Wednesday 15th January
Happy New Year and welcome to our first Member Update of 2025! We hope you’ve all started the year on a high note after a refreshing break. The BCA team is thrilled to be back and ready to pursue fresh goals for 2025. Here’s to a year filled with joy and success for you, our valued members and to continued growth and achievement within our community.
Over the holidays, in celebration of World Braille Day on Saturday, 4th January, Amila Dedovic, BCA Communications Coordinator, created a special video interviewing Stephen Jolley whose journey is a shining example of how Braille opens doors to independence, education and success. You can watch this informative interview on YouTube.
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 January 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, 18th January 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.
Note the Zoom joining information has been refreshed for this year, so please see below for the new details.
- 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 – Inclusive and Accessible Procurement
Tuesday, 4th February from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEDT.
Join us for the first session of BCA: Inform for 2025 where we will be focusing on inclusive and accessible procurement practices.
Genuinely accessible procurement processes and guidelines have the potential to foster and create environments where everyone can engage meaningfully – whether as employees, customers, or community members. In this session, we will explore the types of procurements that are undertaken by government and non-government employers and how these can be improved. This session will help guide BCA’s work on developing a new Position Paper on Accessible Procurement, so whether you’re involved in procurement, are currently or previously employed, seeking employment, or advocating for accessible practices, we’d greatly value your input.
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.
BCA Updates
Update from the CEO
Dear members,
I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful festive season and that the New Year is off to a positive start. Despite the busy holiday period, our Convention Committees took a short break and continued preparations for our upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all Committee members for their dedication and time over the holidays to ensure we are well-prepared for this milestone event in June. We are currently finalising the registration form and will share it with you all later this month.
In other news, we have received an update from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) regarding our application for the Peer Support and Capacity Building Grant. Unfortunately, we were not successful in securing the grant. However, I am actively engaging with NDIA and have requested a meeting with Rebecca Falkingham, NDIA CEO, to gain further insights and feedback on our application. We remain committed to our ongoing communication with the agency.
This week, I am in Brisbane attending the 2025 South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI) Conference and attending several networking meetings. I am excited to be part of this important event, alongside Helen Freris, BCA Vice President. The event features a comprehensive program covering a wide range of topics, including Braille literacy, quality of life for families raising children with vision impairment, early childhood development, fostering inclusivity for high school students with vision impairment, tactile sporting fields, the social stigma surrounding vision impairment, and much more. We look forward to sharing key takeaways from the conference with all of you.
Employment Opportunity – ICT Contractor
Blind Citizens Australia is seeking a consummate professional who can problem solve, understand the technology needs of people who are blind or vision impaired and can operate help desk functions to support staff of wide-ranging technical ability. The ideal candidate will be a suitably skilled and experienced ICT professional who will ensure the organisation’s IT needs are met. The position will be initially offered for a 6-month period with the possibility of extension.
More details available: https://www.bca.org.au/employment/
Applications close Friday, 31st January 2025.
For more information contact Angela Jaeschke, General Manager Operations at angela.jaeschke@bca.org.au
Vale Bertil Smark Nilsson
Bertil migrated to Australia from Sweden in the 1980s and quickly became active in the blindness and low vision community – particularly encouraging his peers to take advantage of evolving assistive technologies. For some years, Bertil and his wife Jan Smark Nilsson were the Australian distributors for New Zealand’s Pulse Data International, which later became Humanware. Since his retirement they have lived in Far North Queensland, a little north of Cairns.
Our thoughts are with Jan and family at this difficult time, and we give thanks for his contribution to our community.
Policy, Advocacy & Representation
Representation Updates
Committee on Standards
BCA is seeking a member to represent our community on a committee at Standards Australia. This is a fantastic opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to shaping standards that ensure accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Nominations must be sent to Jackson Reynolds-Ryan, BCA’s Senior Policy Officer at jackson.reynolds-ryan@bca.org.au. Nominations should include a brief statement of 1 to 2 paragraphs, including name, contact details, an outline of background and experience, and why you would be a suitable representative.
The closing date to submit nominations is COB on Monday, 27th January 2025.
AFDO Education Policy
AFDO is forming a working group representative of the views of the disability-specific cohorts that are most impacted and disadvantaged by the current education systems to assist the AFDO systemic advocacy and policy team develop a draft policy position on safe, equal, and inclusive education, including (but not limited to) whether inclusive education is consistent with maintaining systems of special or segregated education settings, separate from mainstream schools.
If you’d like to nominate to represent BCA, please send your nomination to bca@bca.org.au by midday Monday, 20th January.
Consultation on Art & Music Therapy
The Government has announced an Independent Review of NDIS Art and Music Therapy Supports. This will include a review of the evidence of the effectiveness of art and music therapy for people with disability, the qualifications and registration of art and music therapy practitioners, and pricing of art and music supports.
We are seeking lived experience feedback from any members who have used art or music therapy or have had professional experience delivering it.
To share your input please contact Jackson Reynolds-Ryan, BCA Senior Policy Officer, at jackson.reynolds-ryan@bca.org.au by COB Friday, 24th January.
New Horizons
This week, for the fourth episode of our summer series on Audio Description, we are joined by Tasmanian filmmaker and producer, Ros Walker. Ros was heavily involved with the Grit Film Festival, and joins us to discuss her experience as a sighted person working with a blind person to curate and produce audio description scripts for all of the films in the festival.
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
Program is Available for the 2025 Round Table Conference
The Round Table Executive and Program Committee are thrilled to share the conference program for the 2025 Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.
Around the conference theme “Access Unlocked: Innovating for Information Equity”, presenters will explore the dynamics between legislative changes, technological progress, and advocacy efforts that collectively enhance information equity.
Dates
- Australian Braille Authority (ABA) Annual Meeting – Saturday, 24th May 2025.
- Conference Proper – Sunday, 25 May to Tuesday, 27th May 2025.
Early-bird registration is available until Friday, 28th February 2025. Register now.
Conference updates will be posted to the 2025 Conference page
A gentle reminder: nominations for this annual award are open. The nomination form and further details can be found at the Print Disability website.
Eye Connect: evidence-based support when you need it – Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA)
Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) has been receiving positive feedback on its new Eye Connect service for people living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Many people struggle to remember their eye health professional’s advice. Eye Connect was launched in response to this, offering people access to evidence-based health information, practical advice and emotional support in between eyecare appointments.
Early participants are finding the service very beneficial, with 98% saying they would recommend Eye Connect to their friends or family, and 75% saying it has positively impacted their general wellbeing.
If you are impacted by AMD and need support, join Eye Connect by visiting the Macular Disease Foundation website.
For more information, call MDFA’s national helpline on 1800 111 709 or email info@mdfoundation.com.au.
Enhancing Accessibility for Consent in Research – Centre for Eye Research Australia
The Centre for Eye Research Australia is making information easier to read and understand. They would value your help and invite you to join a workshop to discuss the best ways to do this.
- We are planning an online workshop for March 2025.
- The activity lasts for 2 to 3 hours.
- A gift card is available.
- We will provide communication support and interpreters.
Find out more from the Centre for Eye Research Australia website.
If you have any questions. email fohare@cera.org.au
Online Banking Experience Study – Askable
We’re looking for individuals with vision impairment who regularly use screen readers (e.g., VoiceOver, TalkBack) to access digital content. Whether you’re a Macquarie Bank App user or not, your feedback is incredibly valuable.
This is a 1:1 conversation where we’ll explore your experience with mobile apps to help us improve accessibility. There are no right or wrong answers – your honest thoughts and insights will guide us in creating a better user experience for everyone.
For more information visit Askable
If you have any questions, please contact Jasleen Kaur via email at jasleen@askable.com
Survey seeking to understand Employability
My name is Anagi Gunasekera, and I am an undergraduate student at Deakin University, currently working on a Design Thinking group project aimed at improving employability opportunities for individuals with visual impairments, including partial and full blindness.
The project focuses on understanding the challenges, opportunities, and resources related to employability for individuals with visual impairments. As part of this research, we are conducting a short, accessible survey.
If you have any questions or require assistance completing the survey, please email s225017006@deakin.edu.au
Phillip Chalker: The Blind Creator – Crafting a Tactile World
Phillip Chalker, also known as The Blind Creator, is a totally blind artist from Traralgon, Australia, who has transformed his loss of sight into a journey of artistic expression. Working from The Palate and Kiln Studio, Phillip specializes in tactile, accessible art, including cement vases, mosaic wall hangers, clay cups, tactile alphabet boards, and clay pictures designed to be experienced through touch.
Phillip’s work has recently been featured in an exhibition at the Latrobe Regional Gallery, Morwell, as part of the International Day of People with Disability celebrations. The exhibition runs until March 2025, showcasing the diverse talents of artists with disabilities.
To explore Phillip’s unique creations or connect with him, visit his Facebook page. You can also contact Philip via email at The.blind.creator1@gmail.com
New South Wales
Parking Information for Mobility Permit Holders at Broadway Shopping Centre, Sydney
The Disability Council would like to share news that Broadway Shopping Centre in Sydney’s inner west suburb of Glebe offers free all-day parking for people with mobility parking permits.
To access this initiative:
- Exit via the Ground Floor, Francis Street exit.
- Press the button at the boom gate for assistance.
- The car park team will come to your car window to sight your permit and set you up in the system.
You only need to do this once. They will set you up with longer-term parking, either by licence plate recognition or a parking pass.
Disabled parking spots are available on all centre levels closest to the shop entrance (G, 1, 2, and 3) and fewer disabled parking spots on levels 1a, 2a, and 3a.
Sydney Opera House. Open AD Screening.
Thursday, 23rd January at 2:00pm AEDT.
Runt, based on Craig Silvey’s best-selling novel, is a delightful Australian family film that blends heartfelt moments with humour.
The film will be screened with Audio Description scripted and recorded by Fran Mathey for Access Media Pty Ltd. It will be integrated into the film screening and heard by everyone in the audience.
Presented in collaboration with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
This is a free event. Register now.
For any queries or additional information email: accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com
Accessible Events at Sydney Festival – City of Sydney
Magritte – Magritte is an in-depth retrospective featuring more than 100 works by René Magritte, most of which have never before been seen in Australia. It journeys from the artist’s first avant-garde explorations and commercial works in the 1920s, to his groundbreaking contributions to surrealism, his surprising provocations of the 1940s, and the renowned paintings of his final years, before his death in 1967.
Audio description program Wednesday, 22nd January 1:30pm AEDT.
Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera – Discover how two boys raised in war-torn Germany became the highest-paid magic act Vegas had seen. More than just business partners, Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn were inseparable: best friends, partners and muses. But the legendary showmen were hurtling towards tragedy – their beloved Mantacore was a tiger, after all.
Featuring larger-than-life characters, powerhouse vocals, live magic and playful humour, this epic new opera has plenty of tricks up its bedazzled sleeves.
Tactile tour Saturday, 25th January 1:30pm AEDT.
Audio Described performance Saturday, 25th January 2:30pm AEDT.
For more information visit the Sydney Festival website.
Victoria
Empower Your Community with Climate Advocacy Skills – Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre Inc. (CNLC)
Do you live, work or have a strong connection to the City of Yarra? Apply for the Climate Voices Advocacy and Leadership Program
People with disabilities, their careers and advocates are invited to a 10-week program.
- Gain the knowledge and skills to advocate for climate policies.
- Lead impactful climate campaigns in your community.
- Network with like-minded individuals and expert guest speakers.
- Work on a practical advocacy projects.
For more information visit the CNLC Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre website or call 03 9347 2739 or email info@cnlc.org.au
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.