VisAbility

03/06/2026

Australia’s next Census is on Tuesday 11 August 2026.

Census data helps governments and not-for-profits make important decisions about local services for our community.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is currently accepting applications for Community Field Officers! Community Field Officers support people from all cultures and communities to complete their Census form. They provide information about the Census and help people in-person to complete their form.

They are looking for a range of people with lived experience and experience working with:

· People living with disability
· People experiencing homelessness
· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
· People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
· Youth and older Australians

These jobs are temporary, flexible and close to home, and suit a variety of schedules.

If you are interested in applying, please go to census.abs.gov.au/jobs for more information.

02/06/2026

This Tax Appeal, you have the power to change lives.
Patrick’s story is just one example of how Guide Dogs WA and VisAbility supports people to live with independence and confidence every day.
From guide dog partnerships to essential allied health support services, your generosity makes it all possible.
💙 With the end of financial year approaching, now is the perfect time to give.

Your donation will help more people like Patrick access the support they need to thrive.
👉 Donate now: https://bit.ly/4x4Vkg1
Together, we can create a more inclusive community.

02/06/2026

This Tax Appeal, you have the power to change lives.
Patrick’s story is just one example of how VisAbility and Guide Dogs WA supports people to live with independence and confidence every day. From guide dog partnerships to essential allied health support services, your generosity makes it all possible.
💙 With the end of financial year approaching, now is the perfect time to give.
Your donation will help more people like Patrick access the support they need to thrive.
👉 Donate now: https://bit.ly/4x4Vkg1
Together, we can create a more inclusive community.

01/06/2026

Today is World Orthoptic Day, and we are here to tell you all about it! But what is an Orthoptist? If you don’t know, you can find a handy article on our website!

Article: https://bit.ly/42X0Ljt

You can also watch our video to learn why people go to see Orthoptists!

In short, Orthoptists perform comprehensive vision assessments that consider practical, real-world scenarios. They can also help people with low vision get the most out of the vision they do have. Orthoptists are a crucial part of the eye health ecosystem, helping to ensure that people with low vision can access clinical reports that take into consideration nuances of vision beyond visual acuity (e.g. 20/20 vision).

Back to the celebrations!

Every year, on the first Monday of June, we celebrate World Orthoptic Day. It’s a day where we appreciate the good work that orthoptists do all around the world, but also a day to raise awareness for the same.

Fun Fact: The first Orthoptist clinic in Australia opened in 1931, at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, only 3 years after the first in the world (Royal Westminster Hospital).

Fun Fact 2: Mary Maddox is widely credited as the first ever Orthoptist and started seeing her first patients in the 1920s.

And We Are Hiring! Are you an Orthoptist looking to join our team? Check out our recently posted job ad on SEEK: https://bit.ly/3RRll2d

Throwback to one of our wonderful VisAbility clients who has seen O...

29/05/2026

International Albinism Awareness Day is coming up in just over two weeks, and this year the Albinism Fellowship of Australia - WA is hosting a get-together at Herdsman Lake Tavern!

Join them for an early dinner from 5pm until 7pm to celebrate the day and how far their cause has come.

Details:
Date: Sunday 14th June 2026
Time: 5-7pm
Place: Herdsman Lake Tavern Wembley

Please RSVP your attendance below!

RSVP: https://bit.ly/4uEOmg8

28/05/2026

When technology stops working the way it should, it can quickly become a barrier to independence, especially for people relying on assistive tools in their daily lives.

Through a partnership with Centre for Accessibility Australia, refurbished laptops are being provided to VisAbility clients, set up to support screen readers and other accessibility software. The program is helping bridge a gap where funding often covers software, but not the hardware needed to run it.

Lynn, a long-term VisAbility client, recently received one of the first laptops. As her vision has declined, she now relies on voice-based technology, and her previous device was no longer keeping up. With her new laptop, she’s able to manage daily tasks independently - from writing emails to planning holidays and staying connected with her community.

“Being able to communicate on my own has given me independence back.”

It’s a simple idea with a lasting impact - giving people the tools they need to stay connected and self-reliant.

Read Lynn’s story and learn more about the program: https://www.visability.com.au/technology/accessible-tech-for-all/

25/05/2026

It’s Healthy Vision Month. 👁️

A common myth we hear all the time is “If I can see fine, my eyes are healthy.”

Vision problems don’t always come with obvious warning signs. Many serious eye conditions, like glaucoma or macular degeneration, can develop without pain or early symptoms.

That means you could have changes in your vision without even noticing.

In fact, people often assume their eyes are fine simply because they’re not experiencing discomfort, but that’s not how vision works.

Regular eye tests aren’t just about seeing clearly - they’re about catching what you can’t see yet. Early detection can make all the difference.

25/05/2026

On Friday night, our incredible volunteers and staff from Guide Dogs WA and VisAbility joined fellow community groups at the Town of Victoria Park Volunteer Sundowner.
A perfect way to close out National Volunteer Week, the evening was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the people who give their time, care and energy to strengthen our community.
While we didn’t take home an award this year, we’re so proud to have been nominated alongside so many inspiring individuals and organisations making a difference every day.
It was a fantastic evening connecting, celebrating and recognising the everyday heroes who make our community stronger.
Thank you to the Town of Victoria Park for hosting such a meaningful event — and to our volunteers, we couldn’t do what we do without you.

22/05/2026

Access to technology is no longer a luxury. For people with low vision or no vision, it’s often the difference between independence and isolation.

That belief sits at the heart of a new initiative led by the Centre for Accessibility Australia (CFA Australia), where donated laptops are refurbished and provided to people living with disability. VisAbility has been working closely with CFA Australia in the early stages of the program, helping identify individuals who would benefit most from access to reliable technology.

Tamara, who has been blind since childhood, is one of the first to receive a laptop through the program. After relying on an outdated device that could no longer connect to Wi-Fi, she now has a reliable way to stay connected, pursue her interests, and build new skills. She’s even begun training for her own radio show, with the new laptop becoming an integral part of that process.

“For vision impaired people, it’s really important to stay connected… without that, it can feel very isolating.”

Having access to reliable technology has allowed Tamara to learn, explore new interests, and communicate independently - something she says would have been difficult without the support and guidance she’s received.

Read more about Tamara’s story and the program here: https://www.visability.com.au/technology/accessible-tech-for-all/