Update from the CEO
Dear Members,
A range of significant reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have been announced, focused on improving the scheme’s sustainability and refocusing support on people with permanent and significant disability.
Key themes include the introduction of functional assessments for eligibility, tighter reassessment of supports, increased oversight of providers and changes to pricing and plan management. These reforms are expected to be implemented progressively through upcoming legislative changes and new administrative processes. While some initiatives, such as a new digital payment system, have been welcomed, there are important questions across the sector about how the changes will be rolled out and their impact on participants, providers, and choice and control. A more detailed summary and analysis will be provided in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can read more by visiting the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website, and by reviewing Minister Butler’s full speech and the follow-up questions from journalists.
In other news, I’m excited to announce that Miriam Beswick has joined BCA as our new Business Manager. Miriam is an accomplished leader whose career spans government, commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently, she served as a Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, where she was a strong and consistent advocate for her community. During her time in Parliament, she contributed to important work on the Joint House Gender and Equality Committee and was actively involved in inquiries into disability discrimination and ADHD support services.
Beyond her parliamentary experience, Miriam brings strong capability in governance and operations. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds qualifications in public relations and management, alongside a Graduate Certificate in Management. Her professional background includes senior roles as a Program Manager and Business Manager, with a focus on financial oversight, risk management and systems optimisation.
What makes Miriam’s appointment particularly meaningful for BCA is her personal connection to our community. As an Associate Member and the partner of someone who is legally blind, she brings lived understanding of the barriers our community faces, alongside a strong commitment to disability-led advocacy. We warmly welcome her to the BCA team.
Turning to other news, I want to acknowledge the recent Participant Pathway Experience Co-Design Working Group discussions and share an update. The NDIA outlined the current context of the NDIS reform roll-out and explained that this phase of work is being shaped by rapid collaboration activities, including the Design Hub, which is focused on refining and validating the new approach to planning ahead of implementation. They also noted that a number of key policy decisions, including the NDIS Rules, are still pending. In this context, the regular rhythm of group meetings has been paused for now, with the timing of the next session to be advised in due course.
Members understandably raised concerns about what this means for continued reform development, particularly the importance of ensuring that sector and participant voices remain central to the design process rather than being deferred during implementation phases. We will continue to advocate for meaningful inclusion as this work progresses and keep you informed as we receive more information.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who joined our recent BCA Inform session on AI and Cyber Security. It was a productive conversation and clearly an area of growing interest and importance across our community. For those who weren’t able to attend, the recording and summary are now available on our website.
– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.
A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Policy Update – Melanie Chatfield
Our submission to the Senate inquiry into the Fair Work Amendment (Right to Work from Home) Bill 2025 highlights the importance of flexible work, while also pointing out the need to get it right. Expanding work from home rights is a positive step toward more inclusive workplaces. For people who are blind or vision impaired, however, working from home is often a necessary reasonable adjustment, not simply a preference.
We emphasise that any universal WFH reforms must complement, not replace or limit, existing employer obligations to provide reasonable adjustments and support equitable participation in the workforce.
Read our full submission on the BCA website.
BCA Events
Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for April 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, 25th April 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. If we are full, or you don’t make it before 8:00pm, you are still very welcome to stay and listen on mute.
- 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
BCA Inform – Advocacy in Practice
Tuesday, 12th May from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEST.
Join us for an engaging session on advocacy, where BCA’s National Advocacy Officer Martin Stewart and our recently appointed Systemic Advocacy Lead Francois Jacobs come together to unpack the full scope of advocacy.
From empowering individual advocacy to driving large-scale systemic reform, this session will explore how BCA works to protect your rights and create meaningful, lasting change.
You’ll gain insight into the ways BCA advocates on behalf of our community, while also learning practical strategies to strengthen your own self-advocacy skills. We look forward to seeing you there!
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.
Please note that, for May only, this event has been moved from the first Tuesday of the month to the second Tuesday.
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.
Acquired Sight Loss Group
Monday, 27th April at 7:30pm AEST.
Hosted by BCA’s National Advocacy Officer, Martin Stewart, this welcoming and friendly group is a forum for members to meet and talk with others with acquired sight loss.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile
- Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 874 0154 0222
- Passcode: 447066
Around the Branches
National Women’s Branch
BCA’s National Women’s Branch is running a member only workshop on entitlements for the vision impaired.
If you are new to vision impairment, you may not be aware of what entitlements are out there. If you are not new to vision impairment there may be entitlements that you are not aware of.
Interested to find out more? Join our workshop.
Date: Thursday, 30th April 2026
Time: 7:30pm AEST
For more information and for login details please contact Chire Fulford on chirefulford1@gmail.com
Casino / Richmond Valley Branch
The Casino / Richmond Valley Branch May meeting is on Monday, 4th May at 10:00am in the Casino Baptist Church Hall corner Canterbury and West Streets Casino.
Special guest speaker is Kevin Hogan, Federal member for Page, speaking on Aged Care and NDIS Services and issues. Jessica Low from Guide Dogs will also be in attendance.
For more information call Denise on 0448 014 682 or email deniseg.vip@outlook.com
News From Outside BCA
National
2026–2029 Strategic Plan now available – World Blind Union
The WBU has officially launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2029, setting out a clear and ambitious direction for advancing the rights, inclusion and full participation of blind and partially sighted people worldwide.
The new plan reflects a global and collaborative effort. It was developed under the leadership of WBU First Vice President Cristina Chamorro Muñoz, with contributions from a globally representative working group and extensive consultation with members and partners. Drawing on diverse perspectives and lived experience, the plan is designed to respond to the evolving global context and the priorities of the WBU community.
The Strategic Plan outlines key priorities for the coming years, including strengthening global advocacy, supporting capacity building within member organisations, enhancing engagement across WBU’s global network, and reinforcing the organisation’s role as a leading voice within the international disability movement.
Read the full strategic report on the WBU website.
Insights from the Pacific: Education for Children with Vision Impairment – International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) & South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI)
Tuesday, 5th May from 4:00pm to 5:00pm AEST.
The Presidents of ICEVI Pacific and SPEVI New Zealand, Martine Able Williamson and Lynda Williams, invite you to a one-hour webinar exploring education for children who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision in Pacific Island Countries.
Presenters and Topics:
Sisi Sovaia Coalala, Acting Manager Inclusive Development, Pacific Disability Forum
Sisi will provide an overview of education opportunities for children with vision impairment in Fiji. Drawing on her lived experience and leadership in disability advocacy, she will highlight key barriers and pathways toward more inclusive education systems.
Ben Clare, Co-President, SPEVI Inc; Disability Lead Adviser, Aspen Medical
Ben will share insights from his work in Samoa, including collaboration with the Samoa Blind Persons Association and the Ministry of Education to expand inclusive education opportunities. He will also highlight partnerships with the DAISY Consortium and the WIPO Accessible Books Consortium to develop digital and braille libraries for Pacific learners.
Dr Elena Jenkin, Disability Inclusion Practitioner and Researcher
Elena will present findings from participatory research with children with disabilities in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. She will explore how children with blindness or low vision have contributed their perspectives, and how co-design and lived experience can inform more effective and inclusive education systems.
Why Attend?
- Gain insights into education for children with vision impairment in Pacific Island contexts
- Connect with others in a collaborative space to share ideas and explore opportunities for partnership
To register, please email: info@icevi.org
Mid-Term Executive Committee meeting moves online – International Council on English Braille (ICEB)
The Executive committee of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) – the global body responsible for maintaining and promoting English braille standards across member countries, including Australia, the UK, the US, and others – has voted to move its mid-term executive meeting, scheduled to take place in August 2026 to be a fully online event.
Member countries and interested observers will be able to join via Zoom and input into the various discussions. More details on the online event will be posted in due course.
Assistance Animal Self-ID now available – Uber
Uber is introducing an optional in-app Assistance Animal Self-ID feature, designed to enhance support and improve the ride experience for riders travelling with assistance animals.
Riders who opt in can confirm they are travelling with an assistance animal through the Uber app under Account > Settings > Accessibility > Assistance animal. The feature allows users to choose whether to share this information with drivers and can be updated or turned off at any time.
To learn more about Uber’s Self-ID option visit the Uber website.
Online Conference – Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Community Blind Forum
The ASEAN Community Blind Forum (ACBF) is a dedicated platform established in 2010 to foster collaboration among blind leaders and organisations across Southeast Asia.
An online conference will be held on the Thursday, 23rd April and Saturday, 25th April 2026.
The conference will include:
Day 1: Thursday, 23rd April from 9:00am to 12:00pm
- “Strengthening Blind Organizations in ASEAN: From Advocacy to Impact” By: Santosh Kumar Rungta (President of WBU)
- “Innovative Approaches to Financial Sustainability of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in ASEAN”
Day 2: Saturday, 25th April from 9:00am to 12:30pm
- Progress reports from ASEAN member countries.
To join visit the ASEAN Facebook page.
Victoria
State Disability Plan and Autism Plan Consultations Now Open – Victorian Government
Consultation for the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan are now open.
The Victorian Government encourages everyone to share their ideas and feedback.
The next plans will set out priorities and actions to make Victoria a more inclusive, accessible, and fair place for all.
The government wants to hear about:
- what is working well and what could be improved
- priorities for the future
- ideas for the next plans.
The Victorian Government will also work with the disability community to respond to national disability reforms. This includes changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the delivery of foundational supports such as Thriving Kids.
Consultation on the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan will happen at the same time. This way, the new autism plan will line up with the new State Disability Plan.
Here are different ways to participate in the consultation. You can choose one or more of these options to have your say.
- You can take part in an in-person or online forum
- Complete an online survey
- Share feedback and ideas on Engage Victoria
- Send us an email with a voice or video recording to disabilityplan@dffh.vic.gov.au.
- Mail a picture, document or recording with your ideas to Office for Disability, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.
For more information, visit the Engage Victoria website.
For assistance with accessible formats email disabilityplan@dffh.vic.gov.au.
From Ableism to Allyship: Bendigo and Surrounds Inclusive Community Forum – Women with Disabilities Victoria
Monday, 18th May from 10:00am to 4:30pm AEST.
Women with Disabilities Victoria are excited to invite you to a day of disability led discussions about ableism and allyship.
Whether you are well on the road to inclusion or just getting started on your disability journey all are welcome to join us in creating a better Central Victoria for all.
Focussed workshops will support people with and without disability to understand the nuances of ableism, how it manifests and how we can stamp it out for good.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Emma King emma.king@wdv.org.au
For more information and to register visit the Humanitix event page.
Queensland
Free Come and Try Golf Clinics – Empower Golf Australia
We are excited to invite the disabled community to attend our upcoming free May “Come & Try Golf Clinics”. No prior experience in Golf is needed – just come along and give it a try at the following locations:
Topgolf Gold Coast – First Tuesday of each month from 10:00am to 12:00pm, therefore the next clinic is on Tuesday, 5th May. Topgolf is an all-weather venue so this clinic goes ahead even if it’s raining.
Carindale – Pacific Golf Club – Second Tuesday of each month between 10:00am and 12:00pm. Therefore, the May clinic is on Tuesday, 12th May.
Bribie Island – Pacific Harbour Golf Club – First Thursday of each month between 10:00am and 12:00pm. Therefore, next clinic is on Thursday, 7th May.
These clinics are open to anyone living with a disability and are run by accredited specialised coaches who provide expert advice and guidance.
Bookings are essential. To book visit the Empower Golf website.
For more information watch this promo video.
South Australia
Audio Described Tactile Tour: Moss Piglet – Windmill Production Company
Tardigrades… haven’t heard of them? Found in virtually every environment on Earth – from your couch cushions to the deep sea – tardigrades are the ultimate endurance artists. Tiny but mighty, they have withstood multiple extinction periods, survived boiling temperatures – even the vacuum of space. They’re the OG superheroes, with less capes and more moss.
Featuring wicked puppetry, dance battles, live video and green screen technology, Moss Piglet is a show of hope, curiosity and science theatre action. Presented by Windmill Production Company.
When: Saturday, 2nd May 2026 at 12:30pm
Where: Space Theatre, Festival Drive, Adelaide SA
To book visit the Acess2Arts 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.