RSB focus
Autumn 2015
Mitchell’s 21st
Birthday wish
To take in the view from the
top of Sydney Harbour Bridge
Contents
1 Executive Director’s Message
2 Mitchell’s 21st Birthday wish
Executive
Director’s
Message
3 SA Update
5 NSW Update
7 ACT Update
9 RSB Pup-Dates!
11 Tech Fest – All states
13 Be My Eyes App
14 Industrial Services Update
15 Thank you!
Design and Art Direction
Brighter
Front Cover Photography
Lightly Salted
Printed by JMJ Printing Services
Information contained in RSB focus is
subject to copyright and all rights are
reserved.
RSB focus is available, upon request, in
other formats including audio CD, large
print or Braille. PDF and Word versions
are available to view or download on
the RSB website www.rsb.org.au
The Royal Society for the Blind (RSB)
is a not-for-profit organisation and has
Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status
with the Australian Tax Office.
ABN 37 680 837 839
© 2015 The Royal Society for the Blind
Welcome to our first national edition of RSB
focus. On behalf of the Board of the RSB, our
hard-working staff, dedicated volunteers and
thousands of clients across Australia, thank
you for joining us.
For the past 130 years, the RSB has made a
difference in the lives of Australians who are
blind or vision impaired. We believe everyone
should have the opportunity to improve the
quality and independence of their lives, and
are fortunate to see the results of our efforts
every day.
We are proud to report the RSB has again
received the ultimate tick of approval from
our clients, with outstanding results in the
2014 annual Client Survey. In 2014, 91 per
cent of clients interviewed stated that the RSB
had either made a major difference or some
difference to their quality of life. But the work
continues, for the task is never complete.
This year as well as assisting people who
can’t see, the RSB is committed to changing
the lives of people who have seen too
much. In what is thought to be a first for the
Australian Army, Murray the Labrador – who
was trained by the RSB Guide Dog Service
– has enlisted into the Royal Australian
Artillery. You can read more about Operation
K9, a joint project between the RSB and the
RSL on page 9.
We at the RSB are proud of this and our
many other achievements and invite you to
join us on our continued journey, into 2015
and beyond.
Andrew Daly
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Mitchell’s 21st
Birthday wish
On his 21st birthday, Mitchell plans
to take in the view from the top of
the Sydney Harbour Bridge – there’s
just one condition.
“I have to do it in the day time, because I
won’t see it at night,” he says.
Mitchell was born with Retinitis
Pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative eye
condition, which means the older he gets,
the less he may be able to see. He currently
has less than ten per cent vision in the day
time, and rates his night vision as obsolete.
But thanks to the Royal Society for
the Blind (RSB), Mitchell is living an
independent life, as he adapts to the
challenges of his deteriorating vision.
“Over the past 18 months, my vision has
plummeted down,” he says.
“It’s sad that I’m losing my vision, but
there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s why
I feel so lucky to have the RSB to help me
deal with it.
Mitchell, who also volunteers in the RSB’s
Low Vision Centre, now plans to travel
independently and is saving for his
first home.
“For my birthday in August, I am taking
myself to Sydney to climb the Harbour
Bridge. Then, my next goal will be to live
independently in my own home. None of
this would be possible without the support
I’ve received from the RSB.”
At the RSB, we believe everyone should
have the opportunity to improve the quality
and independence of their lives, just like
Mitchell. But with more than 75 per cent
of our clients being ineligible for funding
under the current NDIS rollout, we can’t do
it alone. We need your support.
For more information about Mitchell’s
story, the NDIS or the services available
at the RSB please visit www.rsb.org.au.
If you’d like to make a donation to help
clients like Mitchell, please call us on
freecall 1800 644 577.
“They have helped me with everything;
from teaching me to use a white cane to
finding me a job.”
RSB focus Autumn 2015
2
SA Update
Seamus is
totally wild for
RSB Guide Dogs!
It’s official, dog lovers; Seamus
Evans has your dream job.
The Totally Wild presenter, who spends his
days meeting new animals and exploring
the Australian outback, is the newest
recruit to the Royal Society for the Blind
(RSB) Ambassador team.
So naturally, he has to check out the latest
RSB Guide Dogs in training!
“I find it incredibly fascinating that man’s
best friend is capable of being replacement
eyes for its owner,” Seamus says.
“The journey that both the RSB Guide Dogs
and their owners who are blind or vision
impaired walk down is out of this world!
“Being an RSB Ambassador is a great
opportunity to raise awareness for this
beautiful partnership.”
As an RSB Ambassador, Seamus will help
deliver invaluable messages to the wider
community about the RSB; who we are and
how we can help.
For more information about the RSB, or
our Ambassadors, visit www.rsb.org.au
SA Events
International Guide
Dog Day
29 April 2015
Get to know the RSB Guide
Dogs in Rundle Mall! Show
your support and visit us at
the Gawler Place Canopy
between 11am and 2pm.
Golf Day
Tech Fest
1 May
A wonderful networking
opportunity set in a
picturesque and relaxing
atmosphere. Book early to
avoid disappointment!
28-29 May 2015
See page 11
Charlie’s Day
12 June 2015
Call us today to register to
take part in Charlie’s Day.
For more information and bookings, please contact Special Events Coordinator,
Chloe Simpson, on (08) 8417 5555, email events@rsb.org.au or visit www.rsb.org.au
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www.rsb.org.au
Get fit in 2015!
A healthy body leads to a healthy mind.
That is the message from Royal Society
for the Blind (RSB) client and regular gymgoer, Franca.
Since joining the RSB’s Gilles Plains gym
six months ago, Franca says her life has
completely changed for the better.
“Every year, I would make a New Year’s
Resolution to lose weight and every year
that goal just fell by the wayside,”
Franca says.
“But last year was a tough year and was
feeling a bit down so I thought it would be a
good idea to do something more positive.”
With the encouragement of friends and
family, Franca signed up for the Monday
and Wednesday classes led by trainers Lisa
and Cheryl.
Franca, who had never used a gym before,
says she now looks forward to going to
working out.
“It doesn’t matter what level of vision you
have or how fit you are. The trainers work
with you to help you achieve your goals. I
really think everyone should give it a go.”
For more information about the RSB’s
Recreation and Leisure Program,
please call (08) 8417 5555 or visit
www.rsb.org.au
“You notice your progress that gives you a
real sense of achievement.”
This year, Franca has made a New Year’s
resolution to keep up her good work and is
encouraging others to do the same.
Entertainment Books are back!
You can help transform the lives of more than 12,000 Australians who are blind
or vision impaired while enjoying the best restaurants, arts, attractions, hotel
accommodation, travel and much more.
Entertainment Books are filled with hundreds of valuable 2-for-1 and up to 50% off
offers, but even more importantly, when you buy your 2015/16 Entertainment Book
through the RSB, you’ll be helping to raise critical funds to support our vital work.
Ready for purchase in April, contact RSB Marketing & Fundraising Assistant, Morgan
today on (08) 8417 5555 or morgan.brophy@rsb.org.au
RSB focus Autumn 2015
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NSW Update
Healthy Living
Program
The Hunter’s newest program,
Healthy Living, is designed to
encourage overall health and wellness
with a focus on improving eye health.
Created by Hunter Programs Officer
Kate Davies, the Healthy Living program
has been designed to tackle the issues
associated with maintaining a healthy
lifestyle while living with vision loss.
“It’s important for our clients to enjoy a
balanced lifestyle whilst managing their
vision loss,” Kate said.
“This includes maintaining a healthy diet,
enjoying appropriate exercise and fitness,
socialising, keeping their minds active, and
knowing what community access support
they can receive.”
The program has a number of goals all of
which tackle client issues, including the
importance of minimising falls, improving
independence, encouraging longevity,
improving mental health and wellness, and
ultimately greater eye health.
For more information, or to volunteer
your time to assist the Healthy Living
Program please call the RSB Hunter
Office direct on (02) 4956 2282.
NSW Events
Seniors Week
March 16 -20
Look out for the RSB at
various locations as we
teach the community more
about adaptive technology.
An open day and morning
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tea will also be held at the
RSB Broadmeadow office
on 18 March.
Tech Fest
25 May 2015
See pages 11 & 12
Minions Movie Night
20 June 2015
Enjoy a fun night out while
raising vital funds for the
RSB at Glendale Cinemas.
HACC funding in the Hunter
Free low vision aids and professional
services are available to those across the
Hunter Region over the age of 65, living
independently, with a diagnosed eye
disease.
With Home and Community Care (HACC)
funding across the Hunter, the Royal
Society for the Blind (RSB) can provide
support services to those over the age of
65, living independently with a diagnosed
eye disease. A great number of clients are
currently supported by this funding and as
a team we are looking for opportunities for
more people to receive this support.
including occupational therapy, social work
services and orientation and mobility. Low
vision aids can also be supplied to those
who are eligible, including magnifiers,
lights, UV shields, long canes, talking
products and more from the low vision aid
catalogue. Aboriginal and Torres Straight
Islanders over the age of 50 are also eligible.
Please contact the RSB Hunter Region
office on (02) 4956 2282 if you, or
someone you know in the Hunter may
qualify for this support – we’d love
to help.
With the current funding clients are able
to receive full home support services,
Accessible iPads
The Hunter team are making the most
of supportive technology, with nine new
iPads!
With iPads and iPhones becoming more
accessible in their design, the RSB Hunter
Region team are now using nine new iPads
to demonstrate to clients just how useful
they can be.
RSB Hunter Programs Officer, Kate Davies
says the difference supportive technology
can make to an individual is “incredible”.
“We’ve received rave reviews from our
clients who cannot do without their devices
now,” Kate says.
The RSB has been taking full advantage
of the Accessibility features built into
the devices including VoiceOver, Zoom,
Inverted Colours and Larger Text, along
with apps that have been developed
worldwide.
Interested in iPad technology and how it
can help you? Or have an iPad or iPhone
at home and want more information
about useful apps? Contact the RSB
Hunter Region office on (02) 4956 2282.
RSB focus Autumn 2015
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ACT Update
Need help with
the NDIS?
The Royal Society for the Blind (RSB),
Canberra Blind Society (CBS) has run a
workshop in a bid to ready clients for
the planning stage of the ACT National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) trial.
Since the NDIS rollout began in July 2014,
thousands of people living in Canberra with
a disability, including a large number of
people who are blind or vision impaired,
have been assessed.
RSB | CBS Coordinator Deb Quinnell said
the workshop aimed to better equip clients
for the next stages of the NDIS.
“Our NDIS Planning Workshop was all
about giving clients the confidence and
skills to get through the next stage in the
NDIS process,” Deb said.
RSB | CBS staff have provided a range of
supports since July to assist clients with
the NDIS transition, including structured
seminars and pre-planning sessions.
Clients also have the option to have an RSB
| CBS staff member present as an advocate
at their NDIS planning meeting.
For more information about the NDIS,
or how the RSB | CBS Canberra office
can help please call (02) 6246 4580 or
email canblind@tpg.com.au.
ACT Events
NDIS ACT Conference
23-24 March 2015
Held at the National
Convention Centre, this
major conference will
equip you with a clear
understanding of the nature
and pace of the NDIS.
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www.rsb.org.au
Connect and
Participate Expo
Advocacy for Inclusion
Control & Choice Expo
28 March 2015
Find out how the RSB |
CBS can assist Canberrans
of all ages and abilities to
build social connections
through common interests.
Join us at the Old Bus
Depot Markets, Kingston,
between 11am and 4pm.
21 May 2015
The RSB | CBS will be
on hand at the Control &
Choice Expo to help you
shape your vision for your
NDIS support. Exhibition
Park, 10am - 4pm.
This year, volunteer!
Is your New Year’s resolution to volunteer,
or even get involved with your local
community? RSB | CBS is calling out for
people in Canberra to join our dedicated
volunteer team.
A wide range of opportunities are available
from assisting with cooking groups and
driving clients, through to administration
and committee work, marketing and
fundraising. Applicants of all ages are
encouraged to apply.
RSB | CBS Coordinator Deb Quinnell, is
encouraging locals to volunteer in 2015.
“We have a great team of volunteers,
which we are looking to grow and develop
over the next 12 months,” Deb says.
“Volunteering is a great way to get
involved in your community and at
RSB | CBS, you are able to donate as much
– or as little – time as you want.”
If you would like to volunteer your
time to help people who are blind or
vision impaired and have availability,
motivation and the desire to make a
difference, please call the ACT office
on (02) 6246 4580 or email
canblind@tpg.com.au.
Save the date
RSB | CBS has hit the ground running in
2015, attending some of the Capital’s most
iconic events and celebrations, including
the Multicultural Festival and historic
Royal Canberra Show.
RSB | CBS coordinator Deb Quinnell says
getting out and about is a major way to
connect with Canberra organisations,
agencies and the community, as well as
a perfect opportunity to spread the word
about our new and specialised range of
services.
“It’s a real honour for us to be participating
in these events because they’re part of
what identifies Canberra,” Deb says.
“Overwhelmingly it’s also an opportunity for
us to educate the community letting people
know who we are and how we can help.”
RSB | CBS will attend more than 15
Canberra events in 2015! For more
information please go to visit
www.canberrablindsociety.org.au
and click ‘Events’.
RSB focus Autumn 2015
8
‘Pup-Dates’
Meet Gunner
Murray
In what is thought to be a first for the
Australian Army, Murray the Labrador –
who was trained by the RSB Guide Dog
Service at Gilles Plains – has been awarded
the rank of Gunner, pledged his allegiance
and has been formally enlisted into the
Royal Australian Artillery.
In a joint project between the Royal Society
for the Blind (RSB) and the Returned and
Services League of Australia (RSL), Gunner
Murray joined the 16th Air Land Defence
Regiment (16ALR) at Woodside as the
fourth graduate of Operation K9; a program
training assistance dogs for serving and
returning military personnel.
Placing his paw on a Bible, Murray was
awarded rank and sworn into the 16 ALR in
front of a hall filled with his colleagues in
January.
While Murray would obviously not be
given the physical role of a gunner, his
actual role within the 180 personnel of the
16 ALR is seen as one with just as much
importance in the unit by many.
Primarily, Gunner Murray would be
responsible for boosting the mental health
of all members of the Woodside Barracks,
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including those who have
served in Iraq and Afghanistan,
RSB Guide Dog Service Manager
Chris Muldoon said.
“Gunner Murray is trained to recognise and
work with people who have Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD),” Chris said.
“This includes carrying out tasks aimed at
reducing anxiety and being a friend and
companion while participating in daily
activities.”
RSL-SA Chief Executive Officer Sam
Jackman said the initiative would “allow the
RSL to help those who have seen too much”.
“Gunner Murray’s enlistment into 16 ALR
has already affected the lives of veterans
who have served overseas by giving the
Base a more cosy and friendly feel, which
in turn allows for the soldiers to feel more
at home,” she said.
Gunner Murray, who also became the
official mascot of the 16 ALR, will bunk
in the guard room overnight and will mix
freely with all members of the barracks
when not on duty during the day.
Other dogs successfully trained by
Operation K9 are Ruby, Macey and Prince.
What is International Guide Dog Day?
The International Guide Dog Federation
(IGDF) and members around the world,
including the Royal Society for the Blind
(RSB), celebrate International Guide Dog
Day once a year.
You can celebrate International Guide Dog
Day in many ways, including:
Held on the last Wednesday in April, the
awareness day celebrates the vital role that
guide dogs play in assisting people who
are blind or vision impaired to travel safely
and independently.
Make a tax deductible donation to the
RSB Guide Dog Service
This year, International Guide Dog Day
celebrations will be held on Wednesday,
29 April in Rundle Mall, Adelaide.
RSB Guide Dog
Graduation
School’s out for the RSB Guide Dogs!
If you’ve volunteered your time to
assist a pup who is currently in formal
training, or who has been recently
matched with an RSB client, you
won’t want to miss this! Join us at
the Payneham Community Centre
on Wednesday, 13 May from 6.30pm.
Invitations to RSB Guide Dog Service
volunteers will be distributed shortly.
Visit the RSB from 11am-2pm in Rundle Mall,
Adelaide and meet the RSB Guide Dogs
Become a Puppy Sponsor
Volunteer your time as a Puppy Educator
For more information, please call the
RSB on (08) 8417 5555 or visit our
website www.rsb.org.au
Thank You
The RSB Guide Dog Service would like to
thank major sponsors Royal Canin, Sentinel
Spectrum, PETstock, IDEXX Laboratories,
Channel 9, Fab Cleaning, Boehringer
Ingelheim and Accede Holdings for their
generosity and commitment to assisting
Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
RSB focus Autumn 2015
10
Tech Fest
2015
Have you ever wondered how the iPhone can assist someone
with low vision? What a Navigator is? Or how a student with a
vision impairment can make the transition to the workplace?
Hosted by the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB), Tech Fest will
showcase the latest in adaptive technology that can assist
people who are blind or vision impaired in our community
around the country!
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Where & When
Open to the public, Tech Fest includes displays
and demonstrations of the latest adaptive
technology, including:
South Australia
Bar code readers
Computer connectables
Braille equipment
E-book readers
Friday 29 May
9.00am – 4.00pm
Electronic magnification
devices
Magnification and speech
software
Hand held magnification
devices
Scanner readers
A program of talks will be held regarding:
When
Thursday 28 May
9.00am – 5.00pm
Where
RSB Adaptive Technology
Centre, Knapman House
230 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
For more information
please call Andrew on
(08) 8417 5599 or email
atc@rsb.org.au
Apple products
Mobile phones
New South Wales
Braille equipment
Latest Apps
Computer software
Website accessibility
When
Monday 25 May
10.00am – 3.00pm
Supplier products and information on display will include:
Abisee, Dolphin, Enhanced Vision, Freedom Scientific,
Himms, Humanware, Optek Systems, Optelec, Pacific
Vision, Quantum RLV, VisiTech Magnifiers, Australian Lions
Visual Independence Foundation, European Eyewear,
Lensen, Amedia Corp, Simply listen and play KISSA
and OwnFone.
Where
RSB Hunter Region Office
151 Lambton Road
Broadmeadow NSW 2292
For more information
please call Jess on
(02) 4956 2282 or email
rsbhunter@rsb.org.au
ACT
In the ACT, Tech Fest is
known as Overview.
iView Trial
People who are blind or vision impaired will have access
the ABC’s catch-up TV service, iView, under a trial due to
commence this year.
Under the trial, an audio description would accompany
programming from April.
The trial will initially be available on iPhones before
other platforms, such as Android and Hybrid Broadcast
Broadband TV (HbbTV), are incorporated by August.
When
Friday 24 July
10.00am – 5.30pm
Saturday 25 July
10.00am – 2.30pm
Where
Room 1, Ground Floor
Griffin Centre
20 Genge Street
Canberra City ACT 2601
For more information
please call Isla on
(02) 6249 1239 or email
canislas@tpg.com.au
canberrablindsociety.org.au
Be My Eyes
phone app
Help reading labels or navigating
new surroundings can now be found
in the palm of your hand, thanks to a
new, free app.
Designed in Copenhagen, the Be My
Eyes app connects blind people needing
assistance with sighted volunteers from
around the world over smart phone
video calls.
The volunteer will then read or look at what
the blind person cannot see and help them
solve the problem.
RSB Adaptive Technology Centre
Coordinator, Andrew Davies, who has
already signed up to the service, says it
has the potential to “change the life of
someone who is blind or vision impaired”.
“At RSB, we think everyone should
have the opportunity to live a happy,
independent life,” Andrew says.
“Blindness can be a challenge but with this
app can certainly make things easier.
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“By simply linking to a direct video call,
the app gives the sighted user the chance
to lend their vision to the user on the other
end. Together they are able to solve the
challenge the blind person is facing.”
It also eliminates any need to be
embarrassed by asking for assistance,
Andrew says.
“When someone needs help a number
of volunteers are notified. There’s no
obligation to answer the call and if it is
rejected, then more volunteers will be
notified until and match is found.
“So you are absolutely sure the person
who answers is more than willing to help.”
In its first two weeks, more than 100,000
sighted and vision impaired people signed
up to the app.
For more information, or to download
Be My Eyes, visit www.bemyeyes.org
or call the RSB Adaptive Technology
Centre on (08) 8417 5555 or email
atc@rsb.org.au
Industrial Services
Update
Keeping
businesses in SA
thanks to RSB
Local business owner Cherylee
Bennett knows the importance of
being just that – local.
The woman behind cult beauty product
HebeBODY Detox Body Scrub says part
of her success is due to using South
Australian ingredients in all her products –
right down to the packaging.
“It was important to me to keep my
product as local as possible,” Cherylee,
who has been developing HebeBODY for
the past decade, says.
“That’s why I teamed up with the Royal
Society for the Blind’s (RSB) Industrial
Services.”
Based in Gilles Plains, RSB Industrial
Services provides employment to South
Australians who are blind or vision
impaired, or who have other disabilities.
Staff work across a range of capacities,
including decanting and measuring bulk
product, packaging retail products, fitting
parts and even designing packaging.
Currently, two staff work on the HebeBODY
line packaging more than 300 pouches of
body scrub each month.
RSB Sales Consultant Peter Nannini the
RSB is dedicated to helping businesses
owners like Cherylee to develop their
product.
“HebeBODY is a local product, which has
been developed for a global market,” he
says.
“As Cherylee expands her product range,
we are confident we will be able to
accommodate her packaging needs at RSB
Industrial Services.”
If you would like to find out what RSB
Industrial Services can do for your
business, call Peter Nannini or Mark
Burleigh for a competitive quote or to
discuss your business requirements.
Small runs and customisation are our
speciality. Contact us on (08) 8417 5600
or visit our website www.rsb.org.au.
RSB focus Autumn 2015
14
Thank you!
On behalf of the RSB and more than 12,000
Australians who are blind or vision impaired,
we would like to thank everyone who has
recently offered support, including:
Dick Smith Foods Foundation for
generously donating $10,000 as part of
their $1 million charity giveaway.
Beyond Bank who recognised the RSB for
its community service with a donation of
more than $3,000 at the 2014 Community
Reward Account Annual Bonus Payment
Evening.
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield for
funding a specialised animal vacuum
cleaner for the RSB Guide Dog Service.
The Community Benefit SA fund, whose
generous grant allowed the RSB to purchase
six iPhone and their associated applications.
Adelaide, SA Office
230 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
(08) 8417 5599
mail@rsb.org.au
Hunter Region, NSW Office
151 Lambton Road
Broadmeadow NSW 2292
(02) 4956 2282
rsbhunter@rsb.org.au
Canberra, ACT Office
Griffin Centre
20 Genge Street
Canberra ACT 2601
(02) 6247 4580
canblind@tpg.com.au
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The ANZ Staff Charitable Foundation for
their kind donation of six iPads and their
associated applications for the Hunter
Region office.
The Morialta Trust for funding a Living
Skills Camp to give young people who
are blind or vision impaired practical
independent living skills.
The Honda Foundation, whose generous
donation supported the purchase of an
electric portable magnifier and case,
allowing RSB clients to test the magnifier
for its suitability in their own homes.
Outer Metro & Regional
Offices South Australia
Smithfield
T (08) 8417 5690
NDIS Provider
Registration Numbers
SA 35234897 NSW 26405704
ACT 12736229
Mt Gambier
T (08) 8725 1921
L
ike us on Facebook
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Christies Beach
T (08) 8417 5660
Visit our website
www.rsb.org.au
Port Augusta
T (08) 8641 1980
Victor Harbor
T (08) 8552 9774
The Royal Society for the Blind (RSB)
is a not-for-profit organisation and has
Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status
with the Australian Tax Office.
ABN 37 680 837 839
© 2014 The Royal Society for the Blind