Association for the Blind of WA
Annual Review 2013
Celebrating 100 Years
Contents
Real Results .................................................................................................... 3
Our Strategy for a Brighter Future.................................................................... 3
Message from the President and CEO ............................................................ 4
Board of Directors ............................................................................................ 6
Organisational Structure .................................................................................. 7
Low Vision ....................................................................................................... 8
Life Skills ........................................................................................................ 11
Learning ......................................................................................................... 14
Mobility ........................................................................................................... 16
Access ........................................................................................................... 19
Celebrating a Centenary ................................................................................ 21
Treasurer’s Report ......................................................................................... 23
Our Thanks .................................................................................................... 26
This publication is available in print, large print, Braille, audio and email
format. It is also available on our website www.guidedogswa.com.au in PDF
or Microsoft Word format. In the interest of the environment and to reduce
unnecessary printing only a limited number of copies of this report have been
printed.
Association for the Blind of WA 2013 Annual Review
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Real Results
2,863 people received services
10 Guide Dogs trained and matched
2,003 hours of O&M training provided
107 people trained with iPhones & iPads
23 children attended social and life skills camp
78,000 book titles loaned to borrowers
45 Guide Dogs worked in the community
“In 2013 we’ve achieved real results across many sectors of the community.
We continue to be consumer focused to make a difference to the lives of
people with vision impairment.”
- Dr Clare Allen, CEO
Our Strategy for a Brighter Future
Vision
That people who are blind or vision impaired share a quality of life equal to all
other Western Australians.
Mission
To maximise the quality of life of people who are blind or vision impaired by
building confidence, promoting wellness and creating connection.
Values
We believe in a service and working environment that promotes excellence,
honesty, dignity, respect, integrity, courtesy and fairness.
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Focus Areas
The Association has identified seven key focus areas that will inform the
strategic direction of the organisation.

Partnerships
To strengthen and build strategic partnerships that promote better
outcomes for our clients.

Innovation
To work in the spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurialism.

Consumer Centred
To develop consumer centred practices and behaviours that provide
our consumers with choice and control.

Technology
To invest in appropriate technologies that will support the
organisation’s transformation.

Unique Defining Brand
To develop a unique and defining brand that embraces our past, values
our present and plans for a sustainable future.

Regulatory Standards
To provide assurance and confidence to our stakeholders of our
service excellence.

Economic Viability
To sustain and maintain economic viability through securing our current
revenue base and creating new revenue streams for sustainable
outcomes.
Message from the President and Chief
Executive Officer
In 2013 the Association for the Blind celebrates 100 years of life-changing
service to the Western Australian community. Beginning as the Ladies Braille
Society in 1913, we have grown to deliver services to Western Australians
who are blind or vision impaired in every corner of the State. In 1977 the
Society joined with Guide Dogs for the Blind, the original founder of Guide
Dogs in Australia in the 1950s.
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The Association is WA-based and proud of it: proud to be an iconic WA
charity, and proud to deliver services that inspire confidence, improve
wellness and create connection for Western Australians who are blind or
vision impaired.
There are a great number of people who have played an instrumental role in
our history and foundations: the courageous women of the Ladies’ Braille
Society, who continued their work through the Depression in spite of almost
overwhelming obstacles; and Dr Arnold Cook, who firmly believed that WA
could be home to Australia’s first Guide Dog training school, when many
people in the industry thought it couldn’t be done.
Throughout its history the Association has fostered important partnerships
with government, industry, the private sector and community groups to
achieve the best outcomes for its clients. We have a long-established and
highly respected relationship with Lotterywest, and owe much to Dr L.S.
(Stan) Perron and Jean Perron and their family, who have supported the
Association for more than 50 years, and after whom our building, the Perron
Centre, is named in honour.
Professor William (Bill) H Morgan and Adjunct Professor Nigel Morlet, senior
Ophthalmologists, are honorary consultants on our Board. We look forward to
ongoing collaboration with the Lions Eye Institute, the Eye Surgery
Foundation and other eye health organisations to share knowledge and
expertise.
The organisation has flourished as a result of the enthusiasm, commitment
and selflessness of the community. To each and every one of you – thank
you. Without this support we simply could not exist.
Our centenary also marks a pivotal time of growth and change for the
Association. As an organisation with a fantastic culture and a true focus on
putting the needs of consumers first, we are in a unique position to adapt and
grow to reach more people around Western Australia who are in need of our
help. The breadth of services the Association provides, from low vision
assessment and mobility support right through to early intervention services
and assistive technology, makes us a true ‘one-stop-shop’ for consumers who
are blind or vision impaired.
In 2013 we underwent two significant audits through the Disability Service
Commission and the Home and Community Care Program. The Association
met every standard and was commended for the high quality of services it
provides.
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Under the DisabilityCare Australia National Disability Insurance Scheme,
consumers will have a greater say in the services they require. We are
committed to working with people to ensure that we meet their needs and help
them navigate the challenges of this complex environment.
For many years consumers have felt that the word ‘blind’ in our name has
been prohibitive for people with low vision, and a barrier to people accessing
our services. In order to attract a diverse range of consumers and ensure we
are accessible to every person who needs our help, from late 2013 the
Association for the Blind of WA will operate under a new name: VisAbility.
So, what changes will you see in the future? You’ll see a greater efficiency in
our service delivery and a focus on sustainability as we move to an Australian
Business Excellence Framework model and launch a new 2013 – 2015
Strategic Plan.
You’ll see a new national brand for our Guide Dog program, ensuring national
consistency in this cherished, community-supported program. You’ll see a
newer, stronger, people-centred approach, supported by a new Customer
Service Charter.
The next 100 years for our organisation will be of great achievement,
continued change and development, innovation and technological
advancement, and above all, comprehensive care and support for people in
Western Australia who are blind or vision impaired.
Debbie Schaffer
President
Dr Clare Allen
Chief Executive Officer
Board of Directors
Debbie Schaffer
(President)
Company Director
Schaffer Group of Companies
David Craig
Company Director
Greg Madson
Office Administrator
University of Western Australia
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David Bevan
Company Director
Dean Pike
Founding Partner
Pike & Skinner
Helen Smith OAM
Director, Eye Surgery Foundation
Dr Iain Murray
Senior Lecturer
Curtin University of Technology
Lana Thompson
Self Employed
Lorraine Driscoll
General Manager
Lotterywest
Harry Kleyn
Company Director
David Ligovich
Chief Financial Officer
Silver Chain Group
Ian Blackburn
Blind Citizen
Jennifer Dawson
Blind Citizen
Organisational Structure
Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer Dr Clare Allen
 Executive Assistant
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Executive Manager Business Development Tony Hagan
 Community/Government Relations
 Fundraising
 Conference Centre/Cafe
 Grants
 Social Enterprise
Executive Manager Operations Debra Barnes
 Vision Management
 Children and Family Services
 Confident Living Program
 Mobility Services
 Industry Skills Centre
 Library and Information Services/Assistive Technology
Executive Manager Quality and People Carol Solosy
 Human Resources
 Customer Services
 Business Excellence
 Quality, Audit & Compliance
Executive Manager Corporate Services Chris Whitelock
 Financial Services
 Information Technology
 Property Management
 Data Services
Low Vision
Acquired Brain Injury Vision Services
The Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Vision Service is the first dedicated acquired
brain injury visual assessment and rehabilitation facility in Western Australia.
A team of qualified Orthoptists, Occupational Therapists and Orientation and
Mobility Instructors assess functional vision and level of mobility and devise
and implement tailored training programs. Programs address each person's
goals, mobility needs and the impact of their acquired brain injury.
This year the ABI Vision Service has developed links with other service
providers, providing in-house professional development seminars on referral
pathways and service outcomes. The service was established under a grant
from the Jean Murray Jones Charitable Trust.
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Low Vision Clinic
The Low Vision Clinic assists people with vision impairment of all ages, from
newborns and school-aged children right through to seniors. Vision
assessments provided this year include functional vision assessments for
children, sports testing for Paralympic athletes and testing for acquired brain
injury.
This year the clinic received new equipment including a Goldmann Perimeter,
the industry gold standard for the assessment of neurological visual field
deficits associated with acquired brain injury. New iPads were also purchased
for training and assessment. The iPad’s magnification settings are ideal for
people with low vision to continue reading, and applications are available to
assist with vision assessment and tasks of daily living.
Kimberley Program
The Kimberley Program has been providing direct assistance to people with
vision impairment in the Kimberley for almost 20 years. Beginning as a pilot in
1994, the program has grown to include collaboration with local agencies
across the region to provide relevant services that have a real impact in the
community.
Staff work with Kimberley Aged Care Services, one of the Association's
partners in the region, attending workshops in several communities. During a
visit in April they met with members of the Yungngora and Wangkatjungka
Communities to discuss the importance of eye health, and prevention and
treatment of common eye health problems.
Community Education
In October the Association visited the Chevron DomGas Pipeline Project work
site to educate workers on the importance of eye protection. Orthoptist Alicia
Fourie travelled to Fortescue River, 140 kilometres south of Karratha, to
attend a toolbox meeting with KT Pipelines, one of the companies involved in
the project.
DomGas HSE Coordinator Darren Williams said "having an orthoptist from the
Association visit our site was invaluable. It really reminded the team how
important, and how easy, it is to protect your eyes. We've always been
focused on eye safety, and since beginning our partnership with the
Association we’re experiencing an even greater level of safety awareness
among the team."
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Vision2020 Australia
The Association is an active partner and major supporter of Vision2020
Australia, a primary advocacy body whose mission is to eliminate avoidable
blindness and vision loss by the year 2020.
Vision2020 Australia represents over 60 member organisations involved in
local and global eye care, health promotion, low vision support, vision
rehabilitation, eye research, professional assistance and community support.
Participation on the Board of Vision2020 enables the Association to effectively
represent the interests of its clients in matters such as the proposed National
Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Bowen Foundation
Through its partnership with the Bowen Foundation, the Association has
provided white canes, protective eye wear and magnification glasses to
people with vision impairment in WA, including many in remote and regional
areas.
With the Foundation’s support, the Association purchased new technologies
such as iPads, which are used during consultations to demonstrate
accessibility features and applications that relate to low vision and orientation
and mobility.
Case Study: Regaining Mobility After Acquired Brain Injury
Caring for two children under the age of four keeps any parent on their toes.
But for Padbury mother Natalie Walker, walking sons Cooper (3) and Daniel
(1) to day care is a challenge on a whole new level. Natalie lost her entire left
field of vision after suffering a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage - a rare and
serious form of stroke - early last year.
Following her stroke, Natalie was referred to the Association's Acquired Brain
Injury Vision Service to learn strategies in order to maximise her remaining
vision. "Before training with Orientation and Mobility Instructor Erin, I was
walking into things a lot and had several black eyes and pairs of broken
glasses! Since completing my training, I no longer bump into things."
Natalie uses a guide cane, which she has primarily for identification purposes.
Carrying a guide cane means that the people around Natalie know that she
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has a vision impairment and will take extra caution not to bump into her or her
children.
For Natalie, being able to get out and about with Cooper and Daniel is one of
the biggest benefits of her visual scanning rehabilitation. "When I came out of
hospital I couldn't cross a road on my own. With Erin's help, I've learned to
catch buses with my two little children, something I never thought I'd be able
to do," says Natalie.
Life Skills
Better Start
Better Start is a national early intervention initiative funded by the Australian
Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs that provides families with funding for better access to early
intervention services. Eligible children can access up to $12,000 in early
intervention funding.
As a registered Better Start provider, Association staff work with parents and
children to develop a program of additional services that will provide the best
possible early intervention outcomes. Staff provide a combination of
occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, social work, orientation
and mobility, orthoptics, psychology and resources and equipment services.
VidKids Program
The VidKids initiative enables the Association to deliver therapy services via
video-conferencing to children with vision impairment aged 0 – 18 years who
live in rural and remote Western Australia.
Sense of Adventure Pilot Program
Seventeen participants took part in the Sense of Adventure pilot program, a
leisure sampling and community skills development group for young adults
aged between 18 - 35 years. Activities include tandem cycling, self-defence
courses, art gallery visits and laser games. Choice and participation are key
elements and activities are chosen and planned by participants, with support
from Association staff.
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Cooking Program
As a result of consumer consultation during a Disability Services Commission
review, the Association has implemented a skills based Cooking Program.
The program is run by an Occupational Therapist and the goal is for
participants to develop the skills to become independent in making meals for
themselves.
Confident Living Program
Health awareness, low impact exercise, Pilates, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and
competitive martial arts classes were introduced to help seniors reduce
incidence of falls and premature admission to hospital and supported
residential care.
Six clients under 55 participated in the Outreach Program with the aim to self
manage, problem solve and increase their skills and confidence to access
community events, activities, programs, clubs and agencies of their choice.
The Association has an ongoing partnership with Senior Constable Frank Bell
from the Crime Prevention & Diversity Unit, Central Metro Police Station, who
speaks on community safety for the Living Safe and Living Well workshops for
people with vision loss.
The Confident Living Program has been extended to participants through the
Community Aged Care Package (CACP) and Extended Aged Care at Home
(EACH) programs through collaboration with Amana Living, Southern Cross
Care, Brightwater At Home Service and St Ives.
Blind Sports
The Association worked with the Australian Paralympics Committee and the
Department of Sport and Recreation to support clients with vision impairment
to participate in mainstream and blind sport and recreation programs.
The organisation was instrumental in the initiation of Goalball as a Paralympic
sport and the formation of Goalball WA as a sustainable and autonomous
blind sporting group in Western Australia. The Association also assisted in
establishing and registering the Western Australian Blind Sports Federation,
with the first Annual General Meeting held on 21 April.
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Partnerships
Ongoing collaboration with the Town of Victoria Park enables clients to
participate in community activities and initiatives in the local area. These
include the town’s community allotment for gardening, pool walking and the
Community Connection group. The Association received a grant under the
Access Victoria Park Program, which enabled clients to discover its history
and participate in community events and visit local cafés.
The Town of Victoria Park also generously donated $1000 for the creation of
a ceramic Centenary Wall. The wall will showcase the skills of clients with
vision loss and celebrate the achievements of the Association from 1913 to
2013. The Opening of the Centenary Wall has been scheduled for October
2013.
Case Study: A Better Start for Children’s Future
Seven-year-old Weiland Mansell has overcome more challenges than most
children during his initial years of primary school. Weiland has optic nerve
glioma, and has only a limited amount of vision in his right eye.
For Weiland, vision impairment makes everyday activities such as walking to
school, crossing the road, learning to write and finding friends in the
playground all the more difficult.
Now, thanks to the Association and a national initiative called Better Start,
Weiland has received additional support to learn an important skill for life: how
to write his name. Through Better Start, Weiland's parents Priscilla and Daniel
purchased an additional 10 hours of occupational therapy, which he received
in twice weekly sessions for five weeks, to help him improve his writing skills.
"While he reads okay, Weiland finds writing difficult because he can't see
what he's writing, unless he uses a very fat marker," says Priscilla. "Through
Better Start, an Occupational Therapist from the Association visited twice a
week to teach Weiland techniques to learn his letters, such as rhymes, using
tactile letters or whole body exercises. Now he can write his name, and is
even moving on to sentences."
"When we first came to the Association, Weiland wasn't even walking. Now,
he's in mainstream school, he rides his bike, goes to swimming lessons and is
learning to read and write. The Association's staff have gone out of their way
to help," said Priscilla.
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Learning
School Aged Programs
The Saturday Program operates during school terms and provides children
with a safe and supportive environment to try new activities and learn
important life skills. The Association continued with the Music Rocks Australia
program, which provides a popular music program to a group of school-aged
children.
The School Holiday Program held four sleepovers, and children also had a
chance to participate in skills-based groups including nighttime mobility and
the Guide Dog experience. Together, the School Holiday and Saturday
Programs were attended by 24 young people with vision impairment.
The Social and Life Skills Activities (SALSA) camp visited Pinjarra to focus on
life and social skills. Twenty-three young people and six staff attended the
camp over four days and three nights, making this year’s camp the largest
ever. The Association was successful in a number of small community grants
to assist in funding valuable groups and also supporting the attendance of
rural and remote children with vision impairment at the SALSA camp.
Transition Program
As a result of consumer consultation during a Disability Services Commission
review, the Association has implemented a Transition Program for young
adults. Initial stages of the program involved meeting with participants to
ascertain their individual needs, promote planning and self-advocacy, explore
education and employment options, and develop better links with other
community services.
Partnerships and Collaboration
The Association continued to strengthen its partnership with the Vision
Education Service (VES). Throughout the year orientation and mobility
services were provided state wide to school-aged students. The Association
and VES also held joint roles and responsibilities workshops. The Perron
Centre continued to be a hub for five VES Visiting Teachers.
The organisation was represented on the Disability Professional Services
Sector Committee. This committee provides an opportunity for the Association
to work more closely with other Disability Services Commission funded
organisations. The Association also hosted two focus groups for the
Commissioner of Children and Young People. These groups provided a forum
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for children and young people with vision impairment to have a say about their
local community.
Industry Skills Centre
The Industry Skills Centre is a Registered Training Organisation that offers an
accessible training environment for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Twenty-one students graduated from the Centre with a full certificate at the
end of 2012.
In Semester One 2013 the Centre offered Certificate I and III in Business and
Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology.
CISCO Academy for the Vision Impaired
The CISCO Academy for the Vision Impaired (CAVI) is part of the Cisco
Networking Academy in the Asia Pacific region. CISCO empowers people
through e-learning environments that enable them to learn anytime,
anywhere, at their own pace, and with more targeted assessments and
accountability than traditional classroom settings.
Cisco qualifications are recognised throughout the world and can lead to
employment in the information technology industry. Qualifications are
obtained using a mixture of online and practical resources. CAVI is a joint
project between the Association and Curtin University’s Centre for Accessible
Technology.
Employment Assistance Fund
The Association has continued its contract under Job Access to conduct
worksite assessments throughout WA for people with vision impairment, who
are not necessarily Association clients. During the financial year we undertook
30 worksite assessments for employers around the State.
Case Study: Helping Sophie Ride through Life
Sophie Kotkis loves nothing more than feeling the wind in her face when out
cycling with her dad Gavin. But 12-year-old Sophie’s life so far has not been
an easy ride.
Shortly after she was born, Sophie’s mum Shelley noticed that one of her
eyes was misshapen. Sophie has a vision condition called bilateral coloboma.
Sophie began receiving services from the Association when she was just a
few months old. Through the early intervention program, she received
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physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and vision assessments.
As she got older, Sophie attended playgroup, sleepovers and the Saturday
Program as part of the school aged program.
“The services Sophie has received at the Association have given her
confidence, independence, and valuable life skills. It’s also been a great
opportunity for us to meet parents of other vision impaired kids and share our
stories.”
Sophie is now in year 7 at Methodist Ladies College, which has meant
adjusting to moving from one building to another for classes. This was made
easier and safer for Sophie with assistance from the Association’s Orientation
and Mobility Instructors who checked the various routes Sophie would take,
and suggested techniques that the school could use, such as highlighting
steps.
“Without the Association, Sophie’s life would be vastly different. I can’t give
enough praise to the staff in the Children and Family Services team. They
really put children with vision impairment and sighted children on a level
playing field.”
Mobility
Innovation
This year the Guide Dog and Orientation and Mobility teams came together to
form the Mobility Services Team. This collaborative approach to mobility
services will lead to better facilitation of referrals for the suite of mobility aids
available to people with vision impairment.
The team adopted an area-specific service delivery model designed to
minimize travel time and lessen the time that clients have to wait to access
orientation and mobility services.
The addition of iPads to Orientation and Mobility Instructors’ toolkits has
greatly increased the Mobility Program’s efficiency, allowing staff to update
service information while out in the field during off-site contact visits.
Puppy Program
This year 30 Guide Dog puppies-in-training attended regular Puppy Classes
and underwent ongoing assessment, with the generous support of volunteer
Puppy Raisers. The introduction of a dedicated Baby Puppy Class enabled
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the Puppy Raiser Coordinator to address key issues early within puppy
training, reducing the amount of issues identified at formal training stage.
Guide Dog Graduations
Guide Dog Mobility Instructors trained and matched 10 clients with Guide
Dogs throughout the year. Two regional Guide Dog graduation ceremonies
and three metropolitan ceremonies were held.
Twenty-five per cent of Guide Dog owners live in regional areas of WA. It
takes two years to train a Guide Dog, and Guide Dog mobility training takes
place both at the Association and around the individual's home. Staff support
and work with Guide Dog teams throughout their working lives, which is
approximately eight-and-a-half years.
Emergency Vet Fund
This financial year the cost of the Association’s emergency vet care has
increased 50 per cent. With the support of the community, the Emergency Vet
Fund provides for unexpected or non-routine vet care for our working Guide
Dogs and Guide Dog puppies-in-training, ensuring Guide Dog owners don’t
have the burden of finding funds for expensive and unexpected surgery or
treatment.
Partnerships
The Association continued its ongoing collaboration with Guide Dog schools
under the Guide Dogs Australia national alliance. In particular, staff from the
Guide Dog Program worked with Guide Dogs South Australia/Northern
Territory and Guide Dogs Queensland to workshop International Guide Dog
Federation (IGDF) accreditation and regulatory standards, and to explore their
service models for companion dogs.
New Town Toyota and the Perron Group donated a Toyota HiAce van to the
Association to be used to safely transport multiple dogs in the Perth metro
and regional areas. Thanks to Gorgon Upstream Facilities Team, the van will
be customised with individual travelling compartments and other specialist
equipment to ensure that puppies have the safest and most comfortable
journey.
The Guide Dog Program uses ADVANCE super-premium dog food thanks to
the support of Mars Petcare. Merial generously provide Heartgard and
Frontline treatments needed for the continued good health and performance
of puppies. The Cottesloe Veterinary Clinic generously provides advice,
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consultations, vaccinations and treatment to our working Guide Dogs, Guide
Dogs-in-training and pups at walk.
The success and growth of the program is reliant on the support of our major
Guide Dog sponsors who provide a minimum of $30,000 per sponsorship.
See page 28 for more information.
Community Education
The Association regularly visits schools, community groups and aged care
facilities to provide information on vision loss prevention, low vision services,
blindness and vision impairment awareness and mobility aids such as white
canes and Guide Dogs. Staff from the Orientation and Mobility team, including
Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, recently visited Belmont Youth Services
Centre to provide community education on mobility services such as Guide
Dogs and white canes.
Case Study: Bright Future Ahead after Sudden Vision Loss
In 2011, 26-year-old Kate Atkins could not have imagined the remarkable
changes that she would encounter in the next two-and-a-half years of her life.
Kate noticed a change in her vision after returning from a holiday in Bali,
Indonesia. Her vision dramatically deteriorated over the course of the next
year, but no doctor could identify the cause for this rapid change.
“It was very hard for me because no one, especially me, could understand
how I could lose my vision over a period of just 18 months. I lost the
confidence to run around at my usual fast pace,” said Kate.
Kate was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a
hereditary condition where a person loses their central vision. Kate, who
works in the Central Business District, was determined to continue living an
active and independent lifestyle with her new vision impairment.
In March 2013, Kate received Guide Dog Lucy from the Association, giving
her a new level of confidence and independence.
“Lucy has given me back the confidence to walk around without being scared
that I could walk into someone at any moment. I still love going shopping and
out for meals and all the normal girly things like getting my hair and nails
done. Now, with Lucy, I have the confidence to do it all at my usual 100-milean-hour pace!”
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Access
Assistive Technologies
The Lotterywest Disability Equipment Grant program makes funds available
for the purchase of assistive technology for use by people who are blind or
vision impaired and who are unable to afford their own. This year 145 people
were assisted with equipment including portable video magnifiers, large
CCTVs, speech to text magnifiers and scanners, iPads and iPhones, large
print keyboards and DAISY readers.
Newly introduced iPad and iPhone Accessibility Groups have proven popular,
with 107 participants since their commencement in early 2013. Three
workshops are available including an expression of interest/general
information workshop, a basic accessibility features workshop, and a
level two accessibility course. Handouts are available on general accessibility
features and applications that assist people with low vision.
Library Expedition Enrichment Program
The Library Expedition: Specialised Enrichment Program for Children with
Disability encourages library participation and engagement to develop
important reading and literacy skills for children with disability, including the
unique learning needs of children with vision impairment. The program
engages pre-school and school aged children with vision impairment in an
interactive library environment where they can play and learn.
Digital Library
The Association’s digital library has over 70,000 texts that are either
immediately available for download or available for conversion into accessible
formats. Children and teenagers with print disabilities are the service’s fastest
growing user groups. Twenty-four schools throughout Western Australia are
using the catalogue.
In addition to the State’s schools, the Association is working with the MS
Society of Western Australia and Alzheimers Australia WA to identify clients
who may benefit from the digital library service.
Partnerships
The Association continued its important relationship with the nation’s secondlargest Internet Service Provider iiNet. iiNet hosts the library’s server in its
Freezone, offering iiNet subscribers the opportunity to download audio books
Association for the Blind of WA 2013 Annual Review
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and other material without affecting their download quota. This reduces
potentially significant financial barriers for library borrowers who otherwise
may not be able to afford to download a high number of audio files.
Accessible Formats
In November the Association made two books available in accessible formats
at the same time as the conventional print version was released to the general
public. Copies of The Last Refugee: Yemen al-Qaeda and America's War in
Arabia by Gregory Johnsen, and How the Dog Became the Dog by Mark Derr
were provided by Scribe Publications in advance of their official release. This
allowed the Association to fast-track production of alternative formats, which
would usually be released months after the print copy is published.
A reasonably priced, fee-for-service production unit converts personal
material into audio or Braille formats. Examples of commonly requested items
include books, exam papers, timetables, recipes, letters, manuals, greeting
cards, maps, knitting patterns, documents and menus.
Access Focus
The Association was awarded a grant of $50,000 under the State
Government's Social Enterprise Fund to develop a business plan for an
access and consultancy service. The Access Focus service will bridge the
gap between Government accessibility policies and the public and private
sectors’ ability to proactively meet these new standards. Subsequent to
receiving the grant, the Association successfully applied for Stream 1 funding
for the project. In March the Association conducted a survey among clients
and members, the results of which will help the service improve accessibility
to spaces and information for the 14 million Australians living with disability.
Case Study: Audio Books Open Doors
For more than 30 years the Association’s Dr Geoff Gallop Braille and Talking
Book Library has been the State’s most comprehensive source of accessible
format information for people who are blind or vision impaired. Now the library
is broadening its reach – and its impact – by expanding services to people
with print disability, such as dyslexia, throughout Western Australia.
Students from Mazenod College in the Perth Hills are amongst the first groups
to make use of the Association’s digital library of accessible format texts. By
registering for the online catalogue, Mazenod students with learning
difficulties such as dyslexia have access to more than 70,000 texts that are
either available immediately, or can be converted to digital audio format on
Association for the Blind of WA 2013 Annual Review
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demand. Once downloaded, students can listen to texts on any mainstream
media player, such as an iPhone or iPad.
“Through the Association’s digital library, students will have access to digital
novels and other material that would normally be presented to them in print
form. The fact that we can request titles to be converted into downloadable
files is fantastic. I’ve already requested this service for a novel that the
students in Year 8 study,” said Josephine McNally, Education Support
Coordinator at Mazenod College.
The Association’s digital library was developed in 2011 through the
Lotterywest-supported Beyond Books, Beyond Barriers project. Through the
two-year project, the library converted thousands of audio books from
cassette to digital format, and partnered with digital libraries around the world
to provide an ever-growing database of digital texts. The library now partners
with equivalent accessible format libraries in Canada, Malaysia and South
Africa.
Celebrating a Centenary
Association Awards
The winners of the 2012 Association Awards were recognised at an Awards
Ceremony held at the Association's Open Day in October. The Association
Awards recognise social and academic achievements of people who are blind
or vision impaired, and provide opportunities to develop independent living
skills. Association staff member and award winner Ryan Honschooten was
the Master of Ceremonies; he welcomed guests to the event, many being
Children and Family Services clients and their families. Special guest Ben
Wyatt MLA spoke on the importance in believing in yourself, having people
believe in you and setting big goals. Ann Barton (daughter of Angus Stewart)
also attended the Ceremony to present her late father's award. The
Association presented the remainder of the Awards on behalf of the families
of Ida Lloyd and Fred and Lorna Craggs.
Open Day
The Association’s Open Day was held from 11am - 3pm on Saturday 20
October 2012. Perth turned on its best spring weather as the crowds visited
the Perron Centre in Victoria Park to learn about the Association's vital work.
Visitors of all ages took the opportunity to meet Guide Dog Puppies, watch
Guide Dog Puppy Classes hosted by our Guide Dog Instructors, participate in
face painting, purchase arts and crafts, and enjoy the baby animal farm and
Association for the Blind of WA 2013 Annual Review
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live music and entertainment. They were also treated to a performance by the
Music Rocks Kids Band, comprised of the Association's clients, as part of the
Children and Family Services Saturday Program. The three Guide Dog Puppy
Classes were popular and gave the community an insight into Guide Dog
puppy socialisation and training.
Perth Fashion Festival
For the first time in Australian fashion history, running commentary via audio
description for people who are vision impaired was part of five Perth Fashion
Festival (PFF) shows in September 2012. Audio description refers to an
additional narration track on visual media (including television, film, dance,
opera and visual art) for consumers who are blind or vision impaired. It
consists of a narrator speaking throughout the presentation, describing what's
happening on the stage during natural pauses in dialogue. Headphones for
audio description were available at Morrison, Myer Fashion Luncheon,
Designer Capsule #3, Restyle on the Runway, and the exclusive VIP closing
event, Giving Back is the New Black. At Re-style on the Runway, sisters Erin
and Claire McGlew strutted their stuff down the runway with the help of Guide
Dogs Ronnie and Swanee.
Street Appeal
On Wednesday 24 April 2013, the Perth CBD was filled with a sea of blue as
volunteers for the Association hit the streets for the Annual Corporate
Challenge Street Appeal. Around 200 bright-eyed and bushy-tailed volunteers
and 28 tail wagging Guide Dogs and puppies-in-training joined together to
raise a grand total of $31,785.25, making this year's fundraising total the
biggest yet. Teams from companies with a corporate conscience also took
part in the action, competing for their company to be named as winner of the
Corporate Challenge by collecting the highest amount in donations. Law firm
Jackson McDonald successfully took out the trophy, raising a total of
$4,835.10. Other teams who competed in the Corporate Challenge include
Allens Linklaters, ASIC, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Deloitte, Jackson
McDonald, King and Wood Mallesons, Microsoft and Perth Modern School.
Conference Centre
The Guide Dog Conference Centre continues to be popular with organisations
seeking facilities for training, professional development or corporate events.
The Centre includes the fully equipped Wesfarmers Theatrette, the Guide Dog
Discovery Centre and three state-of-the-art conference rooms. Quality food
and meeting management is provided by our on-site catering team. The
Conference Centre provides wonderful opportunities for the Association to
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educate the community and raise awareness of vision loss, our services and
the difference we make within the community. This year the Centre received
more than 500 bookings and hosted several large-scale events. Among the
events and initiatives hosted at the Conference Centre this year were
Disability Services Commission team building seminars, Winston Churchill
Fellowship awards and interviews, Uniting Care West information seminars
and several Babbingur Guide Dog Graduation ceremonies.
Volunteers
The support of volunteers during 2012-2013 has been outstanding. The
Association has over 200 active volunteers tirelessly working throughout
Western Australia. On Friday 30 November 2012 the Association held its
annual Volunteer Appreciation Morning Tea to celebrate and thank
volunteers who dedicate their time to helping Western Australians with vision
impairment. Staff, volunteers and members gathered in the Handa Hall to
enjoy a cup of tea and a range of home-made goodies brought in by staff as
a thank you for the volunteers' time and hard work. From the volunteers who
work with binding, labelling and proofreading Braille, to those who assist at
front reception, in the Leisure, Sport and Recreation Programs and
Transport Service, Puppy Raising or in the Mini Dog program, the
Association’s clients benefit significantly from its volunteers’ diverse range of
skills and expertise.
Treasurer’s Report
As Treasurer of this iconic Western Australian not for profit organisation, I am
pleased to report that we have had a very positive year financially after what
was a difficult 2011-2012.
As has been the case for much of the Association’s history, the bequests that
we receive are the key to whether a surplus or deficit is reported to you. The
significant drop in bequests that occurred in 2011-2012 was dramatically
reversed in the year to 30 June 2013, with this year’s surplus of $1.6m
counter-balancing last year’s deficit of $1.1m. Net cash generated was $1.3m
for the year compared to only $229,000 in 2011-2012. Bequests amounted to
$3.4m, compared to only $640,000 in the previous year.
This has enabled the Association’s cash reserves to return to an acceptable
level, $1.6m in external borrowings has been fully repaid, and the Association
is again debt free.
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The ongoing challenge for management and the Board is to consolidate this
recovery, and we are working actively to create a future in which the
Association is less dependent upon bequests for its sustainability.
The Operating Result
The surplus for the 2012-2013 financial year is $1,605,000, after charging
$446,000 of depreciation costs associated with the new building and its fit out
and $424,000 of other depreciation costs. Fixed assets that were obsolete or
otherwise superseded were written down by $482,000.
Grants and subsidies from State and Commonwealth government agencies
comprised 37% of the Association’s net income for the year. I would
especially like to thank the Disability Services Commission, Commonwealth
Department of Health and Ageing, WA Department of Health, State Library of
Western Australia, Department of Culture and the Arts, Department of
Training and Workforce Development, and the Commonwealth Department
for Social Services (formerly the Department of Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) for their funding of essential
programs and invaluable client services.
Donations, bequests, telemarketing and fundraising appeals contributed
$4.7m in funds (net of direct costs) to our client service delivery and support
work and to pay for the overheads that underpin the activities of any business.
Bequest income is always critical to our ongoing work and to our ability to
provided services over and above what government requests. We will always
be grateful to those who leave the Association a legacy.
With the support of Lotterywest through the Independent Living Centre WA,
essential adaptive equipment worth $330,000 was provided to low-income
Western Australians who are blind and vision-impaired.
Balance Sheet
At 30 June 2013, the organisation had $3.08m in cash and funds on deposit,
an improvement of $1.3m on the preceding financial year. Accumulated
surpluses amounting to $15.9m, represented primarily by our premises and
adjacent buildings in Victoria Park.
Financial Management
The Association uses detailed budgeting and ongoing reporting to its Board to
effectively and sustainably manage its financial resources. Areas of activity
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that are unviable or do not fit with the core mission are periodically reviewed,
and operational adjustments made to ensure our long term sustainability while
still endeavouring to provide our clients with the support and services they
need.
Future
The environment in which the Association operates is in the process of
significant change, with the advent of DisabilityCare Australia (formerly known
as the NDIS, and likely to change its name again to the NDIA), and changes
to aged care funding and the regulation of charities and non-profits. Your
Board and management are monitoring these developments and adapting the
Association for the future.
Appreciation
I would like to thank my colleagues on the Board and the Finance, Audit and
Risk Committee for donating their time, skills and experience, the staff and
volunteers for the great work that they do every day, and the members of the
Association for their support.
I also acknowledge the in-kind support we receive from many worthy
organisations and from our dedicated volunteers.
Dean Pike
B.Bus., AssocDipVal, GradDipBus, FCA, FTIA
Honorary Treasurer
Abridged Financial Statements for the Year
Ended 30 June 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Government Subsidies
Fundraising
Telephone & Technology Sales
Other Operating Income
Total Income
Total Expenditure
Net Surplus/ (Deficit) for the Year
Association for the Blind of WA 2013 Annual Review
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4,355,748
5,876,956
2,175,858
893,912
13,302,474
11,697,340
1,605,134
2012
3,368,348
2,846,179
2,329,131
740,317
9,283,975
10,342,574
(1,058,599)
25
Statement of Financial Position
Current Assets
Non-Current Assets
Total Assets
Current Liabilities
Non-Current Liabilities
Total Liabilities
2013
3,648,152
14,760,025
18,408,177
2,368,152
127,503
2,495,655
2012
2,130,375
15,971,260
18,101,635
2,026,108
1,768,139
3,794,247
Net Assets
15,912,522
14,307,388
Accumulated Surpluses
15,912,522
14,307,388
Our Thanks
Government & Funders
Our services are generously supported through funding from:
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Disability Services Commission
Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations
Department of Health and Ageing - Home and Community Care
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous
Affairs
Department for Communities
Department of Culture and the Arts
Department of Training and Workforce Development
Department of Health, WA
Department of Sport and Recreation
State Library of WA
Bequests & Trusts
Over the years, bequests have allowed us to meet the growing demand for
our services and change the lives of thousands of Western Australians.
This year we gratefully received gifts in Wills from the following estates:
 Marion Ann Baker
 Alfred Walter John Barratt
 Margaret Mary Browning
 Graeme Stanley Carter
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Walter Donald Couper
Evelyn Craven
Marion Rondah Farmer
Thomas Donald Fisher
Ilse Margit GoldSchmidt
Daphne Iris Goulding
Doris Groves
Phyllis Frances Hall
Eileen Heath
Robert Norman Howie
Eileen Mary Kenny
Christine Kleiman
John Badock Kuhnberg
Alfred William Leonard
Max Manning
Daphne Edna May Minus
Kathleen Nunan
Alexander Edwin Poad
Edward Arthur Ross
Margaret Ernestine Salvair
Johannes Schaufele
Sylvia Eileen Scotson
Janet Lucy Shaw
Philip Norman Taylor
Joyce Olive Tubb
Cecilia Lee Che Veal
Frederick Barbor Withers
Eric Alexander Wynne
This year we gratefully received funds from the following Trusts:
Managed by Public Trustee
 Francis Joseph Ryan
 Alan Dexter Strawbridge
Managed by Perpetual
 Jean Marion Isobel Balston
 Alan & Lilian Cameron
 Harry Frederick Carter
 Margaret Harper Charitable Trust
 Hansen & Kean
 Jeanne Krajanich Trust
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Francis John Longhurst
Lindsay & Nan Wilkinson Trust
Managed by Other
 Valma June Cook
 The Jack Family Trust
For further information about leaving a gift in your Will to the Association,
please contact us on (08) 9311 8202 or bequests@guidedogswa.com.au.
In-Kind Supporters
Our in-kind supporters make it possible for us to direct much-needed funds to
vital services. Over the years they have become part of our community:
building friendships, supporting our work and making many of our projects
possible. We can’t thank them enough for their continued support - support
that is valued and respected.
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King & Wood Mallesons
Holiday Inn Perth City Centre
Skywest
WAMS
Worldwide Online Printing
Guide Dog Sponsors
Many individuals, schools and companies support the Association’s Guide
Dog program through Guide Dog Puppy Pals. The ongoing success and
growth of the program is also reliant on the support of our major Guide Dog
sponsors who provided a minimum of $30,000 per donation.
This year we recognise the following wonderful Guide Dog sponsors:
 SapuraClough who sponsored Java
 John and June Gaynor who sponsored Beamer
 Major Holdings who sponsored Jules
 Calibre Rail Site Team who sponsored Cali
 McCusker Foundation who sponsored Rosie
 Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation who sponsored Skye
 Albany Auxiliary who sponsored Mena
 Jean Arkley who sponsored Tom and Harry
 Family and friends of the late Len and Suzanne Shield who sponsored
Lenny
 Anonymous donor who sponsored Coleman
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The Bebb family who sponsored Noah
The Hughan family who sponsored Pluto
The Linton family who sponsored Jack
Judith Jowett who sponsored Jude
Guide Dogs Australia
Guide Dogs Australia is a brand that represents Australia's state based Guide
Dog organisations. This year we have continued to work with Guide Dog
organisations nationally to explore opportunities for collaboration.
We proudly thank and recognise our Guide Dogs Australia national partners:
 Coles
 Mars Petcare
 Merial
Corporate & Community Supporters
The Association recognises the following corporate and community
supporters:
 Ace Health and Safety Specialists
 Allens Linklaters
 Australian Securities and Investments Commission
 Blackboy Kennels
 Bowen Foundation
 Chalkdell Kennels
 Coles
 Corrs Chambers Westgarth
 Cottesloe Veterinary Clinic
 Courtsum Kennels
 Deloitte
 Ferranti Kennels
 Frances Andrijich
 Fundi Software
 Guide Dogs Queensland
 Guide Dogs Victoria
 Harbour Town
 Hawaiian
 iiNet
 Jackson McDonald
 Jean Murray Jones Charitable Trust
 King & Wood Mallesons
 Kingston International College
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Matthew Dwyer Photography
McDonald’s Bunbury stores
Microsoft
Music Rocks Australia
Perth Modern School
Perth Fashion Festival
The Perron Group
Life Members
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Ron Anderson OAM
Cam Ansell
Michael Barton
Dr Gordon Bougher
Connie Craig OAM
Professor Geoff Gallop AC
Clifford Gooch
Dixie Gunning OAM
Tony Hagan
Peter Hickson
Lester James
Dorothy Judd
Kim Laurence
Tina Mackay
Ross McLean OAM
Steve Moore
Elizabeth Needham
Jean Perron
Dr L.S. (Stan) Perron AM
Peter Potter MBE
Ruth Reid AM Cit. WA
John Rodgers
Hans Schmah
Roma Shilling
John Thompson
Ray Walters
Finance, Audit and Risk Board Committee
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Dean Pike (Chair)
Debbie Schaffer
David Bevan
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David Craig
David Ligovich
Hayden White
Consumer Advisory Committee
The Consumer Advisory Committee is consumer committee for discussion
purposes and consists of members of the organisation. It meets quarterly and
consists of people who are blind or vision impaired and/or their carers.
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Greg Madson (Chair)
Fiona Payne
Michelle Griffin
Marie Bedford
Arasa Savundra (Kumar)
Gemma Travers
Dorothy Feldman
Marie Ingley
Jenny Dawson
If you would like to find out more, or know someone who might benefit from
our services, we’d love to hear from you.
www.guidedogswa.com.au
Association for the Blind of WA – Guide Dogs WA
The Perron Centre (Main Centre)
61 Kitchener Avenue Victoria Park 6100
PO Box 101 Victoria Park 6979
Tel: (08) 9311 8202
Fax: (08) 9361 8696
Toll free: 1800 847 466
Email: info@guidedogswa.com.au
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