14 April 2026
Building on our long history of grassroots advocacy, BCA is proud to announce the formal appointment of our first Systemic Advocacy Lead and invites sector partners to connect on shared priorities affecting people who are blind or vision impaired.
Francois Jacobs has been appointed to the role and will lead BCA’s national efforts to drive change on the issues that matter most to our members.
The Systemic Advocacy Lead will focus on a range of priority areas, including audio description, accessible appliances, taxi and rideshare refusals and aged care reform, with additional areas of interest including employment and access to accepted forms of identification.
Across these priority areas, there is already significant action underway across the sector, and BCA is committed to building stronger connections with organisations focused on the same issues.
“Our priorities come directly from what members are telling us is affecting their independence and participation in everyday life. In many of these areas, there is already important work happening across the sector, and this role is about helping to connect and strengthen that effort where we can,” Jacobs said.
“This is about taking a more focused and sustained approach, so we’re not working in isolation on the same challenges but building on what others are already doing to drive better outcomes.”
Francois brings over 20 years of experience across the higher education, disability and corporate sectors, most recently spending ten years at Deakin University as a Sessional Academic and Unit Chair specialising in Diversity, Disability and Social Inclusion. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Disability and Inclusion.
Francois is an active contributor to the sector, serving on advisory panels for Arts Access Victoria and Midsumma Festival, and currently representing consumers on the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities.
Importantly, his work as an Audio Description Quality Control Advisor for SBS directly informs BCA’s focus on expanding access to audio description.
Combined with his lived experience as a dog guide user and his background as a Business Analyst, Francois brings an informed approach to systemic advocacy.
“This appointment strengthens our ability to focus on the systems behind the barriers our members are facing,” BCA CEO Deb Deshayes said.
“These are issues our members are raising consistently and they don’t sit with one organisation alone.”
“We’re committed to working closely with sector partners to strengthen outcomes for our community.”
If your work aligns with our priority areas and you would like to connect with Francois, please contact him at francois.jacobs@bca.org.au
Media Contact:
Amila Dedovic – Communications Coordinator
amila.dedovic@bca.org.au
0403 967 406