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Parent News
January2009
Editorial
Happy New Year and welcome to 2009 and the January edition of Parent News! It’s hard to believe that 2008 has come and gone! So perhaps it’s worth us taking a step back to review the last year….
In early 2008, BCA held a forum specifically for people who are deafblind (people who experience the partial or total loss of both sight and hearing) which focused on support and services, funding and the rising costs of living. This was an important forum which provided BCA with information about how to best support and advocate for people who are deafblind to ensure that they too receive a fair go.
Last year also saw continued involvement with the Victorian Electoral Commission with a focus on local council elections. Accessibility was at the forefront of our involvement, with our consultation leading to the use of Braille and large print ballots for the first time in Victoria! Much more work is needed to ensure that voting continues to be accessible.
In addition to a number of other activities, BCA held its State Convention in Ballarat in October. A number of popular sessions were held, including a session run by Young Blind Citizens Victoria (YBCV) focusing on hair and makeup, a session on how to prepare for an emergency and an early morning session of tai chi followed by a discussion about extreme sports. With the convention recorded, you too can enjoy the sessions by visiting our website
Our branches were also busy in 2008, with YBCV holding a fantastic session on parenting. This session focused on the subtleties and practicalities of parenting and provided hands on experienceabout how to change nappies, feed a baby etc. Due to its popularity, this session was recorded and is available on their webpage Our Geelong and Districts branch also kept things busy, with a winery visit, BBQ and lots of day getaways undertaken.
Much like 2008 this edition is brimming with articles focusing on education changes in Victoria, great youth programs organised by Guide Dogs Victoria, important changes to public transport entitlements, some great articles in ‘Tech Savvy’ and some bargains to get that purse/wallet working.
Like 2008, 2009 promises to be a great year for BCA, with our foot pressed firmly on the accelerator in terms of lobbying, submission writing and plans for the 2009 National Convention in Brisbane. Here’s hoping that it can be half as successful as 2008!
Finally, special thanks to Bridget Jolley, who helped to pull together this edition of Parent News.
Until the next edition,
Jessica Zammit
Editor
Contents
Editorial
Contents
What’s On
YBCV – The Ins & Outs
BCA Developments
BCA Forum: VCE Forum for students who are vision impaired
A New Era of Service Delivery for Young People
New Guide Dogs Vic Programs
Angelic
Sensory Motor Group
Exciting News Regarding Travel on Public Transport and the Multi Purpose Taxi Program
Free Sunday Travel for Disability Pensioners and Carers
Changes to the Multi Purpose Taxi Program
Family Connect
Low Cost PCs for Centrelink Customers
Cheap Online Spectacles
Sport Mad
The Road to Beijing
Toyota Paralympic Talent Search Program
Tech Savvy
German Scientists Develop Bionic Eye
Playroom Helps Blind Babies Light Up
Seeing with Your Skin
Entertainment
Online Games
Perspective
Some may see a problem, but I do this job as well as anyone, says blind judge
A Life in Song - Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Signing off
What’s On
Every 1st Sundayof the month, 11:00am / Laughter Session at Federation Square
Join in a 30-minute laughter session at Fed Square, Every 1st Sunday of the month at 11:00am. Everyone is welcome to experience first-hand the fun of a laughter session and gain the benefits of laughter, which improves the physical, emotional, spiritual and social health of individuals, workplaces and society. Contact Federation Square on (03) 9655 1900.
29 Jan / BCA is holding a forum for new and current VCE students. Please get in quick as this session is subject to attendance. For more information, see page 12.
Jan - Mar / Zoo Twilights
Jazz performances and special zoo keeper talks at the Melbourne Zoo. Find more information at the Visit Victoria website
Jan - Mar / Rhythm of Africa
Traditional and contemporary artists capture the energy and spirit of Africa at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Find more information at
31 Jan –
8 Feb / St. Kilda Festival
Free summer festival on the St. Kilda foreshore. Find more information at the St. Kilda Festival website:
Feb / Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Concert Series Australian soloists perform free summer concerts at the relaxed parkland surrounds of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Find more information
Commencing
16 Feb / “On the Go” Hand Felting – VA Kooyong
Have you ever wondered how beautiful multi-coloured felt scarves are made and would like to learn this technique?Vision Australia are running four weeks of hands on experience - by the end of the program you will have completed one scarf and possibly one other felted item.
Cost will be dependent on materials used. For details contact Maret Pertmann on (03) 9864 9260.
18 Feb / “Come N Try” Tandem Bike Riding Day
Vision Australia and Blind Sports Victoria invite you to “come n try” tandem bike riding at the Vision Australia Cricket Pavillion, 454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong from 10:30am-2:00pm. Registration costs $7.00 and includes sausage sizzle. Please RSVP ASAP by contacting Di Hayward on (03) 9760 0006
1 Mar
10am-4pm / Guide Dogs Victoria’s Annual Open Day, Chandler Highway, Kew (Melways Ref 45 B1)
Come meet Wags the Dog and loads of adorable puppies at Guide Dogs Victoria Open Day.
With Guide Dog demonstrations, live entertainment, giveaways, show bags, competitions and loads of fun activities for the kids. Open Day is a fantastic family day out.Free parking off site with shuttle bus service.
Entry via gold coin donation. For more information call (03) 9854 4444 or visit
Commencing
3 Mar / “On the Go” Board, Ball and Brain
Vision Australia Kooyong are offering a six week fun-filled experience for people who are blind or who have low vision to explore some interesting leisure activities including swish, carpet bowls, adaptive board games, easy card games, table soccer and more. This program will run weekly on Tuesdays 10.00-12:00pm. For details contact Sal Prestia on (03) 9854 9260.
Commencing 16 Mar / “On the Go” Hand built pottery – VA Kooyong
Are you interesting in pottery and developing that creative streak? Would you like to learn some simple hand building techniques? Why not join a group of like minded people for a four week pottery program? The program will run on Mondays from 10:30am-12:30pm.
For details contact Prue Bathgate on (03) 9864 9260.
7-23 March / Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
More than 140 food and wine themed events will be held at various venues in Melbourne and across Victoria.
22 Mar / Sailing Day – CorioBay
CorioBayGeelong Lions Club in conjunction with Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) are offering a free sailing day on CorioBay for Vision Australia clients from 9:00am-12:30pm. Lunch provided. Bookings are essential - phone (03) 5248 8633.
YBCV – The Ins & Outs
In this edition, we hear from Bridget Jolley, Treasurer on theYBCV committee about current projects and what’s to come…
***
Hi everyone,
YBCV is pleased to announce that we have released our first ‘Blind Living Booklet’ titled “Blind Living: Hair, Beauty and Fashion; Tips for girls from girls”. This booklet contains advice from professionals in these fields and occupational therapists, as well as tips from people who are blind or vision impaired. You might also find the final chapter (which contains disaster stories) particularly entertaining. YBCV hopes that this booklet will help girls and young women gain a better understanding of hair, beauty and fashion and the knowledge and confidence to express themselves more in these areas. We currently have large print copies available at no cost. Audio/electronic copies on CD will be available very soon, also at no cost. The booklet is also accessible on our website: If you would like a copy, please contact Bridget Jolley at or on 0433 783 575. YBCV asks that the booklet is not reprinted or copied without YBCV’s express permission.
We are now in the beginning stages of working on a new ‘Blind Living’ booklet which will focus on cooking. We are looking for any questions and/or tips related to cooking from a blind/vision impaired perspective. If you would like to help or contribute, please email us at . Please include a first name and age (which can be kept private).
YBCV is also in the beginning stages of implementing a mentor program. This involves linking young individuals who are blind or vision impaired (aged 11-14), with an older blind or vision impaired mentor (aged 18-30). YBCV hopes that this program will help provide support and a beneficial social environment that will provide the opportunity for the mentoree to become more independent and more capable of practising self-advocacy. We hope to begin a pilot program in the second half of this year. Application forms for mentors and mentorees will be out soon. More details will be available soon on YBCV’s website
In the last six months YBCV has held a couple of social events, including scrapbooking, attending an audio-described session of Wicked and running a progressive dinner. We hope to have another activity soon, so stay tuned.
For more information about the Blind Living Booklets, or YBCV in general,please contact us via email
BCA Developments
BCA’s position on the closure of Vision Australia’s Education Services
In November last year Blind Citizens Australia called for a meeting to discuss the impending closure of Vision Australia's school age education services. This meeting was aimed at parents, consumer groups, service providers and the Victorian government to discuss the impending closure of Vision Australia's school age education services amid concerns that it would reduce opportunity and choice for children and their families.
Vision Australia's recent announcement of the impending closure of their specialist school for children who are blind or vision impaired and the transfer of their visiting teacher program to the Department of Education has raised strong concerns among many within the blind community, including members of BCA.
Consumers, particularly adults who have been through both the mainstream and specialist schooling systems as children, are keen to ensure that children who are blind or vision impaired are able to access the widest range of choice when it comes to educational options.
Their concern was echoed by Blind Citizens Australia's President, David Blyth. "We would have preferred to have seen a thorough review of children's education services before this decision was made", he said. "Since we're past that point we’ve now called for a full and frank discussion of what is planned for future delivery of specialist education services for children who are blind or vision impaired in Victoria."
BCA is continuing to call for evidence based policy making on this matter through discussions with Vision Australia as the major service provider and the Victorian government as the major funding body associated with specialised service delivery for children with disabilities.
"The Australian government recently ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disability specifically protecting the right to an education which includes specialist Braille and orientation and mobility training as well as peer support and mentoring", said Mr Blyth. “Wewant to make sure that children who are blind or vision impaired have access to those things not just in theory or on paper, but in a well resourced environment which meets all their needs. At the moment there isn't even a consistent qualification for teachers working with students who are blind or vision impaired. BCA would like to see evidence that a special school education is less effective than a mainstream one with this sort of action going ahead.”
An article prepared by Vision Australia is included on page 14.
One-off bonus Pension Payment
BCA supports the Federal government's decision to provide a one-off bonus payment to pensioners receiving the Disability Support Pension and Disability Support Pension (Blind).
October’s announcement of a one-off payment of $1400 for single pensioners and $2100 for married couples receiving a pension was welcomed by BCA.
"This is a fantastic move not just for the Australian economy, but for people with disabilities like blindness who struggle to meet costs" said Robyn McKenzie, Executive Officer of BCA. "Many of these people not only fight to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, they also have extra costs associated with their disability. For someone with no vision just buying a mobile phone which has the capacity to read out what appears on the screen can cost upward of $800. That's a lot on a pension alone."
Social disadvantages are a fact of life for many people who are blind or vision impaired. A recent study by Vision Australia found that 63% of working age people who are blind or vision impaired are either unemployed or underemployed. Of those who have work, under 11% earn more than $1,000 a week.
While the bonus was a welcome reprieve, Ms. McKenzie said that BCA was hoping to see some positive longer term outcomes from the government's Pension Review and the establishment of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy. "We believe that the government is taking the right steps towards reducing disadvantage for people who are blind or vision impaired, but there's still a long way to go."
New BCA Branch in the Newcastle/Hunter Region
Blind Citizens Australia has now formed a Branch for the Newcastle/Hunter region. On Sunday 12th October a group of thirteen people from across the Newcastle/Hunter region came together for the first time. In many ways they were all very different: different ages, occupations and lives. But they all had two things in common - their sight loss, and their desire to make their local area a better place for people who are blind or vision impaired to live.
"We're really keen to see things change in the area" said Lauren Henley, the newly elected President of the Newcastle/Hunter branch of BCA. "Even just raising awareness among the general public about the needs of our community is really important. So often people just don't know what they need to do or say."
Lauren cited the example of the Greater Union Glendale, which could upgrade its facilities to show films with audio description for minimal cost. "Having audio description available means we can hear a description of what is being seen on-screen. It's the difference between going to a movie and not ever setting foot in a cinema."
"The formation of this branch is a great step forward for BCA" said Executive Officer, Robyn McKenzie. "We believe strongly in people who are blind or vision impaired being able to advocate for themselves at a local level and that's especially important for people in rural and regional areas."
The group hopes to meet on a regular basis in the Newcastle area. For more information about BCA or the Newcastle Branch, please call 1800033660.
BCA Forum: VCE Forum for students who are vision impaired
Just finished VCE? BCA is holding a forum on education, specifically for students who have just completed their VCE, are heading into their final year, or are just starting Year 11.
BCA is keen to hear from students about their experiences in managing class work, completing school assessment coursework (SACs), accessing teaching support, obtaining materials in preferred format, completing exams and much more. This is a great opportunity for parents, visiting teachers and students to provide insight into what is working well and areas that need improvement. This information will form the basis of BCA’s policy work.
When: Thursday January 29, 2009
Time: 10.00am-12.30pmfollowed by a light lunch
Where:Statewide Vision Resource Centre, 370 Springvale
Road, Donvale
RSVP by:Friday 23 January, 2009 by calling (03) 9654 1400
or emailing
In addition to hearing your thoughts, this forum will also provide you with an introduction to what BCA does and some information about your rights as a student now and when completing post-secondary studies. Information will also be provided from Young Blind Citizens Victoria, a young group of people who are blind or vision impaired.
How to get to SVRC!
Public Transport: 2 options
1. Catch the Belgrave or Lilydale train from the city to Nunawading Station and then the 273 “The Pines - Nunawading” bus from the station to the corner of Springvale and Mitcham Roads. Walk on the west side of Springvale Road in a southerly direction for a block and a half down Springvale Road to the SVRC. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes from Southern Cross Station and the connecting bus runs every 30 minutes. OR