I_can_explore

12/07/2025

Cass & Kim testing out the new Touch & Track device at the Doggies Vs Crows game. Few hiccups with connectivity initially, but all came together in the end. Pretty excited for these devices to available now at Marvel Stadium for AFL games. Making Sport more interactive for people who are Blind or Low Vision. Yay 🥳.

30/06/2025

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Association of Victorian Sculptors for facilitating a tactile exploration of the current exhibits on display at the Victorian Artists Society, located at 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne, behind the Eye and Ear Hospital. The general public is not permitted to touch the exhibits due to their fragile nature; however, a team of artists compiled an extensive list of sculptures that we could explore at a pre-arranged time, which was truly exceptional. Art is often inaccessible, but this experience allowed us to engage with the artists themselves and gain insight into the dedication required to create these stunning pieces.

This exhibition has now finished but we will be delighted to attend again next year.

Please find a link to the exhibition.

https://sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/exhibitions/view_exhibition/2025-annual-awards-exhibition

09/04/2025

As we explored a gravel and sandy coastal track, I couldn’t help but capture this image of the trail left behind from our swifty cane users. As the cane tips sweep side to side in the sandy patches of the track it leaves a lovely squiggle pattern that would also look much like a charge of snakes have also explored the trail.
Thankfully no snakes. Just some VIP’s out for a stroll 😁
Images 2 &3 contain 5 wonderful women walking along the foreshore dodging seaweed with their canes and a scenic photo at the lookout, with a vast sandy beach, blue water and crashing waves.

15/03/2025

Huge shout out to the incredible humans that I am truly privileged to work with. In true I Can Explore fashion, we embarked on a 5km walk with leading some bery charismatic llamas around Hanging Rock. This was delightfully fun.
Looking forward to another great year with Malcolm Fraser, Verity McLucas, Nicola Misso and Michelle Sharples.
Thank you all for your professional and fun filled O&M and Support services you provide to our valuable members.
Pictures contain scenic view of Hanging Rock landscape with Jess, Malcolm, Verity, Nicola and Michelle each paired with a charismatic Llama.

15/03/2025

The Orientation and Mobility Association Australiasia Conference in Sydney was a fantastic experience, offering two days of learning and knowledge sharing. I would like to extend my gratitude to the O&M committee for their dedication to organizing this event and maintaining the high standards of our profession, as officially recognized by the NDIS. The presentations provided invaluable knowledge, insights, and personal experiences to the audience of 100 O&M professionals. Our shared objective, regardless of whether we provide O&M services through agencies, as independent providers, educators, tutors, committee members, or enthusiastic champions, remains the empowerment of our Blind, Low Vision, Deaf-Blind community of all ages to participate, explore, and enjoy the world in their own way. Whoop!

*Couldn’t help but get a few selfies with some previous colleagues and friends 🤩

15/01/2025

Just a reminder about VV's upcoming Audio Described and Tactile tour events coming in the next few months. This Sunday 19th Jan as part of the Midsumma Festival they hosting a tour between 11-1pm, at Midsumma Carnival Alexandra Gardens, by the Yarra River. They have tailored guiding and audio description on request. Get in touch with Nilgun@vitaeveritas.com.au or 0400 901 848 to register for the tour or arrange a meet/assist service.

Fog Theatre embarks on a comic dance odyssey in search of that Next Song! The one that makes your toes tap, hips gyrate, fingers twinkle, and head bang, that makes you believe you are a beautiful sprinkler! On at Temperance Hall, 199 Napier Street, South Melbourne. Audio described show on Friday 13....

11/11/2024

To all the Melbourne folk who love to travel! If you travellling for the Christmas Holidays, some of you will be heading to the airport. If you haven't heard, Travellers Aid Australia is doing a trial at Melbourne Airport for 4 months Monday to Friday between 10am to 6pm until January 2025. This service is to help travellers navigate between the airport’s car parks, check-in areas, baggage halls, and passenger pick-up and drop-off zones.
So this fills the gap between arriving at the airport to then connect to Airline assistance ( Airline assistance needs to be booked) Airline Assistance will take people through security and to the gate.
No booking for Travellers Aid required, just call for assistance 0492 868 960. This service can be used for departures and arrivals.
We would love to encourage the use of this service because it would be very valuable to continue beyond January.

Melbourne Airport Assist is a 4 month pilot running until January 2025. This service is to help travellers navigate between the airport’s car parks, check-in areas, baggage halls, and passenger pick-up and drop-off zones.

17/10/2024

A big thank you to Yarra Trams for hosting us on the “Get Back on Board” program! They provided us an exclusive chance to tour their Brunswick Depot and explore a high floor & low floor tram without passengers, a true luxury! It was a fantastic opportunity to check out the internal and external of the trams, learn about the configurations, accessible seating options, and find the best spots for service dog handlers.
We explored the location of signal buttons, handrails and had access to the drivers cabin. We had plenty of time to practice boarding and exiting with ease.
The friendly Yarra Trams staff were incredibly helpful in answering all our questions. Thank you, Yarra Trams, for helping boost our members’ confidence on board!

15/10/2024

Happy International White Cane Day!

International White Cane day is a great reminder of how we can be more independent in the community.

This is also a good time to check in with your Orientation & Mobility Specialist and re assess your canes.
Is your cane in good condition, do you need new one, a new tip or a spare cane?
Do you know what’s currently on the market?
Do you need a lighter cane, or something durable cane for longer walks or hikes.
Do you fancy a different colour?

You may also like to get in touch with your O&M if your vision has changed and you need to do a cane refresher, increase your skillset or review a travel route.

Perhaps you haven’t used a cane before and would like to find out more and explore your options with an Orientation & Mobility Specialist.

What ever your needs are your O&M is only a phone call away 👩‍🦯‍➡️

10/09/2024

I recently had the privilege of accompanying Lauren Henley, a keynote speaker at the Asia Pacific Disabled People's Organisation Assembly and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Training for South Asian Countries.

This experience afforded me a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Asia Pacific nations in their pursuit of human rights, equality, inclusion, employment, and meaningful community engagement.

I was honored to present on the services offered by I Can Explore, including capacity-building training provided by Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and the benefits of support worker services.

In addition, I was very excited to connect with First Nations Artists living with disabilities who have created artwork related to CRPD. We were very privileged to gain a personalised tactile tour and in-depth explanation of traditional storytelling through art and how people with disability are represented.
If you would like to learn more about this artwork you can check out Uncle Paul Calcott
on YouTube https://youtube.com/?si=187VX3m02SiF1NP4

06/08/2024

Hi all,
Victorian State Government is mid way through the Inclusive Victoria State Disability Plan.
If you have missed the details about this action plan and would like to know more, check out the link.

The plan is a key way for the Victorian Government to be accountable for making all parts of the community inclusive and accessible for everyone.

30/07/2024

It’s time to nominate people!

Who should be Blind Australian of the Year 2024? This award acknowledges the contribution that people with blindness and low vision make to Australian society.

🏆NOMINATIONS OPEN:
https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au

The winner will be announced at the AWARDS GALA on 26 October 2024 at the Amora Hotel in Brisbane.

We have a very exciting evening planned for you, so book tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Image Description: The image is a collage with four squares, each showing a past winner from 2020 to 2023 blended into a blue and yellow background with the awards logo.