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Vision Australia

Vision Australia is a leading national provider of blindness and low vision services in Australia. They are a not-for-profit organisation who work in partnership with Australians who are blind or have low vision to help achieve the possibilities they choose in life.

They support more than 25,500 people of all ages, life stages and circumstances through 35 Vision Australia centres in VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD, SA and WA and through outreach programs in the NT and TAS.

Mission

To support people who are blind or have low vision to live the life they choose.

How Vision Australia can help

You can turn to Vision Australia for help with everything involved with adjusting to vision loss, including:

  • understanding your eye condition and how to make the most of your existing vision
  • ideas, strategies and support by connecting with people who have similar experiences
  • learning different ways to do daily tasks at home
  • getting out and about confidently, including catching public transport
  • reading in handy formats such as audio books
  • continuing to enjoy entertainment including television and live performances through audio description.

Information / help line

  • Call 1300 84 74 66 for help, Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm AEST

Programs, apps and tools

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - Vision Australia.

Last reviewed: August 2020

Information from this partner

Found 18 results

Top 10 apps for blind and low vision technology users | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

They’re cheap, easily downloaded, and hugely useful. Apps have made a world of difference for people who are blind or have low vision. Simple technology like smartphones with a camera give people their independence back, and in some cases, act as a second pair of eyes. As Vision Australia’s national assistive technology adviser David Woodbridge said apps are like the tools in a toolbox for a blind user. "I treat my iPhone like a good old fashion Swiss pocket knife with all the other gadgets on it,” he said.

Read more on Vision Australia website

Optic Atrophy | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

What is optic atrophy? Optic Atrophy is the result of degeneration or damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve transports visual information from the eye, to an area of the brain where it is processed.   Click below to download the full Accessible Fact Sheets for Optic Atrophy: Accessible Word version (Word, 118KB) -  Optic Atrophy

Read more on Vision Australia website

Stargadt's Disease | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

What is Stargardt's disease? Stargardt's disease is a type of macular degeneration that typically surfaces before the age of 20. It causes a progressive loss of central vision of both eyes, but does not affect peripheral vision.

Read more on Vision Australia website

How do you know if you have low vision? | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

Understanding low vision A good way to understand low vision is if someone cannot see at six meters, what someone with normal vision can see at 60 meters; or if someone's peripheral vision (side vision) is narrow and less than 20 degrees in diameter. This sounds complicated but it simply means that you may still have some useful sight, but you have gotten to a point where glasses are no longer enough.  You now need to use other devices, technology, and adaptive strategies to keep you doing the things you love.

Read more on Vision Australia website

Children with dyslexia are becoming bookworms thanks to the Vision Australia library | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

The Vision Australia Library isn’t just for people who are blind or have low vision. It’s become a haven for people with print disabilities who regularly access books, magazines and newspapers in accessible formats. Children with dyslexia are some of the most popular users of the Vision Australia Library, said Sarah Bloedorn, the coordinator of children’s and young adult’s library services.

Read more on Vision Australia website

Understanding eye conditions | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

Read more on Vision Australia website

Age related macular degeneration | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

What is it?  Age-related macular degeneration is also known as AMD or macular degeneration. It's the leading cause of vision loss in Australians over 50 years old.

Read more on Vision Australia website

Albinism | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

What is it?  A genetic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce melanin. Albinism comes in two forms: oculocutaneous and ocular. Oculocutaneous albinism affects both skin and eyes, giving people fair skin, white or red hair and pale eyes. Ocular albinism affects the eyes only. Both forms of albinism can cause low vision.

Read more on Vision Australia website

Cataracts | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

What is it?  One of the most common eye conditions impacting older Australians. A cataract is the clouding of the clear lens in the eye and can be in one or both eyes. It can occur due to ageing but can also affect younger people and babies can be born with cataracts.

Read more on Vision Australia website

Diabetic retinopathy | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

What is it?  A complication of diabetes that can cause damage to blood vessels in the retina at the back of your eyes. This can cause bleeding and swelling, leading to partial or even complete loss of vision.

Read more on Vision Australia website

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