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Wednesday 10th June 2026

Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

I’d like to acknowledge that today we are sharing two important surveys that need your input. Both are opportunities to influence decisions that will affect our community in the years ahead.

The first survey focuses on communication about future NDIS changes. We want to understand what works for you when it comes to receiving information and engaging with important reforms, so that we can provide informed feedback to the government. To take part, access the survey below:

https://form.jotform.com/261600485394055

The second survey focuses on the 2027 BCA Convention. The Convention Program Committee has already begun preparations and is seeking feedback to help shape an event that is engaging, inclusive and valuable for our diverse membership. If you are keen to share your ideas with us, please complete the survey below:

https://form.jotform.com/261511153780855

We are also pleased to share that BCA has secured a grant under the National Disability Conference Initiative from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for $10,000 to assist with the delivery of the 2027 Convention. This support will help us continue planning an event that brings members together to connect, learn, share ideas and influence the future direction of our organisation. We are grateful for this investment and look forward to sharing further convention updates as planning progresses.

Congratulations to BCA member Iain Edwards, who was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to community health, and to people who are blind or have low vision. It is wonderful to see Iain’s contribution recognised in this way, and on behalf of BCA I extend our congratulations on this well-deserved honour.

I would also like to acknowledge Helen Freris, our Vice President, who recently spoke at the civil society forum of the 19th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP19). In her address, Helen highlighted the ongoing impact of gender inequality for people with disability and called on governments to strengthen their commitment to gender and disability inclusion. She emphasised the importance of accessible physical and digital infrastructure, enabling environments that support access to services and meaningful measurement of progress to ensure all people can participate fully in education, employment, community life and decision-making. We are proud to see BCA represented in these important international discussions. You can watch her full address on Facebook and watch other events on the UN Web TV website.

BCA also continues to participate in the NDIA Accessible Communications Working Group as a Disability Representative and Carer Organisation (DRCO). Yesterday, I attended a productive discussion with senior NDIA representatives about strengthening collaboration and improving the accessibility of NDIA communications. Discussions covered the group’s priorities, progress on accessibility resources and communication review processes, and opportunities for ongoing partnership to help ensure information is more accessible and easier for people with disability to access and understand. We look forward to continuing this work with the agency and other DRCOs in the months ahead.

In other news, it was also exciting to recently celebrate the completion of this year’s An Eye to the Future RISE Program – Resilience, Insight & Skills for Employment last Thursday. participants, mentors came together alongside Andrew Webster, BCA President Program Facilitator Courtney McKee, Stephanie Pebbles and myself to recognise the achievements of an inspiring group of emerging leaders who are blind or vision impaired.

Over the 12-week program, participants have built confidence in their leadership, employment and professional skills, strengthened their communication and self-advocacy abilities and made meaningful progress towards their personal and career goals. A key strength of the RISE Program is the opportunity it provides participants to connect with mentors who have already navigated education, employment, career progression and workplace adjustments. These connections help demonstrate what is possible and provide practical insights into overcoming challenges and achieving ambitions.

I would like to congratulate all participants on successfully completing the program. Their commitment, growth and determination throughout the past 12 weeks have been remarkable, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in their workplaces and beyond.

– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.

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

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Policy Update – Melanie Chatfield

BCA is calling on the Australian Government to ensure NDIS reforms preserve a rights-based, participant-centred Scheme that prioritises functional need, independence, inclusion, choice, control and dignity, rather than cost containment alone.

While supporting efforts to strengthen Scheme sustainability and address fraud, BCA cautions that several proposed reforms risk reducing essential supports that enable people who are blind or vision impaired to live safely, participate fully in their communities and contribute as workers, parents, carers, volunteers and leaders.

Structural barriers remain the primary constraint on participation, making investment in appropriate supports essential for economic and social inclusion.

BCA urges that all funding, eligibility and access reforms include strong safeguards, independent disability-specific impact assessments and meaningful review rights, with an end to blanket funding reductions. We also raise concerns that new access processes may not adequately reflect the functional impact of blindness unless designed in genuine partnership with the blindness sector and informed by specialist expertise.

Key recommendations include:

  • Retaining streamlined NDIS access pathways for people with permanent blindness
  • Recognising blindness as lifelong, removing unnecessary reassessment requirements
  • Adopting holistic assessments that account for co-occurring conditions and environmental barriers
  • Preventing cost-shifting onto families and carers, recognising the need for funded supports
  • Improving accessibility, clarity and efficiency of NDIA communications and processes
  • Strengthening transparency, accountability and participant review rights
  • Embedding genuine co-design with people who are blind or vision impaired
  • Implementing a risk-based provider registration framework that maintains access to specialist blindness services

Read our full submission on the BCA website.

BCA Events

Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for June 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, 13th June 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.

Art Appreciation Group

Friday, 12th June at 11:00am AEST.

Do you enjoy discussing different styles of art, exploring critiques of art, reading writings from curators, and sharing online resources to expand your understanding of art? Then join the Art Appreciation Peer Connect Group – a space to connect, exchange ideas, and deepen your appreciation for arts in an inclusive and engaging way.

Public Speaking Forum

Monday, 15th June at 7:30pm AEST.

The Public Speaking Forum will be meeting for the first time, led by member Peter Richards. Please note that members who have previously expressed interest in participating will be given priority for speaking roles, although a few additional spots are available. If all speaking positions are filled, you are still welcome to attend and observe the session.

Around the Branches

National Women’s Branch

Warm up / Catch up NWB June phone chat.

This is a National Women’s Branch members only event.

When: Monday afternoons through June.

Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm AEST.

During June come join us for a casual Monday afternoon phone chat. Warm up. Bring your tea/coffee. Registration not required.

Phone in details: Call 03 8672 0100. Code: 550136 hash or pound key.

For further information contact Debra via email on Dsim1000@bigpond.net

New Horizons

This week, we chat with board members Neale Huth and Helen Freris about the recently held strategic planning day attended by the BCA board and staff.

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

Assistive Technology Survey 2025 Results Released – Intopia

The results of the Assistive Technology Survey 2025 are now available. Drawing on feedback from more than 200 people across Australia and New Zealand, the report explores how assistive technology is used in everyday life, the tools people rely on, how technologies are combined, and the barriers people continue to face online.

These findings provide valuable insights that can help drive improvements in digital accessibility and inclusion.

Access the survey.

Registrations Open – Optometry Clinical Conference 2026

Registrations are now open for the Optometry Clinical Conference (OCC) 2026, taking place in Brisbane on Sunday, 9th August and Monday, 10th August. Presented by Optometry Australia, the conference will bring together optometrists, researchers and industry leaders for two days of clinical education, practical workshops and networking opportunities.

The program will explore key topics, including artificial intelligence in eye care, myopia management, glaucoma, macular disease, neuro-optometry and emerging therapies. Delegates will also have access to hands-on workshops designed to support immediate application in clinical practice.

For program details and registration information, visit the OCC 2026 website.

Applications now open for career mentoring program – Australian Disability Network

Are you a student or job seeker with disability, a mental health condition or chronic illness looking for career guidance? The AusDN Career Mentoring Program is a free opportunity to work one-on-one with a professional mentor from a leading Australian organisation. With both virtual and in-person options available across the country, mentees receive personalised support to build skills and confidence in their

career journey.

Apply before Friday, 31st July via Mentorloop.

Safer Together: Big Meeting – Safer Me Safer You

Tuesday, 23rd June from 9:00am to 4:30pm AEST.

The Safer Me Safer You national project works alongside people with disability to learn what social and sexual safety means to them. Through our learnings, our project is changing the cultures of workplaces across Australia to ensure all people with disability experience social and sexual safety, everywhere and always.

Join us for the Safer Me Safer You 2026 Big Meeting with the theme Safer Together. This free event brings the voices, experience and expertise of people with disability through conversation, presentation and performance. Tickets to attend either in-person or online are available.

The venue is Marie Reay Teaching Centre at Australian National University.

Our lineup includes:

  • Natalie Wade, Associate Commissioner and Chief Legal Counsel at NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
  • Heidi La Paglia, Neurodivergence Advocate, Co-designer and Consultant
  • Rachael Leahcar, Singer-songwriter
  • Alexandra Hudson, Comedian
  • Danny Rumsey, Musician and athlete
  • Panellists from the SMSY Project Advisory Group

Racheal Leahcar, a member of the Project Advisory Group, wrote a song around sexual rights for people with disability called “Burning in the Light”.

To book tickets to the event and learn more, visit the Safer Me Safer You website.

Victoria

Advocacy In Action Conference 2026 – VALID

Monday, 22nd June, from 9:00am to Tuesday, 23 June, 4:30pm AEST.

Sessions include:

  • Perspectives on the changes to the NDIS
  • Disability issues in the Victorian State Election
  • Health care for people with intellectual disability
  • Justice interface

For more information and to register, visit the Humanitix event page.

Events for Deafblind Awareness Month – Deafblind Victoria

Happy Deafblind Awareness Month! This is the month to celebrate the Deafblind community. You can find below events that will take place throughout June.

  1. Wednesday, 17th June: Yarnbombing at Parliament House 11:00am to 1:00pm. Interpreters will be available. Bring your yarn scarves and beanies!
  1. Wednesday, 24th June: Deafblind Awareness Celebration and Art Exhibition.
    Art exhibition will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm in the Rainbow room on Level 4 at Ross House. All items will be for sale and all proceeds will go towards supporting and encouraging Deafblind community in regional Victoria.
    Deafblind Awareness Celebrations are from 11:30am to 3:00pm in the Hayden Raysmith room on Level 4 of Ross House. Interpreters will be provided. Bring your lunch so you can celebrate with the community.
  1. Thursday, 25th June: Day on the bay at Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Vintage car rides, boat rides, crafting with Jasper Cleland and learn to make mocktails with Deaf Chef Ross. Lunch will be provided.
  1. Saturday, 27th June: Friends and family day! 10:00am to 3:00pm on Level 4 at Ross House. Please RSVP to heather.lawson@deafblindvictoria.com. Deafblind Victoria will welcome your friends and family to come celebrate by getting to meet other Deafblind and their families. It will be catered.

To get in contact about the events or ask any questions, visit the Deafblind Victoria website.

South Australia

Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize – Access2Arts

Art and science collide as the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize calls established and emerging artists to turn their gaze to the natural world.

Named after the South Australian Museum’s first curator, Frederick George Waterhouse, this biennial prize recognises the long-running interplay between scientific research and the creative arts.

The 2026 exhibition includes an audio described trail featuring 9 artworks, including the emerging and open category winners.

This exhibition is proudly produced by the South Australian Museum, with audio descriptions created by Access2Arts.

Access: Audio Description, Large Print, Wheelchair Accessible.

Where: South Australian Museum.

When: Until Sunday, 19th July 2026.

To learn more, 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.

Donate to BCA

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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