Update from the CEO
Dear Members,
The theme for BCA’s 2027 Convention will be, “Shaping Our Future Together: Access, Inclusion, Participation”.
BCA members have already been invited to suggest topics and sessions they would like to see included in the Convention program. Building on this input, BCA will soon issue a call for expressions of interest from people who would like to present or help deliver a session.
The call will be circulated to BCA members and the broader community. This member-led approach will place members’ priorities at the centre of the program while drawing on the knowledge, skills and lived experience of everyone who can contribute to an engaging and informative Convention.
Look out for a separate email soon with further details and information about how to submit an expression of interest!
We are currently recruiting for an Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor. It’s an exciting opportunity to join our BCA team in a 12 month contract position. So, if you’re a content creator with a passion for making information accessible, practical, and empowering, or you know someone in your network who is, please find more information below.
Last week, BCA had the pleasure of attending the World Sight Day 2026 Breakfast Forum, hosted by Braille Tactile Signs Australia (BTSA). The gathering brought industry partners together to discuss progressive ideas in inclusive design, focusing on how quality Braille, tactile elements, and accessible infrastructure empower people who are blind or vision-impaired to navigate public spaces safely and independently. We extend our sincere thanks to the Team at BTSA for hosting the event. The Breakfast Forum was held in the lead up to World Sight Day, which is Thursday, 8th of October.
We also encourage you to check out “The Reality of Life Without Vision,” an episode of ABC’s You Can’t Ask That, which features several BCA members. Although this episode was originally produced nearly a decade ago, ABC uploaded it to YouTube just last week, and its insights into the lived experiences of our community remain as relevant as ever.
Please note that our office will have reduced staffing due to upcoming public holidays. Victoria is observing the Friday before the AFL Grand Final, and Western Australia is celebrating the King’s Birthday on Monday. Therefore, some responses from the team may be delayed.
On a closing note, I’ll be taking some leave next week and look forward to reconnecting with you when I return.
Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.
A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Policy Update – Melanie Chatfield
2026 Victorian State Election – Accessible Voting Information
The Victorian State Election will be held on Saturday 28th November 2026, and there are a range of voting options available for people who are blind or vision impaired.
You can choose from early voting, postal voting, Braille ballot packs and telephone assisted voting. Magnifying sheets will also be available at all voting centres, and you can ask a family member, friend, or support person – or an election staff member – to assist you with completing your ballot papers.
If you need to enrol or update your enrolment details, the deadline is 8:00pm on Tuesday 3rd November. You can also register for a Braille ballot pack by 5:00pm on Monday 2nd November. Telephone-assisted voting will be available from 18th November.
For more details about these voting options, a Word document format is available on the BCA website.
More from BCA
Expression of Interest: Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor
Blind Citizens Australia has an exciting opportunity to join the team in a 12 month contract role as Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor.
Bring your content creation experience and strong passion for making information accessible, practical, and empowering – and your ability to translate complex policy and legislation into easy-to-understand resources. Your stakeholder management and communication skills (written and verbal) are your greatest strengths.
Lived experience with blindness or vision impairment is a highly valued asset, and we encourage you to apply. Please feel free to pass this opportunity onto your network.
You can find out more on BCA’s website.
Apply by sending your resume and expression of interest (in Word format) to recruitment@bca.org.au by Wednesday 30th September.
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, 26th 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
BCA Inform – Championing Your Voice: Election 2026
Tuesday, 6th October from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEDT.
Ready to make a difference and help shape the future of BCA? You’re invited to stand for election for a range of key leadership roles, including President, Director positions, NSW/ACT State Division Committee members, National Policy Committee (NPC) members, and representatives on the Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee.
If you’ve been considering taking on one of these leadership roles and would like to learn more about what’s involved, we encourage you to join us for this BCA Inform session. It’s a great opportunity to hear first-hand from those with experience about the responsibilities of each role and what you can expect.
If you have any questions before the Inform session, please email companysecretary@bca.org.au by COB Wednesday, 30th September.
To register for the event please visit the Humanitix website.
If you have any questions, or if you require assistance registering, please feel free to contact us at events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660.
BCA’s 51st Annual General Meeting
Thursday, 26th November at 7:30pm AEDT.
All members are warmly invited to join us for the 51st Annual General Meeting of BCA, taking place via Zoom. We encourage all members to register and join us for this important event.
In preparation for the AGM, you’ll find the relevant documents, reports and meeting information in the notice sent to members and on the BCA website.
To register for the AGM visit the Humanitix website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
If you require assistance registering, please feel free to contact us at events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660.
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.
Acquired Sight Loss Group
Monday, 28th September at 7:30pm AEST.
Hosted by BCA’s National Advocacy Officer, Martin Stewart, this welcoming and friendly group is a forum for members to meet and talk with others with acquired sight loss.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile
- Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 874 0154 0222
- Passcode: 447066
Around the Branches
Queensland Branch
The Annual General Meeting of the Queensland Branch will be held on Saturday, 10th October at 3:00pm 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 Lynn Davis, about her Audio Description experience, a concert of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. 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
New Framework Planning and NDIS Rules – Help Shape our Submission to the Government – People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
The Government is asking for feedback on changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) around New Framework Planning and NDIS Rules.
PWDA is working with the disability community to respond to the Consultation.
Your knowledge and experience are key to how we will respond.
If you are a NDIS participant, PWDA member or person with disability we invite you to share your initial thoughts through our short survey.
The survey will be open until Sunday 27 September.
To complete the survey, visit PWDA Survey: New Framework Planning and NDIS Rules
2026 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition
Are you a blind or vision impaired musician looking for an opportunity to showcase your talent? The Bella Music Foundation is inviting blind or vision impaired musicians from around the world to participate in its 2026 International Music Competition.
The competition offers musicians an opportunity to share their musical talents and connect with an international audience.
Find out more about the competition, eligibility and how to enter on the Bella Music Foundation website. Find out more and enter the competition
Application Deadline: Thursday,1st October 2026.
PhD research: Museums, cultural heritage and accessibility for people who are blind or vision impaired
Lucia De Maio is a PhD Candidate in Cultural Heritage at the University of Naples “L’Orientale”, Italy. Her doctoral research investigates how museums and cultural institutions can become more accessible to people who are blind or vision impaired, with particular attention to tactile, multisensory and digital approaches to experiencing cultural heritage.
As part of this larger doctoral research project, Lucia is inviting people who are blind or vision impaired to complete an accessible online questionnaire. The study explores experiences of visiting museums and accessing cultural heritage, as well as participants’ expectations, needs and preferences regarding tactile, multisensory and digital forms of engagement.
The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Find it online here.
The survey will remain open until 31 October 2026.
Lucia will be travelling in Australia from 22 September to 28 October 2026, combining a personal trip with academic and research-related activities. During her stay, she would also like to learn more about Australian approaches to accessible and inclusive museum experiences.
For further information about the research or the questionnaire, please contact: Lucia De Maio via email l.demaio2@unior.it
Get it right this tax time: Seen it? Heard it? Check it – Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
We have a range of accessible tax time information and support available. These resources are designed to help people access trusted tax information and support, while also encouraging people to verify information before acting and remain alert to scams and misinformation during tax time.
Useful resources include:
Videos – Lodging with myTax, How to personalise your return in myTax, Track the progress of your tax return online – ATOtv
For more information you can phone us on 1800 199 010 between 8:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.
New South Wales
Audio Described Performance at the Sydney Opera House
Saturday, 26th September at 11:00am with a tactile tour at 10:00am
From Australia’s Patch Theatre, and as part of the Wild Things International Kids Festival; this immersive performance explores what dreams are really made of. Inspired by the beloved Harold and the Purple Crayon, ZOOOM swaps the crayon for light, following a child’s journey to understand their world through art and imagination.
The show begins at home before the show starts, as we invite children to ‘bring a piece of dark’ to the performance. Upon arrival, their dark is exchanged for their own personal light – a little spark that will keep them safe and guide them through the interactive performance.
Each will receive a small light when exchanging their ‘dark’, although will exchange back to their ‘dark’ at the end of the show.
Suitable for 4+, or anyone who is curious about light and imagination.
For any questions or more info, please email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com. To book please visit the website Sydney Opera House.
Access & Inclusion Program – Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2026
Sculpture by the Sea builds community by showcasing a wide range of free, accessible exhibitions featuring both emerging and established local and international artists. Our Access and Inclusion Program is continually being developed to ensure people of all ages and abilities can experience sculpture in a beautiful setting, supporting the active role of individuals with diverse abilities within the community, and as audience members. The program cultivates partnerships with organisations, schools, and individuals that represent people with disability. Our Tactile Tours Program accommodates for the needs of individuals with vision impairment and other needs regarding sensory processing.
If you would like to visit the exhibition or have questions about access, please get in touch with the Access and Inclusion Team education@sculpturebythesea.com or call us on 02 8399 0233.
Victoria
Emergency Preparedness workshop – Disability Support Australia
This event is open and free to anyone with a disability/ friends/ families who would like to know more about being ready for an emergency.
Date: Monday 5th October
Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm – lunch included
Location: Djerring Flemington Hub, 25 Mount Alexander Road, Flemington
To register visit Register | Get Started Disability Support Australia
For more information and queries please contact Mandy McCracken mandy@getstarteddisability.org.au
Enjoy a Tactile Tour and AD Performance: Krilling Me Softly – Melbourne Fringe Festival
An absurd cabaret comedy, and antidote to worldly woes. Shrimply irresistible!
From the award-winning creator of Madame Nightshade’s Poison Garden and former PO PO MO CO member, comes a brand new show fusing clowning, comedy, and absurdist cabaret with an aquatic twist.
Venue: Festival Hub: Trades Hall – Archives Room, Corner Lygon and Victoria Streets, Carlton
The tactile tour will be taking place on Sunday 11th October at 5.30pm. Please meet at the Lygon Street Entrance. This is a chance to meet the artist, as well as a Tactile tour.
To learn more or to book your ticket visit Melbourne Fringe Festival – Krilling Me Softly or you can call (03) 9660 9666.
Support BCA’s 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.
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.