Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

Our new Strategic Plan is now on its way to you in your preferred format. It sets out our priorities from 2026 to 2030: strengthening our advocacy, building a more connected community, creating a stable future for BCA, and supporting our people. Together, these key goals will help us continue to champion the rights, independence and inclusion of people who are blind or vision impaired. I encourage you to visit the BCA website to read the Strategic Plan and learn more about the future we’re building together.

There’s also plenty happening as we look towards the end of the year. I’m looking forward to coming together for our 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 26th November. The AGM is a great opportunity to connect with members, reflect on the year we’ve shared and consider what’s next for BCA. I hope you’ll be able to join us and be part of the conversation. You’ll find all the details, including how to register, in the notice sent to members and on the BCA website.

There are also important changes underway in the NDIS. New laws have come into effect, including changes to plan reassessments, while consultation continues on how people access the NDIS and how future planning and supports will work. There are also opportunities for participants and the broader disability community to have their say and help shape these reforms. We’ll continue to keep you informed about what these changes mean, so please visit the BCA website for the latest NDIS developments.

And finally, I’m pleased to welcome Jess Hough to the BCA team. Jess will join us next week to cover the Communications Coordinator role while Amila is away on holiday over the next two months.

Jess brings extensive experience in communications, storytelling and member engagement across the not-for-profit, public and media sectors. Most recently, she worked with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, where she co-designed peer support initiatives, hosted interactive events and created accessible publications. She also brings experience in journalism, public relations and audio production.

Jess has lived experience of low vision and has been a proud BCA member since 2021, so she already knows our organisation and community well. Please join the BCA team in giving Jess a warm BCA welcome when she joins us next week.

– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.

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

More from BCA

Want to be part of the Community Engagement Committee?

Community Engagement is a committee focused on strengthening how BCA engages with the diversity of people who are blind or vision impaired within our community.

We want everyone who interacts with BCA to feel welcome, respected and valued, and to have meaningful opportunities to participate in peer support, advocacy, and to access relevant services and information.

Working in consultation with members, the committee will:

• Advise on how BCA can better engage with and respond to the experiences and needs of people from diverse backgrounds and communities.
• Contribute to the development of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
• Support the development and review of resources from a cultural, LGBTQIA+, First Nations, and other relevant intersectional viewpoints.
• Identify barriers to participation, inclusion and belonging, and recommend practical ways to address them.
• Provide recommendations to BCA on maintaining a safe, accessible, inclusive and welcoming environment for all members.

The committee consists of eight representatives, bringing together a mix of directors, staff, and BCA members.

To express your interest and learn more about the Community Engagement Committee please contact Jo Failes, Project Coordinator, via jo.failes@bca.org.au by Friday, 18th September 2026. If you are unable to send us your interest electronically, please call BCA on 1800 033 660 for assistance.

Showcasing Ability: Real Jobs, Real Careers, Real Success

Increasing diversity in the workplace can have widely positive impacts on a business and its employees. Almost a decade’s worth of studies has shown that hiring people with disability is a smart business decision.

The An Eye to the Future project highlights the unique skills, knowledge, and diversity that people who are blind or vision impaired bring to the workforce.

Over the years, we have compiled a list of jobs that we know people who are blind or vision impaired have held. You may find this list useful if you’re finishing school and deciding what career to pursue or if you’re considering a career change.

If you or somebody you know (who is blind or vision impaired) is or has been employed in a job that isn’t listed on our site, let us know so we can add it! We would also love to hear the story behind your employment and the ways your skills have contributed to a diverse and successful workforce.

Share your employment stories with Sabrina Fink, An Eye to the Future Project Coordinator, via email at sabrina.fink@bca.org.au

You can also 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

Policy Update – Melanie Chatfield

Blind Citizens Australia, in consultation with Guide Dogs Australia, Deafblind Australia and Vision 2020, has welcomed the Australian Government’s proposed Inclusive Communities Fund.

The Fund will provide $200 million over three years to help community organisations become more inclusive and accessible, creating more opportunities for people with disability (including NDIS participants) to take part in social, recreational, arts, sporting, cultural and other community activities.

In its submission, BCA has called for the Fund to prioritise practical organisational change and investment in specialist disability and lived experience expertise that can be shared across communities. BCA has also stressed that making communities more accessible must complement, not replace, the individual disability supports that some people need to participate safely and independently.

Read the full submission on our website.

Member Spotlight

Our Member Spotlight shines a light on members in the BCA community. This month, we’re sharing the inspiring education journey of member Kathryn O’Toole, a 2026 BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship recipient – “From Lost Vision to Found Purpose: My Education Journey”. Hear from Kathryn below:

My education journey has taken me places I never imagined. After more than 40 years in nursing, I thought my days of university study were probably behind me. But sometimes, when one chapter of life closes, another unexpected and meaningful chapter begins.

Living with progressive vision loss has changed many aspects of my life and challenged my sense of identity, independence and purpose. Rather than allowing vision loss to determine what my future could look like, I decided to return to university as a mature-age student.

It has not always been easy. Studying with significant vision loss brings challenges, including visual and cognitive fatigue, navigating unfamiliar environments and having to advocate for the support I need. But alongside those challenges has come an incredible sense of achievement and the realisation that I still have so much I want to learn and contribute.

Being awarded a BCA scholarship has been one of the most meaningful milestones in this journey. It is both an honour and a privilege to receive this support, and I am deeply grateful for the belief and encouragement behind it. The scholarship has helped make continuing my education possible, but its value goes far beyond financial assistance. It has given me the opportunity to keep learning, to dream a little bigger and to pursue possibilities I may once have thought were out of reach. Most importantly, it has reminded me that my experiences, knowledge and aspirations still have value.

One of the most exciting outcomes has been achieving outstanding academic results and being offered the opportunity to pursue doctoral study. My proposed research will explore identity transformation, transformative learning and agency among adults living with Retinitis Pigmentosa. It brings together my professional experience, lived experience and passion for creating greater understanding, inclusion and opportunity for people living with vision loss.

I feel incredibly proud of this new chapter. What began as a response to significant life change has become a journey of rediscovery, learning and renewed purpose.

I hope my story encourages others to believe that it is never too late to learn, to change direction or to dream again. Sometimes what feels like the end of one chapter can become the beginning of something you never imagined possible.

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, 12th 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.

• Join via weblink
• Join with one tap mobile (via non-iOS)
• Join with one tap mobile using the number below (via iOS): +61280156011,,84491693225#,,,,*424050#
• Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 844 9169 3225
• Passcode: 424050

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, 11th September 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.

• Join via weblink
• Join with one tap mobile
• Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 818 6110 0639
• Passcode: 764642

Public Speaking Forum

Monday, 14th September at 6:30pm AEST.

Looking to build your confidence and sharpen your communication skills? Join our Public Speaking Forum, a friendly and supportive space where you can develop your presentation skills in an encouraging environment. 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.

• Join via weblink
• Join with one tap mobile
• Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 874 9568 9362
• Passcode: 903415

Around the Branches

Casino / Richmond Valley Branch

Outing for the month is Morning Melodies at Evans Head RSL on Monday, 28th September with Rob Breese. Free transport is available.

Phone Denise on 0448 014 682 or email deniseg.vip@outlook.com

New Horizons

This week, we feature Vaughn Bennison’s excellent review of the Sensaball 360 Cane Tip.

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

Accessible labelling for everyday independence – Tag Everything

Tag Everything is a new iOS app designed specifically for blind and low vision individuals, pairing physical NFC tags with your iPhone to make everyday identification simple and reliable. It takes the guesswork out of finding the right clothing, pantry items, and medications. It is a practical tool for your own daily routine, and it also makes it easy to share item details with family members, friends, or carers.

You simply tap your phone to a tag to instantly hear your custom description read aloud. Adding new information is fast using standard iOS voice dictation or typed text. You can also take a photo of an item, similar to apps like Seeing AI, to help automatically generate descriptions and speed up data entry.

Starter kits ship Australia-wide.

Visit the Tag Everything website.

You can also search for Tag Everything on the App Store or contact Daniel at hello@tageverything.app to learn more and get started.

Help test a new accessible social app – RealThing AI

RealThing AI is working with Melbourne University students to develop “Circles & Hearths”, a new web application designed to make social interaction more accessible for people with sight loss.

The project explores ways for people to connect through voice-based social groups.

They’re looking for people who use screen readers, magnification or high-contrast settings, with testing expected to take a few hours.

The first testing sessions are planned for Monday, 21st September to Friday, 25th September, with a second round planned for Monday, 26th October to Friday, 30th October. Sessions may be online or in person.

If you’d be interested in helping us build something this, please contact David Lew at david.lew@realthing.ai for more information.

Japan group trip in November 2026 – Planet Abled

Planet Abled is offering an inclusive group adventure from Saturday, 21st November to Friday, 27th November 2026, exploring Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.

The trip is open to everyone, including people with disability, and has been designed with accessibility in mind. An optional three-day extension is also available, taking in Hiroshima and Miyajima.

Cost: $3,150 USD per person for the 8-day, 7-night trip, or $3,860 USD with the Hiroshima and Miyajima extension, plus applicable taxes.

Places are limited. For full itinerary, accessibility information, inclusions and booking details, you can email them at travel@planetabled.com or drop a WhatsApp message.

Introducing “The Best Books”- Joab Gilroy

Award-winning games and e-sports journalist and author Joab Gilroy has launched “The Best Books”, a new Australian Gothic Horror series inspired in part by his wife Fiona’s experience of Best Disease and low vision.

The first book,” Final Final Girl”, follows Special Agent Gwenda Masen, whose degenerative eye condition gives her the unusual ability to see things others cannot – particularly in her peripheral vision. Set in an isolated Australian town, this gripping horror story explores fear, difference and the ways we experience the world.

Final Final Girl is available in Kindle, Kobo, large print, audiobook and podcast formats.

Explore the different formats and find out more by visiting the website.

New South Wales

Join a free community event – Sydney Disability Expo

The Sydney Disability Expo is coming to Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Wednesday, 30th September 2026.

This free community event will bring together more than 100 organisations and service providers, providing people with disability, families, carers, seniors and the wider community with an opportunity to connect with valuable services, information and support.

There will also be plenty happening throughout the day, including face painting, popcorn and fairy floss, hourly giveaways and a major TV giveaway.

Come along to meet disability, aged-care and support providers, discover available services and enjoy a fun day out. Entry is free for everyone.

To learn more or to register, visit the Eventbrite event page.

Partake in a study on virtual reality technology – University of Technology Sydney

A master’s student at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is currently conducting a study on how virtual reality (VR) affects people who are blind or vision impaired and how VR technology can be better adapted to support them.

The requirement for participants is to have Iow vision in both eyes, be over 18 years of age, not have any motor impairments, and be able to travel to the UTS Ultimo campus.

During the session, which lasts just over an hour, participants play a selection of VR games of varying complexity while adjustments are made to improve visibility and overall gameplay.

Sessions will be conducted until mid-October. If you are interested in participating, please contact Quang Duong via email at quang.l.duong@student.uts.edu.au

Canberra

Inclusion Awards nominations closing soon – Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards

Do you know an outstanding leader with disability? Or an individual, team, business or organisation who go above and beyond to champion inclusion across Canberra?

Help recognise and celebrate their achievements by nominating them for an Inclusion Award.

Get your nomination in before submissions close at 5:00pm AEST on Tuesday, 15th September 2026.

Visit the ACT Government’s website for more information.

Canberra Disability Expo

The Canberra Disability Expo is happening Friday, 25th and Saturday, 26th September 2026 from 9:00am to 3:00pm each day at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC).

This is your chance to explore dozens of disability services, products, and supports – all in one easy-to-access location. Whether you’re looking for new ideas, helpful resources, or just a great day out, this event has something for everyone.

Michael Milton is the 2026 Canberra Disability Expo Ambassador! So bring your friends, family, support workers – everyone’s welcome!

Visit the Canberra Disability Expo website for more information.

Victoria

Audio Described Performance: “How to Eat Rabbit”

How to Eat Rabbit, a dark queer and disabled comedy by theatre maker Jamila Main, at La Mama Courthouse is running from today until Friday, 11th September.

Set in an underground burrow at the end of the world, the show follows two friends preparing for collapse and questioning what they are willing to give up for survival. The work explores the end of the world through a disabled lens.

An Audio Described performance will be held on Friday, 11th September at 7:30pm.

Tickets: Get 25% off with the code PUNK25.

Make a booking or learn more about the event.

Queensland

Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of the Jim Henson Company – Queensland Art Gallery

Friday, 18th September from 10:30am to 11:30am AEST.

Experience this specially designed guided tour for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Featuring detailed audio descriptions and a hands-on tactile exploration of selected artworks in ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of the Jim Henson Company’, this tour encourages curiosity, conversation and discovery in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Ticketed.

Visit the Queensland Art Gallery website to make a booking.