Welcome to the Queensland Blind Associations Web Site. This site was launched on 1st July 2000. The objective of the Queensland Blind Association is to maximise the potential of a vision impaired person's physical, social and emotional environment so that each person may live comfortably within the general community.
In February 1939 a small group of vision impaired people gathered together to establish a helping hand for others who shared their affliction.
This group became what is known today as the Queensland Blind Association Inc. Over the past century the Association has bought assistance to many Queensland vision impaired citizens.
The Association is an independent voluntary organisation run by the blind for the blind. The Executive Board of the organisation is elected from its membership to best represent the special needs of the blind.
The Association aims to help the blind lead independent and fruitful lives and has approximately 780 members. The Queensland Blind Association continues the work performed under its former name the Welfare Association for the Blind.
The Association receives no direct Government support and provides the services from its own fund raising efforts.
Many blind people are restricted to pension benefits making it difficult for them to afford the specialised assistance and equipment they require.
The Queensland Blind Association Inc. provides assistance for both physical and financial requirements. This may include financial assistance for home ownership and maintenance such as rates, house repayments, electricity benefits and holiday assistance. In cases of hardship to provide the necessities of life.
White Canes are only available to Legally Blind Persons
The Queensland Blind Association Inc. sells White Canes to Legally Blind persons only. Proof of legal blindness must be shown to purchase a White Cane. Canes are sold only as a "Symbol of Blindness".
Incorrect use may be a danger to the user, pedestrians and all road users. We highly recommend that persons receive measurement and training from professional trainers, as correct length and style are a must.
The Association provides specialised equipment at a reduced price to assist members in their daily life which includes Braille clocks and watches, talking kitchen or bathroom scales, communication aids, kitchen utilities and games with an ever increasing and improving range of low tec equipment.
For more expensive equipment such as Braille embossers, computer hardware or software the Association is prepared to help cover the cost of purchase.
While the development of technology has widened the educational and employment opportunities for people with a vision impairment, so has the range of equipment and software grown greatly and continues to expand, increasing the option available for specific tasks. The aim of the Queensland Blind Association Inc. is to keep up to date with the items available and pass on to members the benefits of the latest equipment.
The Queensland Blind Association Inc. also has access to expert social and support groups to help with training and welfare counselling. We provide a reading service for members needing assistance with correspondence, completing forms or even having a newspaper or other articles read to them.
A multi-media CD ROM presentation is available for mail-out on request. This presentation was created by students at the Moreton Institute of TAFE. It contains educational information suitable for high-school students. It is primarily aimed at education for sighted students.