BUILDING OUR VISION
Redevelopment of our Victoria Park site
In 2004, the challenge for the Association for the Blind is to shape the future of the organisation so that it can provide relevant and efficient services that have a strong research base and capitalise on technological advances in order to assist consumers to lead fulfilling lives in a rapidly changing environment.
The redevelopment of the Association's Victoria Park site was identified as one of the organisations strategic priorities.
The Association has undertaken indepth research and wide-ranging consultations with groups including consumers, their families, members, staff and key stakeholders. The outcome of the consultation, and a range of other processes, is a Master Plan for the Victoria Park site.
The Master Plan identified the need for a $14 million redevelopment of the Victoria Park site to include the following facilities
- Confident Living Centre
- Technology, Training and Employment Centre
- Guide Dog Discovery Centre
- Centre for Children
- Sports Academy and Recreation Centre
- Theatrette
- Braille and Talking Book Library and Resource Centre
Critical need for new facilities
Emerging from the Strategic and Master Planning processes was the critical need for new facilities to meet the changing and emerging needs of West Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
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The Association is unable to meet the current demand for services from 25,000 potential clients. The projected growth in numbers requires the Association to expand it primary model of service delivery (individualised home-based services) to include group-based programs. This expansion of services will not only enable more effective service delivery, but will improve outcomes for clients whose health and well-being is significantly improved by group-based programs.
Based on international research and backed up by research commissioned by the Association for the Blind, the Association has trialled "
Confident Living Programs". The success of the Confident Living Program trials have strengthened the Association's move to encompass a holistic approach to service provision, to enable fulfilment of individual needs and goals. The new programs will enable consumers to participate in formal and informal recreation, leisure and social activities, providing significant opportunities for peer support and fellowship – critical ingredients for sustained health and wellbeing. The Confident Living Centre will enable the Association to provide venues for group-based programs.
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mproving literacy outcomes for clients will be at the heart of the Technology and Training Centre. Being unable to read, write, correspond with friends and relatives is a very isolating experience. The Centre will allow people to re-establish communication with the world as well as enabling them to succeed at school, in post-secondary education and in the workforce. It will house classroom and "drop-in" style learning areas which incorporate cutting edge adaptive and mainstream technologies. Braille teaching will be delivered in a group-based environment that offers a social, self-paced experience. Short workshops on everything from "accessing Internet banking" to special interest seminars such as "using the Internet for genealogy research" will be offered.
Community awareness is the key to reducing the impact on, and number of people with vision impairment. A community that understands the challenges faced by people with a vision impairment will result in improved social, recreational and employment outcomes for clients. The Guide Dog Discovery Centre will provide an exciting interactive environment where people of all ages can "experience" vision impairment, and also realise that people with a vision impairment can still achieve their goals and play an important role in contributing to society. The Centre will focus on educating young people about how to care for their eyesight.
The new Braille and 
Talking Book Library Resource Centre will, for the first time, give consumers the same access to the printed word as their sighted peers. Importantly it will enable the Association to continue to provide "talking books" as it will incorporate the latest digital technology. It will also enable the Association to improve and expand its services to regional consumers through use of the latest technology.
For the first time there will be a Centre for Children who are Blind in WA.The Centre will offer children the opportunity to explore the new technologies that enable them to use computers that speak, to learn how to be independent and to be valuable and valued members of the community
T he Sports Academy and Recreation Centre will incorporate a fully equipped gymnasium and facilities for sporting games and recreation activities.
The Theatrette will impact on regional consumers as it will be part of the Telecentre Network, allowing professional development community education and client training to be delivered via video conferencing technology. The Theatrette will also provide Association clients with a focus for accessible media and performing arts as it will be equipped with audio description facilities.
Building Our Vision – Major Supporters
- Lotterywest - $6 million
- Government of Western Australia - $2 million for the Braille and Talking Book Library Research and Resource Centre
- Dr Haruhisa Handa - $1.5 million for the Handa Sports Academy and Recreation Centre
- The Stan Perron Charitable Trust - $500,000
- Wesfarmers - $500,000 for the Community Education Theatrette
- Alinta Limited - $100,000 for the Guide Dog Puppy Playground
- Plan B Financial Services
- PCH Group - $50,000
- ... and YOU! the generosity of West Australians is critical to us achieving our vision. Click here to make a secure online donation to the "Building our Vision" appeal.
Laying the Foundation Stone
More than 60 donors and supporters gathered at the Association’s Victoria Park site for a special ceremony to mark the commencement of construction of the Association’s new building. The Hon Mark McGowan, unveiled the ‘Foundation Stone’ on 2 November 2005.
Dr Haruhisa Handa and the Hon Mark McGowan were helped to lay the Foundation Stone by two young clients of the Association, Thomas and Jennifer Cowley.
The special guest at the function was Dr Haruhisa Handa. Dr Handa is a member of the Association’s Board, and International Vice President of the ‘Building our Vision’ campaign.
Dr Handa, who has donated $1.5 million for the establishment of the Handa Sports Academy and Recreation Centre, addressed the supporters and friends of the Association at the function to mark commencement of construction.
In his address Dr Handa said that he believed that the Foundation Stone was a symbol of what will be the foundation of a better life for those in Western Australia who are blind or vision impaired.
Dr Handa said that in Japan there has always been a strong tradition to contribute to the welfare of the greater community.
“When a company contributes to society, it gives a sense of honour to its employees, to its clients, partners and affiliate companies that brings continuity to business.
I am fortunate enough to be in such a position to try and enhance the lives of others, some physically less fortunate than I, some that experience difficulty learning and expressing themselves, but all with a passion for life.
As the President of World Mate, I am extremely honoured to be here today to see first hand how our contribution will help people in Western Australia.
We are but one of a number of Government and non-Government organisations and individuals that have donated their time and money to help realise the dream of creating this world-class facility.
The New Centre of Excellence is a true partnership between Government, business and the community whose combined efforts will ensure that the outcome is greater than the sum of its parts, Dr Handa said.
Woodside Guide Dog Discovery Centre granted half a million dollars
The Association has been granted funding of $578,500 from the Federal Government’s Regional Partnership’s program for the construction of the Woodside Guide Dog Discovery Centre. Woodside has contributed $500,000 towards the fit out of the Centre.
Aimed at preventing blindness, and improving social and economic outcomes for people who are blind or vision impaired, the new Centre will be unique in Australia.
CEO of the Association, Dr Margaret Crowley, said the innovative Discovery Centre will aim to change generational attitudes about eye health and about the abilities of people who are vision impaired.
“Through the Woodside Guide Dog Discovery Centre we want to educate school students and the general public about the importance of eye health.
By showcasing the abilities of people who are blind or vision impaired to potential employers, we aim to decrease the unemployment rate of our clients who are eligible for work. The current unemployment rate is an unacceptably high 68%,” Dr Crowley said.
The Association is extremely grateful to the Australian Government, through its Regional Partnerships program, for supporting the project.
‘Who’s been sitting in my chair’ 
As part of the Association’s new facility, a 120 seat Theatrette will be opened and used to deliver training programs in areas such as education, job seeking, health, access and information provision.
The Association has received generous wide-spread support from the community towards building the new facilities, however the challenge now is to complete the fit out of the building.
You can help to make our dream come true for our clients by donating a chair to the Theatrette for $5000. An enduring plaque will be placed on your chair and can be in the name of your family, a company name, or in memory of a loved one. To be a part of this exciting opportunity, please contact Justin O’Meara Smith at the Association for more information.
The ‘Shed’ granted funding 
The Department of Health, Home and Community Care had granted $176,712 for the construction and fit out of the “Shed.”
The Shed will be an important element of the new facilities to meet the needs of men who have lost their sight. Isolation, boredom and loss of self esteem are often big challenges for men who lose their sight and for many, the backyard shed plays an important role in their lives.
Association Client Services Director, Marina Re, said that the Shed will help to bring self confidence and increase the health and well-being of men who feel they have lost everything.
“Using their hands, fixing things around the home, making furniture, or just having a place to hang out on their own or with their mates is part of the culture for Aussie blokes.
With the assistance of trained staff and volunteers, men who have lost their sight will be able to “relearn” how to build a table, or make a jewellery box as a gift,” she said.
All the items made are for the personal use of the Association’s clients.
Equipment donated for the ‘Handa Sports Academy and Recreation Centre’
HF Industries, a supplier of commercial gym equipment, has assisted in the donation of thousands of dollars worth of gym equipment to the Association.
More than 20 pieces of equipment were donated including a variety of pin loaded machines, a bench press, smith machine and four treadmills.
This donation will enable the completion of the Association’s own gymnasium, which is currently being built as part of the new facility.
Currently only 10 Association clients, once a week, can have access to fitness training in a gymnasium due to the limited number of seats on the Association bus and lack of staffing resources to support the clients.
The Association’s Recreation Officer, Michael Pereira, said that the donation of equipment will make a significant difference to the lives of individuals who are blind or vision impaired.
“This donation will allow our clients to stay fit and healthy, which is essential for them to help combat the feelings of depression and isolation they can often feel, he said.”
“The gym equipment will help improve what we can offer our clients and to meet the needs of an expanding client base.”
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Association’s Inaugural Ambassador
It gives us great pleasure to introduce and welcome the Association for the Blind’s first Official Ambassador, James Walker
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| The Hon. Margaret Quirk, Minister for Disability Services presenting Association client Kelsey Allen with the Junior Angus Stewart Achievement Award.) | Association Ambassador, James Walker, addressing the audience at the Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony.) |
James, is best known as one of the players of the Fremantle Football Club. However, it was through the Association’s partnership with Perth stockbroking firm Patersons Securities that we came to know James. James works with Patersons in his spare time when he’s not hard at training. His personal interest in the work of the Association and in our clients, and his dedication and commitment to achieving his goals, both on and off the football field, make him an ideal Ambassador for the Association for the Blind.
James’ first engagement as Ambassador was to attend and address the audience at the Association’s Annual Award Ceremony.
The first Awards presented were the Angus Stewart Achievement Awards. They recognise special achievements in education, training, employment or other fields of endeavour, by people who are blind or vision impaired.
The Fred and Lorna Craggs Awards Fund was established in 2004. This Award fund is designed to encourage and assist young people who are blind or vision impaired to achieve academic excellence.
For the first time in many years the Association for the Blind presented Access Awards. These Awards aim to encourage excellence in service to people who are blind or vision impaired and to ultimately ensure an increase in their quality and enjoyment of life. Nominations were made by clients of the Association.
2005 National Australia Bank Volunteer Award 
The Association for the Blind is the proud to announce that it is the State Winner of the 2005 National Australia Bank Volunteer Award, in the category of Community Service & Development.
The National Australia Bank has provided the Association's Volunteer Program with a cash prize of $7,000 which will be used to continue and improve the Volunteer Induction Program.
The Association has over 200 committed Volunteers who enable us to provide numerous services for our consumers in fields such as Sport & Recreation, Fundraising, Arts & Crafts, Puppy Raising and a Children's Holiday Program.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Association, please contact REBECCA CLARKE, Volunteer Coordinator on 08 9311 8202 or [email protected]
Lotterywest grant of $6 million to the Association
On Friday 28 May 2004, Premier Dr Geoff Gallop announced a capital grant of up to $6
million to the Association for the Blind of WA for the construction of urgently needed new facilities at our main site in Victoria Park.
Funded by the State Government through Lotterywest, the grant is the single largest donation in Lotterywest's 71-year history.
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Follow this link to find out more about the Association's "Building our Vision" Appeal
Join the Guide Dog Puppy Club!
Follow this link to find out how you can sponsor your very own Guide Dog puppy...
© Copyright 2005. The Association for the Blind of WA (Inc.)
This page was last modified on Thursday, 29 March, 2007