On this page you’ll find links to other resources, which we are continually adding to.

If you know of other useful websites that are relevant to people who are blind or vision impaired you can share them with us by emailing bca@bca.org.au.

Fact Sheets

Self-Advocacy

• Quick Guide to the Disability Discrimination Act (Word doc)
• Disability Discrimination Act Fact Sheet (Word doc)
• Quick Guide to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Word doc)
• What to Consider When Starting a Campaign (Word doc)
• Fact Sheet on Australia’s Disability Strategy (Word doc) 

Health and Hospital

• Consumer Hospital Fact Sheet (Word doc)
• Fact Sheet for Hospital Staff (Word doc)
• Fact Sheet for Guiding a patient who is blind or vision impaired (Word doc)

Additional Health Resources

• COVID19 hospital companion for people with disabilities – this tool can assist a person with a disability if they need to go to hospital. The COVID-19 companion form helps to convey important personal information to health professionals. Assisting frontline workers to understand a patient’s needs. Access this page to find a form to complete and present to frontline workers when you visit a hospital
• NSW Health Disability Information – provides information on NSW Health Disability Services, Strategy, Policies and Guidelines as well as the NDIS
• Advance Care Planning – Involves making a directive after you, your loved ones and health professionals talk about your values and the type of health care you would want to receive if you became seriously ill or injured and were unable to say what you want
• Health direct helpline: 1800 022 222 – Call for health advice from registered nurses available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide advice when you’re not sure what to do — whether you should see a local GP, manage the condition at home, or go to an emergency department
• Healthcare Complaints Commission: 1800 043 159 – the primary focus is on initially addressing complaints directly with the individual involved. If this proves unsuccessful, you have the option to escalate the matter to the Commission, which handles complaints against both public and private healthcare providers, as well as unregistered practitioners like naturopaths and massage therapists. The Commission can take various actions, including resolving the complaint, facilitating mediation, directing it to other relevant organizations, conducting investigations, or choosing to close the case. In any of these scenarios, they may provide feedback to enhance future practice

Transport, Travel and Built Environment

• Fact Sheet on Bicycles Travelling on Footpaths (Word doc)
• Fact Sheet on Taxi Subsidy Schemes (Word doc)

Dog Guide Access

Under the Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Guide and Seeing Eye Dogs are covered by the term ‘assistance animals’.

While the Disability Discrimination Act includes a section on exemptions to access for assistance animals (Section 54A), it does not explicitly state the types of establishments where assistance animals are not permitted. However, due to precedents that have been established through case law it is generally accepted that dog guides are not permitted in operating theatres, hospital burns units, commercial kitchens and some zoos.

Further information on dog guide access and relevant legislation can be accessed here:

http://dgha.org.au/dgha/access/

http://guidedogsaustralia.com/about-us/guide-dog-facts/

https://sed.visionaustralia.org/seeing-eye-dogs/rights-of-seeing-eye-dog-users

Useful Links

• Accepted Forms of ID
• Assistive Technology
• Adapting your home
• Cross-Disability Organisations
• Community support and accommodation services
• Deaf-Blindness Websites
• Education and Employment Information
• Australian Blindness Organisations and Services
• International Blindness Organisations and Services
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• Online Communities and Email Lists
• Other Resources
• Radio and Internet Audio
• Support for over 65s
• List of jobs that people who are blind or vision impaired have undertaken.