VisAbility Tasmania

21/07/2025

Are you aged between 12 – 25 and living with the impacts of a vision-related condition? 👁️

Save Sight Institute are inviting young people to join Eye Power - a virtual peer group created for young people who are impacted by vision-related conditions or impairments.

Eye Empower addresses a critical gap in support for young people navigating the challenges of living with vision impairments during key developmental years when peer relationships and identity are especially important.

The peer group format offers young people the opportunity to connect with others who understand their experiences firsthand.

📆 Date: Friday 8 August 2025
🕐 Time: 5:00pm to 6:30pm
💻 Location: Online – Teams

Interested in signing up? Head to: https://loom.ly/ZnzU-04

08/07/2025

Week 2025 is here – a time to reflect and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s also a time to acknowledge equality.

Did you know that First Nations people in Australia are three times more likely to suffer blindness and vision impairment compared to non-Indigenous Australians? 👁️

With many Aboriginal communities located in remote parts of Australia, accessing vision services in a timely manner is challenging. These services are crucial for ensuring people with low or no vision receive the support they need.

This week, and every week, we stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as we celebrate culture, identity and community strength. 💪

07/07/2025

We had a great time at the Hobart Aged & Disability Expo last Saturday! Hi from the team on the day pictured below. From left to right: Courtney, Jenny, Jordan and Jess kneeling beside Guide Dog in training Rafa. 🐕‍🦺

It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community and share how VisAbility supports people with vision impairment to live independently.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a chat. Great to meet you! We look forward to seeing you again soon. 👋

04/07/2025

We're thrilled to see the launch of Telstra's Touch and Track technology - a groundbreaking innovation making AFL more accessible for low or no vision fans. 🏈

Marvel Stadium is the first in Australia to offer this technology, but imagine if it were available nationwide! Would you use something like this at the University of Tasmania Stadium?

Let us know how the Touch and Track technology could enhance your footy experience…

01/07/2025

The Aged & Disability Expo Australia takes place in Hobart this weekend!

Come along and check out the latest in products, services, and technologies, designed especially to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities - and don’t forget to say ‘hi’ to us while you are there! 👋 We will be one of the many booths set up on the day, and we’re looking forward to seeing what everyone else has to show.

📆 When: Saturday 5th of July, 2025
🕙 Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
📍 Location: MAC 02

Grab your FREE ticket today: https://loom.ly/qh1e8kU

30/06/2025

Do you know a publisher or project making strides in accessible publishing? Nominate them today for the 2025 International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing! 🏆

Closing soon⏳: Nominations for the 2025 Accessible Books Consortium International Excellence Award.

The award recognizes publishers and initiatives working to improve digital access to reading materials for persons who are blind, visually impaired or print-disabled.

Learn how to submit a nomination: https://ow.ly/2WE050VKGmH

07/05/2025

🎾 Blind & Low Vision Tennis in Burnie! 🎾

Andre Lim is a medical student and experienced BLV tennis coach, now based in Burnie, Tasmania.

He's keen to connect with people who are blind or have low vision and are interested in trying out free blind tennis sessions at the Burnie Tennis Club.

Andre has coached BLV players in New Zealand for over 5 years – many of whom now compete nationally – and he’d love to bring that same opportunity to our community here in Tassie.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please get in touch or tag them below!

Email: andrelim135@gmail.com
Phone: 0409 371 148

16/04/2025

As the Easter weekend approaches, we’d like to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a joyful and safe holiday. However you choose to celebrate Easter, we trust you all enjoy a well-deserved break.

Please note that our offices will be closed for the public holidays:
- Good Friday 18 April
- Easter Monday 21 April
- ANZAC Day, Friday 25 April

Outside of these hours, we're open for business as usual.

Have an egg-cellent break! 🐣

10/04/2025

We hit a new high yesterday with 6 amazing ladies joining our travel group, including a newly O&M assessed client who slotted right in (in true Tiny Tas style, she even reconnected with an old friend from the group 💛).

Our Evandale travel route brought a mix of gravel, uneven ground, obstacles & 2 road crossings. The group tackled the new terrain like pros using visual scanning & safe positioning. The return trip added a challenge with glare & shadows, but the team took it all in their stride.

Lunch at Bakery Café was delicious, thanks again to the super helpful staff! 🙌

This group is run by the ladies, for the ladies – with input on where we go & what we do. Now that the ladies have cast their votes on ideas for future sessions, May's adventure is locked in! If you’re interested in joining this group, or another like it, let us know.

For more information, contact us by phone: (03) 6232 1222 or email: info@visabilitytas.com.au

03/04/2025

This month, we welcomed our major AT suppliers, Visitech Magnifiers and Quantum RLV, to our Hobart office. Most of us will have heard about these brands or use their products, like magnifiers, penfriends, digital magnifiers, screen readers, and more. 📱

During the visit, Ranjit and Stewart demonstrated some of the latest technology coming out of both brands. We're excited to start selling them from our shop soon!

We can help you with your Assistive Technology needs. Call (03) 6232 1222 or email info@visabilitytas.com.au to book in a session with Jordan.

02/04/2025

📣 Attention all art enthusiasts! 📣

The team at National Gallery of Australia, Canberra are hosting a free program: National Art by Description. 🎨

This is a monthly online program via the Zoom platform. Each session includes audio description and presentations by specialist staff, along with music to enhance the listening experience.

The first session kicks off next Friday at 2pm, and will focus on a sense of colour. Many artists use colour to communicate as it can heighten emotion, convey atmosphere, and depict seasonal change. The team will find ways to describe colour by engaging senses and connecting with personal experiences and associations.

To secure your free ticket today, head to: https://connect.nga.gov.au/17249/20367 🎫

For more information, you can email access@nga.gov.au or call Adriane on 02 6240 6632.

28/03/2025

Have you met Kina? Kina is our Senior Occupational Therapist and currently supports our clients remotely from WA. 💻

We asked Kina why she chose to be an OT with VisAbility.

"I find my work in this area incredibly meaningful and rewarding. Each day is unique, and I feel privileged to support a diverse range of clients, making a positive impact on their lives. Whilst community-based work involves a lot of behind-the-scenes effort, the rewards are well worth it. Seeing clients empowered to achieve their goals is truly fulfilling. I am also grateful to be part of an amazing team here at VisAbility, where we collaborate closely and support one another," explained Kina. And we're so grateful to have her on the team too.

When Kina's not working, you'll find her spending time with her 9 year old Cavoodle, Hiro. Kina is a sunset chaser and loves spending time outdoors in nature, walking Hiro, camping and hiking, and discovering new cafes, restaurants and art exhibitions. 🐶🌿

For information about OT with VisAbility, or to book a session with Kina, call (03) 6232 1222 or email info@visabilitytas.com.au