Update from the CEO
Dear Members,
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the technical issues we experienced with our website this past Monday. Our team (with special thanks to Amila) worked diligently to resolve these difficulties quickly, and I want to thank them for the prompt attention they gave to this matter. We sincerely appreciate your patience as we ensure our digital platforms remain accessible and up to date.
As February marks Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Awareness Month, I would also like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of increasing understanding of this inherited retinal condition. RP leads to gradual vision loss and, for many, eventual blindness, and is the most prevalent inherited retinal disease in Australia, affecting around 8,900 people. This awareness month highlights the ongoing need for research, as well as strong support and advocacy for individuals and families living with RP and related conditions.
Following our recent commitment to review the remuneration model for the Eye to the Future: Resilience, Insight & Skills for Employment (RISE) Program, we wish to provide an update on the outcome of our discussions with our funding body and stakeholders.
BCA has designed existing program delivery to balance paid staff, peer leadership and volunteer contribution to maximise reach, sustainability and impact for members. Current government funding agreements also oblige BCA to adhere to specific grant compliance and departmental regulations.
Our recent investigation concluded that under the current funding agreement for the RISE program, a transition to a remunerated mentoring model would require individual sub-contracting arrangements and a formal contract variation. The Department has advised that such a variation cannot be guaranteed within a timeframe that would allow the program to proceed without disruption to agreed activities and, most importantly, to the support provided to program participants.
The RISE Program will therefore proceed under a volunteer mentoring model in this instance.
We are profoundly grateful for the support of our mentors, a powerful testament to the generosity, leadership and strength within our community.
BCA remains deeply committed to the principle of recognising and valuing lived expertise, and will continue to explore and advocate for funding models and organisational processes that align with evolving expectations regarding this issue within the disability sector. We look forward to continuing this important conversation with our members and partners.
I am thrilled to announce that BCA has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form Sensory Partners Australia (SPA). This alliance brings together five peak bodies – BCA, Deafness Forum Australia, Deaf Australia, Deafblind Australia, and Vision 2020 Australia.
As a powerful collective advocacy vehicle, SPA ensures that the disability community has a unified voice when engaging with government and the public. Through this partnership, we are committed to:
- Government Influence: Ensuring sensory disability is a priority in policy and national decision-making.
- Co-design: Securing government commitment to consult genuinely with people with lived experience.
- Public Awareness: Promoting social inclusion and recognition of our diverse community cultures.
- Sustainability: Exploring joint funding and safeguarding the future of systemic advocacy.
We are very much looking forward to this continued partnership and the strength it brings to our shared purpose.
– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.
A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.
More from BCA
Launch of a new BCA Peer Connect Group – Braille Enthusiasts Peer Group
Are you passionate about Braille or keen to build your skills? We’re very excited to announce the launch of a new Braille Enthusiasts Peer Group which is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, 10th March at 7:30pm AEDT.
Led by Debbie Cooke, the group will offer a lively and supportive space for Braille users of all levels. Whether you’re a long-time user, brushing up your skills, or just starting out, this group is all about sharing tips and celebrating the power of Braille in everyday life.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Have Your Say to Improve Ophthalmology Care – Melanie Chatfield
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists are developing online training for ophthalmologists to improve the early referral to vision specialists and support services for people with low vision (e.g. daily living skills, orientation and mobility, counselling). The goal is to improve the standard of care and improve patient outcomes following diagnosis and vision deterioration.
To inform BCA’s response, we are interested in knowing your experience of engaging with ophthalmologists and any recommendations you have for how they could improve their interactions and services for people with low vision.
Please email melanie.chatfield@bca.org.au or telephone 1800 033 660 before Tuesday, 17th February.
BCA Events
Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for February 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 February 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 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):
+61280156011,,84491693225#,,,,*424050# - Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 844 9169 3225
- Passcode: 424050
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, 13th February at 11:00am AEDT.
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: 818 6110 0639
- Passcode: 764642
Assistive Technology Group
Monday, 16th February at 8:00pm AEDT.
Assistive Technology is useful and increasingly necessary in our daily lives. However, not everything is easy to navigate, and new technologies develop every day. Join Adam and others to learn more about assistive technology and how to get the best from it.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile
- Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 813 6198 4959
- Passcode: 335492
Around the Branches
National Women’s Branch
Workshop on Learning to use Zoom
Tuesday, 17th February from 3:00pm to 4:00pm AEDT.
You are warmly invited to a phone in workshop about how to use Zoom effectively.
Within the workshop participants will learn how to log in to Zoom, mute and unmute, raise and lower their hand, and leave the meeting. After that, we will connect to Zoom, giving everyone the opportunity to practice what they have learned in a supportive, hands-on environment.
To receive the phone in details, please register by emailing kristystichter8@gmail.com.
An email with Zoom details will be sent to you following registration. We look forward to helping you gain confidence and enjoy using Zoom!
Casino / Richmond Valley Branch
What: Jack Watson Concert
When: Thursday, 26th February 2026
Where: Lismore Heights Bowling Club
Time: Leave Casino at 10:00am
Cost: $35
RSVP to Denise Green on 0448014682 or email deniseg.vip@outlook.com
News From Outside BCA
National
Accessible Podcast: Disability Leadership – Accessible Arts
Watch, listen to or read the latest episode of our Access Ideas and Insights Podcast Series. It’s Auslan interpreted, captioned, accompanied by audio-described visuals, and released with a full transcript.
In this episode, we explore two perspectives shaping contemporary Disability Leadership: the artist and the CEO. Learn from Riana Head-Toussaint, an interdisciplinary artist working across performance, music and advocacy, and Joshua Pether, Kalkadoon performance artist and CEO of Arts Access Victoria.
Together with podcast host Bedelia Lowrenčev, they unpack what disability leadership looks like in action, and why this vital, transformative force is shaping the future of the arts.
To learn more and listen visit the Accessible Arts website.
InFocus: Queer and Disabled Online National Forum – People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
This Pride season, People with Disability Australia is hosting In Focus: Queer and Disabled, a national online forum created by and for LGBTQIA+ people with disability.
This event celebrates our community, our self-expression and our right to take up space. It is also a space to reflect, connect and explore how we can drive change for LGBTQIA+ people with disability together.
When: Wednesday, 18th February 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm AEDT.
Where: Zoom (Meeting link will be sent following your registration)
Cost: Free
Deadline extended: Assistive Technology Survey – Intopia
Assistive technology plays a vital role in enabling independence, connection and participation, yet there are still significant barriers in cost, awareness and design.
The Assistive Technology Survey 2025 is Australia and New Zealand’s most comprehensive survey exploring how people use and experience assistive technology online.
The updates include questions about emerging tools, such as artificial intelligence, to understand how new technologies are shaping accessibility. These insights will fill a critical gap in research, which has often overlooked real-world experiences.
Survey closes: Friday, 6th March 2026.
Call for Participants: Research on Visual Social Media Use
Curtin University researcher Anum Ejaz is inviting people who are blind or have vision impairment across Australia to take part in a 30-to-60-minute informal interview exploring how you use visual social media.
The conversation will focus on your experiences with platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and other visual social media – particularly how you access and engage with images and videos.
We’re interested in hearing about:
- Your experiences using visual social media platforms
- Examples of times you’ve accessed images and videos
Participants will have the opportunity to enter a $50 prize draw as a thank-you for taking part.
Find out more and register your interest.
If you have any questions please contact Anum via email at anum.ejaz@postgrad.curtin.edu.au
This study has been approved by the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HRE2022-0619).
South Australia
“Jeremy Moses is Hard to Work With” Show – Adelaide Fringe
Join vision impaired comedian Jeremy Moses for a night of sketches, songs, puppetry and some much needed self-reflection.
To learn more about dates, tactile tours and to purchase tickets visit the Adelaide Fringe website.
You can also secure tickets via the accessibility booking line: (08) 8100 2089.
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.