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Member Update

Wednesday 8th May 

Dear Members,

We are very excited to announce that our all-new Crafty Creations Peer Connect Group, which will satisfy your culinary and crafty inspirations, will launch next Monday, all are welcome to come and join in on the fun. Please find more details below.

A reminder, you can read the Member Update on BCA’s website.

What’s Coming Up at BCA?

Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for May 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, ​11th May 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 presented by Ramona Mandy 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 close at 8.00pm.

Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) Announcement

BCA is thrilled to have launched its Young Ambassadors Program (YAP). This program is designed for members aged 18 to 35 and is tailored to the aspirations of young adults who are blind or vision impaired.

If you’re between 18 and 35 years of age and haven’t already, we invite you to join our Discord community, where you can connect with fellow members, share ideas, and stay updated on program activities.

You can access the Discord Invitation by visiting https://discord.gg/WS2Pujkc

On Wednesday, 15th May at 7:00pm AEST we’ll be having our first Voice Chat on Discord. We encourage you to join as this will be a great opportunity to meet fellow members and share your ideas.

If you have any questions or need assistance joining Discord, feel free to reach out via email to events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660.

New: Seniors Peer Connect Group

Tuesday, 28th May at 2:30pm AEST.

Calling all seniors looking to forge meaningful connections and share experiences! Join us in our brand-new Seniors Peer Connect Group, where age is just a number and camaraderie knows no bounds. Whether you’re seeking friendship, support, or simply a listening ear, our group offers a welcoming and inclusive space. Join Brenda and be part of a vibrant community, where we share unique experiences and challenges faced by seniors who are blind or vision impaired. This group will meet monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 2:30pm AEST.

BCA National Volunteers Week Celebration

Thursday, 23rd May 2024 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm AEST.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and will be celebrated from 20-26 May 2024. The theme for National Volunteer Week 2024 is ‘Something for Everyone’, recognising the vital support that millions of volunteers in Australia provide to their communities.

In acknowledgment of our dedicated volunteers, Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) will host an exclusive online event during National Volunteer Week on Thursday, 23rd May 2024 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm AEST.

We extend a warm invitation to all BCA members, staff, and board members to join us. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to highlight the remarkable accomplishments of BCA’s volunteers.

To register for the event please visit the Humanitix website.

If you require any assistance with registering for this event, please 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.

Crafty Creations

Monday, 13th May at 7:00pm AEST.

If you’re looking to indulge in some creative fun, this group offers a delightful fusion of creativity and culinary delights. Join Donna and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for both crafting and cooking and experience the joy of creativity in a supportive and welcoming environment where laughter and shared interests flourish.

BCA Updates

Update from the CEO

Dear members,

I sadly announce that Peta Hogan, BCA National Advocacy Projects Officer, will soon be finishing up at BCA, with her final day being Thursday, 16th May. Peta has been an incredibly important part of our Policy & Advocacy Team, joining BCA in late 2021. She has tirelessly advocated to ensure that people who are blind or vision impaired could access the services they were entitled to under the NDIS, including supporting several clients through cases at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

Peta’s depth of knowledge around NDIS issues and her patient and compassionate approach with our members will be greatly missed. If you would like to send her a farewell message, please feel free to contact Peta or by emailing bca@bca.org.au

This week is National Road Safety Week, which runs from Sunday, 5th May to Sunday, 12th May. This is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering with road safety organisations and the government. The week highlights the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it. For previous road safety campaigns, BCA worked with e-scooter company Neuron to promote safer streets for all. We explored community perspectives to improve rider education, behaviour and safety outcomes for everyone, but especially for people who are blind or vision impaired. Watch the campaign video. 

And finally, I recently had the opportunity to meet with Rosemary Kayess, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, during an in-person roundtable that covered issues such as employment, education, housing, legislation, and much more. It was a great opportunity to meet Rosemary and discuss the topics outlined in the agenda. I look forward to continuing our engagement with her and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Help us plan the BCA 50th Anniversary Convention Program

The BCA 50th Anniversary Convention Program Committee invites you to attend one of several online focus groups to help plan the program for this event in 2025. These focus groups are in addition to the survey you may have recently completed to help plan the 50th Anniversary Celebrations which will lead up to this event and be part of the weekend activities.

The 90-minute sessions will be held via Zoom with approximately six participants in each session. Each session will begin with an introduction and some questions, and then we’ll open the floor for you to share your ideas on how to make the 50th Anniversary Convention Program the best ever.

The session dates and times are as follows (all in AEST):

  • Monday, 20th May at 2:00pm
  • Monday, 20th May at 7:00pm
  • Wednesday, 22nd May at 10:00am
  • Wednesday, 22nd May at 7:00pm
  • Saturday, 25th May at 10:00am

Please express your interest in attending a focus group by emailing events@bca.org.au and telling us which time from the selection above you’d like to attend and let us know your email address and phone number so we can contact you to confirm attendance and share the Zoom link.

If you can’t attend one of the focus groups, we invite you to email bca@bca.org.au to share your thoughts and ideas for the program.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Around the Branches

Casino / Richmond Valley Branch

May Outing: Bush Poets

When: Thursday, 23rd May

Where: Charcoal Inn

Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm AEST (approximately)

Cost: Morning tea/lunch each pay their own.

New members are very welcome.

RSVP to Denise before Friday, 17th May. Phone Denise on 0448 014 682 or email deniseg.vip@outlook.com

New Horizons

Graeme Innes is our guest this week. He discusses his role as Chancellor of Central Queensland University, and the University Accord; why we should be concerned about it and what can be done to ensure that universities continue to provide accommodations and access for Australians who are disabled.

Take a listen to the New Horizons podcast or find out how to tune in live.

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 Housing Guidelines Consultation (Disability agencies) – Australian Human Rights Commission

Friday, 10th May from 1:00pm to 2:30pm AEST.

The Australian Human Rights Commission (Commission) is partnering with Churchill Research Fellow Kim Samuel, and the Churchill Trust, to develop and pilot Australian Design Guidelines for Access and Inclusion in Residential Development.

The Commission is holding a number of consultation sessions to provide stakeholders with an overview of the draft Guidelines. Stakeholders will also have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

Feedback will inform the development of the Guidelines and ensure that they are fit for purpose and consider a broad range of accessibility needs, inclusion elements, intersectionality, best practice universal design, and regulatory requirements.

To secure your place please register before Friday, 10th May.

This online event will be via Zoom. You will receive the link 48 hours before the event.

To register visit the Humanitix website.

Please tell us if you have any additional accessibility requirements when you register.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact us at disability@humanrights.gov.au

Art By Description – Australia’s National Gallery

Friday, 10th May from 2:00pm to 3:00pm AEST.

In this month’s Art by Description, National Gallery staff will be joined by Raquel Ormella to talk about and describe a selection of textile works and discuss connections to environment, family, politics and history.

You can join via Zoom

Meeting ID: 816 0945 2272

Passcode: 786390

For questions and RSVP please email access@nga.gov.au.

Join Women with Disabilities Australia Youth Advisory Group! – Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA)

We’re looking for young people with disabilities who identify as women, girls, feminine identifying or non-binary, aged 15-30, to join our Youth Advisory Group.

Help us shape the future for young people with disabilities!

What you’ll do:

  • Advise WWDA on issues affecting young women and girls with disabilities.
  • Share your diverse experiences and knowledge.
  • Create a more inclusive Australia for young people with disabilities.

We especially welcome applications from:

  • People in South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Am I Eligible? Yes, if you:

  • Identify as a woman, feminine, or non-binary person with a disability.
  • Are between the ages of 15 and 30.

For more information and to apply visit the WWDA website.

Application deadline: Monday, 10th June at 11:00pm AEST.

Automated Vehicle Safety Reforms – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Along with the National Transport Commission, we are seeking your input on automated vehicle safety reforms to help shape the future of transportation in Australia.

Automated vehicle technology is advancing rapidly and is likely to fundamentally change road transport. Safety is important for all road users, and we want your input to ensure that future legislation aligns with the needs and expectations of industry and the community.

Written submissions can be lodged on the National Transport Commission’s website. Your feedback will help to shape future automated vehicle laws and regulations and support the Australian Government’s reforms to enable the safe use of automated vehicles on Australian roads.

This includes playing an important part in the development of the Automated Vehicle Safety Law and also informing changes to state and territory laws.

If you have any questions, you can email avregulation@infrastructure.gov.au

For more information visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website.

Consultation closes on Tuesday, 11th June 2024.

“I Can See Clearly Now, Understanding and Managing Vision Loss” by Cameron Algie

A reminder that Cameron Algie, formerly Group Facilitator with Vision Australia, has written a comprehensive resource book on understanding and managing vision loss.

As most blind and vision impaired people know, it is difficult to find relevant information on key issues encountered in our everyday lives. This book covers various aspects of vision loss and is particularly important for families, friends and relatives to better understand struggles faced by people who are blind or vision impaired.

The book is available as a hard cover or as an e-book on Amazon, Apple books, or as an audio book through the Vision Australia Library.

Artist Registration Now Open! – The Incognito Art Show

The Incognito Art Show is a not-for-profit organisation supporting Australian artists. We run Australia’s biggest and most inclusive art show. The Incognito Art Show isn’t an ordinary art sale. Every piece of artwork (A5 in size), regardless of artist, is sold for just $100. The identity of an artwork’s artist will remain anonymous at all times. Only once an artwork is bought, will the artist’s name be revealed to the buyer on the back of the artwork.

Profits raised will go towards funding programs that support artists working with disabilities. The Incognito Art Show is made possible by our amazing community of artists who donate artworks. We are very grateful for the contributions of every participating artist.

Artwork due on Friday, 14th June 2024.

In-person sale: Thursday, 13th July and Friday, 14th July 2024. Sydney and online sale soon after the conclusion of in-person sale.

Everyone is welcome to participate as an artist in the Incognito Art Show, regardless of experience. International artists are welcome too.

Artist registrations can be made by visiting the Incognito Art Show website.

We display all artworks online on our website. We also display as many artworks as we can in our in-person venue that hosts our sale days.

For more information visit the Incognito Art Show About Us page.

Seeking Nominations: Chair for the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP) Board – Department of Social Services

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is seeking nominations for the Chair of the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP) Board.

Some of the key things the Chair will be responsible for include:

  • Ensuring the NDRP Guiding Principles are upheld, together with the rest of the Board and the NDRP staff.
  • Working closely with the NDRP CEO to oversee the NDRP’s activities.
  • Being the public face of the NDRP to its broader stakeholders and the community.
  • Providing leadership to the Board, including making sure information is provided clearly and in a timely manner, chairing meetings, acting as a conduit for information between the board, the NDRP’s members and broader stakeholders.
  • Facilitating open and constructive communications amongst board members and encouraging their contribution to board deliberations.
  • Ensuring that the Board has enough information to understand the NDRP’s financial position, strategic performance, operations and the opportunities and challenges facing the organisation.

To find out more about this opportunity and to express interest in the NDRP Chair role, please see the Application pack and nomination form.

Expressions of interest are now open and close on Monday, 13th May 2024 at 5:00pm AEST.

If you need help to submit your expression of interest, please email ADSAdvisoryCouncil@dss.gov.au.

Accessible materials and adjustments are available to support people during the application process and to participate in the NDRP Board.

Victoria

Partake in a Research Project on Defining Communication in a Digital Era – Deakin University and the Victorian University of Wellington

We are inviting you to participate in a focus group about digital communication. We are seeking participants from various backgrounds, including those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who are blind or vision impaired. We are also looking for people from rural, regional & remote areas, from culturally diverse backgrounds, and participants from all states and territories. We want to explore your experiences and use of digital technologies and what communication means to you.

In person focus groups will be held at Melbourne, Geelong, and Warrnambool Online focus groups will be held via Zoom.

Focus groups will be running in June and July.

Participants will receive a $50 gift card for their completed participation.

To take part in the research visit the online Qualtrics Survey.

For more information or assistance email definingcomm@deakin.edu.au

Canberra

Research Update Event – Retina Australia

Thursday, 16th May from 12:00pm to 2:15pm AEST.

Retina Australia will be hosting a Research Update Event on Thursday, 16th May 2024 at the John Curtin School for Medical Research (JCSMR) at the Australian National University in Canberra. It will also be streamed live for viewers around the country who cannot attend in person. Sessions include:

  • Discover emerging treatments in geographic atrophy, a late stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – by Dr Carla Abbott, Centre for Eye Research Australia and University of Melbourne.
  • Learn about how targeting inflammation can protect against retinal degeneration – by Dr Adrian Cioanca, Australian National University.
  • Hear how using the message of exercise may prevent blindness – by Nick Bariesheff, Australian National University

For more information visit the Retina Australia website.

Register to attend the seminar in person

Register for the webinar

For assistance, contact Retina Australia on 03-9650 5088 or email info@retinaaustralia.com.au

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 be considered for publishing in the Wednesday update.