Our work is just beginning on the NDIS Securing the Future Bill – Update from the President

Dear Members,

This has been a week of tough news. On Friday, the Senate Committee reviewing the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill recommended that the legislation be passed. They did this despite receiving more than 4,500 submissions warning of the likely harm the legislation could cause to people with disability. Last night, the Senate passed the Bill, and it will now return for a perfunctory vote in the House of Representatives to become law.

While we may have feared this result or even expected it, the reality of the news still feels like a shock. You may be feeling heartbroken, disappointed or frightened about what this means for you. On behalf of the Board, I offer you our empathy, understanding and support and invite you to stand in solidarity with people with disability across Australia who may be feeling the same.

While it is clear that NDIS supports will be cut for many people, there are many unknowns. Important details about how the changes will work in practice will still need to be decided. BCA is committed to working constructively with the Government. As a recognised Disability Representative and Carer Organisation, we will continue to advocate for people who are blind or vision impaired by taking part in Government consultations and helping to shape the rules, assessments and processes that follow.

We will continue our advocacy on your behalf. Our work on the NDIS is just beginning. The Board and staff will represent and support you through the transitions of the coming weeks, months and years. And we invite every BCA member to continue to make your voice heard.

We have already done a great deal, and I thank Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO, the BCA staff, and all members who have contributed to making BCA’s views known, especially those who have taken up the challenge and written to, or even spoken with, your local member of Parliament. I acknowledge the work of the National Policy Committee (NPC) and the BCA members who were very active in contributing their feedback and perspectives through this process.

Thanks also to everyone who attended the NDIS Inform session on 7 July. You gave the Board a strong message that we were not doing enough, that we needed to have a much greater sense of urgency, and that we needed to take action. We heard you loud and clear.

As a result, BCA made a supplementary submission to the Senate Inquiry in addition to our first one. This submission was more forthright. It focused on the text of the NDIS Securing the Future Bill and highlighted the consequences for our community. We are indebted to Cameron and Vaughan Roles and Robert Altamore, who led this submission, and to Melanie Chatfield, Policy Officer, who brought it all together with member stories in just three days.

In addition to that work, we have led and invited you to join a letter-writing campaign, issued four media releases regarding the NDIS, and continued to advocate for the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired directly with the NDIA. We have done this by shifting staff resources to ensure rapid turnaround and wide outreach.

We will keep you up to date as the Bill progresses. As you can read in our latest media release issued on Monday, our focus has initially shifted to the eligibility and assessment process to ensure it meets the reality of the lived experience of blindness and vision impairment and has proper safeguards in place.

Let us know your concerns and how we can amplify them to Government as we move forward together.

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Policy Update: Have Your Say on New Aviation Disability Standards – Melanie Chatfield

BCA Events

Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for August 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, 22nd August at 8:00pm AEST.

• 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 – Audio Description: Celebrating a Major Accessibility Win and Looking Ahead

Tuesday, 1st September from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEST.

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

• Join via weblink
• Join with one tap mobile
• Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 874 0154 0222
• Passcode: 447066

Gardening Group

• Join via weblink
• Join with one tap mobile
• Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 874 0866 9357
• Passcode: 299571

Music Group

• Join via weblink
• Join with one tap mobile
• Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 873 4667 6799
• Passcode: 876125

Around the Branches

Tasmania Branch

Hobart Catch-Up

Where: Central Hobart Bistro and Bar, 73 Collins Street (right near the Collins Street taxi rank)

When: Saturday 29th August from 11:30am to around 2:30pm.

Food and drinks (including coffee) available at bar prices.

Please respond to Vanessa by Thursday, 27th August by calling 0417 387 079 or emailing vanessa.k.ransley@gmail.com

This is a great chance to catch up with other local members.

Statewide Meeting – Services from Visibility

The local branch of Blind Citizens is hosting a statewide meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, 2nd September at 7:00pm.

We know it is difficult to find a time that fits everyone’s schedule, but we hope as many of you can attend.

The link to attend: https://utas.zoom.us/j/82017406872?from=addon

We have invited Jordan Bush from VisAbility to attend and tell us a little bit about the services that he provides, and about VisAbility in general.

This is a great chance to find out about local services for consumers who are blind or vision impaired.

Jordan is looking forward to your questions at this session, so please come along and bring your questions with you.

If you have any queries about this meeting, please contact our co-secretary Jodie at jacobsjodie@hotmail.com or 0448 475 939.

National Women’s Branch

Members of the National Women’s Branch are invited to attend the Accessibility in Sport and Recreation Workshop.

Exploring opportunities to participate in sport and recreation as a person who is blind or vision impaired. Sharing practical tips, personal experiences, and information about accessible activities, adaptive equipment, and support services that can help increase confidence, independence, and enjoyment in an active lifestyle.

When: Thursday, 27th August at 7:30 pm AEST.

Guest Presenter: Annette Leishman.

Registration: Please email sina.t9023@gmail.com  using the heading Workshop. Please include your full name in your response.

A link will be sent to you in the week that the workshop will be held.

New Horizons

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

PhD Scholarship opportunity in Disability History – Monash University

This PhD scholarship is funded as part of an ARC funded project ‘Australia’s first history of disability: Making a more inclusive Australia’, conducted by Dr Kate Murphy (Primary Chief Investigator), Emeritus Professor John Murphy (Chief Investigator), Emeritus Professor Alistair Thomson (Chief Investigator), Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan (Partner Investigator) and Professor Elizabeth Tilley (Partner Investigator).

The project aims to uncover the lived experience of disability in Australian families between 1945 and the Disability Royal Commission of 2019–23, using innovative methods to co-produce data with people with disability and their families. The project expects to develop the first comprehensive, national history of disability in Australia. The successful applicant will join the research team and contribute to the wider project but will also undertake their own distinct PhD project. The details of the PhD project are open to negotiation. Scholars with disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications due Sunday, 13th September 2026, 11:55 pm AEST.

If you have any questions please contact: Dr Kate Murphy, Senior Lecturer by email kate.murphy@monash.eduor call +61 3 990 51184.

To learn more about this wonderful opportunity visit the Monash University website.

Understanding the NDIS webinar series: Employment supports

Employment supports can help participants build skills, find work, keep work, and move toward their goals.

In this session we will talk about:

• what types of employment supports the NDIS can fund

• who employment supports are for and when they might be appropriate

• how employment supports can help with getting a job, staying in work, or developing workplace skills.

Session date:Thursday, 27th August 2026.

To register, visit the Humanitix event page.

Research Study Seeking Blind and Low Vision Photographers – University of Washington

A group of Human-Computer Interaction researchers from the University of Washington’s Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) and the National University of Singapore’s School of Computing are seeking people who are blind or have low vision (BLV) and who enjoy photography or regularly take photos for reasons beyond documentation, such as enjoyment, creative expression or sharing.

What’s this project about: They’re trying to understand how BLV individuals experience the process of photography, from the moment you feel like there’s something worth capturing, to actually taking the shot. Your insights will help them design better tools to support BLV photographers in the future.

What’s involved:

• A short online questionnaire (3-5 minutes) about your background and contact information to collect basic information, verify eligibility, and coordinate scheduling.

• A 60-minute interview (through Zoom, phone call, or another way you prefer) where they will discuss your photography experience and photos you took that are meaningful to you.

Where & When: All processes will be conducted remotely. Interviews can be scheduled any time in August and Early/Mid September.

Compensation: You will receive 45 AUD cash or gift card for your participation.

How to sign up:Fill out the short online questionnaire.

After you submit the form, they’ll follow up within a week to confirm your eligibility, coordinate scheduling, and provide further information.

If you have any trouble accessing the questionnaire, please reach out to them at sixint@uw.edu (email) or +1 (206) 519-2388.

Have your say on the Inclusive Communities Fund – People with Disability Australia (PWDA)

The Australian Government is asking for feedback on a new Inclusive Communities Fund. The proposed Fund would provide $200 million over three years to help community organisations become more inclusive and accessible for people with disability.

PWDA is preparing a submission to the Australian Government. They want to hear directly from people with disability about what would help you take part in your community.

You do not need to know anything about the Inclusive Communities Fund to complete the survey. They explain what you need to know at the start.

The survey takes about 5-10 minutes.

Your answers will help inform PWDA’s submission.

The survey will close on Sunday, 23rd August at 11:59pm AEST.

Access the survey.

Register for the SSI Community Information Day – Save Sight Institute

Save Sight Institute is excited to open registrations for their Institute Annual Community Information Day on Saturday, 12th September 2026!

This in-person event is designed for individuals with low vision or blindness, their caregivers, and educators. It’s a fantastic opportunity for learning, connection and continuing professional development.

With the theme “Opportunities for all,” this year’s sessions will cover topics such as how artificial intelligence can aid accessibility and pathways to the Paralympics. A detailed agenda and more speaker information will be released closer to the date.

Catering will be provided on the day. Registration is essential. Kindly RSVP by Monday, 31st August 2026.

To register visit the Humanitix event page.

Volunteers Needed for Vision Impairment Physical Activity Study – University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Researchers at UNSW are seeking participants for a study exploring the barriers and enablers to physical activity for people with vision impairment.

People aged 50 years and over who are living with low vision or legal blindness in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory.

Access the survey.

Your experiences could help improve opportunities for physical activity for people with vision impairment.

Queensland

Experience the Thrill of Speed at the Brisbane Blind Speed Track Day 2026 – In Sight of Dreams

Friday, 25th September from 6:30pm to 10:30pm.

Have you ever dreamed of experiencing the excitement of a real race track? The Brisbane Blind Speed Track Day 2026 is giving people who are blind or vision impaired  the unique opportunity to feel the speed, excitement and adrenaline of Queensland Raceway.

Ride shotgun with a qualified volunteer racing driver as they unleash the full performance of a race car around the circuit. Sit back, hold on, and experience the power, speed and precision of professional race driving.

Take the driver’s seat yourself! Under the guidance of a volunteer driving instructor in a dual-controlled vehicle, you’ll have the unforgettable opportunity to drive around the race track in a safe, controlled environment.

Each Track Driving Experience participant can bring up to two buddies to ride in the back seat. Buddies require their own free ticket, with a maximum of two buddy tickets per driver. Participants must be 14 years or older.

Places are strictly limited, so don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience the excitement of motorsport in a welcoming and supportive environment.

For more information and to book, visit the In Sight of Dreams website.