Update from the CEO
Dear Members,
I am writing to share some bittersweet news regarding a very special member of our team. Sarah Reilly, my Executive Assistant has made the difficult decision to step away from her role to focus on her family’s needs.
Finding a partner who implicitly understands your stride, anticipates what’s needed before you even ask, and always has your back is rare. Sarah has been a “true gem” and a pillar of support for BCA’s operations. While I am personally sad to lose her in this capacity, I support her family-first decision completely.
The good news is that Sarah isn’t leaving us entirely! After she takes some time in July, she will be staying on in a trial capacity to manage our IT Support. I am so grateful that we will keep her expertise and lovely presence within BCA.
Sarah is currently working with me to ensure a smooth transition and a comprehensive handover for her successor. We are now searching for a new full-time Executive Assistant to step into this space of high trust and partnership.
Please join me in thanking Sarah for her incredible dedication and wishing her and her family strength and stability in the coming months.
In other news, BCA has successfully secured $170,333 per annum for five years through the Disability Advocacy Futures Program (DAFP) following a competitive tender process. While this funding continues longstanding support previously received from NSW, the successful outcome is an important endorsement of the quality and impact of BCA’s advocacy work. Securing this commitment provides greater certainty for the continuation and strengthening of our advocacy services into the future.
I also recently met with Dan Cox, CEO of Guide Dogs SA/NT, along with members of their HR and Communications teams. It was a valuable opportunity to connect, strengthen relationships between our organisations and begin discussions about new opportunities for collaboration. We are looking forward to meeting again later this month to continue those conversations and explore how we can work more closely together.
I’m also looking forward to connecting with many of our wonderful volunteers at next week’s volunteer celebration and taking the opportunity to thank you all for the important contribution you make to our community.
– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.
A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.
More from BCA
Employment Opportunity – Executive Assistant
BCA is seeking a proactive and highly organised Executive Assistant to support the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board of Australia’s national representative organisation for people who are blind or vision impaired.
This is a full-time permanent position (38 hours per week) working remotely from home, with salary under the SCHADS Award – Level 4 plus salary packaging benefits. Some evening and weekend work may be required. The role reports directly to the CEO.
The Executive Assistant will provide high-level administrative, governance, and organisational support, including managing executive schedules and meetings, preparing reports and Board papers, coordinating travel and events, supporting recruitment processes, and maintaining organisational records and systems.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in an Executive Assistant role supporting senior leadership and/or Boards, exceptional communication and organisational skills, and strong proficiency in Microsoft 365.
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 response to the selection criteria in Word format to recruitment@bca.org.au using “Executive Assistant” in the subject line.
Applications close Tuesday, 26th May 2026.
Are you Interested in building your public speaking skills?
It is said that “speaking in public is the second most common fear to death.”
Member Peter Rickards has approached BCA with the idea of initiating an online public speaking forum inspired by the format of Toastmasters International. The group would initially meet monthly via Zoom, with the potential to meet more regularly as interest grows.
Open to people who are keen to strengthen their communication and presentation skills, the forum would provide a supportive space to practice a range of speaking activities. Over the course of the year, participants could take turns as meeting chairperson, timekeeper, impromptu speaker, prepared speaker, and speech evaluator.
If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, please express your interest by contacting layal.hage@bca.org.au. In your email, please answer the following questions:
- Why would you like to be involved?
- What are your preferred times during the week to meet on Zoom?
Please note that places are limited so the first 15 to express interest may get priority.
EOI will close on Friday, 22nd May 2026.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Policy Update: Have your say: The future of arts and culture in Australia – Melanie Chatfield
The Australian Government is developing a new National Cultural Policy to shape the future of the arts, creative and cultural sector. BCA is preparing a submission in response to the Consulation Paper and is keen to hear from members with an interest in any of the following 5 pillars:
Pillar 1 – First Nations First. How to reflect First Nations priorities, strengthen recognition of cultural rights, recognise the centrality of language to culture, and support pathways for First Nations leadership across the cultural landscape.
Pillar 2 – A Place for Every Story. How to recognise diverse forms of cultural expression and participation, including local and place-based practice and emerging modes of expression. How to respond to changing patterns of participation and support inclusion.
Pillar 3 – Centrality of the Artist. How to respond to changing conditions for creative work, including safer and fairer workplaces. How to protect creative rights in the digital environment. The role of arts education, creative skills and lifelong learning. How creators are recognised across the broader economy.
Pillar 4 – Strong Cultural Infrastructure. How Australia’s cultural infrastructure can remain resilient, adaptable and fit-for-purpose.
Pillar 5 – Engaging the Audience. How to respond to changing audience behaviours, discovery pathways and modes of engagement.
Marketing and distribution so Australian creativity continues to inspire, include and connect.
If you have comments on challenges, opportunities or why art and culture is important to you please email melanie.chatfield@bca.org.au by COB Monday, 18th May.
BCA Events
Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for May 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, 16th May 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. 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 National Volunteers Week Gathering
Wednesday, 20th May from 1:00pm to 1:45pm AEST.
National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and will be held on 18 to 24 May 2026. This year’s theme is “Your Year to Volunteer”.
To recognise our wonderful volunteers, BCA will host an online National Volunteer Week lunchtime get-together on Wednesday, 20th May, from 1:00pm to 1:45pm AEST.
We will be in touch with our volunteers to invite them to this event. We also warmly invite members of the BCA community to attend and celebrate our volunteers and the valuable work they do across BCA.
To register for this event please visit the Humanitix website.
BCA Inform – Round Table 2026: Key Insights and Takeaways
Tuesday, 2nd June from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEST.
The 2026 Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Conference is scheduled for Saturday, 23rd May to Tuesday, 26th May in Adelaide.
Join us for a session providing a summary of key highlights from the Round Table Conference. This session will offer insight into discussions, emerging trends, and developments in accessible information, braille, audio, publishing, technology, and inclusion.
To register for the event please visit the Humanitix website.
If you have any questions, or if you require assistance registering, please feel free to 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.
Guitar Group
Saturday, 16th May at 2:00pm AEST.
The guitar group offers a welcoming space for players of all levels, from beginners to advanced, to come together to share tips and techniques. This group is an open platform for guitar enthusiasts where you can find support and share resources to help you along your musical journey.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile
- Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 847 1540 4888
- Passcode: 278488
Assistive Technology Group
Monday, 18th May at 8:00pm AEST.
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
Members of the Women’s Branch are invited to access for free a Wellness Package, offered by Jenny Dodd of Blind Sports Victoria, called “The Journey Within, meditations and relaxations to soothe your soul”.
Interested branch members, please contact Chire Fulford at chirefulford1@gmail.com
New Horizons
This week, BCA National Policy Officer Melanie Chatfield outlines BCA’s response to the NDIS Minister’s recent proposed changes to the scheme. We also meet Stephanie Peebles, BCA’s Eye to the Future Project Coordinator.
Take a listen to the New Horizons podcast.
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
LEGO building made more accessible for blind and low vision fans – Bricks for the Blind
Blind LEGO enthusiast and founder of Bricks for the Blind, Matthew Shifrin, has helped transform the way blind and low vision people experience LEGO building. Inspired by accessible braille instructions first created by a family friend, Matthew went on to launch a free service providing braille and screen-reader-friendly instructions for hundreds of LEGO sets.
His advocacy also inspired the LEGO Group to introduce audio and braille instructions, making independent building more accessible and inclusive for children and adults with vision impairment worldwide.
To learn more, visit the AP News website.
Limited discounted now available – Sensaballs
Sensaballs currently have a very limited number of samples available at a significant discount.
These Sensaballs have minor cosmetic imperfections that do not affect function. The samples are available for just $50AUD – that is a discount of $29. To claim your discount, please enter the following code at checkout: sample50.
Victoria
Research Opportunity – State Library Victoria
State Library Victoria has shared an opportunity to get involved in a research project to understand how people discover and access the Library’s online catalogue. The Library is particularly keen to hear from people who use assistive technologies such as screen readers or braille to navigate digital interfaces.
You’re invited to take part in a short, one-on-one research session where you’ll be asked to complete a few tasks using the catalogue and share your experience.
What’s involved:
- A 45–60 minute session (remote or in person)
- Participants use their own assistive technology (e.g. screen reader, braille display)
- A thank you incentive of $100 will be provided for participation
Who we’re looking for:
- People who use screen readers and/or braille to browse the web
- Ideally with some experience searching for information, books, or archival material online (not essential)
If you would like to participate, please contact Cathy Bryceland, Project Manager State Library Victoria at cbryceland@slv.vic.gov.au. If you have any questions or would like more information about the research, please feel free to get in touch with Cathy.
Join a focus group – RealThing
RealThing is an artificial intelligence company that specialises in talking assistive technology for the blind and vision impaired. Under their RealSAM brand they are active in the US and UK where they work with organisations like the Library of Congress and the Royal National Institute of Blind People. However, their Head Office is in Carlton, Victoria. Primarily they work with people with Aged Related Sight Loss that are not power users of phones and are looking for simpler solutions.
They would like to gather community impressions on a number of user experience choices they would like to make over the next 12 months, to better inform “what they do next”.
To express your interest, please complete the survey.
South Australia
2026 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Yield Strength – Access2Arts
The Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art remains the pre-eminent and longest-standing analysis of contemporary Australian art. As a vital component of the Adelaide Festival since 1990, the 19th Adelaide Biennial builds on its reputation and commitment to supporting and celebrating innovative and ambitious practices.
Where: Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
When: Monday, 18th May at 2:30pm.
To book a ticket for an audio described tour visit the Access2Arts 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.