Wednesday 9th July
This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebration. The 2025 theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, honours the unwavering spirit and accomplishments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across generations. It calls on us to reflect on the powerful legacy of those who have paved the way, while celebrating the emerging voices and leaders who are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for all. To learn more, visit the NAIDOC website.
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 July 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, 12th July at 8:00pm AEST.
Are you interested in expanding your general knowledge in an easy going and fun atmosphere? If so, join this week’s trivia 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,,889 0666 5580#,,,,*950883# - Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 889 0666 5580
- Passcode: 950883
Peer Connect Groups
The Peer Connect groups meeting in the next week are listed below. You can also find out more about all our peer connect groups, including session times and other details on the BCA Website.
Art Appreciation Group
Friday, 11th July at 11:00am AEST.
Do you enjoy discussing different styles of art, exploring critiques of art, reading writings from curators, and sharing online resources to expand your understanding of art? Then join the Art Appreciation Peer Connect Group – a space to connect, exchange ideas, and deepen your appreciation for arts in an inclusive and engaging way.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile
- Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 837 4942 3547
- Passcode: 705441
BCA Updates
Update from the CEO
Dear members,
We’re excited to share that Australia will be well represented at the upcoming World Blind Union (WBU) General Assembly and World Blindness Summit, to be held in São Paulo, Brazil in early September. This event brings together leaders who are blind or vision impaired, along with advocates and stakeholders from around the world, to exchange knowledge and shape more inclusive futures. The WBU delegates on behalf of Australian partner organisations are Karen Knight from Guide Dogs Australia, Chris Edwards from Vision Australia and Helen Freris and I from BCA. We’re proud to represent Australia and contribute to this global event. We are excited to connect with others and hear about what is happening globally.
I also want to highlight a significant policy development that has implications for many of our members and the broader community of people with disabilities. In May, the NDIS quietly rolled out a major change to how participant funding is delivered. Instead of releasing full budgets at the start of a plan, funding is now issued in smaller instalments over time – typically every three months, or monthly for home and living supports. While assistive technology and home modifications remain fully claimable up front, this new structure introduces rigidity and complexity into a system that was originally designed to be flexible and participant-led.
BCA, alongside many other disability organisations, has supported a joint statement expressing serious concerns about this shift. The statement outlines how the changes were introduced with minimal communication and against the advice of advocates, and it highlights the potential negative impacts on participants’ autonomy, access to services and overall wellbeing. It also calls for the NDIA to prioritise transparency, flexibility and accessible communication going forward.
I encourage all members to take a few minutes to read the full statement. It speaks to the shared values of choice, control and respect that underpin the NDIS – and which we must continue to protect. Read the full statement on the Every Australian Counts website.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Policy Update
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matter has released a report on proposals to increase voter engagement, participation and confidence was tabled in Parliament on Thursday, 26th June 2025.
The report can be found on the Committee’s website, together with other documents associated with the inquiry.
BCA’s input and submissions are quoted in Chapter 2 of the report under Voters with Disabilities.
The Government must respond to the Committee’s recommendations within six months of the report being tabled. We will advise you when the Government’s response has been received.
Thank you to all BCA members who have made contributions to this inquiry.
BCA in the Media
Leisure Link with Peter Greco – Vision Australia Radio
This week on Leisure Link with Peter Greco, Jordie Howell, this year’s winner of the Diana Braun Aspirations Award from BCA’s National Women’s Branch joined the program.
You can listen to the full episode by visiting Leisure Link on Vision Australia Radio.
Plus, on Leisure Link our very own Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO, shared some of the many highlights of the recent 50th Anniversary Convention.
You can listen to the full episode by visiting Leisure Link on Vision Australia Radio.
Around the Branches
National Women’s Branch
On Thursday, 31st July, the Women’s Branch will be holding its next workshop by Zoom at 7:30pm AEST.
Women’s branch members are invited to join our discussion for blind or vision impaired mothers or carers of children under 18.
It will be an opportunity to share knowledge, experience and strategies.
To register, please email Annette Leishman Email: nettie617@gmail.com
News From Outside BCA
National
Eye Empower: Peer Group for 12-25 years old – Save Sight Institute
We invite you to join Eye Empower, Virtual Peer Group for 12 – 25-year-old youth and young adults who live with or experience the impacts of vision-related conditions and/or impairments.
This group is led by Salonee Goyal-Devaraj and Simran Goyal, two young professionals who are passionate about ensuring people who live with differing abilities have access to equal opportunities as their able-sighted peers.
In this session, a panel of youth and young adults with vision-related conditions and/or impairments will share their personal experiences navigating key life transitions, including those related to education and career.
Please join us, as they speak to what it means to lead without limits.
Details:
Date: Friday, 8th August 2025
Time: 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Location: Online – Teams
Support for early school leavers – Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) is running a program to support young people with disability who are leaving or have left school early. The program will involve online and in-person workshops that support young people aged 12-20 to understand their goals and take the next steps in employment, education and training.
Find out more and sign up by visiting the Youth Affairs Council Victoria website.
New South Wales
Audio Described Show “The Play that Goes Wrong” – Sydney Opera House
Tuesday, 22nd July at 7:00pm AEST.
You all know the classic whodunnit story, there has been a murder at a country manor and an inspector is set on the case to find who the culprit is. However, when this plot is given to the accident-prone thespians at The Cornley Drama Society, everything that can go wrong… does!
To book visit the Sydney Opera House website.
For more information on Sydney Opera House shows call +61 2 9250 7777 or email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Victoria
Seeking your valuable input to shape our Engagement Framework – Greater Western Water
At Greater Western Water, we’re refreshing our Engagement Framework. It’s the way we connect with customers and communities across our projects, services and day-to-day work. Whether we’re planning a local upgrade or shaping future priorities, we want to hear your ideas. This input helps us involve you in ways that feel meaningful.
Engagement is when we involve the people who benefit from, or who are impacted by, our projects, programs or services, to help us make better decisions.
As a valued community representative, your work is critical to our success, and I welcome you to share your experience so we can continue to strengthen how we work together. We know there is more we can do and we are committed to doing it with you through genuine listening.
Visit the Greater Western Water website to learn more and answer a couple of quick questions.
Disability supports for older Victorians – The Council on Ageing Victoria
The Council on Ageing Victoria is urging the state and federal governments, alongside decisionmakers in the ageing and disability sectors, to implement an Agenda for Action over the next five years. The Agenda aims to address the fact that older Victorians with disability are systematically under-served by existing policy and service frameworks.
Read the Agenda by visiting the Council on Ageing Victoria website.
South Australia
Audio Described City Lights Tour – Access2Arts
Join an Audio Described City Lights Tour through Adelaide’s illuminated laneways and public spaces as part of Illuminate Adelaide.
Accessible Seniors Tours; a slower-paced, accessible tour ideal for older audiences.
Where: North Terrace, Adelaide, Kaurna Yerta
When: Tuesday, 15th July 2025.
For more information and to register, visit the Illuminate Adelaide 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.