Guest on Vision Extra, Greg Madson, President of Blind
Citizens Australia reviewing the Federal Budget, particularly how
it may impact on people who are blind or vision impaired.
2014 Federal budget Interview on Vision Extra
May 15, 2014 by ·
SoundAbout Interview on New BCA Website
April 23, 2014 by ·
I was interviewed for the audio magazine SoundAbout (May edition) regarding the new BCA website
Dedicated Animal Bathrooms Opened Up at Brisbane Airport
April 20, 2014 by ·
Dedicated Animal Bathrooms Opened Up at Brisbane Airport
Written by Justin Burns on Tuesday, 15 April 2014
A trip to Brisbane Airport has become much easier for passengers’ travelling with Guide Dogs and assistance animals after dedicated animal ‘bathrooms’ opened up.
The two facilities, which are situated airside Level 3 Departures at International Terminal and in the Level 2 Central Area at Domestic Terminal, means travellers with assistance animals are no longer required to leave the building when their animals receive the ‘call of nature’.
There introduction will mean international passengers will no longer need to go through the customs, immigration or security screening every time their dog need to be relieved, and reduce the need for assistance animals to be fasted before long flights.
Bathrooms are fully wheelchair accessible and have separate ventilation systems, contain an artificial turf area, a wash down facility for the turf, a dispenser and bin for disposal of doggy doo bags, a water bowl for the dogs, as well as a sink for people to wash their hands.
The entry door is electrically operated, with the room fitted with hearing augmentation loops, and visual emergency evacuation alarms, and once used an external light alerts cleaners that the facility requires cleaning and disinfecting.
Julieanne Alroe, BAC CEO and managing director, says Brisbane Airport was ‘proud’ to be the first airport in Australia to offer dedicated airside animal assistance bathroom facilities.
“Disability access is a key focus for BAC and we have a team dedicated to ensuring we not only meet the regulations and legislation surrounding disability access, but exceed them.
“This includes retrofitting existing buildings with facilities like we’re opening today and making sure all upgrades and new developments improve access and the overall airport experience for people with disabilities,” Alroe adds.
Source: Airport World
http://www.airport-world.com/home/general-news/item/3874-dedicated-animal-bathrooms-opened-up-at-brisbane-airport
Perils of parcel pick-up
April 12, 2014 by ·
Perils of parcel pick-up: removing barriers to access
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Produced by Bridget Cormack
To listen go to: Listen to story audio
Although the queues can be a pain, collecting a parcel from the post office is a relatively simple matter. Unless you are a person who is blind or vision impaired. The little card that the postie leaves in the letterbox has no tactile features to distinguish it from ordinary junk mail. So it’s often the case that people with vision impairment are unaware a parcel is waiting for them at the Post Office. In light of the Senate Inquiry in to the performance of Australia Post, disability advocates are calling for a redesign of the notice cards.
Featured in story
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes
Melbourne resident Kathryn Beaton
Blind Citizens Australia President Greg Madson
SPEVI
April 12, 2014 by ·
South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Biennial Conference 2015
Together Towards Tomorrow
Families & Professionals – A Vision for Success
12th – 15th January 2015, Melbourne Conference and Training Centre, Melbourne
Call for Papers
For all Information on the Call for Papers, please go to the dedicated webpage:Call for Papers
Invitation
We invite you to attend the 2015 Biennial Conference of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment, to be held from 12—15 January 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria.
‘Together Towards Tomorrow’
The 2015 SPEVI Conference will emphasise the importance of students, families and professionals working together, taking on the challenges that the future presents – new technologies, new literacies, new skills and new communications.
Participants will be encouraged to think critically and creatively about the practices and philosophies they are engaged in each day and share this knowledge in order to meet these new challenges. This four-day conference aims to engage all participants using innovative practice and new technologies and to share and develop knowledge.
Contact
For further information or to express interest in attending please contact the Conference Organisers:
All Occasions Management
THEBARTON SA 5031
AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 8 8125 2200
Fax: +61 8 8125 2233
Email: jenna
Website: More information on the conference can be found on the website: www.spevi.net/spevi/spevi-conference-2015.php