I want to start with a quick reminder that the national AusAlert test will take place on Monday, 27th July at 2:00pm AEST. As part of this nationwide test, an alert will be sent to most mobile phones, and some smart watches and tablets, across Australia.
If you receive the alert, there’s no action required on your end as it’s simply a test of the system. In a real emergency, an AusAlert would provide important information about the type of emergency, where it’s happening, how serious it is, what action to take, and which emergency organisation has issued the alert.
If you don’t receive the test alert, there’s no need to worry. You may not have been in the test area, your device may not be compatible, or it may not have been connected to a mobile network at the time of the test. If you’d like to learn more about the national test and how AusAlert works, I encourage you to visit the official AusAlert website. You’ll also find a Disabilities and Extra Support section with information about how alerts may function on different devices and what to expect.
Another important update comes from Medicare. Services Australia has advised that almost one million Australians have a share of more than $270 million in Medicare benefits waiting to be paid. In many cases, the payment can’t be made because Medicare doesn’t have current bank account details on file.
If you’ve recently changed banks or accounts, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check that your BSB, account number and account name are up to date with Medicare. If you have unpaid benefits waiting, you’ll see a task in your Medicare online account asking you to add or update your bank details. Once valid details are provided, any outstanding benefits are usually paid within three days. You can find step-by-step instructions on the Services Australia website.
I recently made a brief visit to Canberra, where I had the opportunit to connect with the team at Canberra Blind Society, along with Robert Altamore, BCA member, and Andrew Webster, BCA President. It’s always valuable to connect with members to hear what’s happening on the ground and discuss the issues that matter most to our community. I encourage you to visit the Canberra Blind Society website to learn more about the great work they’re doing to support people who are blind or vision impaired.
Finally, with Amila taking a well-deserved break later this year, we’re looking for someone to step into the Communications Coordinator role on a temporary basis from Monday, 14th September to Friday, 30th October.
We’re looking for someone with experience in communications or media, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to hit the ground running. The role is 20 hours per week, ideally worked over four days, although three days may also be considered.
Your lived experience of blindness or vision impairment is a highly valued asset, and we encourage you to apply. To apply, please submit your resume and expression of interest in Word format to recruitment@bca.org.au by Friday, 7th August. If this sounds like a role that’s right for you, or for someone in your network, we’d love to hear from you.
– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.
A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Systemic Advocacy: VividStream resolves screen-reader accessibility issue – Francois Jacobs
VividStream is a family-run Australian service that provides live-streaming, videography, photo tributes, and audio‑visual support for funerals and memorials. Last week, after being alerted by one of our members, we contacted VividStream about a significant accessibility barrier preventing blind and low vision screen reader users from following the live streams during a particularly difficult period of grief following the sad passing of Irene Sumbera and Dutchy Holland within days of each other.
The Play button on the company’s video player could not be detected or activated using screen readers or keyboard navigation, leaving some of us excluded from an event where a sense of community and togetherness mattered most.
VividStream responded promptly, raising the matter with their streaming platform provider the same day and committing to a priority investigation. We are pleased to share that the accessibility issue has now been resolved. Screen reader users can once again locate and operate the Play button without assistance.
We thank VividStream for their swift action and for resolving the issue within a week of being notified. We also acknowledge that several of our members raised the issue in their individual capacity, which helped underscore its importance and highlight the real‑world impact it was having.
Have your say on the NDIS new way of planning
The NDIS are inviting interested participants to take part in testing activities to help the NDIA improve the new way of planning. This is a great opportunity to have your say. Participants may choose to be involved in a simulated support needs assessment, help support the accreditation of NDIA staff who will conduct assessments in the future, or take part in both activities.
Sessions are held online via Microsoft Teams and usually take around 2 hours. Participation is voluntary, participants can stop or withdraw at any time, and taking part will not affect a person’s current NDIS plan, funding or supports. Participants will be paid $200 for each session completed.
Participation in the NDIS support needs assessment testing is entirely voluntary and will not affect a participant’s current or future NDIS plan, funding, eligibility, supports, or budget. Information collected during testing is used only to improve the assessment process and cannot be used to determine an individual’s support needs. Personal information is kept secure, shared only with authorised NDIA staff and approved research partners in a de-identified form where appropriate, and deleted within 12 months of the testing activity. Audio or video recordings may be made for training, quality assurance, and service improvement, but participants will be informed beforehand and can choose not to be recorded.
If you are interested, please express your interest by contacting Layal via email
layal.hage@bca.org.au by this Friday, 24th July 2026.
BCA Events
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, 25th 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. If we are full, or you don’t make it before 8:00pm, you are still very welcome to stay and listen on mute.
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Join with one tap mobile using the number below (via iOS): +61280156011,,84491693225#,,,,*424050#
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Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 844 9169 3225
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Passcode: 424050
BCA Inform – Local Government and Disability Inclusion
In light of this new resource, join us for an informative session exploring the important role local governments play in creating accessible and inclusive communities for people with disability. Learn how you can have your voice heard by taking part in advisory and reference groups that help shape your local community.
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.
Acquired Sight Loss Group
Monday, 27th July 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.
Around the Branches
Tasmania Branch
Southern Tasmania in-person catch-ups
The Tasmanian branch of BCA will be holding a lunch / catch-up in Hobart on Saturday, 25th July from 11:30am to around 2:30pm.
Where: Central Hobart Bistro and Bar, 73 Collins Street (right near the Collins Street taxi rank).
Food and drinks (including coffee) available at bar prices. To access the menu, visit the
Central Hotel Hobart website.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
New Horizons
This week, former BCA President Robert Altamore takes us through the history and challenges of establishing accessible voting. Also, an announcement about the upcoming AusAlert emergency test.
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
Census 2026 – Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
From Wednesday, 29th July, the ABS website will include audio and braille Census resources.
Braille forms
They will have the following resources available in braille (Grade 1 and Grade 2):
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braille Census Household Form
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a blank answer booklet to provide your responses using a brailler
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braille Help with Census questions booklet.
If you want to order a braille form you can:
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Call them on 1800 181 227 to request a braille Census Household Form. For contact centre hours visit the
contact info page.
Large print form
We have the following resources available in large print to order:
If you want to order a large print form you can:
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Call them on 1800 181 227 to request a large print Census Household Form. For contact centre hours visit the
contact info page.
If you prefer to complete the Census online, you’ll be able to use the login details on the front of your paper form or get a Census number to start. You’ll need to use a mobile phone to complete the process of getting a Census number and password.
Invitation to provide feedback – Draft Accessibility and Inclusion Policy for Tribunal Users
The Administrative Review Tribunal is developing its first Accessibility and Inclusion Policy for Tribunal Users.
This policy will guide how the Tribunal supports people to access, participate in and engage with their review processes in a fair and inclusive way.
The Accessibility and Inclusion Policy will:
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support people to access and participate in Tribunal processes
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promote inclusive and respectful practices
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improve consistency across the Tribunal
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provide guidance on supports and reasonable adjustments.
Your input will help ensure the policy is:
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practical and user‑focused
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responsive to diverse needs and experiences
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clear, consistent and effective.
You can provide your feedback by completing a short online survey:
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takes around 10–15 minutes
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includes multiple-choice questions and optional comments
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suitable for organisation or individual responses
Closing date is Wednesday, 29th July 2026 at 6:00pm.
If you require adjustments to participate in this consultation, please contact us at:
feedback@art.gov.au.
Help create story books that foster inclusion – Annette Leishman
Are you a parent or carer of a child who is blind or has low vision and is learning to swim or participating in accessible sports? Would you like to share your story and experiences?
Annette Leishman has recently written a story about a blind child learning to play blind tennis.
A publisher has expressed strong interest in the story and has asked whether she’d consider developing it into a series. To make these stories genuine and meaningful, she’d love to hear from families about their journeys – the challenges, the triumphs, the funny moments, and everything in between. Her hope is to create stories that all children, not just those who are blind or vision impaired will enjoy reading.
Your experiences could help create stories that inspire, create awareness and foster inclusion.
Investigating AI-generated audio descriptions for animated videos – Curtin University
Researchers at Curtin University are seeking adults who are blind or have low vision to participate in a PhD research study investigating AI-generated audio descriptions for animated videos. The research aims to improve the quality and accessibility of automated audio description, contributing to more inclusive digital media for people who are blind or have low vision.
The study involves a researcher-supervised session lasting approximately 45–60 minutes, conducted online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, or in person at a mutually convenient location.
Closing date: Saturday, 15th August 2026.
Understanding the NDIS webinar: Pathways to post school life
When a NDIS participant leaves school, there are a range of pathways and supports that can help them transition smoothly into employment and adult life.
In this session we will talk about:
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the types of NDIS supports that can assist with employment preparation
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how to build skills and independence during the final years of school
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pathways available after school and how to choose options that align with a young person’s aspirations, abilities, and interests.
New South Wales
Celebrating the launch of Inclusive Employment Australia
AMES Australia is delighted to announce a formal event to celebrate its provision and delivery of the Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program in NSW, specialising in servicing the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Western Sydney.
IEA is a new specialist disability employment program (replacing the former Disability Employment Services [DES] program) to assist people with disability, injury or health condition to prepare for, find and maintain work, and grow their career.
AMES is a specialist service provider of Settlement, Education and Employment Services supporting migrants and refugees who enter Australia.
Together with its existing Workforce Australia Services Employment Program, AMES Australia is now able to deliver tailored IEA employment support to another CALD cohort to meet its specific individual needs.
The celebratory event will be held from 9:30am to 1:00pm Tuesday, 8th September at Club Parramatta.
Keynote guest speakers are:
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The Hon Kate Washington MP, Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion and,
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Councillor Martin Zaiter, Lord Mayor for the City of Parramatta
If you would like to join AMES in this celebration, they warmly welcome you as their guest. To ensure they don’t exceed numbers, can you please RSVP via email to
bedfordg@ames.net.au indicating attendee names, roles and organisation by COB Friday, 31st July 2026.
South Australia
Audio Described Tour: William Morris Winter Wonderland – Access2Arts
This winter, Carrick Hill will transform into a living work of art as the historic house and gardens come alive after dark in a breathtaking illuminated experience.
Inspired by the iconic designs of William Morris, this immersive nighttime experience will transform Carrick Hill through spectacular animated projections, music and visual storytelling. Watch William Morris’s iconic designs bloom across the House exterior as vines climb, flowers blossom and woodland creatures appear in a dreamlike world of light and imagination.
Wander through glowing gardens while enjoying mulled wine, hot donuts, seasonal soups, toasties and truffled fries, and soak up the atmosphere of an unforgettable evening beneath the stars.
William Morris Winter Wonderland is an outdoor, all-weather event.
In addition to the Audio Described tour, pre-recorded audio description is also available on the
Access2Arts website.Where: Carrick Hill Museum and Garden.
When: Friday, 24th July at 5:30pm.
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.
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.
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.
