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Member Update

Update from the President – Reappointment of Deb Deshayes as CEO for a second term

On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to announce the reappointment of Deb Deshayes as Chief Executive Officer of BCA for a second three-year term, commencing on 17th October, 2026.

Since her first appointment to this role in October 2023, Deb has led the organisation through its 50th anniversary celebrations, culminating in the 2025 National Convention, our first since COVID. She has consolidated our financial stability and, alongside the Board, guided the development of BCA’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030. She strengthened our advocacy in response to member feedback at a time of major change to the NDIS and fostered a coordinated approach to advocacy across the blindness and vision impaired sectors. Recently, she has helped position BCA at the forefront of national conversations about audio description and smart glasses.

Deb has built a strong and dedicated team, and her calm, thoughtful leadership, together with her genuine respect for BCA members, continues to shape and strengthen our work. I am confident that she will lead us into a new period of opportunity and achievement.

Please join me in congratulating Deb on her reappointment and wishing her every success in her second term as CEO.

Andrew Webster – BCA President

Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

I am deeply honoured to be reappointed as CEO of Blind Citizens Australia for a second term. Reflecting on the past three years, I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together – from celebrating our 50th Anniversary Convention to advancing critical advocacy and securing important funding

We have navigated complex times and celebrated significant wins along the way. None of this progress happens in isolation – it is the direct result of the collective strength, dedication, and heart of our entire community, from our Board and team to our volunteers, partners, and most importantly, our members. Thank you for your ongoing trust and support. I am excited to continue this rewarding journey with you all and look forward to shaping our future together over the next three years.

Today, I represented Blind Citizens Australia at the first meeting of the Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCO) Support Determination Working Group with the NDIA. It was a productive first session, and I ensured our community’s voice was centred on the issues that matter most.

During the discussion, we urged the NDIA to establish clear safeguards to assess safety risks for people who are blind or vision impaired before any essential supports are interrupted. I also emphasised the need for participants to receive accessible, itemised breakdowns showing exactly how funding changes were calculated, along with clear and prompt pathways to correct any errors or omissions.

Additionally, I raised the critical issue of unused funding, asking how the Agency will ensure that funding left unspent due to a shortage of specialist providers is not misconstrued as a reduced need for support. Given the unique impact on our community, I further encouraged the NDIA to publish disability-specific data tracking on how support determinations affect vision impaired participants, including funding variations and reassessment outcomes.

We will continue to work constructively with the NDIA to protect essential blindness and vision impairment supports. I look forward to keeping you updated as this work progresses.

Another area that BCA has been active and vocal about is the policy and documentation around spending NDIS funds. The feedback that we’ve been providing around this issue has been of a highly practical nature such as the overly complex language of the materials, storing and lodging receipts and access to stable and accessible technologies to help manage a participant’s NDIS spending.

We’re determined to make the most of our access to NDIA decision makers. Please continue to share your thoughts on the NDIS changes, particularly if you’ve experienced the new evaluation process.

Finally, congratulations to BCA member Lani Dinh who was a finalist in the Advocacy for People category in the 2026 Victorian Disability Awards.

Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Representation Update – Apply now: Supporting Participation Program 2026–27 – Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)

The Australian Government’s Supporting Participation Program 2026–27 is now open, providing support for people with disability to participate in Australia’s civil society delegations at selected international forums.

The program includes opportunities to participate in:

  • 71st Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW71) – New York, March 2027
  • 20th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP20) – New York, June 2027
  • Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) – Sendai, October 2027

BCA members are invited to apply for this exciting opportunity. Your application must be submitted through BCA.

Nominations will be assessed based on factors including relevant knowledge and lived experience, strategic and representational value, diversity and representation, alignment with the relevant forum, potential benefit to the disability sector, accessibility and support requirements, and the applicant’s ability to work collaboratively within delegation arrangements.

A nomination does not guarantee AFDO support, accreditation or funding. Successful applicants may also be required to participate in delegation planning and briefings, maintain communication with AFDO, and meet relevant conduct, safety and reporting requirements.

Prospective applicants should first review the Australian Government Supporting Participation Program 2026–27 information and application requirements.

The program is being managed through the Australian Human Rights Commission. The official program information and application material can be accessed by visiting Supporting Participation Program – Australian Human Rights Commission

If you are interested in this opportunity, please provide:

Please send your application to CEO@bca.org.au by 4:00pm Friday, 23rd October 2026.

More from BCA

Tender open for submissions – Leadership Training

BCA invites suitably qualified and experienced training contractors to submit a quotation for the design, delivery, mentoring, and evaluation of leadership development programs for people who are blind or vision impaired for the grant-funded Pathways to Independence project.

Through these programs, participants will develop practical leadership skills, expand professional networks, and increase confidence in advocating for themselves and others.

To find out more, please go to this Word document on our website to view the tender information and how to submit.

Your 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 interested parties in your network.

Queries and quotations should be addressed to bca@bca.org.au or you can call 1800 033 660.

Submissions must be received in Word format or another accessible format by 5:00pm, Friday 6 November 2026.

Continuing the Conversation – An Eye to the Future

Last week, many of you shared the strengths and skills you’ve developed throughout your lives, and it was wonderful to see the variety of experiences within our community.

Your responses reinforced something we already know: people who are blind or vision impaired bring valuable skills, perspectives, and experiences to the workplace.

Yet misconceptions about blindness, low vision, accessibility, and workplace adjustments still exist.

Through An Eye to the Future, we’re working not only to support jobseekers but also to encourage greater understanding among employers and help create more inclusive workplaces.

So, we’d love to ask:

If you could sit down for a coffee with an employer, what’s one thing you wish they understood about employing people who are blind or vision impaired?

Perhaps it’s:

  • A misconception you’d like to challenge
  • An adjustment that made a difference
  • A strength you bring to your role
  • Something an employer did that helped you succeed.

Your lived experience can help change perceptions, build understanding, and create more opportunities for others.

Please share your thoughts by emailing sabrina.fink@bca.org.au. Your insights may help shape an upcoming An Eye to the Future Coffee Conversation.

Member Spotlight

Our Member Spotlight shines a light on members in the BCA community. This month, we’re talking to Jamie Kelly, who has been through many stages in life and is reinventing himself after retirement. Jamie is married, has five boys and a dog guide called Finley. Here’s what Jamie had to say about staying challenged in a post-work world:

I’ve been a BCA member for more than 40 years and the most important thing about being a BCA member, is obviously supporting advocacy. I’m a totally blind person, and I think the most empowering thing that we have as a community is to support and help one another.

I worked for Vision Australia Library for over 30 years. I was a tech support person and used to help library members with their tech challenges. I always thrived on finding outcomes for people and got a great sense of achievement whenever I was able to help them with their support issue.

I embrace new technology, but also love old technology and antiques. I’m a radio historian. I collect old, wind-up gramophones, phonographs, microphones and radio memorabilia. I’m also a record collector and apart from collecting popular records, I also have a big 78 collection and also cylinders and records going back to the 1890s, I’m very much in, interested in the history of radio, particularly in Australia.

The Australian Jazz Museum got a government grant to digitise their collection, so they can move content online. I’ve been busy digitising records and tapes for them.

The biggest thing in my life that I think has helped me is learning to self-advocate. It’s great that we’ve got organisations like BCA to advocate on our behalf, but we have to advocate for ourselves as well. It doesn’t matter whether it’s finding a job, needing assistance in a shop, whether it’s a technical issue that you’ve got, or a dog guide refusal, it’s so important to be able to self-advocate. And it’s not easy and everybody’s going to have different sorts of skills.

Jamie’s top three life-improving things that BCA has advocated for

Built environment – audible traffic light signals and tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI). Jamie says: One of the biggest challenges for anyone that’s totally blind, whether it’s with a dog or cane, is walking along train station platforms. I think back to the time before TGSIs and it gives me the shivers.

Accessible voting – Jamie says: It’s so important to able to independently vote, even though we still have a long way to go.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – particularly access to technology. Jamie says: Having access to technology, that sort of thing is huge. So many people who are blind, have low vision or are unemployed, can’t afford technology. I used to see it at work. So many people were using very antiquated computers, very, very out of date versions of software. At least now we’re on a much better level playing field.

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, 24th 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.

BCA Inform – Autonomous Vehicles and Accessible Public Standard

Tuesday 10th November from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEDT.

What could the future of transport look like for people who are blind or vision impaired?

Join us as we welcome guest speaker Steve Hurd who will take us through emerging developments in transport technology, including autonomous vehicles and the potential for self-driving technology to provide greater independence and mobility for people who are blind or vision impaired. We’ll consider how close these technologies may be to becoming a reality and what changes may be needed to ensure people who are blind or vision impaired can benefit from these developments.

The session will also include an update on recent changes to the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport, including new rules designed to make public transport safer, easier to use and more accessible.

To register for this event visit the Humanitix website.

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, 26th October at 7:30pm AEDT.

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.

Gardening Group

Wednesday, 28th October at 7:30pm AEDT.

Gardening can be therapeutic and bring joy when plants are growing and thriving. Join Silvana and other gardening enthusiasts and share your knowledge, tips, and techniques for a flourishing home garden. All are welcome!

Music Group

Wednesday, 28th October at 7:30pm AEDT.

Are you passionate about music? Look no further and join the Music Group! Hosted by Jennifer Parry and open to musicians who are blind or vision impaired, of all skill levels, the group provides a welcoming space to discuss tunes, share your experiences and collaborate on creative pieces. Whether you’re an experienced performer, singer or have just recently picked up an instrument, you’re welcome to join this supportive and inspiring group.

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 29th 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.

New Horizons

This week, Steve Richardson speaks with Daniel Mu from “Tag Everything”, and we have a special feature from one of the New Horizons volunteers. 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

Eyes on the Horizons Walk 2027 – Retina Australia

An inherited retinal disease diagnosis can raise difficult questions about what comes next. Retina Australia makes sure people living with IRD and their families have access to information, connection and advocacy.

Since 1989, Retina Australia has invested more than $6.8 million in more than 150 research projects focused on better detection and treatments for IRD. But research is only part of the journey. Retina Australia also provides trusted information, peer support and advocacy for Australians living with IRDs and their families, while advocating for access to testing, clinical trials and emerging therapies.

By taking on the Eyes on the Horizon Walk 2027, you’ll raise funds for research, information, peer connection and advocacy for people living with IRD.

From diagnosis to breakthrough, no one walks alone.

To learn more and to register visit Retina Australia – Eyes on the Horizon Walk 2027 | Inspired Adventures

Discover the latest Reading Tools and Technology – Vision Australia

The Vision Australia library is hosting a free online event, open to everyone connected to the blind and low vision community. We will be providing an overview of the range of accessible reading tools and devices available for people who are blind or have low vision – or any other print disability.

Date :Thursday, 29th October 2026 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm AEDT.

This is a free online event open to the Vision Australia community.

For further details and registration visit Discover the latest Reading Tools and Technology

2026 Asian Individual Chess Championship for the Blind and Vision Impaired Participants

The Pakistan Blind Sports Federation, in collaboration with the Pak Christian Foundation and the International Braille Chess Association (IBCA), invites eligible players to the IBCA Asian Individual Chess Championship for the Blind & Visually Impaired 2026.

The championship will be held in Karachi, Pakistan, from 23rd November to 3rd December 2026, with nine rounds played under official IBCA and FIDE rules. The tournament will follow a Swiss system, with one round per day from 24th November to 2nd December. Games will be played exclusively on Braille chess boards.

The championship is open to players from all IBCA Asian member countries, with eligible organisations able to register any number of players, regardless of gender.

Find out more: IBCA Asian Individual Chess Championship 2026 – Official Event Information

New South Wales

Audio Described Performance at the Sydney Opera House: Macbeth

Saturday, 28 November 2026, 1:00pm

Duration: 150 minutes (including interval)

Pricing: $50 – $136

Shakespeare’s most haunting thriller follows the story of Macbeth, a Scottish general, famed for his exploits on the battlefield. Following a bloody battle, Macbeth and his comrade Banquo are met by three Weird Sisters who prophesy Macbeth will one day be king.

Audio Description: Book the price type online or call 1300 764 849 or email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com

Research on AI scribes for medical appointments – The University of Sydney

You are invited to take part in a research study about people’s experiences of using technology as part of their healthcare.

The participant information document explains why we are doing this study and what taking part would involve, so that you can decide whether or not you would like to participate.

To learn more visit Consent Form | Patient Work Study

White Cane Mingle: Free-flowing social catch-up

When: Friday 6th November 2026, 11:00am

Where: Orange Ex-Services Club

Register: White Cane Mingle is a free-flowing social catch-up for people who are blind or have low vision, and the family, friends and carers who support them. The first Mingle began at Moorebank Sports Club in Sydney and has just marked its first year. We meet for an hour of mingling over tea or coffee, followed by a group lunch at participants’ own expense.

We plan to meet every two months, six times a year.

To register visit https://www.trybooking.com/DQXBI or for more information email hello@sensorytourism.com, or call 0403 827 666.

Victoria

Digital Proof of Age coming to the Service Victoria app

Victorians aged 15 and over will soon be able to use Proof of Age as a digital ID card stored in the Service Victoria app. It can be used to verify identity or age at venues, bottle shops, retailers and other locations.

The digital credential includes electronic verification features, allowing it to be visually checked on a customer’s phone or scanned using compatible ID-scanning systems.

Information sessions for verifiers are being held online to explain how digital Proof of Age works, what to look for when checking the ID, and how scanning and e-verification operate.

Sessions are available on 20, 21, 23 and 27 October. Register for an information session.

If you have attended a previous session, you do not need to attend again, although you are welcome to join for a refresher. For questions, email digital.transformation@dgs.vic.gov.au.

Thriving Kids – Victorian Government

Thriving Kids is a new support system for kids aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism, and their families. Some supports are available now and more will be introduced over time.

To learn more visit Find, connect, shape your Victorian Government

What it takes to build effective disability movements – Melbourne Disability Institute

Join us for a showcase of remarkable research shaped by lived experience. Since 2018, the Melbourne Disability Institute has supported a wide range of interdisciplinary projects, each grounded in collaboration and designed with impact in mind. This symposium shines a spotlight on four of these projects to showcase the power of partnerships and collaborative research.

Across four short presentations, project teams will share their journey from original idea through to key findings, impact, and what’s next.

Whether you’re a researcher, practitioner, advocate, or simply curious about how lived experience is driving meaningful change in disability research, this is a great opportunity to hear directly from teams who are leading the way in community engaged research.

When: Tuesday, 24 November

Time: 10:30-1:30pm, light lunch included

Where: Science Gallery Melbourne

Melbourne Connect

114 Grattan St, Parkville VIC 3052

Join us online or in-person for this FREE event, either way we would love to have you with us!

To register visit What it takes to build effective disability movements

Updated Voting Information – Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).

Enrolment closes at 8 pm on Tuesday 3 November.

To enrol visit vec.vic.gov.au/enrol You’ll be redirected to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website to complete the process. You can also download a paper form from our website or call us on 131 832.

If you have moved house or changed your name, you must update your details.

You have until 8:00pm on Tuesday 3rd November to do this.

Check or update your enrolment at vec.vic.gov.au/check-enrolment or by calling us on 131 832.

You can choose how and when to vote. The next section explains your voting options.

Low sensory voting

Low sensory mobile voting is a quieter way to vote for neurodivergent voters and voters with sensory needs.

Low sensory voting is available across the state on Tuesday 17 November from 10 am to 4 pm.

Locations for low sensory voting will be published on our website at vec.vic.gov.au

Early voting

Anyone can vote early – you don’t need a reason.

Early voting centres are open between Wednesday 18 and Friday 27 November from 9 am to 6 pm. Please note that early voting is closed on Sunday November 22. Access guides with more information for some early voting centres will be available on our election venue locator here.

Election day voting

Election day voting centres will open on Saturday 28 November between 8 am and 6 pm.

Find your closest voting centre on vec.vic.gov.au from Wednesday 4 November.

Who can help you at a voting centre

You can ask a family member, carer, support person, or friend to help you complete your ballot papers.

If you don’t have anyone with you, you can ask one of our election staff to help you. Anyone assisting you must follow your voting directions.

Magnifying sheets

Magnifying sheets are available in every voting centre. Please ask election staff if you would like to use one.

Postal voting

You can apply to vote by post. There are different categories for postal voting.

Regular postal voting

If you want to vote by post for this election only, we will send your ballot papers to you and you can post them back to us.

You can apply online at vec.vic.gov.au, or you can get a paper application form at any Australia Post office or election office.

You can apply between Wednesday 4 November and 6 pm on Wednesday 25 November.

General postal voting

If you would like to have your ballot papers automatically mailed to you for all future elections, you can complete a general postal voter application.

Not everyone can be a general postal voter. To find out more, go to vec.vic.gov.au/gpv or call 131 832. To register as a general postal voter for this election, complete your application form before 8 pm on Tuesday 3 November.

Ballot papers for general postal voters will be mailed out from Tuesday 10 November and must be returned before 6 pm on Saturday 28 November.

Braille voting

You can register to receive a braille ballot pack.

Call us on 131 832 before 5 pm on Monday 2 November.

If you’ve already registered for a braille ballot pack and your details haven’t changed, you don’t need to register again.

We’ll post braille ballot packs out from Thursday 12 November.

Voting by telephone

You can register to vote by telephone.

Call 13 57 23 to register and vote from Wednesday 18 November.

Telephone-assisted voting is available from 9am to 6pm Wednesday 18 November to Friday 27 November and 8am to 6pm on Saturday 28 November. It is not available on Sunday 22 November.

Telephone-assisted voting involves 2 calls. In the first call, you will be registered, marked off the roll and given a unique code. You will use this code in the second call to vote, meaning your ballot will be secret.

You can find more information at vec.vic.gov.au/vote-by-phone 

Read the updated information in Word format

Queensland

2026 Queensland Regional Disability Conference Cairns – Access All Areas: The Road Ahead

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), in partnership with the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, is hosting the 2026 Queensland Regional Disability Conference Cairns — Access All Areas: The Road Ahead.

Event highlights will include discussions on:

  • Disability reforms
  • Brisbane 2032 Games – Social and economic impact
  • Accessible and inclusive transport

Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm, followed by a networking event.
Venue: Pullman Cairns International, Grand Ballroom – 17 Abbott Street, Cairns QLD 4870

To learn more or to register visit Tickets for Queensland Regional Disability Conference 2026 – Cairns

Support BCA’s work

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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.