Blind Citizens Australia’s latest media release highlights the recent findings of the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority’s enquiry into the CBA’s conduct as they relate to the bank’s failure to prioritise customer privacy, listen to consumer feedback and manage non-financial risk when it comes to the Albert EFTPOS terminal.
Jan 20, 2016
BCA Calls for Taxis to Accept Dog Guides
On Monday, January 18, Nadia Mattiazzo, a Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) member who is totally blind and uses a dog guide, was refused service by a taxi driver because of her dog. “This is the sixth or seventh time I’ve been refused service in the last year. I’ve lodged complaints every time it’s happened and there has been very little action taken at any time”, Nadia said today in an interview with 3AW.
Alarmingly, Nadia was holding the door handle of the taxi when it pulled away in this latest instance, raising serious safety concerns.
“We at BCA share Nadia’s frustration,” said BCA CEO Leah van Poppel. “Although we know the issues for taxi companies can be complicated – such as high staff turnover and cultural concerns – it’s unacceptable in this day and age that a person who is blind should have their safety compromised by ignorance.”
BCA regularly hears from members who have been illegally refused taxi travel in Victoria and across the country, and works actively to advocate for change with organisations like the Victorian Taxi Commission.
“Despite a great deal of publicity being given to instances of dog guide users being refused service by taxi drivers, the issue continues to occur across the country,” said Ms van Poppel. We’re calling on companies, drivers and regulators to step up. We know the answers aren’t easy, but clearly more needs to be done.”
Media contact: Leah van Poppel BCA CEO
0430 210 980 leah.van.poppel@bca.org.au
Sep 29, 2015
Closing Date Extended – Blind Citizens WA Youth Scholarships 2015
Dear Blind Citizens WA Members,
Blind Citizens WA Inc is proud to offer three scholarships for members under the age of 35 to attend the 2015 Blind Citizens Australia Convention, including the 40th Anniversary Ruby Red Dinner, to be held at the Mercure Hotel Perth, 9 – 11 October 2015. The scholarships are offered in memory of the late Josephine Nicholson.
Each scholarship will cover the cost of registration ($195), with up to $130 per scholarship to help towards transport and/or accommodation costs.
The application closing date has now been extended to Friday 2 October 2015.
To apply, please download and complete the BCWA 2015 Youth Scholarships Application Form (also attached) and return to bcwa@westnet.com.au by 5pm, Friday 2 October 2015.
Successful applicants will be advised by Monday 5 October 2015.
If you have any questions or have any difficulty accessing the application form, please contact Blind Citizens WA President Deanne Ferris via bcwa@westnet.com.au or call 0438 687 768.
For information about the BCA 2015 National Convention visit:
https://www.bca.org.au/bca-2015-national-convention/
Warm regards,
Dee
Deanne Ferris
President
Blind Citizens WA Inc.
Mobile: 0438 687 768
Web:http://bcwa.org.au
May 8, 2015
May Edition of BCA Parents News
The May edition of BCA Parent News is now available!
To grab your copy please go to May 2015 BCA Parent News (Word doc)
In this edition you will find the following items:
- Parent News moving to a mailchimp format in August 2015
- Youth Leadership Development Program for Individuals who are Deafblind
- The 13th WBUAP ONKYO World braille essay contest 2015
- Spacecamp 2015
- Blindness – What it means in the mind of a blind child
- 50 Daisy players @ $50.00 for families
- The Lighthouse Facebook Group
- Puggle’s Parents Facebook Group
- Braille Music Camp 2015
- BCA Resources
- “Stay Still, Squeaky!”: the first accessible, interactive, audio eBook for toddlers
- Disability standard for education website
- BCA membership, only $20 for lifetime membership!
- We want to hear from you!
- Follow BCA on Facebook and Twitter
If you would like to read past editions of BCA Parent News, please visit our Publications page
Happy reading,
From the team at Blind Citizens Australia.
Mar 23, 2015
Resignation from BCA Board
Due to increasing work commitments, Lauren Henley has informed me that she will need to resign her Directorship on the BCA board.
It is with regret that the Board has accepted Lauren’s resignation. Lauren has been an outstanding contributor to the governance of BCA; to lose her ability and skill-set will be a great loss.
The BCA Board would like to wish Lauren all the best for the future.
Thank you
Greg Madson
President