Welcome to the July edition of Blind Citizens News for 2020. You can also download the Word version or listen to the audio within each article.

List of Articles

  • Editorial – “The most important impact of this time, which is harder to quantify, and is potentially game-changing, is around empathy. The needs and difficulties of people with disability have rarely received such frequent media coverage.”
  • Letter to the Editor: On Happy Hours – “A key concept expressed by people like myself who work and/or study at home was that in some regards life hasn’t changed monumentally – but small, subtle differences outside of home, made living a bit more challenging.”
  • The 25 Year Battle for #TV4All – “It’s about more than just keeping up with MasterChef, though that’s important too. AD has incredible educational value. It can teach blind children to understand visual concepts and give adults an easy way to learn about politics or geography. It can verbalise information in documentary or news programs which is usually offered in on-screen text, some of which could even save lives.”
  • From the President – “Your willingness to share openly your concerns and frustrations at this time; and your offerings of positive suggestions and solutions to the many challenges we have all faced, have provided the motivation that our staff and leaders have drawn on in their efforts to deliver on BCA’s commitment.”
  • COVID-19: Turning Challenges into Opportunities – “It is difficult to reflect on this period without acknowledging the extraordinary advantage that being an organisation led by people who are blind or vision impaired affords us… Their proposed solutions are informed by their personal experiences and those of their networks. Very few national disability organisations in Australia can say the same.”
  • Report from the National Policy Council – “The knowledge gained through consultation around the Healthcare policy has been invaluable in helping BCA to design and advocate for the resources we all need to keep ourselves safe and get the care we need during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
  • An Eye to the Future of Employment Project Update – “These personal stories of real people in the job market are a great way to demonstrate our capabilities as employees, as well as offering inspiration for those of us thinking about our career paths.”
  • Submit your writing to Blind Citizens News
  • Directory of contact details
  • New Horizons radio broadcast schedule 

Editor’s Note

Blind Citizens Australia refers to our members as people who are blind or vision impaired. However, we respect the right of individual authors to use whatever language is most comfortable for them.

Publication Information

COPYRIGHT: Reproduction of articles appearing in Blind Citizens News is permitted provided Blind Citizens News and the author(s) are acknowledged.

Large Print ISSN 1441-449X      Braille ISSN 1441-565

Blind Citizens News is distributed in Large Print, Braille, and Audio. Electronic copies in text format are available on CD or by email. If you would like to receive Blind Citizens News in another format, please contact us.

Other Publications

New Horizons Radio Programme and Podcast

Blind Citizens Australia Annual Report

Funding and Donations for BCA

BCA would like to acknowledge the generous work of the Jeffrey Blyth Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 1995 with BCA being the primary beneficiary.

We would also like to acknowledge our funding partners: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Victoria, the Department of Social Services, Vision Australia, the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, Guide Dogs Victoria, and our generous members.

If you would like to make a donation to Blind Citizens Australia, you can call the Office on 1800 033 660, and use your credit card. You can also donate online. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Feedback for BCA

Do you have any compliments, suggestions or concerns you wanted to let BCA know about? You can do this anonymously by following this link and completing a feedback form, or you can call BCA toll free on 1800 033 660. Your feedback will be used to improve our services to better meet the needs of our membership.

How to make a complaint about BCA

Any member, client, volunteer, or their advocate, can lodge a complaint about the services provided by BCA. Complaints can be made in the following ways:

Phone: 1800 033 660 Email: bca@bca.org.au Post: Blind Citizens Australia, Level 3, Ross House 247 – 251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Vic 3000

If there are complaints of a serious nature, the Chief Executive Officer will ask that the complaint be put in writing.

Complaints will be recorded in accordance with the requirements for complaints management outlined by The Office of Disability Services Commissioner. Member and client privacy will be respected and protected in relation to the recording, management and resolution of the complaint. For a full copy of BCA’s complaints policy, please visit www.bca.org.au/feedback or call the office.