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Wednesday 25th February 2026

Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

After eight years of dedicated service to Blind Citizens Australia, Angela Jaeschke, General Manager Operations, has moved on from the organisation to pursue her next chapter.

The Board, staff team, and I are incredibly grateful for her significant contributions and the efforts she has put into supporting our community. She will be greatly missed by the team and members alike.

We are currently transitioning our operational structure to strengthen our advocacy and mission impact moving forward. In the interim, all operational matters will be managed through me with the support of some temporary resources.

We know many of you have worked closely with Angela over the years. If you would like to send a message of thanks or well-wishes, please email them to CEO@bca.org.au by Friday, 6th March. We will ensure these are collected and sent to her. Please join us in wishing Angela the very best in her future endeavours.

In other news, we are excited to announce the members of our Convention Program Committee: Ben Clare, Doug McGinn, Lauren Henley, Kimberley Nean, Francois Jacobs and Jennifer Parry. We also welcome Garry Adler and Karen Knight as Co-Chairs of the Committee.

This dedicated group will play a key role in shaping an engaging and informative 2027 Convention program. We thank them for generously contributing their time, ideas and expertise to help create an event that reflects the priorities of our membership.

We are also excited to introduce a new section in our Member Update: the Member Spotlight. This has been created to recognise and celebrate the incredible volunteers who give their time, skills and passion to support BCA. Our volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and through the Member Spotlight, we aim to shine a light on their contributions and share their stories. We hope you enjoy learning more about the members who help shape our community.

And finally, if you missed our recent BCA Inform session or would like to revisit a discussion, recordings are available on the BCA website. We’d also love for you to join us for our next Inform session taking place next Tuesday which is on the topic of Empowerment through Braille. You can find more details below.

– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.

A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.

More from BCA

Employment Opportunity – Systemic Advocacy Lead

BCA is seeking a passionate and experienced Systemic Advocacy Lead to drive national advocacy initiatives that improve accessibility and advance systemic change for Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

This part-time contractor position (28 hours per week) is a remote, work-from-home role offered at $55 per hour plus super (ABN required). The contract runs through to June 2027. In the interim, the role will report the CEO and has no direct reports.

The Systemic Advocacy Lead will facilitate systemic change by providing vital, evidence-based information to industry and government stakeholders. You will represent people who are blind or vision impaired on national committees and forums, contribute lived-experience insights and build influential networks to strengthen accessibility outcomes.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in policy, campaigns and project management, with a strong understanding of systemic advocacy. You will be a skilled communicator who can translate complex accessibility issues into persuasive briefings, reports and educational resources.

Key areas of focus include audio description, taxi and rideshare refusals for dog guide handlers, accessible appliances, accepted forms of ID, Aged Care reform, inclusive employment, and the Federal Government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission recommendations.

Your lived experience with blindness or vision impairment is a highly valued asset, and we encourage you to apply.

More details available: https://www.bca.org.au/employment/

To apply, please submit your resume and a response to the selection criteria in Word format to recruitment@bca.org.au, using “Systemic Advocacy Lead” in the subject line.

To ensure accessibility for the recruitment team, applications must be submitted in Word format. Applications close Sunday, 8th March 2026.

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Advocacy Update – Martin Stewart

Unfortunately, dog guide denial occurrences keep happening. When we are asked to advocate on behalf of a member and their complaint is resolved, we know that the impact of such an event often continues due to ongoing psychological harm

This month we successfully advocated on behalf of a person who was denied access to their local massage facility because they were accompanied by their dog guide.

We spoke to the business owner to explain their legal obligations when providing their services. The owner said that her massage staff were new and therefore unaware of these legal requirements with respect to dog guide handlers. She has confirmed that staff will now be appropriately informed and trained and all dog guide handlers will always be welcomed.

Member Spotlight

Our Member Spotlight shines a light on volunteers making a difference to BCA and the community. This month, we’re featuring National Women’s Branch President Debra Simons, who shares a little about her journey and the work of the Branch:

My name is Debra Simons and I live in Melbourne. I’ve been a member of BCA and the National Women’s Branch (NWB) for many years. The NWB commenced in the early 1990s. It is a strong branch with 546 current members. This number continues to grow. A little over four years ago I took on the role of NWB Branch Vice President. I particularly enjoyed working closely with the committee and getting to know the members.

In October 2025. I was appointed Branch President. Along with the committee, I am looking forward to building the Branch. One of our immediate goals is to build stronger connections with young women, women from non-English speaking backgrounds and women who live in rural or remote areas. We do this by running workshops, a Book group, Word Wednesday and social chat sessions. We are open to suggestions from members about what else we can do.  We welcome members’ involvement and participation in all activities.

The branch is important to members as it provides support, friendship and education. For some women, it is the only setting in which they can openly share their experience of vision impairment or blindness with other women who have lived experience without judgement.

I am enjoying the role of President. To work with a new committee and to support and build our community of members is very satisfying.

I would encourage any members who are thinking about nominating for the committee in the future to reach out and talk to our committee members about what is involved and to challenge themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

Note: In 2024, Debra also shared her experience with BCA after being denied 10 times in 1 day by 13cabs because she was using a dog guide. Her story was published in The Guardian and highlighted the challenges dog guide users face when relying on transport. If you have a story you’d like to share about your own experiences – whether related to accessibility, advocacy, or daily life – we encourage you to reach out to our Communications Coordinator at amila.dedovic@bca.org.au

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, 28th 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.

BCA Inform – Empowerment through Braille

Tuesday, 3rd March from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEDT.

Join us for this BCA Inform session as we explore how to promote and support the new global campaign “More Braille: More Empowerment”, launched by the World Blind Union (WBU) and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI). The campaign calls for braille literacy to be recognised and upheld as a right – not a privilege – and placed back at the centre of inclusive education worldwide.

This session will provide a space to reflect on the importance of braille literacy within our community and how we can collectively champion braille as a foundation for lifelong learning and inclusion.

This is a timely discussion as BCA is scheduled to launch a new Braille Enthusiasts Peer Connect Group on Tuesday, 10th March at 7:30pm AEDT.

We warmly encourage you to attend and be part of this important conversation.

To register for the event please visit the Humanitix website.

If you have any questions or require assistance, contact us at events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660.

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.

Employment Group

Monday, 2nd March at 7:30pm AEDT.

Are you actively seeking employment or looking to navigate the job market? Join our Employment Peer Connect Group – a supportive space where job seekers can come together to share experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange valuable tips and resources. Whether you’re job hunting, navigating interviews, or exploring career opportunities, this group offers a chance to connect with others on a similar journey.

Book Club

Wednesday, 4th March at 7:00pm AEDT.

In this meeting, a guest speaker will join and the group will discuss “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell available from the Vision Australia library. This group is open to all readers, whether you’ve just embarked on your reading journey or have been immersed in books for many years you are welcome to come along. You will have the chance to discuss books, exchange ideas, and broaden your horizons through the magic of storytelling.

Around the Branches

National Women’s Branch Workshop

Topic: Social perceptions of vision impairment and blindness

When: Thursday, 26th February 2026

Time: 7:30pm AEDT

Registration: To register email Dsim1000@bigpond.net

NWB Members are invited to attend a workshop exploring the ways in which vision impairment and blindness are perceived in the community. There will be an opportunity to share individual experiences along with strategies for overcoming social perceptions of vision loss.

Please register on the above email to receive your Zoom link.

Casino / Richmond Valley Branch

The March Branch meeting is on Monday, 2nd March at 10:00am in the Casino Baptist Church Hall corner Canterbury and West streets Casino.

This is a special meeting on emergency and disaster preparedness. It will be run by the Disaster Ready Together Coordinator Karin Ness from Resilient Lismore. Community members are welcome to attend this meeting.

New members are very welcome. Join us for a “Cuppa” at 10:00am.

Free transport is available.

Phone Denise on 0448 014 682 or email: deniseg.vip@outlook.com

News From Outside BCA

National

Survey on accessible government communications for people living with disability

Monash is doing research for the Dept of Health, Ageing and Disability on barriers people with disabilities face in accessing government information. This research will guide the implementation of the Australian Disability Strategy.

We want to hear from people with disabilities who are over 18.

We want to know:

  • how you find government information
  • what is hard or confusing
  • what works well
  • how government communication can be better

This research will help the Australian Government improve the way it gives information to people with disabilities.

You can choose one or more:

  • an online survey
  • a focus group
  • co-design workshops

If you’d like to join, visit do the survey or sign up for a focus group or codesign workshops

The close date is Sunday, 15th March 2026.

If you have any questions, call 0449 192 832 or email jing.hu@monash.edu

Build Skills, Confidence, and Connection – Siblings Australia

Siblings Australia’s skills building workshops empower siblings and people living with disability to foster strong family relationships to navigate big life events together. Facilitated workshops will introduce you to strength-based approaches, like supported decision making, future mapping and using person centred tools to solve challenges.

Workshops are free, with separate groups for siblings and people with a disability.

Life Changes is open to siblings and people with disability aged 16 years and older who want to build skills, strengthen family connections, and plan for the future using strengths-based, person-centred approaches.

For more information and to register visit the Siblings Australia website.

If you have any questions, please get in touch via email at info@siblingsaustralia.org.au  or via telephone on 08 8253 4936.

New South Wales

Upcoming By-Elections in NSW – NSW Electoral Commission

Three by-elections will be held on Saturday, 18th April 2026:

  • Liverpool City Council (South Ward)
  • City of Newcastle (Lord Mayer election)
  • Uralla Shire Council (Ward A)

For these elections, they are offering Telephone Assisted Voting and Braille for people who are blind or low vision. They are also offering Auslan interpreting services at election venues.

Applications for Braille ballot papers are open from Monday, 23rd February 2026 until 6:00pm Monday, 9th March 2026.

Liverpool City Council, City of Newcastle, and Uralla Shire By-elections Saturday, 18th April 2026 – accessibility options are available.

For these by-elections, blind and low vision electors are eligible to vote by post, telephone assisted voting or request Braille ballot papers.

Electors who wish to vote using Braille can apply by either:

Braille ballot papers can be posted to a voters address or alternative address. They can also be delivered to a voting centre within your council area.

Applicants for Braille ballot papers will be asked to include the following information:

  • if voting by post, the postal address the ballot paper will be sent to
  • if voting in person, which early voting centre or voting centre the ballot paper should be delivered to
  • contact details
  • Telephone assisted voting will be available during the pre-poll period and election day (Monday 13 April – Saturday 18th April). To access telephone voting, call the NSW Electoral Commission on 1300 248 683 to register and vote.
  • If voting by post, the postal vote certificate must be signed by the elector and a witness on or before election day (by 6:00pm Saturday, 18th April 2026) and then returned to the NSW Electoral Commission by 6:00pm on Friday, 1st May 2026.

For further information about this election please visit the NSW Electoral Commission website or call 1300 135 736.

Biennale of Sydney 2026: Rememory Access Program

The Biennale of Sydney is excited to share Access program for the 2026 edition, Rememory.

Our full Access Program is now available online, featuring a dedicated calendar of tours and sessions. these include, Tactile Tours and Workshops, Audio Descriptions, On-Site Screen Readers and venue support.

Program schedules, dates, and booking links have launched. You can learn more by visiting the Biennale of Sydney website.

Victoria

A relaxed concert atmosphere for all audiences – Melbourne Recital Centre

This year with day-time performances running for 45 minutes, this series is also perfect for young families. Children will be free to wriggle if they need or leave the Primrose Potter Salon and move to a designated quiet area in the Ground Floor Foyer.

We run two sessions for each Relaxed Performance.

  • 10:30am: Tailored for individuals and community groups
  • 12:00pm: Tailored for school groups

For more information visit the Melbourne Recital Centre website.

The Relaxed Performance series is supported by the Learning and Access Consortium.

The Art of Listening – Biscotti

Wednesday, 4th March, 7:00pm to 10:00pm AEDT.

The Art of Listening is a music club that celebrates deep listening, conversation, and connection. For this special series, we’re popping up in Brunswick East to spotlight the city’s iconic record-store owners – the people who have shaped local culture, championed diverse sounds, and nurtured communities around music.

Each guest will share a hand-picked selection of tracks that hold personal stories, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at Melbourne’s music scene through their ears and experiences.

After the intimate listening session, our special guest will take to the decks for a two-hour DJ set – an open invitation for locals to stay, hang out, and keep the energy flowing together.

The venue is accessible via stairs only but it will be a seated event and our door person will also be our accessibility butler for those who need assistance. The venue is just 2-minute walk from the Lygon Street tram stop.

For tickets and further information visit the Humanitix event page.

Queensland

Free ‘Come & Try’ Disabled Golf Clinic – Empower Golf Australia

Join us at our Golf Clinics held at golf clubs across the country.

These inclusive sessions offer people living with disabilities the chance to experience adaptive golf in a fun, supportive environment, guided by trained PGA professionals. It’s also a great way to connect with our growing community and meet others who share a passion for the game.

For more information watch the promo video and visit the Empower Golf website. 

Make a booking.

South Australia

State Election Voting Details – SA Electoral Commission

Assisted voting (by Telephone)

The Telephone Assisted Voting service will allow eligible enrolled electors to cast their vote anonymously over the phone for both the 2026 South Australian State and First Nation Voice elections.

Eligibility requirements:

This service is only for enrolled electors who are sight impaired or cannot vote without assistance due to motor impairment.

Opening Days/Hours:

Telephone assisted voting will be available from Saturday, 14th March to Saturday, 21st March 2026, (closed Sunday, 15th March).

Saturday, 14th March:

Registration and Voting – 8:00am to 6:00pm

Sunday, 15th March:

Closed

Monday, 16th March to Friday, 20th March:

Registration and Voting – 8:00am to 6:00pm

Thursday, 19th March:

Registration and Voting – 8:00am to 8:00pm

Saturday, 21st March

Registration – 8:00am to 4:00pm

Voting – 8:00am to 6:00pm

Process:

Voting by phone is a two-part process – registering for the service, then casting your vote over the phone.

Step one: Registering for Telephone Assisted Voting

The elector calls our team on 1300 951 579 to register for telephone voting.

The elector provides their personal information to be verified on the electoral roll.

The elector confirms their eligibility to use the telephone voting service.

The elector will set a secret question/answer and be issued a unique identifying number verbally, via SMS, or via email. (Please note that SMS and email may take up to 30mins to be delivered)

Step two: Cast your vote

The elector will either be transferred to the voting team or will call back on 1300 951 579 when ready to vote.

The elector provides their unique identifying number, and answer to the secret question.

A voting assistant will record the elector’s vote.

A second voting assistant listens to the call and acts as a witness to ensure the vote is recorded accurately.

The completed ballot paper is sealed in an envelope marked with the elector’s district, signed by the witness, and deposited into a ballot box.

Free Audio Described Tickets for B.D.S.M. at Adelaide Fringe

This performance will include live Audio Description delivered by a Access2Arts trained describers via headset. The show is a high impact circus and theatrical production featuring aerial, movement and rope performance. Audio Description will provide detailed narration of visual elements.

Company: Devious Adelaide

Date: Saturday, 7th March

Time: 10:15pm

Venue: Fools Paradise, The Vault, Adelaide Fringe

We have a limited number of complimentary tickets available for blind and low vision patrons, with companion tickets available where required.

To reserve tickets email deviousadelaide@gmail.com

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.

Donate to BCA

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

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