Welcome to the Spring edition of Blind Citizens News! You can download the Word version or listen to the audio within each article.
List of Articles
- Editorial: A Year of Transformation – Amila Dedovic – Amila Dedovic, Communications Coordinator, reflects on the progress of disability reform in 2024, highlighting key policy changes, personal stories of advocacy, and advancements like AI technologies for people who are blind or vision impaired.
- Major Disability Reforms in 2024 – Jackson Reynolds-Ryan – This article outlines the significant disability reforms introduced in 2024, driven by the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review. These changes include updates to NDIS assessments, provider registration and funding rules, alongside the government’s response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations, with a focus on improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
- Reflections On My Time as BCA President – Fiona Woods – Fiona Woods reflects on her time as President of Blind Citizens Australia, highlighting the challenges and rewards of leading a member-based organisation, emphasising governance, advocacy and personal growth.
- Special Anniversary Issue of Blind Citizens News – Lynne Davis – Blind Citizens Australia will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025/ The upcoming special anniversary issue of Blind Citizens News will focus on advocacy, shared experiences and future challenges, with an invitation for members to submit ideas and contributions for the issue.
- A personal journey: From early tech to the future of AI – Martin Stewart – Martin Stewart, BCA National Advocacy Officer, reflects on his journey with technology, from early devices like the Parrot Voice Mate and his first iPhone to the potential of AI in improving accessibility and inclusion.
- The Joy of It – Robyn McKenzie – McKenzie writes to the manager of Classic Cinema, expressing her appreciation for the cinema’s efforts in providing audio-described movies, despite a technical issue with the system during her visit.
- World’s First Eye Transplant Was A Giant Leap Forward – but vision remains elusive – Adam Taylor – Aaron James became the recipient of the world’s first full face and eye transplant, a 21-hour surgery involving 140 healthcare professionals. While the transplant has been a success in maintaining eye pressure and blood flow, the complexity of connecting the optic nerve means that vision has not been restored, highlighting both the progress and challenges in eye transplantation.
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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
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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 National Disability Insurance Agency, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) NSW; the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Victoria, DSS via the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), Vision Australia, Guide Dogs Australia, EverAbility, 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 at https://www.givenow.com.au/blindcitizensaustralia. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Feedback for BCA
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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
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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 www.bca.org.au/feedback or call BCA.