Today, people who are blind or have low vision hit the road to meet with key candidates in the March 28 NSW State Election.
According to Michael Simpson, General Manager NSW Client Services at Vision Australia, the aim of the road trip is to talk with party representatives about their Disability Inclusion policies and improve outcomes for people who are blind or have low vision in NSW.
“Vision Australia is seeking candidate and party support for six key election priorities,” said Mr Simpson. We want to do that by giving candidates the opportunity to hear from people with real experience of living with blindness and low vision,” he said.
What: Travelling Visionaries Tour 2015
When: Friday 13 March 2015, from 11.30am
Schedule:
11.30am Dr John Kaye, MLC, NSW Greens Party leader. The mini bus will park in the clearway on Hospital Road behind Parliament.
1:15pm Minister for Disability Services and Ageing, the Hon John Ajaka, MLC. The minibus will park in the clearway on Hospital Road behind Parliament.
2:30pm Shadow Minister for Disability Services and Ageing, the Hon Linda Burney MP. The minibus will park in the disabled access at her Canterbury Electorate Office, 308-312 Beamish Street, Campsie.
Participants:
Gabi Ringger, is from Inner West Sydney. She has Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic condition which affects the cells in her retinas at the back of her eyes. In 2014, Gabi received a bursary from Vision Australia that provided essential adaptive technology to assist her to complete a diploma remedial massage at Randwick TAFE. Gabi will talk to candidates about the importance of having access to education.
Sue-Ann Hanson, 27, from Campbelltown, has a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited, degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment and often blindness. As she grew older, her vision became night blindness before turning into tunnel vision. After a career break Sue-Ann wants to get back to work as a teacher in the near future. Sue Ann has a Seeing Eye Dog, Zeta and she will talk to candidates about employment.
Sydney born and raised, Rowena Dowling, 50, from Hornsby has recently returned to NSW after living on Magnetic Island. Rowena was born with vision in only one eye. Until she was 30 she was working as a nurse and driving. In the space of one day, all that changed when she lost the sight in her ‘good’ eye due to glaucoma. Rowena was the first totally blind Australian to qualify as an orientation and mobility instructor, and will talk to candidates about getting around safely.
Coral Arnold has very low vision due to a meningitis infection when she was just three years old. She can see colour and lights, but not enough to recognise text or people’s faces. Reading is something she is passionate about. She accesses electronic information via a screen reader on her computer, and keeps up with recreational reading through Vision Australia’s collection of audio and braille books. Coral will talk to candidates about access to information.
Susan Thompson was born legally blind after her mum contracted Rubella during her pregnancy. As a child, she had some limited vision, however this diminished after an injury to her eye in a swimming pool accident. Susan has worked in Advocacy for the past 35 years in various roles at Blind Citizens Australia and more recently, Vision Australia.
For more information please contact:
Megan Bishop
Communications Advisor
Vision Australia
P: 02 9334 3308
M: 0405 624 232
E: [email protected]