No money, no number, just people.
At Blind Citizens Australia, we believe that providing support should begin with the people – not paperwork, payments or identifiers.
Everything at BCA starts with a conversation. Our services are free and available to anyone in Australia who is blind or vision impaired, regardless of whether they receive the NDIS, My Aged Care or other government funding.
Because people matter more than numbers.
Read the full Strategic Plan 2026-2030
Our vision
We envision a future where people who are blind or vision impaired enjoy the same rights and choices as everyone else, and where their contributions, expertise and lived experience are recognised, respected and celebrated.
Our purpose
BCA’s work is underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
We do this by:
- Listening and responding to the needs of our members and community;
- Empowering our community through targeted information, support and connections; and
- Representing members’ voices and interests through national policy development and advocacy.
Our strategic goals 2026-2030
For 50 years, BCA has been a leading voice of advocacy for people who are blind or vision impaired. We will continue that proud tradition over the next four years, building a stronger future for our community through four key priorities:
- Impact – we will make a difference.
- Community – we will build relationships.
- Sustainability – we will secure the resources we need to keep our voices heard.
- Our People – we will nurture the people who make this possible.
Together, these goals reflect what we need to do to build a stronger future.
Impact
Advocacy is at the heart of BCA. Our collective voice will advance the rights, opportunities and independence of people who are blind or vision impaired.
This means:
- Leading high-impact systemic advocacy on issues including NDIS and aged care reforms, audio description, accessible technology, transport and employment.
- Providing individual advocacy for people who approach us for help, while empowering them with the confidence, tools and strategies to advocate for themselves.
- Holding decision-makers accountable for outcomes that affect our community.
- Building partnerships and influence that amplify our collective impact.
Community
BCA is a member-based and member-led organisation. A stronger, more connected community will enable people who are blind or vision impaired to share experiences, support one another and have their voices heard.
This means:
- Strengthening peer support through local networks, groups and online communities.
- Creating new opportunities for connection, including online forums and national conventions.
- Growing and diversifying our membership, with a particular focus on people newly experiencing sight loss, regional communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culturally diverse communities.
- Amplifying the diverse voices and lived experiences of our community.
- Supporting emerging leaders to build their confidence, skills and influence.
Sustainability
A financially resilient organisation is essential to sustaining BCA’s advocacy and support for generations to come.
This means:
- Diversifying our income through philanthropy, grants, bequests and individual giving.
- Building strong and trusted funding partnerships aligned with our purpose.
- Investing for the future, strengthening financial resilience and the capacity to sustain our advocacy.
- Protecting our community and organisation through secure, accessible and scalable digital infrastructure.
Our People
Our impact depends on the people who bring BCA’s purpose to life. An inclusive and supportive culture will value lived experience and enable people to thrive.
This means:
- Recruit and support people with lived experience of blindness or vision impairment, including in leadership and governance roles.
- Giving our directors, staff and volunteers the skills, confidence and opportunities to lead and make a difference.
- Supporting wellbeing and a positive workplace culture so that people can do their best work.
- Building capability for the future, including digital literacy, emerging technologies and the ethical use of AI.
- Planning for the future through strong governance and succession planning.