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Wednesday 26th August

Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

As many of you know, the NDIS Securing the Future Bill has now passed in Parliament. We understand that this is very difficult news, particularly for those who are worried about what the changes may mean for their lives and supports. As Andrew said in last week’s Update from the President, BCA continues to treat this as a high-priority systemic advocacy matter and is putting significant time, attention and resources behind it to support you. We also recognise that many of our members navigate support through My Aged Care rather than the NDIS. Please be assured that our advocacy and guidance will support members across both Aged Care and NDIS frameworks.

There is still much to be determined, and BCA is already focused on shaping the next phase. We are committed to being at the table throughout this next phase, working constructively with Government and using every opportunity available to ensure the experiences and needs of people who are blind or vision impaired are understood and reflected in the rules, assessments and processes that follow. We will continue to keep you informed and make sure your experiences remain at the heart of our advocacy.

There is also some exciting momentum around Audio Description. Yesterday, we met with AD allies, including John Simpson, Emma Bennison, Jonathan Craig and Lauren Henley. It was a productive meeting and a valuable opportunity to share perspectives and start forming priorities for the work ahead. There is a lot of energy and commitment around making sure the Government’s announcement to mandate audio description and increase captioning across television and streaming services delivers lasting change. I am looking forward to working closely with our colleagues and partners across the sector as we take this forward.

That conversation also sets the scene for next week’s BCA Inform on Audio Description, which I’ll be hosting on Tuesday, 1st September. We’ll talk about the significance of the Government’s announcement, the advocacy that brought us to this point and how members can contribute to ensuring audio description becomes a lasting reality. I encourage you to take part in this exciting discussion and register via Humanitix to share your perspective.

The latest financial report from the Jeffrey Blyth Foundation is now available on the BCA website. I encourage you to take a look and learn more about the Foundation’s important contribution to BCA, which provides long-term financial support and strengthens our capacity to invest in the work that matters to our community.

Finally, I’ll be in Sydney this Friday for My Charity Runway: Fashion with Purpose, where BCA is proud to be a charity partner. I’d love to see members there supporting Julie, a designer who is vision impaired from our community. You can receive 15% off tickets with the code BLINDCITIZENSAUS when you register to attend via the Humanitix event page.

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

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Policy Update: Response to the consultation on the Victorian State Disability Plan 2027-2030 – Melanie Chatfield

BCA has made a submission to the Victorian Government’s consultation on the State Disability Plan 2027–2031, calling for the new Plan to deliver practical and measurable improvements for people who are blind or vision impaired.

Drawing on the lived experience of BCA members, our submission highlights priorities including accessible government information and digital services, safer and more accessible transport and public spaces, equitable healthcare and employment, stronger enforcement of dog guide access rights, and continued access to specialist blindness services.

A key message is that the next Plan must move beyond measuring whether government actions have been completed and instead demonstrate whether they have actually improved the everyday experiences of people with disability.

You can read the full submission on the BCA website.

BCA in the Media

“Bigger Than Big” with Francois Jacobs – Studio 1

Francois Jacobs, BCA Systemic Advocacy Lead, recently joined the podcast Studio 1, hosted by Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard, to discuss BCA’s work in Systemic Advocacy and recent announcements and happenings in the space of Audio Description.

BCA Events

Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for September 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, 29th August 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.

BCA Inform – Audio Description: Celebrating a Major Accessibility Win and Looking Ahead

Tuesday, 1st September from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEST.

Join us for an important discussion on the recent Government announcement to mandate audio description and increase captioning across television and video-on-demand services.

This announcement is a significant win for accessibility and reflects decades of advocacy by BCA and the wider disability community for equal access to television and media.

While this announcement is a major step forward, it represents a statement of intent rather than a guaranteed outcome, and we must ensure audio description does not fall off the radar.

In this session, we will hear from guest speakers John Simpson, Emma Bennison and Lauren Henley, as we celebrate this important advocacy achievement.

We will also explore practical ways for members to contribute to ongoing advocacy and help ensure that this commitment translates into real, lasting change. Your involvement is vital to demonstrate the demand for audio description, so we look forward to seeing you there.

Read the full media release on the BCA website.

To register for this event, 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.

Book Club

Wednesday, 2nd September at 7:00pm AEST.
In this meeting, the group will discuss “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng 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

Casino / Richmond Valley Branch

The Casino / Richmond Valley Branch’s September meeting is on Monday, 7th September at 10:00am in the Casino Baptist Church Hall corner Canterbury and West streets Casino. Special guest speaker is Tess from Vision Australia.

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

For RSVP contact Denise on 0448 014 682 or email: deniseg.vip@outlook.com

Tasmania Branch

Hobart Catch-Up

Where: Central Hobart Bistro and Bar, 73 Collins Street (right near the Collins Street taxi rank)

When: Saturday, 29th August from 11:30am to around 2:30pm.

Food and drinks (including coffee) available at bar prices.

Please respond to Vanessa by Thursday, 27th August on 0417 387 079 or vanessa.k.ransley@gmail.com

This is a great chance to catch up with other local members.

Statewide Meeting – Services from Visibility

The local branch of Blind Citizens is hosting a statewide meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, 2nd September at 7:00pm.

We know it is difficult to find a time that fits everyone’s schedule, but we hope as many of you can attend.

The link will be https://utas.zoom.us/j/82017406872?from=addon

We have invited Jordan Bush from VisAbility to attend and tell us a little bit about the services that he provides, and about VisAbility in general.

This is a great chance to find out about local services for consumers who are blind or vision impaired.

Jordan is looking forward to your questions at this session, so please come along and bring your questions with you.

If you have any queries about this meeting, please contact our co-secretary Jodie at jacobsjodie@hotmail.com or 0448 475 939.

New Horizons

This week, we chat with Dean Coulder, a Melbourne member. Dean is a broadcaster and podcaster, has represented several states in blind cricket, and is currently the President of the Victorian Swish Club.

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

The Global Braille Survey is now open – International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) and World Blind Union (WBU)

The Global Braille Survey is now open! As part of the Global Braille Literacy Campaign – More Braille: More Empowerment – the survey provides an important opportunity for people around the world to share their experiences and perspectives on braille literacy.
Led by ICEVI and WBU, and collaborating organisations and individuals, this global research initiative aims to strengthen our understanding of how braille is learned, taught, accessed and used – and of the factors that enable or create barriers to braille literacy.
Who can participate?
We warmly invite responses from:
  • Adults aged 18 years and over who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind;
  • Parents and guardians of children of any age who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind;
  • Teachers and other professionals involved in braille education; and
  • Braille transcribers.
Share your experience – Take the Global Braille Survey: tiny.cc/braillesurvey
When you follow the above link, you will first be invited to select your preferred language, then review the informed consent information, and then complete a short set of questions to determine which survey or surveys are relevant to you.
Every response adds to our global understanding of braille literacy. The findings will help build a stronger evidence base to inform advocacy, policy, research, resources and practice, and to support efforts to strengthen access to braille literacy around the world.

Learn Audio Description with our 12-week online course – Access2Arts

Do you love to write or perform? Do you want to make your arts organisation, gallery, productions or creative practice more accessible to blind and low-vision audiences?
Audio Description is the verbal or written description of artworks, theatre, events and videos, for people who are blind or partially sighted.
This course will guide you on how to write, record, and deliver audio descriptions with expert support!
When: Wednesday, 9th September 2026
Where: Online
Cost: $1350 + GST
If you have questions, need more information or would like to book your place, please email us at training@access2arts.org.au
To register, visit the Access2Arts website.

Lived Experience Library: Have your voice heard – Life Without Barriers (LWB)

LWB is launching its Lived Experience Library, a first-of-its-kind initiative connecting LWB staff with people who have lived experience of disability, mental health, foster and out-of-home care, aged care and other life journeys.
Library members will have the opportunity to share their perspectives, insights and expertise with staff working on projects, decisions and service design across the organisation. The aim is to ensure the voices and experiences of people with lived experience help shape the work LWB does at every level.
Participation is flexible, well supported and remunerated. Members can choose which projects they would like to be involved in, participate on their own terms and withdraw at any time.
To find out more, visit the Life Without Barriers website.
Interested in becoming a member? Complete the online expression of interest form

New South Wales

Register for the SSI Community Information Day – Save Sight Institute

Save Sight Institute is excited to open registrations for their Institute Annual Community Information Day on Saturday, 12th September 2026!
This in-person event is designed for individuals with low vision or blindness, their caregivers, and educators. It’s a fantastic opportunity for learning, connection and continuing professional development.
With the theme “Opportunities for all,” this year’s sessions will cover topics such as how artificial intelligence can aid accessibility and pathways to the Paralympics. A detailed agenda and more speaker information will be released closer to the date.
Catering will be provided on the day. Registration is essential.
Kindly RSVP by Monday, 31st August 2026.
For more information and to register visit the Humanitix event page.

Victoria

Employment Opportunity: Inclusive Design Specialist – ABC

The ABC is seeking an Inclusive Design Specialist based in Melbourne. The role is designed to support the delivery of accessible, audience-facing digital products by leading accessibility testing and collaborating with product teams to embed inclusive design and best practices across ABC’s TV, web and mobile applications.
About the job:
  • In collaboration with Researchers, Designers, and people with disabilities, conduct high level research to identify accessibility issues and opportunities for improvement.
  • Clearly document accessibility issues, remediation recommendations and improvement opportunities and take appropriate action to address these areas in collaboration with relevant teams.
  • Provide highly specialised advice and drive product team rituals, like planning, retrospectives and showcases, to ensure accessibility is considered at all stages.
  • Lead the development and maintenance of an enterprise resource library of common app accessibility challenges and considerations.
  • Manage all internal and external accessibility training and ensure ways of working are implemented in product teams.
  • Audit deliverables from external organisations to ensure products meet accessibility requirements before acceptance.
  • Advocate for accessibility and inclusive design internally and externally, showcasing ABC achievements.
To request recruitment and selection information in alternate formats, request adjustments, or if you have accessibility requirements please contact accessibility@abc.net.au
If you want to know more, please contact Brett Whyte, Recruitment and Projects Specialist, via whyte.brett@abc.net.au
Applications Close: 11:55pm, 8th September 2026.
Learn more and apply for the role via Seek.

World Sight Day Breakfast Forum – Braille Tactile Signs Aust.

Hosted by Braille Tactile Signs Aust., the World Sight Day Breakfast Forum brings together people who are blind or have low vision, community organisations, government, industry and business to explore how we can create more accessible and inclusive experiences for everyone.
Held in the lead-up to the global World Sight Day #LoveYourEyes campaign, the forum connects lived experience with the people who design, specify, build, employ and make decisions that shape our communities.
This year’s conversation will explore inclusive design and accessibility, employment and workplace participation, eye health, sport and recreation, and innovation and community connection.
Tickets: $27.50
Ticket proceeds will be donated to Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria, supporting opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision to participate in sport and recreation.
Professional Learning / CPD tickets are also available at $27.50, including a BTS Aust. Professional Learning Certificate of Attendance recognising approximately two hours of professional learning.

“The Naughtiest Guide Dog” Book Launch – Casey Hyde

Casey is excited to invite you to the launch of their children’s book, “The Naughtiest Guide Dog”, on Grand Final Day.
Not everyone’s football team will be playing in the finals, so why not enjoy two special events at once? The football will be showing on a television in the background while celebrating the launch of Casey’s book.
This event marks an exciting milestone for a vision-impaired, self-published author entering the world of children’s books. The story celebrates guide dogs, their personalities and the special bond they share with their handlers.
Every book will cost $40, with $20 from each sale donated to the Bridget Retired Guide Dog Legacy Program. The remaining $20 will cover printing costs. Both standard print and Braille editions will be available.
Event details:
When: Saturday, 26th September 2026 at 2:00pm
Where: Gazebo near the entry to Altona BeachAltona, VIC
Come along to support a vision-impaired, self-published author taking her first steps into the children’s book world, while helping retired guide dogs live their twilight years with dignity.

Developmental disability & deafblindness: Melbourne 2026 – Deafblind Information Australia

This practical workshop is suitable for anyone with a connection to:
  • combined deafness and blindness
  • sensory disability, meaning one or more of the senses are affected
  • complex disability
Date: Monday, 14th September at 9:30am to Tuesday, 15th September at 4:30pm.
Location: Vibe Hotel, Melbourne. 1 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Morning tea and lunch provided.
To learn more or to register visit TryBooking Australia.

Tasmania

Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan 2026–2030

The Tasmanian Government has released its Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan 2026-2030, shaped by feedback from people with disability, their families, friends and supporters during the consultation process.
The Plan includes six priority commitments, six outcome areas and 32 action areas, focusing on improving services and support provided by the Tasmanian Government and strengthening collaboration with the disability community and other partners.
Over the next six months, Tasmanian Government agencies will develop their own Disability Inclusion Action Plans, providing further opportunities for people with disability to have their say.
You can find the plan on the Department of Health website.

South Australia

Commentary – Audio Described Performances

Ash Flanders’ Commentary is a sharp, provocative play that interrogates the ethics of artmaking, accountability, and memory in an era of public reckoning. The story centres on Nick, played by Gyton Grantley (Underbelly, House Husbands), a once-promising filmmaker turned university lecturer, whose controversial debut feature Low is being resurrected for a retrospective screening. The film, co-created with his former best friend Hamish (now disgraced and presumed dead), is dogged by allegations of abuse and exploitation linked to its production and content.
As Nick prepares a director’s commentary and public appearance, the past begins to resurface through a chorus of women.
Presented by State Theatre Company South Australia.
This run includes two audio described performances brought to you be the Access2Arts team.
Where: The Dunstan Playhouse.
When: Saturday, 29th August at 2:00pm and Monday, 31st August at 6:30pm.
To book your ticket, visit the Access2Arts website.

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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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