Dec 1, 2018

Call for Expressions of Interest for National Convention Contributors

 

BCA is seeking expressions of interest from individuals and organisations with an interest in contributing to our national convention program as presenters, session coordinators or access technology exhibitors. The national convention is our organisation’s flagship event and will be held in Hobart in 2019 from 29 March to 1 April.

The convention provides opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired to socialise with and learn from others who are blind or vision impaired, learn about the latest blindness products and services and to contribute to the future direction of our organisation.

Follow this link to find out more and to register your expression of interest.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 13 December 2018.

 

Filed Under: Convention    
Nov 20, 2018

2019 National Convention

 

The 2019 National Convention will be held in Hobart from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest for session contributors. You can find more information along with an application form HERE.

Venue

We are excited to be partnering with The Old Woolstore, a historic building in the heart of Hobart, to host the convention proceedings as well as our accommodation. The venue is full of character while also being accessible. It is centrally located, close to cafes, restaurants, shops, entertainment, and other accommodation options. And less than 20 minutes from the airport.

The Old Woolstore has a mixture of accommodation types which you can book at the following rates using the code “BCA” when you call 03 6235 5355:

  • Hotel room – $170 per night
  • 1 bed apartment – $205 per night
  • 2 bed apartment (sleeps 4) – $270 per night

This means there are more options for those who wish to share accommodation or prepare their own meals while attending convention.

The Program

There will be workshops on the Friday afternoon, followed by more formal convention sessions on the Saturday and Sunday. We will also be arranging sightseeing options and additional workshops on the Monday for those who wish to stay a little longer.

Find out how you or your organisation can contribute to the convention program.

Family Friendly Convention

We want to make conventions as inclusive as possible, which in this case means ensuring that partners and children have activity options available to them while Convention sessions are taking place.

This may include:

  • Having volunteers dedicated to supervise youngsters for different activities,
  • Providing a child care service

If you have any feedback about this, or further suggestions, please feel free to get in touch.

 

Further event details to come.

Filed Under: Convention    
Sep 28, 2018

Come to BCA’s 2019 National Convention

 

Listen to the audio

It has been less than a year since our last National Convention, but we’ve decided to bring the next one forward slightly for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the success of our 2017 National Convention was motivating for many, and told us that members don’t want to wait a whole two years to get together. We will also be trialing holding the event at a different time of year, in response to several recommendations we’ve received from you over the years.

Therefore, the 2019 National Convention will be held in Hobart from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April.

A Very Special Venue

We are excited to be partnering with The Old Woolstore, a historic building in the heart of Hobart, to host the convention proceedings as well as our accommodation. The venue is full of character while also being accessible. It is centrally located, close to cafes, restaurants, shops, entertainment, and other accommodation options. And less than 20 minutes from the airport!

The Old Woolstore has a mixture of accommodation types which you can book at the following rates using the code “BCA”:

  • Hotel room – $170 per night
  • 1 bed apartment – $205 per night
  • 2 bed apartment (sleeps 4) – $270 per night

This means there are more options for those who wish to share accommodation or prepare their own meals while attending convention.

The Program

The BCA Board has approved a new approach to the development of the Convention program to be piloted, which will see members having a greater level of input into the content of the program. Keep an eye on our communication channels to learn more about this in the coming months.

There will be workshops on the Friday afternoon, followed by more formal convention sessions on the Saturday and Sunday. We will also be arranging sightseeing options and additional workshops on the Monday for those who wish to stay a little longer.

A Family Friendly Convention

We want to make conventions as inclusive as possible, which in this case means ensuring that partners and children have activity options available to them while Convention sessions are taking place.

This may include:

  • Having volunteers dedicated to supervise youngsters for different activities,
  • Providing a child care service

If you have any feedback about this, or further suggestions, please feel free to get in touch.

 

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Filed Under: Blind Citizens News, Convention    
Aug 20, 2018

NSW / ACT 2018 Convention – Register Now!

 

The NSW/ACT State Division of BCA invites you to attend it’s first convention as a newly formed state division. We take time to look at the things that help us live a good life in NSW and the ACT, from tips for everyday living to gadgets and technology that make our lives easier. You will get a chance to share ‘diverse experiences of parenting’ and hear and reminisce about attending camp. You can network during Friday night welcome drinks and Convention dinner. And, if you want to tap into your primal self, come join us in a drumming circle!

Friday 26th – Sunday 28th October 2018

Travelodge Hotel, Newcastle, West NSW

More details…

 

Filed Under: Convention, Event    
Aug 20, 2018

NSW / ACT 2018 Convention

 

Aira is pleased to support the state convention by making the venue an Aira Access location for the duration of the event. Find out more below.

 

Enjoying Our State – Living The Good Life in NSW and the ACT

In our first Convention as a newly formed State Division we take time to look at the things that help us live a good life, from tips for everyday living to gadgets and technology that make our lives easier. You will get a chance to share ‘diverse experiences of parenting’ and hear and reminisce about attending camp. You can network during Friday night welcome drinks and Convention dinner. And, if you want to tap into your primal self, come join us in a drumming circle!

Location

Travelodge Hotel
12 Steel Street
Newcastle West NSW

Date

Friday 26th – Sunday 28th October 2018

Live Stream

If you’re unable to attend the event in person you can tune in LIVE using the following links (please note these links are different to those used in the past):

 

Program

View the convention program HERE.

 

Aira Access

Aira is a service for your smartphone that connects you with professionally-trained human agents to assist you with any task. If you are an Aira Explorer at present, using the service at the hotel during the convention will be free, and will not be deducted from your plan.

Even if you’re not using Aira at the moment, if you have a smartphone, you can download the iOS or Android app for free. Use Aira for free for such tasks as finding a hotel room, a conference room, reading a hotel menu, describing exhibit hall tables, description during the conference/workshop sessions, or calling an Uber to get to public transportation.

We advise guests to download the free Aira app prior to the event so you will be ready to take advantage of this opportunity to experience Aira as soon as you arrive.

You can search for Aira in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Alternatively, go here: www.aira.io/app. You will find a banner at the top of the app that says “Tap to use Aira as a Guest for Free”. Register with email and phone number on “Sign Up as a Guest”. Then you will get a text message confirming your phone number. Double-tap on the link in the text message and you’ve signed up as a Guest!

 

Registration

Before you register: Make sure you have all of your travel and personal details ready, including those of additional attendees that you are registering for (such as arrival time, preferred format, dietary requirements, emergency contact etc). You can register for more than one person in one booking session.

To register online, click here.
To register over the phone, please call BCA on 1800 033 660 during office hours.

You can register for:

  • Full Convention (Includes Friday night welcome function, Saturday and Sunday standard program sessions, lunch, morning and afternoon tea on Saturday and Sunday, and convention dinner) – $200.00
    (Please Note this option does NOT include the Drum Circle to be held on Saturday afternoon – this must be purchased in addition to your convention registration)
  • Saturday program only (Includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea) – $65
  • Sunday program only (Includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea) – $65
  • Convention Dinner (Saturday evening) – $55
  • Drum Circle (Saturday afternoon) – $20

Raffle tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the convention. You can purchase these along with your registration, or if you are unable to attend the event but still wish to enter the raffle, you can purchase raffle tickets on their own. Prices are:

  • 1 x Raffle Ticket – $2
  • 3 x Raffle Tickets – $5
  • 7 x Raffle Tickets – $10

EFTPOS facilities will also be made available throughout convention.

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at Travelodge Newcastle. Please call the hotel directly to book on (02) 4926 3777.
Advise hotel staff that you are attending the Blind Citizens Australia NSW / ACT Convention to receive the room rate of $165 (Breakfast not included).
You can view the Travelodge website HERE.

Getting There

The closest airport is Newcastle (Williamtown) Airport. It will cost approximately $70 – $100 in a cab from the airport to the hotel.
If you are catching a train, the closest station is Hamilton. It will cost $10 – $20 in a cab to get from the station to the hotel.

 

REGISTER NOW

 

Filed Under: Convention, Event