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Member Update

Wednesday 19th February

Dear Members,

The 2025 BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship closes next week! If you haven’t submitted your application yet, don’t miss your chance to receive up to $5,000 in funding. This scholarship can help cover tuition fees or the cost of assistive technology needed to support your tertiary studies. Apply now! To learn more about the application process, visit our website.

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 February 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, 22nd February 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.

2025 Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship

Wednesday, 5th February to Wednesday, 26th February 2025.

This scholarship is open to anyone currently enrolled in or planning on enrolling in a post-secondary study program. Scholarship amounts of up to $5,000 are awarded to support students in their studies.

If you would like to receive an application form, please email bca@bca.org.au to confirm your eligibility.

To learn more about the application process, visit our website.

Applications close on Wednesday, 26th February 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT.

For more information, please contact Layal Hage via email at layal.hage@bca.org.au

BCA Inform – 2025 Australian Federal Election

Tuesday, 4th March from 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEDT.

Join us for an insightful discussion on the likely impact of the upcoming Federal Elections on the future of disability sector reforms. This event, facilitated by Vaughn Bennison (BCA President) and Jackson Reynolds-Ryan (Senior Policy Officer), will examine how political changes influence policies, funding, and advocacy efforts for people with disabilities, approaches being taken by disability representative organisations like BCA, and how individual BCA members can ensure their voices are heard throughout the campaign.

Be part of the conversation to help shape BCA’s key priorities in this election campaign, and what we can all do to help ensure disability inclusion remains a top priority for future governments no matter which party is in power.

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

Be part of this exciting event and register now for the 2025 BCA National Convention. To explore the latest program updates, discover our Buddy Program, and learn about financial assistance options, visit 2025 BCA National Convention.

Register to reserve your place today for an unforgettable experience! Secure your spot 

Peer Connect Groups

The Peer Connect groups meeting in the next week are listed below. You can also find out more about all our peer connect groups, including session times and other details on the BCA Website.

Acquired Sight Loss Group

Monday, 24th February at 7:30pm AEDT.

Hosted by BCA’s National Advocacy Officer, Martin Stewart, this welcoming and friendly group is a forum for members to meet and talk with others with acquired sight loss.

Gardening Group

Wednesday, 26th February at 7:30pm AEDT.

Gardening can be therapeutic and bring joy when plants are growing and thriving. Join Silvana and other gardening enthusiasts and share your knowledge, tips, and techniques for a flourishing home garden. All are welcome!

Music Group

Wednesday, 26th February at 7:30pm AEDT.

Are you passionate about music? Look no further and join the Music Group! Hosted by Jennifer Parry and open to musicians who are blind or vision impaired, of all skill levels, the group provides a welcoming space to discuss tunes, share your experiences and collaborate on creative pieces. Whether you’re an experienced performer, singer or have just recently picked up an instrument, you’re welcome to join this supportive and inspiring group.

BCA Updates

Update from the CEO

Dear members,

Four months ago, BCA launched an initiative to engage ‘50 backers by our 50th celebration’ who will support our purpose to inform, connect and empower our members. This effort will enable us to continue advocating for positive change and representing our members across the country. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank both our long-standing and recent BCA Backers for their ongoing support. One of our supporters shared a heartfelt sentiment: “It’s a privilege to give back a little.” This is what drives us forward, as we continue to work toward a more inclusive future. I encourage you to consider supporting BCA as we move toward our shared purpose of a more inclusive future.

Last week’s NDIA Reform for Outcomes meeting featured a session focused on improving the NDIS Access Pathway. The full group met before breaking into smaller groups for deeper conversations. Several important topics were explored, including the Co-design Forward Plan. This initiative, focusing on accessibility and integration, is key to ensuring that the NDIS continues to evolve in ways that best meet participants’ needs.

On a personal note, I’m currently enrolled in a Board and Company Secretary course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), alongside Angela Jaeschke, BCA General Manager, Operations. Both Angela and I, as Co-Company Secretaries, are excited to gain new insights over the next month, which will further strengthen our leadership and governance, allowing us to better serve our Board and community.

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Representation Update

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 Wednesday, 5th March 2025.

Around the Branches

Queensland Branch

The BCA Queensland Committee has listened to members’ requests and launched a new Dropbox folder that contains meeting minutes since the branch became a Queensland-wide branch, previous audio phone messages, and other branch documentation that members will find useful to access. This Dropbox folder will be updated from time to time throughout the BCA Queensland Committee’s tender.

Activate the link below and navigate to a button that is called the Folder settings button menu collapsed. Press space or enter to expand the dropdown menu. Move down the list to the download option with the arrow keys, press enter and a zip folder will be downloaded to your browser download default location on the device you are using. Use any unzip folder software to extract the files and folders contained within the folder.

Access the Queensland Branch Dropbox folder

National Women’s Branch

Dianna Braun Aspirations Award – Applications are open for the 2025 Dianna Braun Aspirations Award, which is presented biannually by the National Women’s Branch [NWB], Blind Citizens Australia. The award recognises the noteworthy contribution to the lives of people who are blind and vision impaired in Australia that has been made by a woman who is a current full member of the NWB. A posthumous nomination can be made for a blind or vision impaired branch member who has died within the last two years, as long as at the time of her death she was a current branch member.

Full and associate NWB members can make and second nominations.

Nominations close at 11:59pm AEST on Sunday, 30th March 2025.

To obtain a copy of the nomination form in Word format please email NWB President Katrina Taylor. Email; katrina.taylor.au@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can call the BCA office on 1800 033 660 to leave a message and Katrina will get back to you.

Casino / Richmond Valley Branch

March meeting is in the Casino Baptist Church Hall on the corner of Canterbury and West Streets Casino on Monday, 3rd March at 10:00am sharp. Come and enjoy a “Cuppa” before the meeting.

Special guest speaker Karrin Ness from Community Legal will be there to talk about legal issues for older Australians including Wills, Power of Attorney, enduring guardianship and other issues.

All members of the public are invited but RSVP is essential for catering.

New members are very welcome.

Free transport is available.

Phone Denise on 0448 014 682 or email: deniseg.vip@outlook.com

New Horizons

Professor Lauren Ayton was recently awarded an AM in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list. Lauren has a proud history in eye research and joins John to discuss her history and what she is currently working on.

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

Retinitis Pigmentosa Awareness Month 2025 – Retina Australia

Retina Australia is the national peak member organisation dedicated to supporting individuals affected by inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Through advocacy, education and awareness initiatives, it strives to improve the lives of people living with these conditions.

Retina Australia’s focus is on funding cutting-edge research on earlier detection, prevention and finding treatments and cures. It also provides vital resources to help individuals and their families navigate the challenges of IRDs including information on the latest research developments, genetic testing and clinical trials.

This February, Retina Australia is running a campaign to raise awareness about retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and the importance of funding medical research to find new treatments to support those affected by this condition. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved visit the Retina Australia website.

After 32 refusals, Guide Dog user Paula is taking on Uber for discrimination – Guide Dogs

Paula Hobley, a woman who is blind from regional Victoria and relies on her Guide Dog, Vonda, is taking legal action against Uber after being refused service 32 times by Uber drivers. Between March 2021 and November 2022, she made bookings for travel but each time, after informing the drivers about her Guide Dog, she was turned away. Despite reporting each incident to Uber, the refusals persisted.

Represented by the Justice and Equity Centre, Paula lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission, alleging discrimination by Uber and its drivers. However, as the complaint could not be resolved through the Commission’s conciliation process, Paula is now pursuing the case in the Federal Court. The Disability Discrimination Act in Australia prohibits businesses from discriminating against individuals with disabilities, including those using assistance dogs, making the refusal of service by Uber drivers unlawful.

While individual drivers can be fined for refusing to pick up someone with an assistance dog, the penalty varies by state, and in Paula’s home state of Victoria, fines can be as low as $480. Paula is now demanding that Uber take responsibility for its drivers’ actions and ensure better accountability.

Guide Dogs is calling for the community to let them know about incidents of refusal or discriminate at their website.

To learn more about Paula’s journey and the legal action she is taking, visit ABC News.

Join Workshops focused on Life Changes – Sibling Australia

Life Changes is a national project delivering peer-to-peer training and workshops for people with disability and their siblings.

Through a series of workshops, we will explore challenges that can be encountered at different points in people’s lives, the information and skills needed to help make important decisions at these times, and how to ask for and offer support in making those decisions.  We look forward to working with siblings and people with disability to help create stronger, more resilient family relationships.

Outcomes for people with disability include:

  • Competency in using person-centered tools for decision making
  • Gaining an understanding of your rights and how to exercise these with confidence

If you’d like more information about participating in these workshops visit the Siblings Australia website.

If you have any questions, please get in touch via email at info@siblingsaustralia.org.au or via telephone on 08 8253 4936.

Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Social Participation for Blind or Vision Impaired Young Adults

Are You a Young Adult with Blindness or Vision Impairment (BVI)?

We Want to Hear Your Story!

We’re conducting a research study to explore the social participation experiences of young adults with BVI in Australia. Your insights will help us better understand the challenges and opportunities you face in social, educational, and community settings.

Who Can Participate?

  • Aged 18–30 years
  • Identify as blind or vision impaired
  • Reside in Australia
  • Have experiences with social participation in educational, social, workplace, or community environments

To learn more or express your interest, contact Researcher: Chrisy Mowbray via email at Chrisy.mowbray@griffithuni.edu.au or call 0410 288 425

For more information visit the Microsoft Form

Paid Opportunity: Join the Lived Experience Team – Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

AFDO is supporting ARTD Consultants in recruiting Lived Experience Team Members for a Disability Quality and Safeguarding Project. This paid, casual role is an opportunity to use your lived experience to help shape Government policies that improve support and safety for people with disability.

No specific skills are required – just lived experience and an interest in quality and safeguarding. Work remotely via email and online meetings. Participate in four workshops (6-8 hours each over a few days) or contribute in other ways. Flexible involvement – take breaks if needed.

Applications close end of February 2025.

Apply now

New South Wales

Audio Described performance of Dungeons & Dragons Tavern at the Sydney Opera House

Tuesday, 25th February at 7:15pm AEDT.

Direct from New York to the Sydney Opera House, this is your chance to experience the global phenomenon that is Dungeons & Dragons. Funny, smart and surprising, the magic from everyone’s favourite role-playing game comes to life in the first-ever officially authorised Dungeons & Dragons show. Your Dungeon Master will be leading the charge as you influence the story’s direction with real-time choices and interactions on your phone creating a hilarious adventure.

You can purchase your tickets from the dedicated Opera House companion hotline by calling 02 9250 7752.

Victoria

Calling public transport users to join our in-person session in Melbourne – Askable

We are conducting research on the experiences of people with accessibility needs, specifically around using public transport. We understand that we’re not perfect, and we truly value your input as we work to improve our services.

We would love to hear your stories and perspectives during our in-person session in Melbourne CBD.
As a token of our appreciation, you will receive $160 for participating.

For more information visit the Askable website. If you have any questions or require assistance contact contact@askable.com

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.

Donate to BCA

Supporter Highlights: Sharing heartfelt messages from our generous donors, highlighting why they support BCA and how they’d like their contributions to make a difference.

“This is my Christmas Donation. So that you’re able to continue the great work you do.”

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

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