Update from the CEO
Dear Members,
Smart glasses continue to attract significant public debate, with some organisations and local councils proposing bans and some media commentary portraying the technology negatively. At the same time, many people who are blind or vision impaired use smart glasses as a tool to access information such as signs, product labels and environmental information, particularly while travelling with a cane or dog guide.
BCA recognises that privacy concerns are legitimate and should be addressed. However, we believe accessibility must be part of that conversation. Smart glasses should be neither dismissed nor overhyped. They are one of many tools that can support our independence, participation and inclusion.
BCA has been actively advocating on this issue through media engagement, meetings with Senator Jordon Steele-Johns and Senator David Shoebridge advisors and collaboration with sector partners. We have responded to proposals that could restrict access to smart glasses and are working to ensure the voices of people who are blind or vision impaired are heard in policy discussions. As Vision 2020 Voice for Vision campaign states: “As governments consider legitimate issues of privacy, safety and security, accessibility cannot be an afterthought.”
As a member-led organisation, BCA wants to hear your views and experiences. We encourage members to share their perspectives with us directly or through Member Connect, and to consider questions such as:
- How have smart glasses improved your access to information or participation in daily life?
- What would a fair balance between privacy and accessibility look like?
- How should the community respond when people who are blind or vision impaired are challenged or excluded for using smart glasses?
We also encourage members to let us know, and to alert fellow members to contact their local council, if they become aware of a local council considering restrictions or bans on smart glasses in council facilities. While BCA does not support blanket bans in principle, where restrictions cannot be avoided, the access needs of people who are blind or vision impaired must be recognised and accommodated.
Please also stay informed through updates from BCA and our sector partners and consider supporting initiatives such as the See Differently petition. Your experiences and views will help shape BCA’s ongoing advocacy as the public conversation around smart glasses continues to develop.
This week, Andrew Webster, BCA President and I attended a series of crucial sector events led by Vision 2020 Australia, including the Voice for Vision Campaign Launch, the Connected Diabetes Eye Care Workshop, and the Parliamentary Friends Group event.
Vision 2020 officially launched Voice for Vision, a national campaign ensuring people living with vision loss have a direct voice regarding proposed regulations on smart glasses. We proudly stand with our sector partners in calling for digital and physical accessibility to be a core consideration in technology policy, ensuring that innovation empowers independence rather than creating another barrier.
We actively contributed to discussions on building an integrated, fully accessible diabetes eye care system.
In the evening, BCA shared an exhibitors table with the Canberra Blind Society at Parliament House. It was a great opportunity to connect with co-chairs Libby Coker MP and Senator the Hon Jane Hume, alongside other federal parliamentarians and sector leaders, to champion innovation for greater participation and accessibility.
To read full campaign details or learn how to get involved, please visit the Voice for Vision campaign website.
It’s International White Cane Day tomorrow (Thursday, 15th October) and we’ve got a story later in the Member Update about how BCA members have turned IWCD into an opportunity for advocacy. Please let us share your stories about what you’re up to for IWCD on our Facebook post.
Finally, I’d like to remind eligible members that the closing date for nominations for the positions of President, Director and NSW/ACT State Division Committee, National Policy Committee and Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee representatives are closing this Friday, 16th October at 5:00pm AEDT. For more information, including a link to the summary and recording of our recent Inform session on the topic, visit our AGM webpage.
Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Representation Update: Have your say on the NDIS annual pricing review for 2027-28 prices
The National Disability Insurance Agency has opened consultation on the Annual Pricing Review (APR) for 2027-28. Each year, the Agency reviews NDIS prices to determine whether changes are needed to ensure supports remain safe, high quality, efficient and financially sustainable. This year’s review is especially important, as recent legislative changes mean the Minister for Disability and the NDIS is now the statutory pricing decision maker, with the NDIA providing formal pricing advice to the Minister. The APR will form a key part of that advice.
The consultation is now open and closes on 1 November 2026. The NDIA is seeking feedback from participants, families, carers, advocacy organisations, providers and peak bodies on whether current pricing arrangements are supporting access to quality NDIS supports and services. You can contribute by completing an online survey, making a written submission, uploading a video (including Auslan), or emailing APR@ndis.gov.au. Easy Read and Auslan resources are available to support participation. Information about the consultation and ways to contribute are available on the dedicated NDIS Engage page.
This year’s APR focuses on several key areas:
- Disability Support Worker supports, including a review of the DSW Cost Model.
- Therapy supports, including the Therapy Pricing Review.
- Social and Community Participation.
- Support Coordination and Plan Management.
Members are strongly encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives directly with the NDIA. Feedback from people who are blind or vision impaired is essential because pricing settings must reflect the real costs, support needs and conditions required for safe and equitable access when blindness or vision impairment is involved. Lived experience helps the NDIA understand where current pricing does not account for blindness specific requirements such as accessible communication, additional orientation time, specialised skills for support workers, and the higher support intensity often needed in unfamiliar environments. Your input ensures these realities are visible in the review and properly considered in future pricing decisions.
In addition to encouraging your individual submissions, BCA is also contributing to a joint submission being prepared by Vision 2020 Australia. If you would like BCA to consider your views as part of this engagement, please contact me directly at francois.jacobs@bca.org.au with any input you would like included.
Celebrating our strengths in the workplace
October is Blindness Awareness Month, and we’ve been reflecting on the many skills people develop through everyday life, often without even realising it.
At An Eye to the Future, we’re passionate about supporting jobseekers while also challenging outdated assumptions about blindness, low vision, and employment. Part of that starts with celebrating the unique and valuable strengths within our community.
Sometimes the skills employers value most aren’t learned in a classroom. They’re built through experience.
People who are blind or vision impaired often develop these skills every day, yet they aren’t always recognised or talked about enough. Problem-solving, adaptability, resilience, technology skills, creativity, and finding new ways to achieve a goal are just some of the strengths and job-ready skills we can bring to the workplace.
That’s why we love hearing from you, our members. Your lived experience, your stories, and your successes help demonstrate the value that people who are blind or vision impaired bring to workplaces across Australia.
What’s a skill or strength you’ve developed that you’re proud of, and how has it helped you in work, study, volunteering, or everyday life?
We invite you to share your experiences with us so we can continue strengthening our advocacy and employment work. Your stories not only encourage others in our community, but they also help challenge misconceptions and highlight the contributions that people who are blind or vision impaired make every day.
Please feel free to share your story by emailing Sabrina Fink at sabrina.fink@bca.org.au. If you’d prefer to have a chat, call BCA on 1800 033 660.
More from BCA
Celebrate International White Cane Day – Thursday, 16th October
International White Cane Day (IWCD) is observed around the world to recognise the achievements and independence of people who are blind or have low vision, while raising awareness of the white cane as a symbol of mobility and empowerment.
Join a Working Group at BCA and make a difference!
We recently asked for expressions of interest to join the Community Engagement Committee. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in joining. On reflection, we have determined that a different approach will better support timely decision-making and bring together the specialist skills and diverse perspectives needed. The project will utilise smaller task-specific groups to complete assignments. We are now seeking members to join the Community Engagement Task and Finish Group in one or more of the following areas:
- 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.
To express your interest and learn more about how you can help, please contact Jo Failes, Project Coordinator, via jo.failes@bca.org.au by Monday 19th October 2026. If you are unable to send us your interest electronically, please call BCA on 1800 033 660 for assistance.
BCA Events
Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for October 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, 17th October 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’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.
Guitar Group
Saturday, 17th October at 11:00am AEDT.
Our meeting will be held this month at 11am AEDT instead of the usual 2pm AEDT because we have an overseas guest speaker, Lauren Bateman who is an American music educator based near Boston in the USA,
Lauren teaches guitar online and has a very approachable teaching style. She has built a global audience, with over 660,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Lauren will speak to us about her path to becoming a music educator, transitioning from a career in science and her focus on teaching older adults.
Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 847 1540 4888
Passcode: 278488
Assistive Technology Group
Monday, 19th October at 8:00pm AEDT.
Assistive Technology is useful and increasingly necessary in our daily lives. However, not everything is easy to navigate, and new technologies develop every day. Join Adam and others to learn more about assistive technology and how to get the best from it.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile
- Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 813 6198 4959
- Passcode: 335492
Around the Branches
National Women’s Branch Workshop
Workshop for members of the NWB only.
Topic: Let’s Parent Together: Our parenting journey and everything in between.
For a lot of us, parenting has had both trials and triumphs. As blind or vision impaired mums or carers of children, how do we travel through this parenting journey? What helpful tips or tricks have we learned along the way? What tools and technologies have been of greatest help to us? And how do we deal with public perceptions and pressure to be the best parent you can be, despite your blindness. Whether you’re just starting your parenting journey or much further along, there are so many things we can learn from one another. All mums and/or guardians of children welcome to attend.
When: Thursday 29 October 2026
Time: 7.30 pm AEDT
Registration required:
Please register with Sina at Sina.t9023@gmail.com using the heading Workshop and include your first and last name.
Sina will forward the link to you during the week of the workshop.
Sydney Branch AGM
Saturday, 17th October at 2:00pm AEDT with attendees to connect by 1:50pm.
BCA Sydney branch will host its Annual General Meeting followed at 3.00pm by a social catch up; with both activities to be conducted via Zoom.
New Horizons
This week, Bill Jolley joins us as we remember the long and extraordinary life of his mother Eileen, the matriarch of a prominent family in our community. 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
Join the Board of Vision 2020
The Board of Vision 2020 has confirmed that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday, 25th November 2026 at 2:00pm AEDT via Microsoft Teams. The AGM will include the election of Directors.
A formal Notice of Meeting, together with voting instructions and meeting details, will be available from Monday, 2nd November 2026. In the meantime, nominations are now open for appointment as a Director of Vision 2020.
At this AGM, the term of three current Directors will conclude. This means up to four Director positions on the Vision 2020 Board will be available.
The Board particularly encourages nominations from individuals with:
- Strong knowledge of the eye health and vision sector
- Lived experience of blindness or low vision
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage
- Skills and experience that will contribute to the Board’s effectiveness and diversity.
For all BCA members who wish to nominate, applications will be reviewed by the BCA Nominations Committee, comprising the CEO and two Board members. Last year, BCA supported three candidates through either nomination or seconding. As support was spread across all three candidates, votes were divided and, ultimately, no person with lived experience was elected to fill a vacancy on the Vision 2020 Board. BCA strongly values the importance of having a member with lived experience represented on the Board. To maximise the likelihood of success, BCA will support only one candidate in this year’s election, either by nominating that candidate directly or by seconding a nomination submitted by another organisation. Applications due to BCA by 5:00 pm AEDT, Friday, 23rd October 2026. Please email CEO@bca.org.au to express your interest.
Nomination Process
Please complete and submit the nomination form to by 12.00pm AEDT, Wednesday, 28th October 2026. This is in accordance with the Constitution, which requires nominations to be submitted at least 28 days before the AGM.
Each nomination must be endorsed by two Vision 2020 members. A list of current members is available on the Vision 2020 website.
Nominations may also include:
- A statement (up to 100 words) outlining the candidate’s qualifications and experience
- A photograph of the candidate.
Election of Directors
As outlined in the Constitution, if the number of nominations exceeds the number of available positions, an election will be conducted.
Voting will take place via the TrueVote electronic voting system and will be open exclusively to financial voting members of Vision 2020. If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact Jess at Vision 2020 by her email jess@v2020.org.au.
Understanding the NDIS webinar: Pathways to post school life
This session will provide an overview of the NDIS supports that can help young people prepare for life after school and move confidently toward employment.
In this session, we talk about:
- the types of NDIS supports that can assist with employment preparation
- how to build skills and independence during the final years of school
- pathways available after school and how to choose options that align with a young person’s aspirations, abilities, and interests.
Session dates:
- Thursday, 22nd October 2026
- Tuesday, 27th October 2026
To register, visit our Humanitix page.
New South Wales
The Humanware Australia team Catch Up
The Humanware Australia team: Damo and David, welcomes Australian and New Zealand folks to catch up on the second Monday of the month starting on 12th October at 8:00pm AEDT to share skills, knowledge, and experience of our Braille products.
Ask about product info, share tips and tricks, connecting this stuff to other stuff etc.
Let’s build a better Braille community by sharing together.
Free Tactile Tours – Sculpture by the Sea
Join Tactile Tours by Sculpture by the Sea. At the tour you are encouraged to interact, respond and engage with a selection of sculptures nominated by an exhibiting artist and the Site Manager as being safe to touch. The tours take place in accessible areas in Marks Park.
Location: Marks Park, corner of Fletcher Street and Marks Lane, Tamarama
Dates: Weekdays throughout the exhibition period, Monday 19 October to Friday, 30th October 2026
Times: One-hour tours can be scheduled between 10am and 2pm
Group size: Up to 15 participants
Bookings are essential. To learn more or to book visit Access & Inclusion Program: Tactile Tour
Victoria
Share Your Feedback – HearHere
We are a group of students from the University of Melbourne working on HearHere, a social enterprise project exploring how audio storytelling can make public spaces more inclusive and help people feel connected to their communities.
HearHere is a location-based social audio platform designed to make shared experiences in public spaces more accessible and inclusive, particularly for blind or vision impaired people, while welcoming participation from the wider community.
Imagine visiting the State Library Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, or the University of Melbourne. With HearHere, you could listen to audio stories connected to different locations, including descriptions of your surroundings, local history, personal memories and experiences shared by other visitors.
You could also record your own short audio story or share something useful about a place for future visitors to hear. If you wanted to connect with someone who had shared a story, you could reply or request a conversation, with both people’s consent.
We’ve created an early website prototype featuring a four-stop Voice Trail around the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. You can explore the audio stories, try the sharing and social features, and check out the accessibility options.
We’re particularly interested in whether you would find HearHere useful, which features interest you, and what we could improve or add to make it more accessible and enjoyable.
Our short survey takes around 3–5 minutes. HearHere: Share Your Thoughts
For more information and to share your information email zhuojuncai@student.unimelb.edu.au
Calls for Expressions of Interest: Disability Governance Committee – The University of Melbourne
The Disability Governance Committee (DGC) is a newly established governance body to provide oversight and advice on the University’s programs of work in disability access and inclusion. In line with Federal Government regulation, the DGC is a subsidiary committee of the Audit and Risk Sub-Committee of University Council; it has a dual report line and reports to University Executive.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for the University’s inaugural DGC.
We are seeking EOIs for the following membership categories:
- Two University of Melbourne staff members with disability
- Two University of Melbourne students with disability (one undergraduate, one postgraduate)
- One senior academic staff member
- Two external members drawn from the wider community (who cannot be staff or students of – or otherwise engaged in a paid or unpaid capacity by – the University of Melbourne).
For external community members, strong preference will be given to people with professional expertise in disability inclusion.
The Committee will meet four times per year. Applicants are encouraged to review the Terms of Reference for full details of the DGC’s role and operations.
If you would like to submit an EOI, please email a curriculum vitae and statement of interest of up to the 300 words to the selection panel. Please advise of any access adjustments you require to participate in the application process and/or on the Committee. The selection panel may decide to interview if there is high demand for particular membership categories.
Applications close 23 October 2026. For further information, please visit Disability Governance Committee or contact the Diversity and Inclusion team.
Queensland
Brisbane City Council Accessibility Data Capture & Open Data Integration: Invitation to Participate in Co-Design Workshops
Spinal Life Australia is working with Brisbane City Council to improve the accessibility information Council collects and makes available about its facilities. They are inviting people with relevant lived experience to participate in co-design workshops to help make accessibility information more useful and practical.
The workshops will explore what information people need to plan a visit, decide whether a facility meets their needs, and understand what to expect before arriving. Participants will discuss what information may be missing or unclear and how accessibility details and photographs could be improved.
No technical knowledge or experience with data systems is required – the focus is on your lived experience and practical perspective.
Three workshops are available:
1.Library Workshop
Date: Monday, 19th October 2026
Time: 12pm–3pm
Location: The End Room, Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
- Accessible Adult Change Facility Workshop
Date: Wednesday, 28th October 2026
Time: 11am–2pm
Location: Committee Room 1 & 3, City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
RSVP deadline: Wednesday 21 October 2026
- Aquatic Facilities Workshop
Date: Thursday, 5th November 2026
Time: 11am–2pm
Location: Parkinson Aquatic Centre, 751 Algester Road, Parkinson QLD 4115
RSVP deadline: Thursday 29 October 2026
Each workshop will run for approximately 2.5–3 hours. A $150 participation payment will be provided for attending, and reasonable access-related participation costs can also be considered by prior arrangement.
RSVP and enquiries: Reece Wallen, Advocacy and Access Officer, Spinal Life Australia. Email: rwallen@spinal.com.au or phone: 0419 579 308
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.