Wednesday 9th April
Dear members,
The BCA National Women’s Branch (NWB) hosts a variety of engaging activities each month, open to all members of the Women’s Branch. These events are a great way to connect, have fun, and share interests with others.
Regular NWB activities include Word Wednesday, every Wednesday from 3:00pm to 4:00pm AEDT and the NWB Book Club which meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm AEDT. In addition to regular activities, the Branch also offers a range of interactive workshops throughout the year. If you’d like to learn more about the Branch or would like to become a member, please email nwb@bca.org.au
A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.
What’s Coming Up at BCA?
Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for April 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, 12th April at 8:00pm AEDT.
Are you interested in expanding your general knowledge in an easy going and fun atmosphere? If so, join this week’s trivia 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 closes at 8:00pm.
- Join via weblink
- Join with one tap mobile (via non-iOS)
- Join with one tap mobile using the number below (via iOS):
+61370182005,,889 0666 5580#,,,,*950883# - Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 889 0666 5580
- Passcode: 950883
BCA Inform – Employment
Tuesday, 6th May from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEST.
Have you encountered challenges along your employment journey? Discussing employment is crucial for individuals who are blind or vision impaired, as it raises awareness, strengthens advocacy, and fosters inclusive workplace practices.
As part of BCA’s Eye to the Future project, we warmly invite you to join us for an engaging discussion on employment. Together, we will explore the evolution of the project and its current areas of focus. The session will feature guest speakers who will participate in a panel discussion, sharing their experiences and insights gained along the way. This event offers a valuable opportunity to ask employment related questions and contribute your perspectives.
To register for the event please visit the Humanitix website.
If you have any questions or if you require assistance registering, please feel free to contact us at events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660.
2025 BCA National Convention
Friday, 13th June to Sunday, 15th June 2025.
There are only 2 months to go until the 2025 BCA National Convention!
Mark your calendars and get ready to be part of an unforgettable event. The convention promises exciting sessions, amazing networking opportunities and plenty of ways to connect with fellow members.
Don’t miss out – register now to secure your place! Plus, check out the latest program updates and learn about our Buddy Program via our website.
Secure your spot today and get ready for a weekend you won’t forget!
BCA Updates
Update from the CEO
Dear members,
Recently, Jackson Reynolds-Ryan, Senior Policy Officer, and I had the opportunity to meet with the Department of Social Services to discuss the draft National Principles for Assistance Animals. This is an initiative that aims to establish consistent regulations for assistance animals across Australia. The draft principles focus on ensuring high standards of training, accreditation and public access for assistance animals, as well as providing a national identity card and logo. There are also important considerations around the wellbeing of assistance animals, both during and after their working life. The Department is currently seeking feedback on these draft principles, and I encourage you to share your thoughts and help shape this important work.
On the NDIS front, there have been some significant changes and updates. As many of you know, the NDIS is undergoing a major reform process, and BCA continues to play an active role in shaping these changes. There have been concerns raised by the disability community about the speed and pace of the reforms. Many advocates and participants have shared that the reforms have felt rushed, with not enough time to explore the issues deeply or consider all possible solutions. There’s also been a sense of anxiety and confusion about what the changes will mean in practice, and some have expressed a desire for clearer communication about the reform process.
In response, the NDIA has decided to slow down the pace of some of the reforms and focus on four key co-design working groups: Assessments and Budgeting, Navigators, Participant Pathway Experience, and Participant Safeguarding. These groups will help guide the development of a new planning framework that ensures funding matches participants’ support needs. The good news is that BCA’s continued involvement in the Participant Pathway Experience co-design group will not be impacted by these changes.
Other co-design groups, such as those focused on Home and Living and Workforce Capability, will pause after April 2025, and the NDIA is rethinking how they engage the community in these areas.
If you’d like to learn more about the NDIS changes, please visit our NDIS page for further updates.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Representation Update - Angela Jaeschke
I attended an online workshop hosted by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), as part of their review of outcome and performance measures to inform the provision of systemic and representative advocacy services delivered via the NSW Disability Advocacy Futures Program.
It was acknowledged that the collection of data in the areas of systemic and representational advocacy and the attribution of outcomes is complex.
DCJ will continue to work in collaboration with providers to develop meaningful and valid measures that can be used to support the work of advocates and provide insight on the impact of programs on the lives of people with disability.
Around the Branches
Casino / Richmond Valley Branch
April Outing
When: Tuesday, 22nd April 2025
What: Lunch
Where: Hotel Cecil (100 Centre Street, Casino NSW 2470)
Time: 12:00pm
Cost: Pay your own
For any assistance contact Denise Green via email at deniseg.vip@outlook.com or call 0448 014 682.
New Horizons
This week, John speaks with Vaughn Bennison, president of Blind Citizens Australia and former host of New Horizons. Vaughn outlines the long history of the program, including some highlights of his nine-plus years’ involvement and discusses the program’s future. Please note, this week there are two versions: the broadcast version and the extended interview.
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
Understanding the NDIS Webinar Series: Pathways to Post School Life
Join us for an informative webinar on Pathways to post-school life. This is part of ‘Understanding the NDIS’ series of information sessions. This webinar will help students with a disability, their parents, carers and education professionals to learn about the supports available to help them prepare for employment after school.
This session is offered over multiple dates to allow flexibility for attendees. Each session will cover the same content. Please only register for the date you wish to attend. Sessions will be delivered via video-conference using Microsoft Teams.
Registrations will close one business day prior to the session. One business day prior to the session, login details (including the MS Teams link) will be sent via email from events@ndis.gov.au to the email address you provide at registration.
For any enquiries regarding this session, please contact events@ndis.gov.au and include the session name in the subject line.
Session dates: Thursday, 10th April (10:00am – 11:00am AEST) Wednesday, 16th April (6:00pm – 7:00pm AEST) Tuesday, 29th April (1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST)
Register for one of the 3 sessions
Call for Picture Book Feedback – “Angus and His Powerful Fingertips”
Writer Annette Leishman is seeking feedback from parents, carers, grandparents of children who are blind or vision impaired on her picture book “Angus and His Powerful Fingertips”.
If you’re interested in reading the manuscript and sharing your thoughts, please contact Annette at nettie617@gmail.com or call Annette on 0404 918 725.
Promoting Vision Care – Orthoptics Australia (OA)
Orthoptics Australia (OA) is the national professional body representing orthoptists across all Australian states, as well as members internationally in countries such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. OA is committed to promoting and advancing the orthoptic profession in public hospitals and ophthalmology practices, while actively pursuing career development, work benefits, and new opportunities for its members.
Orthoptics Awareness Week is a dedicated time to raise awareness of the orthoptic profession and its essential role in eye health care. It begins with World Orthoptic Day on 2 June 2025, a global celebration of orthoptists and their impact on vision and patient outcomes.
To learn more, visit Orthoptics Australia’s website or contact the OA office at (03) 9586 6080 or office@orthoptics.org.au
Call for Participants: Share Your Story!
Are you a young adult (18 – 30) with blindness or vision impairment living in Australia? Researchers are exploring social participation experiences in education, work, and community life – and they want to hear from you!
Participate through audio, written responses, or interviews, and share an artifact that represents your experience. Your insights will help shape policies for a more inclusive future.
Flexible, confidential, and accessible participation options available.
For more information, please contact Chrisy Mowbray at Chrisy.mowbray@griffithuni.edu.au or call 0410 288 425.
Alternatively, you can complete an online form.
Victoria
Try Before You Ride – Ballarat station
Come along and try out trains, buses and taxis in a safe and comfortable environment, learn how to ride your local service, explore ticketing and understand what occurs during a disruption to the V/Line network.
Date: Wednesday, 30th April 2025
Time: 10:00am until 12:30pm
Where: Ballarat Station
This is a roaming event. Please arrive no later than 10:30am to catch the 10:44am service from Ballarat to Wendouree Station, where you will be able to try the other modes of transport.
For more information and to register your attendance please visit the Humanitix event page.
Queensland
Registrations Open for the Online Election Forum 2025 – Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)
Wednesday, 16th April from 4:00pm to 5:30pm
The 2025 Queensland Disability Alliance consists of thirty-one disability organisations and we are excited to announce the ‘Queensland Disability Alliance Online Federal Election Forum 2025’.
With the Federal Election called for Saturday, 3rd May. This is a crucial moment for people with disability, their families, and their supports. It is essential that we have a Federal Government that listens, leads with vision, and prioritises the full inclusion and participation of people with disability in our communities.
Join us for this state-wide forum to hear from the key political parties about their plans to create a more inclusive Australia and address the disability issues that matter most to you.
There are 5.5 million people living with a disability in Australia. Collectively, these organisations represent the breadth of the Queensland disability sector and share a common goal: building a more disability-inclusive Queensland.
For more information and to register, visit the Humanitix event page.
Support our work
By donating to BCA, you contribute to important programs and services that empower our community. Every dollar goes a long way in helping us achieve our purpose and enhancing the lives of those we serve.
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 will be considered for publishing in the Wednesday update.
Blind Citizens Australia
Email: bca@bca.org.au
Website: www.bca.org.au
ABN: 90 006 985 226
BCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea, and community. We also pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past, present, and future.