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VisionaryMembers Magazine: June 2016
Edition 3
1
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
ContentsLetter from the Chair.......................................................3
Junior Fun Club Exclusive Backstage Experience.........5
Learn Safe, Live Safe.....................................................7
Assistance Available for Election Voting........................9
Robbie Takes the Lead................................................11
Sensory Impairment Doesn’t Stop Shamira.................13
VisAbility Library Supports Local Authors.....................15
Global Accessibility Awareness Day............................17
Connecting with VisAbility............................................18
Workplace Gender Equality Report..............................20
NDIS Update................................................................21
Thank You!...................................................................22
SALSA Camp a Big Hit.................................................23
Save the Date – Technology Outlook...........................25
Entertainment Book......................................................27
Albany Support Group..................................................272
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Visionary is available in large print, Braille, audio or
email formats. It is also available on our website at
VisAbility Website:www.visability.com.au in PDF, rich
text and word format.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Letter from the Chair
It’s hard to believe we are nearly half way through 2016
already. There has been so much happening here at
VisAbility and I’m pleased to share some of our stories
with you.
Our Junior Fun Club kids had the opportunity to get
hands on with the props for The Spare Parts Puppet
Theatre’s production of The Little Prince.
We recently soaked up the beauty of Nanga Bush Camp
in Dwellingup for our annual Social and Life Skills
Activities (SALSA) camp. You can read from the children
themselves what the camp meant to them this year.
We share the heart-warming story of Penny who had
rediscovered her independence thanks to Guide Dog
Zimba, and how she handled Zimba’s retirement. Read
her story and meet the new Labrador in her life.
Did you know our Library supports local authors? You
can read about some of the great books we have
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
narrated and learn a little about our featured Perth
author, Linda J Bettenay.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more
about the services and programs offered at VisAbility,
contact our Gateway Services team on 1800 847 466.
I hope you stay warm, cosy and well this winter and I
look forward to sharing more VisAbility stories with you
later this year.
Debbie Schaffer
Chair of the Board
Junior Fun Club Exclusive Backstage ExperienceBlind and vision impaired children from our Junior Fun
Club recently experienced the joys of puppet show, The
Little Prince, at Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.
The children were allowed onto the stage beforehand to
understand the layout and how the props would be used
throughout the show.5
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
This exclusive backstage experience gave the children
the context for the story they would soon watch. The
stage manager and two actors described the stage sets
and passed around several of the puppets for the
children to touch and explore.
In addition DADAA provided audio description for the
show. Audio description is when a narrator broadcasts
descriptions of what is happening on stage to a headset
worn by a person with vision impairment.
Ryan Honschooten, VisAbility Youth Support Officer,
said it was very rewarding to see how much the children
were enjoying the show. A special moment for Ryan was
during an act that didn’t involve dialogue.
“It was a scene where a puppet took a selfie and
everyone laughed. But the best bit was the children with
no vision laughed too as they could understand from the
audio description what was happening at the time. So
instead of having that instance where they realise they
are missing something and have to ask what everyone
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
is laughing at, they were just enjoying the moment and
laughing along with everyone else.”
Giving children the opportunity to experience the puppet
show in this way is a great step forward in creating an
inclusive and accessible society, where disability is not a
barrier to enjoying visual arts.
Our Junior Fun Club children all really enjoyed the show
and had a lot of wonderful things to say about the show
afterwards.
If you’d like to know more about our Junior Fun Club or
any of our services for children with disability, please
contact our friendly Gateway Services team on 1800 847 466 or visit our website VisAbility
Website:ww.visability.com.au
Learn Safe, Live SafeWould you like to feel more confident in public, identify
signs that may indicate danger, and know exactly how to
avoid the situation or defend yourself? Then our Living
Safe Program is perfect for you.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
The Living Safe Program is a two day course full of
invaluable techniques and tools to help you feel more
confident and more aware of your surroundings. You’ll
leave the course knowing how to feel safe in any
situation.
Tailored specifically for people with vision impairment,
we use real life scenarios to show you how to use your
other senses to identify what is happening around you,
or how to use your cane as a defence if needed.
The Living Safe Program is structured to provide
strategies relevant for vision loss and will show you how
to effectively defend yourself without using vision.
Available in both the Perth Metro area and country areas
to people over 18 years, we also encourage you to bring
your carer, spouse or friend. The course caters for
people using a walker or wheelchair.
If you’re interested call our Gateway Services team on
1800 847 466 for more information about a Living Safe
Program near you.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Assistance Available for Election VotingThe next federal election is just around the corner and
there is a range of information and services available to
assist people with disability to vote.
Locations with disabled access will be available online
before the day and there is the option to have someone
assist you on the day. Polling staff are available to help,
or you can nominate someone you know.
For people who are blind or vision impaired, there is an
option to vote in secret by phone from any location,
including your own home.
You do need to register to vote by phone. Visit the
website Australian Electoral Commission Website
www.aec.gov.au/election/assisted/blv.htm to find details
on how to register.
When you call to register, you will be asked questions so
they can check you on the electoral roll and then you will
be asked to choose a PIN. Once registered, you will be
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
sent a registration number by email, SMS, postal mail,
or phone call.
Telephone voting will be available from Tuesday 14
June 2016. When voting, you will not need to give your
name. Your registration number and PIN will be used to
mark your name off the electoral roll while protecting
your privacy. So it is important to remember your
registration details.
A call centre voting assistant will record your
preferences on the ballot papers. The vote will be secret
and a second voting assistant will ensure that the vote is
recorded according to your intention.
The vote remains secret because the call centre voting
assistants will not know your name and address. Once
the vote is complete, the voting assistant will place the
ballot papers into a secure ballot box.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Robbie Takes the LeadMany of us look forward to retirement - but when it’s a
Guide Dog who’s retiring, it can be daunting for a person
whose very freedom depends on them.
Penny’s first Guide Dog, Zimba, changed her life
enormously. Previously, she faced many daily struggles,
but with Zimba by her side, she was able to rediscover
her independence. Penny felt safe outside her home
with Zimba. She was much more relaxed, especially in
busy areas like her Northbridge home.
Penny first began losing her vision in her 20s to Usher
Syndrome. This condition includes progressive
deafness, as well as Retinitis Pigmentosa: an eye
condition that deteriorated Penny’s vision over time.
“My life was being restricted - not just my vision. When I
met Zimba, I was so excited! He is a fabulous dog.”
Zimba guided Penny with confidence and safety, acting
as a natural extension to Penny’s own self.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
The pair worked smoothly together for years. But at ten
years old, Zimba was preparing to put his paws up full-
time and retire. It became clear to Penny that to keep
the same level of life-changing independence, she
would need another faithful guide like Zimba.
“If I was to be left without a Guide Dog, I would be
devastated!”
Lucky for Penny, another beautiful black Labrador
named Robbie was waiting in the wings.
“Having a Guide Dog allows me to participate in the
world outside my house. With Zimba, and now Robbie, I
have the choice to live my life how I want to.”
Penny and Robbie have been bonding, getting to know
each other’s behaviours and habits. It’s been an
adjustment for Zimba, too.
“When I’m putting the harness on Robbie, Zimba just
hangs around. He isn’t sad, just a little puzzled. It’s hard
changing years and years of habit but he is loving just
being a dog now.”
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
However, when Robbie’s harness comes off, she’s the
first to join the fun: “The two hang out together and I
worry about the advice Zimba might be giving to
Robbie!”
If you’d like to find out if a Guide Dog is for you, then call
us on 1800 847 466 or visit Guide Dogs WA
Website:ww.guidedogswa.com.au/apply-for-a-guide-dog
Since this article was written, Sadly Zimba passed away.
Our thoughts are with Penny at this time.
Sensory Impairment Doesn’t Stop ShamiraEleven-year-old Shamira has always had to work a little
harder, be a little more patient and build a little more
resilience than other children her age. Shamira was born
with severe vision impairment, severe hearing
impairment and oral and physical dyspraxia.
It’s been tough for Shamira. But, thankfully, she is
tougher.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Up to 80% of a child’s learning is through sight. Without
it, everything—from learning to talk, to learning to walk—
becomes so much harder. Beyond the learning
challenges, Shamira also knows she is different.
Her mum has watched her daughter struggle with this:
“There are times when Shamira has believed she is the
only child in the world that is blind or hearing impaired.”
“It’s difficult for Shamira to play with the other children
and to join in, which means school can be very lonely for
her.”
We help children with disability, like Shamira, in many
ways. Our programs help children develop important life
skills like socialising, cooking and using public transport.
And they get to meet and play with others who face
similar challenges.
Shamira looks forward to attending our programs,
because here she has friends who also know what it’s
like to be vision impaired—here she is just one of the
kids.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Our Children and Youth Services programs are essential
for children like Shamira. Not only do they help her to
gain important life skills, they give her a sense of
belonging, of friendship.
Like many children we work with, Shamira has come so
far. Her mum is thrilled to see her daughter blossom:
“She is so happy when she’s there. Shamira has made
many friends through the program—it’s fantastic.”
If you’d like to know more about our Children and Youth
Services, please visit our website or call our Gateway
Services team on 1800 847 466.
VisAbility Library Supports Local AuthorsYou may know that our Library provides valuable
services to people with print disability, but did you know
we support local authors?
We have recently partnered up with local renowned
author and editor, Linda J Bettenay.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Linda spent over 30 years as a teacher and principal in
schools across regional Western Australia. Since 2008,
along with her husband Mike, Linda is owner and editor
of the well-known publication The Roleystone Courier.
Linda has also published the Secret Series - three
fictional novels based in our State’s rich history.
Our library is currently recording her first two novels,
Secrets Mothers Keep and Wishes for Starlight. Linda
was motivated to write her first novel Secrets Mothers
Keep, after discovering an amazing true story from her
husband’s family’s past.
The story had been kept secret since 1928 and was only
recently uncovered. Her second novel, based on her
father’s stories, Wishes for Starlight, is set largely in the
Perth Hills area - a location Linda is very passionate
about.
We also have good partnerships with several other
publishing companies including Fremantle Press and
UWA Press.
Other popular books we have narrated include:16
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Under a Tin Grey Sari by Wayne Ashton.
Bad Seed by Alan Carter.
Salt Story: of Sea – Dogs and Fisherwoman by
Sarah Drummond.
For more information, visit our website VisAbility
Website:www.visability.com.au/our-services/leisure-
sport-rec/talking-books or call our Library on 1800 847 466.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is a day to
get everyone talking, thinking and learning about making
the digital world accessible for people with disability.
Twenty-nine cities across the world celebrated on the
19th May 2016, including Perth. We celebrated by taking
part in activities prepared by our Accessible Information
Services (AIS) team and attending the A11y Bytes
Global Accessibility Awareness Day event held in The
Perron Centre.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Our AIS team prepared a small challenge for staff to
take part in and support GAAD. The challenge was to
decode and translate a braille message.
Even our wonderful Public Relations Guide Dogs Luna
and Gidgee had a go in translating the braille message!
The AIS team also challenged attendees who
participated in A11y Bytes Global Accessibility
Awareness Day event.
For more information, contact VisAbility Library on 1800
847 466 or visit our website VisAbility
Website:www.visability.com.au/our-services/leisure-
sport-rec/talking-books
Connecting with VisAbilityWe always appreciate hearing from you. It’s how we can
ensure we are providing you with the level of service you
need and want.
In particular we listened to your feedback on how you
would like to stay connected with us. As a result we now
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
offer you the opportunity to contribute to the VisAbility
vision in two meaningful ways.
A relaxed and friendly way to stay connected, the
‘Friend of VisAbility’ is $20 and includes:
Regular newsletters in the format you prefer
10% discount on Aids for Daily Living products
Up to 10% discount on other selected products
Invitations to networking opportunities
Partner Discounts, for example.
Following your feedback we reviewed our membership.
We’re pleased to offer membership for a reduced cost of
$40, with an increase in the value of benefits. This is an
opportunity to stay connected and have a voice, and
includes:
Regular newsletters in the format you prefer
15% discount on Aids for Daily Living
Up to 15% discount on other selected products
Invitations to networking opportunities
Partner Discounts, for example
Invitations to Special Member Events
Voting rights and an invitation to our AGM.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
To choose how you’d like to stay connected, you can
return the form you received in the post, or call our
friendly team on 08 9311 8202 to pay over the phone by
credit card.
Workplace Gender Equality ReportVisAbility is a diverse organisation with a range of
careers and occupations, ranging from therapists and
professional staff to skilled support staff.
Our organisation provides a supportive team
environment and family friendly working conditions for all
staff. Last year we opted to register and report to the
Workplace Gender Equality Act, proving to have a
successful track record of gender equality employment,
and equal opportunity in the workplace.
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency is an Australian
Government statutory agency created by the Workplace
Gender Equality Act 2012. The Government body is
responsible for promoting and improving gender equality
in Australian workplaces. 20
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Visit our website VisAbility
Website:www.visability.com.au/about-us/publications to
view our 2016 Gender Equality Report.
NDIS UpdateA staged roll out of the full NDIS has been confirmed for
1 July 2017. In the interim the two trial sites will be
expanded as the Commonwealth and State
Governments continue their assessment of the NDIS
and WANDIS (formerly My Way) trial models.
The State Disability Services Commission WANDIS trial
sites, which are currently operating in the Lower South
West region and Cockburn-Kwinana area, will expand to
local government areas Armadale, Murray and
Serpentine-Jarrahdale from 1 October 2016.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) model
delivered in the Perth Hills region will be expanded to
Bayswater, Bassendean, Chittering, Toodyay, York and
Northam from 1 January 2017.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
If you’d like further information on what this means for
you, or have questions about NDIS, contact our
Gateway Services team on 1800 847 466 and we will
talk you through every step of the process.
Thank You!You might remember from the last edition of Visionary
we asked for volunteers to help out at our annual Street
Appeal on International Guide Dog Day.
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who
supported us on the day by volunteering or donating.
This year’s event was our biggest and best to date and
we’re thrilled by the results.
225 amazing people braved the cold wintry morning to
flood the CBD and Claremont Quarter in orange t-shirts
to shake tins for all the morning commuters or kept
spirits high during the lunchtime break.
Every year the people of Perth are so generous in
supporting our Guide Dog Program, and this year was
no exception. We’re pleased to report that we raised 22
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
over $27,000 this year, which will go a long way to
helping provide the life-changing gift of a Guide Dog.
So a big thank you again to our wonderful volunteers
and donors and we hope to see you again in the City for
next year’s Street Appeal.
SALSA Camp a Big HitThis year’s Social and Life Skills Activity (SALSA) camp
took place in the beautiful bush surrounds of the Nanga
Bush Camp in Dwellingup, during the April school
holidays.
The annual SALSA camp encourages young people with
vision impairment to learn valuable social and life skills,
and provides an important opportunity to make friends in
their own peer group.
This year the children challenged themselves to a range
of activities where many new friendships were forged.
Eleven year old Josh, a first time camper, said “I have
met new friends Alan, Michael, Harry, Richard and Kahn
who were in the dorm with me and Jake. Some of the 23
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
activities we did were basketball, cricket, rock climbing,
swinging on a rope and a talent show. I had a great time
at the camp and I can’t wait to go again next year”.
For children who live in the country SALSA Camp is
especially important, as fifteen year old Bree from
Broome explains; “It was great to see these guys after a
year and see some newcomers I hope everyone had a
great time and that Alan, Harry and Khan had a fantastic
last camp, it's going to be different without you guys,
Khan's boat jokes, Harry's sunscreen worries and Alan's
quietness. It was a pleasure getting to know you guys
and I hope we see each other in the near future. We all
had some laughs that will last a life-time, I'm sad we
can't see each other more often!”
On the last day of camp we asked the children to tell us
what they loved and enjoyed most and it wasn’t long
before a strong theme emerged. Rachel’s story sums up
the effect the camp has; “I had an awesome time at
camp, just where do I begin! I got to spend time with my
best friends and made new friends. We did some
activities which I thought weren't going to be fun but they
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
ended up being very fun. We did a zip line thingy, some
group activities, some rock climbing and abseiling. We
had lots of delicious food. I loved spending time with my
friends.”
The next SALSA camp will take place in April 2017. If
you live in the WA NDIS (formerly My Way) or NDIS trial
sites, please contact the Children and Youth Services
team about including the camp in your child’s plan.
Save the Date – Technology OutlookThis year sees the return of Technology Outlook! This
excellent two day free event showcases the best
technologies to make life easier for people with vision
impairment.
Are there daily activities that you’re having a little
difficulty with? Cooking, reading, dressing or using
public transport. Then mark the date in your diary and
come along to Technology Outlook.
You will have access to a wide range of assistive
technologies all in one room. Wander around the event 25
Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
and receive demonstrations on a wide range of
technologies from the experts in the industry.
Plus we have a cooking demonstration, showing which
equipment can help with whipping up your favourite
meal. And you can hear from our inspirational Keynote
Speaker, Kate Stephens, who will be sharing her story
of how technology has made her life easier while she
raised her daughter, worked and studied.
Technology Outlook takes place 15 and 16 September
in the Handa Hall at VisAbility, 61 Kitchener Ave,
Victoria Park. Further details will be available on our
website in the coming months.
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
Entertainment BookOrder your new 2016/2017 Entertainment™ Book or
Entertainment™ Digital Membership today, and you’ll
help support our life-changing Guide Dog service!
To get your hands on over $20,000 worth of valuable
offers valid until 1 June 2017, visit the website
Entertainment Book Membership
Website:www.entertainmentbook.com.au to order your
Book or Digital Membership today. 20% of the proceeds
will go towards our Guide Dog program.
Don’t forget to tell your friends and family too!
Albany Support GroupIf you, or someone you know, lives in the Albany area,
there is a support group for people with vision
impairment.
The group meets each month at the Senior Citizens
Centre on the third Wednesday of the month, and new
faces are always welcome!
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Visionary June 2016 Edition 3
For more information please call us on 1800 847 466.
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