Welcome to the online version of Blind Citizens News for June 2019. You can also read the Word version or listen to the audio version within each article.
List of Articles
- Editorial – “I realised that many of the things we now find commonplace once seemed as out-of-reach to them as our goals seem to us…”
- Letter to the Editor: Observations on Travel – “In both Sweden and Ireland, I was interested to find that Audio Description on television was available…”
- Introducing our Life Ready Podcast Series – “We are highlighting some of the diversity within the blind and vision impaired community … These podcasts feature four very different members of BCA, and begin to share their stories…”
- What is a Peer Mentor and How Can a Peer Mentor Help You? – “A mentor is someone with whom we can develop a relationship and trust to listen to us, someone who understands our challenges, walks beside us and helps us find the answers to our questions…”
- BCA on Expert Advisory Group for 3D Printing Project – “This three-year project will investigate the use of 3D printing as a new means of accessing graphics for people who are blind or vision impaired…”
- Life Hacks for Hospital and Travel – “I am bringing a few of the great tips from workshops on both travel and being in hospital which were part of the recent BCA National Convention…”
- On Multiple Disability: The Bare Bones of My Story – “Often when we meet to talk about disability, the concern is not around the individual cause, but focussed on areas of common impact. I have two completely different, but equally important disabilities…”
- National Policy Council Report – “The Blindness Service Provider Expectations Policy sets out our aspirations for entitlement to service, service delivery, product sales, communications and access to information, complaints procedures, fundraising, marketing and publicity, employing people who are blind or vision impaired, governance and leadership and service user representation and advisory bodies…”
- News from our National Women’s Branch – “To say that Robyn is a community minded person is an understatement: she is a prolific fundraiser, undertakes roles on sporting and recreation bodies, provides opportunities for people to take a short break away, and is a board member of her local church…”
- To Face the Future of Work, We Need New Approaches – “The disparity between improved technological access and static employment growth is of concern to everyone, especially our younger people seeking out meaningful and rewarding career opportunities…”
- 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.
How to make a complaint about BCA
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.
Other Publications
New Horizons Radio Programme and Podcast
Blind Citizens Australia Annual Report
Funding and Donations for BCA
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 Health and Human Services (DHHS) Victoria, the Department of Social Services, Vision Australia, the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, Guide Dogs Victoria, 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
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 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
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 go to our website www.bca.org.au/feedback or call the office.