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Wednesday 2nd September

Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

I wanted to start this week’s update by encouraging all Full Members to get involved in Member Connect, our revamped member-to-member mailing group launched on Monday.

It’s a space to ask questions, share experiences, exchange practical advice, celebrate achievements and connect with others who understand. If you’d like to join, simply complete the Member Connect application form and return it to bca@bca.org.au. I’m really looking forward to seeing our members make this space their own.

We had another great opportunity to connect with members last night, with 54 of you joining our BCA Inform session on a major advocacy milestone: the Government’s recent commitment to mandate Audio Description (AD) across television and streaming services.

While this is a huge advocacy win, there is still much work to be done to ensure this commitment becomes a reality.

Our panellists, John Simpson, Emma Bennison and Lauren Henley, highlighted key issues that could help shape a roadmap for what comes next and how we can continue working together to make sure this commitment comes to full fruition.

The Member Q&A was a vibrant and engaging discussion, covering grassroots action, gathering real-life stories about the impact of Audio Description, and the value of international content standards. It’s important to remember that while BCA continues to lead the charge, this campaign belongs to our whole community, and everyone has a role to play.

You can share your Audio Description experiences with BCA by reaching out directly to Francois Jacobs, BCA’s Systemic Advocacy Lead at francois.jacobs@bca.org.au or by contacting us on 1800 033 660.

In other news, you will have heard that BCA is busy with the NDIS campaign and the Audio Description campaign. But what exactly do we mean when we talk about a campaign?

A campaign is simply people working together to make change happen.

It starts with an issue that people care about and believe needs to be different – whether that’s government policy, a law, an inaccessible service, an unfair practice, or attitudes that create barriers or discriminate. People then work together over a period of time to influence those who can make that change.

A campaign usually has 5 basic elements:

  1. The problem: What needs to change?

  2. The goal: What specific change do we want?

  3. The target: Who has the power to change it?

  4. The message: What do we want people to understand?

  5. The actions: What will we do together to build support to influence the target.

You don’t have to be an experienced advocate to take part in a campaign. Ways to get involved might include sharing personal stories, writing to decision makers, meeting MPs, collecting evidence, petitions, media interviews, social media, community events, encouraging others to get involved and collaborating with other organisations.

Every campaign is different, and there are many ways to participate. People can contribute in different ways, and you can choose the level of involvement that is right for you. Success is not always immediate. While the ultimate goal is achieving a specific change, progress can also include getting a meeting with a decision-maker, securing a commitment, influencing a policy proposal, attracting media attention, building community support or getting an issue onto the political agenda.

Good campaigners or advocates consistently ask, “Are our actions moving us closer to our goal? If not, what should we do differently?”

At its heart, campaigning is people working collectively, in a planned way, to achieve a specific change.

To finish, last week I attended My Charity Runway, where BCA was one of 12 charity partners. It was wonderful to see Julie, a member of our community and vision impaired designer, showcase her designs on the runway, and to meet Sarah Quinn, the event’s founder.

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

More from BCA

An Eye to the Future is here to support you!

An Eye to the Future is a Blind Citizens Australia initiative dedicated to improving employment outcomes for people who are blind or vision impaired. The project provides valuable resources, tools and guidance for both job seekers and employers, helping to break down barriers to employment and create more inclusive workplaces.

We are proud to continue to support employment outcomes for Australians who are blind or vision impaired, and we want to hear from you:

What would you like to see from An Eye to the Future in the year ahead?

What resources would best support job seekers?

Which employment topics should we focus on next?

How can we better support accessible and inclusive workplaces?

Which resources on the Eye to the Future website have you found useful?

Share your ideas with the project coordinator Sabrina Fink via email at sabrina.fink@bca.org.au

Visit the Eye to the Future website to find out more.

Don’t forget you can follow us for regular updates on our Facebook page.

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Systemic Advocacy Update – Francois Jacobs

We have previously shared the opportunity to have your say on New Aviation Disability Standards under the Disability Discrimination Act. You may recall that this consultation is open until Friday, 2nd October 2026. There have been several developments and additional information that we want to bring to your attention.

The government has now scheduled a general information session (online) to share information about the consultation process so far, what is included in the consultation paper and how to share your views through the submission process. This general information session will be held on Thursday, 3rd September at 9:30am AEST. To learn more and to register for this information session, visit the Humanitix event page.

AFDO and its disability partners on the co-design steering committee (People with Disability Australia (PWDA) and the Justice and Equity Centre (JEC)), will also hold a community forum, which will only be open to people with disability, their representative organisations and DPOs. No government representatives and no industry representatives can attend this forum. The forum will be used to set out the options canvassed by the government and our views on those proposals. This forum will be a disability only space to raise concerns and ask questions. The forum will be held online on Tuesday, 8th September, starting at 4:30pm AEST. Register to attend via the PWDA form.

And finally, the JEC has also prepared a helpful explainer to support people to participate in the consultation. This explainer goes through each of the government’s proposals, together with some analysis, particularly where JEC thinks a proposal does not go far enough. You can access the explainer by visiting the JEC website.

BCA in the Media

Francois Jacobs speaks on smart glasses – Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and ABC Radio Newcastle

Francois Jacobs, BCA Systemic Advocacy Lead, recently spoke with SBS and ABC Radio Newcastle about smart glasses and some of the broader questions these emerging technologies raise around privacy and protection.
What do smart glasses mean for people who are blind or vision impaired, and what do we need to consider as these technologies become more common? Francois shares his perspective across these two interviews.

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, 5th September 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.

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, 7th September at 7:30pm AEST
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.

Braille Enthusiasts Peer Group

Tuesday, 8th September at 7:30pm AEST
Are you passionate about Braille or keen to build your skills? Our Braille Enthusiasts Peer Group is a lively and supportive space for Braille users of all levels. Whether you’re a long-time user, brushing up your skills, or just starting out, this group is all about sharing tips and celebrating the power of Braille in everyday life.

Music Group

Wednesday, 9th September at 7:30pm AEST
Are you passionate about music? Look no further and join the Music Group! Hosted by Jennifer Parry and open to musicians who are blind or vision impaired, of all skill levels, the group provides a welcoming space to discuss tunes, share your experiences and collaborate on creative pieces. Whether you’re an experienced performer, singer or have just recently picked up an instrument, you’re welcome to join this supportive and inspiring group.

Around the Branches

Queensland Branch

The Annual General Meeting of the Queensland Branch will be held on Saturday, 10th October at 3:00pm AEDT via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 853 9071 7366
Passcode: 656344
Documents will be forwarded to members via the Queensland Branch discussion list. See you there!

New Horizons

This week, we chat with Sondra Wibberley about a collaborative project between the Sydney Branch and the Australian Catholic University to design accessible restaurant menus.

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

Have Your Say on Your Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) – Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT encourages you to provide feedback to your local Council about how it can better support people who are blind or have low vision.
To help you, they have developed a DIAP self-advocacy toolkit and a draft template letter. These resources cover important issues including accessible pathways, online accessibility of Council services, opportunities for co-design, which Council DIAPs are up for consultation, and recommendations from their Pathways to Inclusion research report.
While the template is a useful starting point, they encourage you to personalise your feedback with your own experiences. For example, you might highlight:
  • An inaccessible Council facility or service.
  • Council forms or its website that does not meet accessibility standards.
  • More regular maintenance of pathways, crossings, or tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs).
DIAPs aim to:
  • Promote positive attitudes towards people with disability.
  • Create safer and more inclusive communities.
  • Support employment, independence, and participation.
  • Improve access to services through better systems and processes.
If you’re writing your own submission, remember to:
  • Introduce yourself as a local resident.
  • Clearly explain the issue and why it matters.
  • Suggest practical solutions and your desired outcome.
  • Be respectful and include your contact details.
If you have questions about providing feedback on a draft DIAP or would like to discuss advocacy priorities, please contact the Social Change team at socialchange@guidedogs.com.au
To keep updated with the work of the social change team and ways to get involved with our advocacy campaigns join the Social Change team.

Bulletin now available – Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC)

The latest edition of the ADDC Bulletin is now available, featuring updates from ADDC’s new Executive Committee, including the election of Sally Cobb as Chair and Tim Harte as Deputy Chair. The Committee’s first major priority is developing ADDC’s 2027–2030 strategic plan, with members invited to contribute through a membership survey that will be circulated shortly.

Global Braille Survey reaches 750 responses and growing – World Blind Union (WBU) and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI)

The Global Braille Survey, part of the Global Braille Literacy Campaign More Braille: More Empowerment, has now received more than 750 responses from people around the world. As of 25 August, responses had been received from 49 countries and territories and in nine languages, with the majority coming from adults who are blind, have low vision or are deafblind.
The survey is seeking perspectives from braille users, families, educators, professionals and transcribers to build a stronger global evidence base about how braille is learned, taught, accessed and used. The findings will help inform future advocacy, policy, research and practice.
Take the Global Braille Survey: tiny.cc/braillesurvey
The recording of the August 2026 launch webinar is also available on YouTube.
Every response helps strengthen the future of braille literacy.

Public Consultation Now Open – Supported Independent Living (SIL)

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing launched the Supported Independent Living (SIL) Commissioning Public Consultation
The consultation seeks feedback from people with disability, families, carers, advocates, providers, workers and other stakeholders on:
  • what good SIL supports look like
  • how governments can support quality and safety
  • opportunities to improve choice and control
  • innovation in service delivery
  • continuity and sustainability of supports.
We encourage you to review the consultation materials and share this opportunity with your networks and stakeholders who may wish to provide feedback.
The Public Consultation will close on Sunday, 13th September 2026.

Participants who are blind or low-vision wanted – KitchenEye

UTS Software Engineering students are developing KitchenEye, an early-stage kitchen assistance concept for people who are blind or have low vision, as part of the UTS IBISWorld Program. KitchenEye explores using camera-equipped glasses and computer vision to provide hands-free audio assistance while cooking.
They are seeking feedback about cooking experiences, accessibility needs and whether a concept like KitchenEye would be useful. Feedback will help them validate the idea and guide its future development.
Participants can choose whichever option suits them:
a) Complete a 10-15 minute online survey ($10 digital gift voucher)
b) Take part in a 15-minute online interview via Microsoft Teams or Zoom ($15 digital gift voucher)
c) Or do both ($25 total in vouchers).
Participants must be 18 or older and blind or have low vision.
Interview: Email Mifrah at mifrah.rz@gmail.com to participate
Closing date: Friday, 11th September 2026 at 11:59pm.
Contact: Mifrah Raiz at mifrah.rz@gmail.com

Help Improve Mobile Banking Accessibility – University College Cork

Are you blind or vision impaired and use mobile banking apps? A researcher at University College Cork is conducting a study to help improve the accessibility and design of mobile banking applications for people with visual impairments
The online survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and is open to people who:
  • Are aged 18 or over and agree to participate.
  • Have a visual impairment and use assistive technology such as VoiceOver on iOS or TalkBack on Android.
  • Speak English.
  • Use a mobile banking application
Participation is voluntary, and all information provided will be treated confidentially.

Advance Your Advocacy – Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

Wednesday, 23rd September from 10:00am to 11:00am AEST.
Join DARU for an engaging Advance Your Advocacy Practice session on Advocating for people with psychosocial disability or mental health issues in mental health units with the Mental Health Legal Centre.
Disability Advocates often work with clients with psychosocial disability or mental health issues who are subject to mental health orders and find themselves confined to mental health units. Developing and honing your skills in how to effectively advocate for your clients rights when they are at times of crisis in these institutions is vital. The Mental Health Legal Centre will present this Advance Your Advocacy Practice session, where their focus will be on understanding the systems and structures in which these orders are made, unpack the paperwork you will encounter and provide you with some helpful templates for you to have in your advocacy toolbox.
To learn more and to register, visit the Humanitix event page.

Custom software accessibility help for computer users – Matthew Snow

Software developer Matthew Snow has worked with blind professional musician and audio engineer Ross McGregor for more than five years, developing custom solutions that allow Ross to independently access parts of professional software that aren’t adequately accessible through his screen reader.
Matthew is now looking to offer the same kind of individual assistance to other blind and low-vision Australians.
If there’s a program you need to use for work, education, a hobby or everyday life, but some or all of it is inaccessible, Matthew can investigate whether a custom solution can bridge the gap. This might involve making inaccessible controls available through a screen reader, creating a simpler keyboard-driven interface, automating a difficult or repetitive process, or developing a small custom tool around what you specifically need to accomplish.
Every situation is different, so there’s no obligation if you’d simply like to discuss a piece of software or computer task you’re having difficulty accessing and find out whether Matthew may be able to help.
If this is something you’re interested in contact Mathew on snowy42@outlook.com or call 0493 718 275.

Victoria

Stella Young Award 2026 – Arts Access Victoria

Arts Access Victoria cherishes the memory of our collaborator Stella Young and honours her by awarding a young Australian disabled artist each year with $3,000.
Applications close Monday, 14th September at 5:00 pm.
This is a great opportunity for young disabled artists aged between 16 and 30 years old to be recognised for their impact on disability activism and culture through their artistic practice (in comedy, performing arts or screen culture).
Please download the application form and email to aguiry@artsaccess.com.au
Submit your application by 5:00pm on Monday, 14th September to Alanah at aguiry@artsaccess.com.au. 
To learn more on what to include in your application, visit the Access Arts Victoria website.

World Sight Day Breakfast Forum 2026 – Braille Tactile Signs Aust.

Proudly brought to you by Braille Tactile Signs Aust. guided by this year’s theme, Together Towards Inclusive Experiences – Connecting People. Bridging Perspectives. Creating Change. This event brings lived experience into the conversation, connecting the people who design, specify, build, employ and make decisions with the people who experience the outcomes.
Date: Thursday, 17th September 2026
Time: 8:00am to 10:30am
Venue: Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, Clarendon Rooms A & B Combined, Level 4.
With only 200 places available, this event brings together leaders and changemakers from government, corporate Australia, the built environment, health, education, disability and community sectors, alongside people with lived experience, vision and eye health organisations, accessibility professionals, employers, property and construction specialists, sport and recreation organisations, and anyone committed to shaping more accessible, inclusive experiences for everyone.
Please note that final RSVPs will close at 5:00pm on Monday, 14th September 2026.
Please call them at Braille Tactile Signs Aust. 1800 787 287.

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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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