Welcome to the Winter 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 the audio version here.
List of Articles
- Editorial – Amila Dedovic – Amila Dedovic, Communications Coordinator, provides a foreword for this edition of BC News and highlights the upcoming 2025 National Convention.
- Fireside Chat with BCA CEO Deb Deshayes – Amila Dedovic – Deb Deshayes, CEO, discusses her leadership philosophy in a Q&A.
- 2025: A Very Special Year for BCA – Lynne Davis – Lynne Davis talks about how BCA will commemorate its 50th anniversary in 2025 with a special convention.
- BCA Trivia is Not Trivial – Ramona Mandy – Ramonda Mandy shares how BCA Trivia continues to foster community engagement through fun and inclusive virtual sessions even after the COVID-19 lockdowns.
- The Benefits of Joining the Acquired Sight Loss Group – Martin Stewart – Martin Stewart, National BCA Advocacy Officer, discusses how the Acquired Sight Loss Group offers a supportive environment for individuals to share experiences and practical advice.
- 3D Printing for Access in Good Shape – Ramona Mandy – Ramona Mandy discusses the successful implementation and outcomes of a four-year research project on using 3D printing to enhance the accessibility of graphical materials for people who are blind or vision impaired.
- Playing Backgammon Blind: Yan’s Incredible Story – Kaz Wellington – Kaz Wellington tells the story of Yan Kit Chan – a blind backgammon player who has defied expectations by mastering the game through online platforms and tournaments.
- How I Challenge, Inspire and Trust – Akran Yousef – Akran Yourself, a mathematician originally from Iraq, details how he has overcome adversity through his academic achievements and community service.
- Submit Your Writing to Blind Citizens News
- 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.