Service Information- Northern Territory

Guide Dogs NT Services

Vision loss can make many of life’s simple tasks more difficult, such as shopping, reading, cooking, travel, study or work. Guide Dogs NT staff customise programs to suit each client’s individual situation and goals. Assessment and training are usually provided in the client’s home or in environments relevant to their situation, at no cost to the client and could include one or a combination of the following services.

Orientation and Mobility Services:

Our highly skilled Orientation and Mobility Instructors teach children and adults who are blind or have a vision impairment to move around their environment safely and with confidence. They work on a one-to-one basis providing support with:

Safety in the home
Avoiding objects or hazards
Managing steps, stairs, and other changes in elevation
Visual scanning training to assist people with visual field losses to travel safely and manage daily tasks
Learning to orientate oneself in both familiar and unfamiliar environments
Crossing roads with or without traffic controls
Using public transport
Travelling at night or in poor lighting conditions
Increasing confidence to travel independently.

Orientation and Mobility programs can include:

Cane Training – there are several types of canes for individual needs including the long white cane, identification cane and support cane
Low Vision Training – not all clients require a white cane; however clients can be taught techniques to increase their safety
Electronic Travel Devices – devices which can be used to enhance independent travel
Guide Dog Training – after completion of orientation and mobility training, clients can be referred to Guide Dogs if desired.

Low Vision Services

Guide Dogs NT staff can teach people who are blind or have a vision impairment independent living skills. They work with the client on an individual basis providing:

Functional vision assessment
Magnification provision and training
Lighting recommendations
Independent living skills training
Provision of adaptive aids
Vision Counselling.

All programs are customised to each client’s particular situation and goals. Clinical staff are available to conduct these assessment and training programs in the client’s home or by appointment at the Guide Dogs NT office.

Goals of Low Vision Service programs can be for the client to:

Live safely and independently in their own home environment
Shop at their local supermarket independently
Read their own mail using magnifiers
Safely make hot drinks and participate in hobbies such as sewing or bowls.

Guide Dog Services

Anyone who is blind or has significant low vision can apply for a Guide Dog. Each application is assessed by an internationally qualified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor. If assessed as suitable, the client will be matched as soon as possible to a fully trained Guide Dog.

Guide Dogs are a safe and effective way for people who are blind or vision impaired to travel independently. They assist a client to locate destinations, avoid obstacles and stop at kerbs. They give their users confidence and companionship and can go everywhere, including public transport, restaurants, shopping centre and cinemas.

The client will progressively develop the skills and confidence they need to work successfully with a Guide Dog, with the support of Guide Dog MobilityInstructor’s whoregularly visit Darwin. Ongoing training and advice is provided throughout the average eight to ten year working life of each Guide Dog.

Education and Support Services

Guide Dogs NT provides education, training and support for community organisations, families, carers and allied health professionals regarding vision impairment and its impact on the individual.

This includes:

Workshops about eye conditions and handy hints about assisting a person with a vision impairment
Human guide training which is an effective method of safely guiding a person who is blind or has a vision impairment.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral?

Anyone can refer to our services. However, if you are referring on behalf of another person, you will need their permission.

How do I make a referral?

If you don’t have access to our referral form you can simply call to make a referral over the phone on 8995 2222. If you do have one of our referral forms, complete the details and send it to Guide Dogs NT via fax on 8995 2223, post to PO Box 154, Parap 0804 or email it to .

What type of vision loss is required?

If vision impairment is affecting your ability to be independent, you can refer for services from Guide Dogs NT.

Where will I be seen?

Guide Dogs NT services are usually provided in you own home, but if preferred they can be provided from our office in Fannie Bay. Guide Dogs NT are also available to see people in hospitals and rehabilitation centres.

IS620 v2.0 Publish Date:10 January 2017