Seeing Eye Dogs are essential assistance animals for people who are blind or have low vision, and take years to breed, develop and train with significant investment.
Since the NDIA set up new operational guidelines for assistance animals last year, Vision Australia has expressed concern for how they are affecting our clients’ lives.
There have been instances where NDIS participants have had to rely on a white cane for mobility, having been deemed ineligible for Seeing Eye Dog funding.
Revised dog warranties are also incompatible with global data drawn from accredited International Guide Dog Federation organisations as a metric of a dog’s working life.
In response to these and related concerns, Minister for the NDIS, the Honourable Bill Shorten MP, held open discussions with Vision Australia and toured our Seeing Eye Dog training facility in Kensington on Wednesday August 31. “Seeing Eye Dogs are vital in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision,” Minister Shorten said.
“There are many discussions I’m having with the sector, to understand the different challenges within the NDIS, but also the solutions. I’ve said it before, but getting the NDIS back on track is not a task I take lightly, and it’s not one I can do on my own.”
Caption: Minister for the NDIS, the Honourable Bill Shorten MP, gets to know some Seeing Eye Dogs puppies with senior puppy development trainer Kim Rulach.
Minister Shorten was also excited to meet Seeing Eye Dog puppies in training from the latest bumper litter and urged Melburnians to consider a year of puppy fostering.
Vision Australia’s government relations manager, Chris Edwards, and his Seeing Eye Dog Eva, led the tour of the facility with Minister Shorten, accompanied by Vision Australia’s Client Services Manager of National Programs, Lester Chraim, and NDIS participant and handler Brittnee Watson with Seeing Eye Dog Kuma.
The Minister was also a guest at the Vision Australia board meeting that followed.
Chief executive, Ron Hooton, said Vision Australia appreciated Minister Shorten taking the time to meet with Seeing Eye Dog handlers and trainers to better understand the NDIS issues affecting the blind and low vision community.
“Working together, we can continue to improve conditions and opportunities and support people who are blind or have low vision to live the life they choose,” he said.