Vision Australia volunteers hosted an event for the blind and low vision community in Bairnsdale last week, with more than 100 people attending.
Labelled a ‘community strengthening event’, organisers said the aim was to provide information and resources and to listen to feedback about ways East Gippsland communities could become more accessible.
The three volunteers who have driven the event are Brenda Murray OAM, Debbie Carruthers and Jody Herbert.
They are known as ‘The Visionaries Group’ and are committed to constant improvement in access in the community.
At 94 years old Brenda Murray is a formidable force armed with her guide dog Janey and enabled with a home care package from Gippsland Lakes Complete Health.
“The event was to show people with a vision impairment that it’s not the end of everything – that life isn’t going to be awful from now on,” she said.
“A vision impairment these days is not a disability, there are so many ways you can get help, you can help yourself and learn from others.”
Attendees asked questions about public transport accessibility, footpath maintenance, low-cost registration for assistance dogs and how to access information about My Aged Care services, a Federal Government funded assistance program to help people stay living at home.
“Next to homelessness, access to packages is the next most important thing,” Brenda said.
“Thanks to the team that works with me, my care managers become like family. My life is fantastic.
“I’d like to think that people are going away from the event with a feeling of hope, that there’s help available.”
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health executive manager Penny Cassidy spoke at the event, highlighting the services the community health organisation could provide through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or home care packages.
She provided information about how to register for My Aged Care – the Federal Government’s gateway to services, and the different pathways to accessing support to remain living at home.
“Vision impairment is often a trigger, when people can’t drive anymore, that’s when assistance is needed,” she said.
“There are Federal Government reforms happening from July 1 with home care packages changing to Support at Home.
“I am hoping that with the changes, it will make it a lot quicker for people to get on to the system.”
Volunteers organised the event for the blind and low vision community at the Bairnsdale RSL.
It was funded by an East Gippsland Shire Council (EGSC) Community Small Grant, under the auspice and support of Bairnsdale University of the Third Age (U3A).
EGSC mayor John White was the opening speaker.
