Wednesday 11th December
As we embrace the joy of the holiday season, the entire BCA team sends heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a festive season filled with happiness and peace.
This year has been a milestone for BCA, marked by remarkable achievements. None of this would have been possible without the support and contributions of you – our incredible members. We extend our deepest gratitude to each of you.
To sprinkle some Christmas magic into this update, we’ve included a collection of festive favourite songs shared by our staff. We hope you enjoy!
Our offices will close on Friday, 20th December 2024 and re-open on Monday, 6th January 2025.
This marks our final Member Update for 2024. We’ll be back with new updates starting Wednesday, 15th January 2025.
We can’t wait to reconnect and achieve even greater goals together in 2025!
A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.
What’s Coming Up at BCA?
Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for December is available on our website, or you can access the calendar via audio by phoning 1800 033 660 and following the prompts.
If you have any questions, or would like more information, please feel free to contact us on events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660.
Trivia
Saturday, 14th December at 8:00pm AEDT.
Are you interested in expanding your general knowledge in an easy going and fun atmosphere? If so, join this week’s trivia presented by Michael Janes for an enjoyable night of team competition.
Please be aware that, to ensure the smooth operation of the game, Trivia will be limited to 25 players. To give everyone an opportunity, the Zoom waiting room will open to admit people who sign in from 7:45pm Sydney time and closes at 8:00pm.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile (via non-iOS)
- Join with one tap mobile using the number below (via iOS):
+61370182005,,87032845474#,,,,*422844# - Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 870 3284 5474
- Passcode: 422844
BCA Updates
Update from the CEO
Dear members,
As we approach the end of 2024, I want to take a moment to express my thanks to each of you for your involvement with BCA this year. Your support, commitment and dedication have been instrumental in helping us continue our important work in empowering people who are blind and vision impaired.
It was great to connect with many of you at our virtual AGM on Thursday, 5th December. It’s always a pleasure to talk with our members and I’m grateful for the engaging discussions and shared insights that help shape our direction and initiatives. Your participation is what makes BCA and strengthens our community, and I am excited about what we can accomplish together in the year ahead.
Looking to 2025, we are especially excited as it marks our 50th anniversary. This milestone is a reflection of the incredible journey we’ve shared and the progress we’ve made together. We are looking forward to connecting with you during our Convention in June – it will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our achievements, look ahead to the future and deepen our connections as a community.
As we enter the festive season, I wish you all a joyful and peaceful time, surrounded by the warmth of family, friends and community. I hope you enjoy a well-deserved break and find time to reflect on the successes of the year, as well as the challenges we’ve faced and overcame together.
Thank you so much again for being with us through 2024. Your contributions have made a real difference.
2025 Convention Update and Corrections
Last week, we shared information about the 2025 Convention and we would like to apologize for a small error in that communication. We mistakenly mentioned that a selection of canapés and drinks would be available at your own cost during the convention dinner on Saturday, 14th June 2025. In fact, these will be available at the welcome function on Friday, 13th June 2025.
Additionally, we would like to inform you of the pricing for the event, which will be as follows:
- Full Convention (In-Person): $350
This fee covers access to all sessions, events and activities for the entire convention. It also includes the Saturday Convention Dinner. The Friday welcome function will include a selection of canapés. Drinks will be available at your own cost. - Day Registration (Saturday & Sunday): $140 per day
If you can only attend on specific days, day registration will be available for $140 per day, with a total of $280 for both Saturday and Sunday. Please note this does not include the Saturday Convention dinner. - Online Registration: $120
For those who are unable to attend in person, you can join us virtually for $120. - Saturday Convention Dinner: $70
Registration opens in January 2025, so be sure to mark your calendars! To find out more, please visit the BCA website.
Eye to the Future Survey
As part of the Eye to the Future Project, BCA developed a website (www.eyetofuture.com.au/home/) to provide resources for both employers and job seekers to support the greater inclusion of people who are blind or vision impaired in employment.
We are currently undertaking a review of the resources provided on the website and would appreciate any feedback from members who have visited or engaged with the content. We kindly invite you to participate in the following survey to provide feedback. Your responses will help us understand how members are using the resources and how we might improve the content or provide additional support to our members.
This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.
For more information and to access the survey visit: https://form.jotform.com/243178168277063
The survey will close on Wednesday, 18th December.
If you have any questions about the survey, or would like assistance to complete it, please contact us.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Policy Updates
Emergency Preparedness – Jackson Reynolds-Ryan
As the end of 2024 approaches, many Australians are mindful that the summer months often bring with them a time of uncertainty from floods, bushfires and other natural disasters. To help prepare members for future natural disasters and public health emergencies, in 2023 BCA released a Policy Report entitled ‘Risk Reduction, Resilience and Response: Preparing for Emergency Events as a Person Who is Blind or Vision Impaired’.
This report provides information for people who are blind or vision impaired on how emergency events can impact them. The Report’s associated checklist empowers people who are blind or vision impaired by helping them to identify and procure the essential items they may require during a natural disaster.
BCA Celebrates the Holidays
BCA Staff Spreading the Christmas Cheer!
BCA staff are excited to share their favourite Christmas carols to help spark some festive joy this holiday season!
From timeless classics to modern favourites, this list is sure to fill your heart with holiday cheer. We hope that the Christmas songs below brighten your day! Enjoy!
Deb Deshayes – Pentatonix – Silent Night
Sarah Reilly – Wham! – Last Christmas
Theresa Ruig – The Australian Girls Choir sing Joy to the world
Martin Stewart – Johnny Mathis – When A Child Is Born
Angela Jaeschke – Tim Minchin – White Wine In The Sun
Samantha Marsh – Skip Ewing – Better Watch Out
Layal Hage – Céline Dion – O Holy Night
Amila Dedovic – Michael Bublé – It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
New Horizons
In this edition, Vaughn Bennison’s last as host, Vaughn thanks all the people who have supported and assisted the production, presentation and management of New Horizons since he took it over in October 2015.
In our feature interview conducted by John Simpson, Vaughn discusses the Annual General Meeting of Blind Citizens Australia, next steps and potential focuses for the future. Then, John speaks with Emma Bennison who was awarded the Leslie Hall Lifetime Achievement award by the Disability Leadership Institute. Hear about Emma’s career and her passion for leadership.
A heads-up: our summer series this year will focus on Audio Description as John brings us interviews with people who compile, present and benefit from Audio Description. Coming late December.
Take a listen to the New Horizons podcast or find out how to tune in live.
Do you have any ideas for stories, or feedback about the show? Contact us on new.horizons@bca.org.au.
News From Outside BCA
National
Audio Description on SBS On Demand: Available Anytime!
Exciting news for blind or vision impaired audiences! SBS On Demand has expanded its audio description (AD) feature, allowing users to enjoy accessible content anytime, in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This service, available via web browsers, includes a wide array of programs such as Dateline, Barrumbi Kids, Going Places with Ernie Dingo, and many more. SBS continues to refine the feature with AD provider Red Bee Media and appreciates your feedback as it prepares to roll out on additional platforms.
With over 500 TV shows and movies in the dedicated AD collection and new titles added weekly, SBS remains a leader in accessible media, providing inclusive entertainment to all Australians.
To explore the AD collection and detailed access instructions, visit the SBS website.
For feedback or inquiries, contact the SBS On Demand team at sbsondemandteam@sbs.com.au
New digital platform to help NDIS Participants resolve complaints – nTrustus
We’re excited to announce the official launch of nTrustus, a digital complaints platform to provide faster and easier complaints resolution for NDIS Participants.
Disability advocacy and community groups have consistently highlighted how challenging and time-consuming it can be to support Participants with complaints.
nTrustus, funded by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission grants program, is designed to help both participants and providers resolve minor complaints before they escalate into bigger issues.
Free for Participants – nTrustus makes it easy to draft and submit complaints, with support from My Complaint Assistant, a Gen AI tool that helps craft clear, impactful messages for Providers.
For more information, visit the nTrustus website.
National Lung Cancer Screening Program – Lung Foundation Australia
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program will officially launch in July 2025, offering free biennial low-dose CT scans to detect early-stage lung cancer in asymptomatic, at-risk Australians. This life-saving program targets individuals aged 50–70 with a history of at least 30 pack-years of smoking, including those who quit within the last 10 years.
Lung Foundation Australia (LFA) is working alongside other organisations on addressing barriers and enabling participation for groups disproportionately affected by lung cancer.
LFA is conducting a survey to gather additional insights on the program’s implementation. The survey is open until 16 January 2025 and takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Your feedback will contribute to shaping an inclusive and effective screening initiative.
New South Wales
Invitation to OMAA Conference – Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia
As individuals passionate about Orientation and Mobility (O&M) as a profession, you are invited to our in-person live conference in Sydney in March 2025. This event has the theme of: “Independent and working together.” This is a state in which all involved in O&M, specialists, and those in the O&M service delivery team supporting service provision are seen as critical to quality outcomes for individuals at the heart of O&M.
I invite you to join us as participants, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors to share skills, knowledge and products that will enhance the profession as we move forward.
Most importantly join us to build relationships, together, and across our profession and vision rehabilitation services in Australasia.
For more information and to register visit the OMAA website.
Accessible Events at Sydney Festival – City of Sydney
Sydney Festival has a wide range of tactile tours and audio described events scheduled. All times in AEDT.
Multiple Bad Things – Tactile tour on Thursday, 9th January at 6:00pm. Audio Described performance on Thursday, 9th January at 7:00pm.
The Tā and Vā of Tongpop – Audio description and tactile tour Saturday, 11th January at 1:30pm.
A Model Murder – Tactile tour on Sunday, 12th January at 6:30pm. Audio Described performance on Sunday, 12th January 7:30pm.
Dark Noon – Tactile tour on Tuesday, 21st January at 5:30pm. Audio Described performance on Tuesday, 21st January at 6:30pm.
For more information visit the Sydney Festival website.
Victoria
Starfish Nippers: Water Awareness for Young People – Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria
Saturday, 18th January 2025 from 12:00pm to 2:30pm AEDT.
Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria invites all young people aged 4 – 17 years who are blind or vision impaired to participate in Hampton Life Saving Club’s inclusive Starfish Nippers Program this January school holidays.
Where: Where: Hampton Life Saving Club, 43d Beach Road, Hampton.
BYO: Bathers, Rashi, wetsuit (if you get cold), hat, sunscreen, water bottle.
There will be sand activities, like flags and sprints, life saving education, swimming, board skills and much more! This program is delivered flexibly according to the needs of each individual. Sighted siblings are welcome. So come along, get active, socialise and have fun in a supported environment.
RSVP by Friday, 10th January to Miriam on 0490 905 712 or email miriam@blindsports.org.au
Queensland
2025 Emerging Leaders Program is Now open! – Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)
QDN’s Emerging Leaders program is focused on building the leadership capabilities of people with disability to lead and influence change in their own lives and in their communities.
Each year up to 25 people with disability are chosen to participate in a program which develops skills and builds capacity of leaders at individual, community and systems levels.
The program offers learning opportunities ranging from face-to-face workshops, online interactive sessions, mentorship, and community activities. It provides a safe and inclusive environment to develop critical thinking, explore leadership theory, systems thinking and systems change, practice techniques, have inquiring conversations, build relationships, and connect with established leaders.
To find out more about this exciting opportunity, please visit the QDN website.
Support our work
By donating to BCA, you contribute to important programs and services that empower our community. Every dollar goes a long way in helping us achieve our purpose and enhancing the lives of those we serve.
Have you got something to contribute?
If you have something you would 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 considered for publishing in the Wednesday update.
Blind Citizens Australia
Email: bca@bca.org.au
Website: www.bca.org.au
ABN: 90 006 985 226
BCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea, and community. We also pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past, present, and future.