hear about the Executive Leadership Program, the Eye to the Future 2.0, our Scholarship program, the work that BCA has been doing to improve accessibility in the upcoming census, how BCA has been testing devices from a number of banks to help improve accessibility, and more. It will be a great informative night and we’d love to have you there.

You can register via BCA Inform – Policy, Projects and future prospects update, Hosted online, 3rd of August | Humanitix, email our events team at events@bca.org.au or call us on 1800 033 660.

BCA Inform – Recommendations

Tuesday, 7th September 7:15pm – 9pm AEST

In September, our BCA Inform will look a little different to our normal sessions and take the form of a Recommendations session. We would love you to register for the event and submit your recommendations for BCA’s work in the future – we want to hear from you! Please put the date in your calendar and all details will be available next week.

New Horizons

This week Vaughn Bennison interviews our new Communications Co-ordinator Jill McKee to talk all things communications and social media at BCA. To contact Jill with any BC News stories or any other communications suggestions email jill.mckee@bca.org.au

Catch up on this and other episodes here: https://new-horizons.pinecast.co/

A reminder that we would love to hear your thoughts on what we should discuss on the next New Horizons episode. Email us your thoughts at new.horizons@bca.org.au

Award Nominations

A reminder that nominations for the David Blyth Award and BCA Certificates of Appreciation are open for one more week! Nominations close Wednesday 4th Aug. To submit a nomination, please email the nominee’s name and contact details along with your explanation for the nomination to events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660 for assistance in submitting a nomination.  We look forward to hearing from you!

External Events

Come and Try Beep Cricket

If you are in Brisbane the Blind Bats cricket club are having a “Come and Try day” starting this Sunday 1st August and continuing every Sunday from 11am until 2pm in Morayfield.

People from ages 13 of all abilities are invited to join and learn more about the sport in a fun and inclusive environment.

The Come and Try Day will be at: Devine Court Sportsground, 36 Devine Ct, Morayfield, QLD. For more information visit www.blindbats.org or call 0405 193 196.

Bored in lockdown? LA Theatre works have you covered

Looking for something to do in lockdown this week? LA Theatre Works have free full cast performances of plays available via their podcasting service. Their latest plays include ’Extinction’, which follows an Australia zoologist who gets funding to save an endangered species from the very company that threatens its existence. Will this deal with the devil allow her to save the species, or will it destroy her entire life’s work?

To listen search LA Theatre Works in your podcasting app or visit the link here: www.latw.org/podcasts

Adaptive Technology Webinar

The next adaptive technology live stream is on Tuesday 3rd August at 1pm, this week’s webinar will teach you how to:

  • Navigate documents efficiently using keyboard shortcuts
  • Using the new JAWS Personal Assistant, how it works and what it can do
  • How to use a USB drive to copy files to and from your iPad
  • App Demo: We take a look at Voice Dream Reader to help you read PDFs and other documents on your phone or tablet
  • Demonstration of some neat cable management products

RSVP by clicking this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAof-qpqDsqGtZF2NrvDbEL9fS-UDlR_QH7

Career Opportunities

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)

The DPMC are looking for an advisor to work in their social policy group, the vacancy is open only to people with disability.

The work of Social Policy Group involves advising the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and portfolio ministers on issues that affect the lives of all Australians. We work closely with stakeholders, the public service and state and territory governments to ensure the Government’s social initiatives and national priority reforms are developed and implemented to meet government objectives.

For more information and to apply for the role visit: https://www.seek.com.au/job/53027274

Vision Australia Job Opportunities

Vision Australia are currently seeking several new staff, including:

  • Compliance Officer, Kooyong VIC
  • Group Transition Support Officer, Coorparoo QLD
  • Occupational Therapist, Geelong or Ballarat VIC
  • Occupational Therapist, Sunshine VIC
  • Occupational Therapist, Gosford NSW
  • Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Wollongong NSW, Canberra ACT, Orange NSW
  • Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Ballarat VIC
  • Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Geelong or Ballarat VIC
  • Paediatric Psychologist, Brisbane QLD, Kooyong VIC

For more information about these roles or to apply, visit https://vision-australia.applynow.net.au or call them on 1300 847 466

Guide Dogs Victoria

Guide Dogs Victoria are looking for a Project Officer to join their team in Melbourne. The role is a part time, fixed term contract for an experienced professional to join the team in the position of Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Project Officer. Applications close August 8.

For more information and to apply click the following link: www.seek.com.au/job/53150545

Blind Australian of the year

Nominations are now open for Blind Australian of the Year. If you think you know someone exceptional who has made a huge impact on the blind or vision impaired community – nominate them now! Nominations close October 22nd 2021.
For more information or to nominate visit: www.blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au

Inclusivity survey

At Chat are working on an international project to help companies understand how to improve access and inclusion and are seeking people with lived blind or vision impaired experience to share their view. At Chat will start consultation on the project with a 20 minute paid survey which will occur within the next few weeks.

If you are interested in being involved or would like more information, complete the Expression of Interest form at: https://www.atchat.com.au/about-us/diversity-project.

Census 2021

The Australian census is coming up on Tuesday August 10, if you need assistance completing the census the Australian Bureau of Statistics have a range of services including audio descripted forms, assistive technology and large print forms available via their website here: www.census.abs.gov.au/help/accessibility/blind-low-vision otherwise you can call 1800 512 441 for more information.

Have you got something to contribute?

If you’ve got something you’d like included in the Member Update, please send it to memberupdate@bca.org.au or call us on 1800 033 660. Items received by 12:00pm Monday will be published in the Wednesday update.