Welcome to the Spring edition of Blind Citizens News! You can download the Word version or listen to the audio within each article. In this edition we also included a Member Letter. You can read it here or listen to audio version here.
List of Articles
- Editorial – Andrew Webster – Andrew Webster provides a foreword for this edition of BC News, reflecting on his time as a member and ACT representative of BCA.
- BCA Complaints Policy Update – An outline of BCA’s updated Complaints Policy
- From the President – Fiona Woods – Fiona Woods reflects on her time as President of BCA so far, noting her favourite aspects of the role and highlights of the past few months.
- BCA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 – Sally Aurisch – Sally Aurisch, CEO, provides an update and outline on BCA’s new strategic plan.
- Happy as Larry – Chire Fulford – Chire Fulford recounts her experience during Cyclone Larry.
- Blindness is a Spectrum – Bethany Cody – Bethany Cody talks about her experience with vision loss and accessing the necessary services.
- Exploring our Discomfort with Technology – Fiona Woods – Fiona Woods guides us through the discomfort of trying new technologies, and how to tackle it.
- Vale Peter Goebel (January 1952 – April 2022) – Bill Jolley – Bill Jolley shares Peter Goebel’s story and his achievements as a member of BCA and leader of the blind or vision impaired community.
- Vale Ivan Molloy – John Simpson – John Simpson reflects and remembers the life, work, and contributions of BCA member and leader, Ivan Molloy.
- Submit Your Writing to Blind Citizens News
- Directory of Contact Details
- New Horizons Radio Broadcast Schedule
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.
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 1441-5658
Blind Citizens News is distributed in Large Print, Braille, and Audio. Electronic copies in text format are available from our webpage, on CD or by email. The audio edition is available as a podcast by searching for Blind Citizens Australia in your favourite podcast app or can be accessed via the Vision Australia library service. If you would like to receive Blind Citizens News in a different 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. And the Shirley Fund, which now sits with the Jeffrey Blyth Foundation following the merger of BCNSW with BCA.
We would also like to acknowledge our funding partners: the Federal Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) NSW; the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Victoria, the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), Vision Australia, Guide Dogs Australia, EverAbility, the Aged Peoples Welfare Foundation, the Goodwill Collective, and our generous members and BCA Backers.
If you would like to make a donation to Blind Citizens Australia, you can call 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 going to our website and completing a feedback form or you can call the BCA Office 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
Website: www.bca.org.au/feedback
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 go to our website or call BCA.