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Everyone deserves the right to live, work, and travel with dignity and independence. But if you’re blind or have low vision, you may sometimes face some challenges, from being denied access to a café to struggling with unsafe public spaces.

The good news? Strong laws exist to protect your rights, and you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Vision Australia’s Stand Up for Your Rights guides on the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), How to make a complaint, and Approaching Government give you the knowledge and tools to take action.

What we’ve heard from the community

“I was refused entry to a taxi with my Seeing Eye Dog. Knowing the DDA protected my right to travel with her gave me the confidence to stand my ground.” 

— Vision Australia client

“When my workplace didn’t provide documents in accessible formats, I used the complaint templates to raise the issue. It worked, I finally started receiving emails instead of paper handouts.”

— Vision Australia client

The challenges people can face

People who are blind or have low vision often encounter:

  • Businesses refusing service or access,
  • Employers failing to provide reasonable adjustments,
  • Schools overlooking the needs of students with disability,
  • Government agencies not offering information in accessible formats, and
  • Unsafe footpaths, crossings, or public transport stations that put people at risk.

These barriers aren’t just frustrating; they can be discriminatory. That’s why knowing your rights matters.

How Vision Australia supports you

Our Stand up for your rights guides break down the laws in plain language and give you practical steps to respond when things go wrong:

  • Disability Discrimination Act (DDA): Understand what the law says about equal access to education, work, transport, housing and public spaces. Learn about reasonable adjustments, exemptions, and how to recognise discrimination.
  • How to Make a Complaint: Step-by-step advice on raising issues with businesses, government agencies, or external complaint bodies. Includes templates, examples, and tips for documenting your case.
  • Approaching Government: Guidance on contacting local councils, MPs, or Ministers. Learn how to write effective letters, prepare for meetings, and take part in consultations to influence bigger change.

Real-world examples

School access: A student was denied accessible materials. Using the complaint process, their family raised the issue with the Department of Education, leading to changes across the school.

Public transport: Missing tactile ground surface indicators made a station unsafe. After contacting both the transport authority and their MP, repairs were scheduled and safety improved.

Government engagement: A resident without internet access advocated for printed timetables. By sharing their story with their MP, the issue was taken up at state level.

Tools to help you advocate

With these guides, you’ll feel more confident in:

  • Explaining your rights under the law,
  • Making complaints that get noticed,
  • Escalating issues when needed,
  • Building relationships with decision-makers, and
  • Connecting your personal story to bigger systemic change.

You have the right to equal access

From workplaces to classrooms, buses to government offices, you are protected by law. 

Download the Understand the Disability Discrimination Act guide

Download the How to make a complaint guide

Download the Approaching government guide

Want to access our full series of guides?

For more like these in the series and to take charge of life in the best way possible, download our full series of Stand up for your rights guides.