Welcome to the Spring edition of Blind Citizens News for 2021. You can also download the Word version or listen to the audio within each article.
List of Articles
- BCA Service Charter – Our Service Charter will informs the way we engage with members as well as our expectations of members and will become part of our member application process.
- Editorial – “A take home message from our editor Johnathon Craig on his last edition, Johnathon ponders orientation and mobility in a way we may not have considered previously.”
- An Open Letter from BCA’S CEO and President – BCA are making changes in the way that we report sexual misconduct and bullying and developing an independents complaint hotline to ensure the safety of our staff and members.
- When Help Hurts, by Ria Andriani – “You stand on the platform to catch the train in the morning. It arrives. You prepare to board. Suddenly someone grabs you to “help” you step over the gap. Except throughout the whole exchange, you didn’t ask for help, and you certainly did not give your consent. Ria explores when help helps – and when it doesn’t.
- The Cost of Blindness – Helen Freris – Have you ever thought about the additional expenses associated with life as a person who is blind?
- The Magic of Music and What it Means to Me, by Amanda Pudelka – 15 year old Amanda details what music means to her as she moves through her schooling life, “Through music and singing I can understand people’s emotions without needing to see them,” she says.
- Blue Sky Thinking about the Future of Audio Description, by Lynne Davis – Lynne explains her growing relationship with audio description and how she would like to see live audio description expanded to include concerts and other musical events.
- Books about Blind People for Blind People by Fiona Woods – Books about blind people or blind characters can be as diverse as the people and experiences of the people writing them. These recommended books can be a useful source of information, education and entertainment.
- Whats Happening at BCA? By Sally Aurisch – Life at BCA is busier than ever, and there are plenty of ways you can join in, here are just a few.
- From the National Women’s Branch – By Janene Sadhu – Find out what the NWB have been up to over the past few months, how you can join and how to get involved.
- Submit your writing to Blind Citizens News
Editor’s Note
Blind Citizens Australia refers to our members as people who are blind or vision impaired. However, we respect the right of individual authors to use whatever language is most comfortable for them. If you are interested in submitting your writing to the next edition of BC News, listen to the following recording: Submit your writing to BC News.
Publication Information
COPYRIGHT: Reproduction of articles appearing in Blind Citizens News is permitted provided Blind Citizens News and the author(s) are acknowledged.
Large Print ISSN 1441-449X Braille ISSN 1441-565
Blind Citizens News is distributed in Large Print, Braille, and Audio. Electronic copies in text format are available on CD or by email. If you would like to receive Blind Citizens News in another format, please contact us.
Funding and Donations for BCA
Listen to the audio recording here.
BCA would like to acknowledge the generous work of the Jeffrey Blyth Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 1995 with BCA being the primary beneficiary.
We would also like to acknowledge our funding partners: the Department of Communities and Justice NSW, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Victoria, the Department of Social Services, Vision Australia, the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, Guide Dogs Victoria, Guide Dogs Queensland, Guide Dogs NSW, VisAbility Inc and our generous members.
If you would like to make a donation to Blind Citizens Australia, you can call the Office on 1800 033 660, and use your credit card. You can also donate online. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Feedback for BCA
Listen to the audio recording here.
Do you have any compliments, suggestions or concerns you wanted to let BCA know about? You can do this anonymously by following this link and completing a feedback form, or you can call BCA toll free on 1800 033 660. Your feedback will be used to improve our services to better meet the needs of our membership.
How to make a complaint about BCA
Listen to the audio recording here.
Any member, client, volunteer, or their advocate, can lodge a complaint about the services provided by BCA. Complaints can be made in the following ways:
Phone: 1800 033 660 Email: bca@bca.org.au Post: Blind Citizens Australia, Level 3, Ross House 247 – 251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Vic 3000
If there are complaints of a serious nature, the Chief Executive Officer will ask that the complaint be put in writing.
Complaints will be recorded in accordance with the requirements for complaints management outlined by The Office of Disability Services Commissioner. Member and client privacy will be respected and protected in relation to the recording, management and resolution of the complaint. For a full copy of BCA’s complaints policy, please visit www.bca.org.au/feedback or call the office.