Mudgee’s Vision Impaired Friendship Group will today mark two decades of support and advocacy for the area’s blind and low vision community.
One of the many Vision Australia Community Groups that operate across Australia, the group was founded in 1997 and has become an important voice for the blind and low vision community in the area.
Mary Lovett, founding member and current Mudgee Vision Impaired Friendship Group coordinator, said the past 20 years have been “amazing.”
“We only realised recently that we were coming up to our 20th anniversary and we thought we better do something to celebrate the amazing 20 years we’ve had,” Mary said.
“All of the members of the group are blind or have low vision and being part of the group is something that’s very important to everyone. When we meet each month we always share something about ourselves or what we’ve been doing. It’s a great social outlet and it’s good to discuss things with people who are in a similar situation,” she said.
Along with being a valuable social outlet, the group has worked hard to improve accessibility around Mudgee and provide other services for people who are blind or have low vision.
“What we’re probably most proud of is working with the Mid-West Regional Council to make Mudgee the most accessible town this side of the Blue Mountains,” Mary said.
“The council and their access committee have been really supportive. Throughout Mudgee we now have clear footpaths and tactile indicators that help people who are vision impaired to safely navigate their way around. If we have an issue with a low hanging tree branch or anything like that they’re always willing to help.”
The group has also worked to hold audio described theatre productions in the past and is now working to raise awareness about Charles Bonnet Syndrome, where people with vision impairment experience hallucinations.
“Some of the members in our group are in their 80s and have been members for 10 or 12 years,” Mary said.
“We used to be a much more active and hands-on group, but now we’re trying to use our brain power more to come up with ways we can make a difference.”