WEBVTT - Talking Vision 727 Week Beginning 6th of May 2024 0:00:13.158 --> 0:00:18.958 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.958 --> 0:00:20.908 your host, Sam Coley. 0:00:23.418 --> 0:00:26.628 Hello everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.628 --> 0:00:29.568 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.568 --> 0:00:30.678 and low vision. 0:00:30.678 --> 0:00:32.898 I was at a point where I'd been looking for 0:00:32.898 --> 0:00:36.408 a job for probably about two years, and I was 0:00:36.408 --> 0:00:39.228 getting a bit fed up and I just had another rejection. 0:00:39.228 --> 0:00:42.828 So this sounded very interesting and it just sounded really 0:00:42.828 --> 0:00:46.878 great to upskill. And yeah, so just decided to do 0:00:46.878 --> 0:00:50.028 it and got accepted. Luckilly. And yeah, it's been great. 0:00:50.028 --> 0:00:53.838 Welcome to the program. This week I speak with three 0:00:53.838 --> 0:00:59.208 participants in the Career Visions program, a Queensland based program 0:00:59.208 --> 0:01:03.798 through Vision Australia to build job readiness and help participants 0:01:03.798 --> 0:01:08.058 scale themselves up for a place in the workforce. This 0:01:08.058 --> 0:01:12.648 week you'll hear from Sarah, Serena and Michael alongside the 0:01:12.648 --> 0:01:16.938 program coordinator, Harmony downs, who will join us later in 0:01:16.938 --> 0:01:21.138 the interview. That's coming up very soon, so make sure 0:01:21.138 --> 0:01:25.998 to stay tuned. After that conversation, we are hearing from 0:01:25.998 --> 0:01:31.428 Deb Deshaies. She's celebrated six months as CEO of Blind 0:01:31.428 --> 0:01:35.748 Citizens Australia and to celebrate the milestone, she joined me 0:01:35.748 --> 0:01:38.988 to give us an overview of the past six months 0:01:38.988 --> 0:01:43.428 at BCA. I hope you'll enjoy this week's episode of 0:01:43.428 --> 0:01:51.298 Talking Vision. I began my interview with the Career Visions 0:01:51.298 --> 0:01:55.588 participants by asking them to give an overview of the 0:01:55.588 --> 0:01:59.368 Career Visions program from their point of view. I started 0:01:59.368 --> 0:02:02.968 off by asking Sara and then moved on to Serena 0:02:02.968 --> 0:02:04.528 and finally Michael. 0:02:04.678 --> 0:02:07.048 Yeah, so from my point of view, it's split up 0:02:07.048 --> 0:02:10.708 into three clear parts. The first part is we go 0:02:10.708 --> 0:02:13.708 to TAFE to get a certificate that will have at 0:02:13.708 --> 0:02:15.808 the end of the program. Then there's the part of 0:02:15.808 --> 0:02:18.268 computer training. And then towards the end of the week 0:02:18.268 --> 0:02:21.988 we do career development sessions. So we have workshops on 0:02:21.988 --> 0:02:24.658 things like how to advocate for yourself in the workplace. 0:02:24.658 --> 0:02:27.148 But then we also have people like business owners, small 0:02:27.148 --> 0:02:29.728 business owners, or had a lady who worked for a 0:02:29.728 --> 0:02:32.308 not for profit organisation and they come in and talk 0:02:32.308 --> 0:02:35.278 to us about their different areas of expertise, all in 0:02:35.278 --> 0:02:37.018 an effort to get us career ready. 0:02:37.048 --> 0:02:40.528 And Serena, what's your understanding of the program? 0:02:40.588 --> 0:02:44.308 What I've seen so far is that we do a 0:02:44.308 --> 0:02:47.518 fair bit of basic computer knowledge, because obviously in the 0:02:47.518 --> 0:02:51.028 workforce today, you can't avoid it. Followed up, as we 0:02:51.028 --> 0:02:54.418 learn those computer techniques, we get more and more into 0:02:54.418 --> 0:02:58.378 those things. And then we have various workshops giving us 0:02:58.378 --> 0:03:01.588 the skills that we need for the workplace, giving us 0:03:01.588 --> 0:03:05.998 what we don't already have or maybe haven't experienced recently, 0:03:05.998 --> 0:03:10.558 and making sure that we're ready for those situations, and 0:03:10.558 --> 0:03:12.928 also showing us pathways that we might actually be able 0:03:12.928 --> 0:03:13.648 to take. 0:03:13.678 --> 0:03:18.028 And lastly, Michael, we'll come to you. What's your overview? 0:03:18.028 --> 0:03:20.548 The holistic sort of outcome that I think they're trying 0:03:20.548 --> 0:03:22.708 to achieve is that we all get employment at the 0:03:22.708 --> 0:03:25.558 end of the day, but also but the program involves, 0:03:25.558 --> 0:03:28.408 as lady said, you know, the TAFE and the PC 0:03:28.408 --> 0:03:32.698 skills and the presentations, but also amongst that we're moving. 0:03:32.698 --> 0:03:34.948 We're not in one place all the time. So we 0:03:34.948 --> 0:03:37.168 move from room to room. So we got to get 0:03:37.168 --> 0:03:40.048 used to, you know, breaking down the computer and setting 0:03:40.048 --> 0:03:42.088 it up in a new room. And also, we've been 0:03:42.088 --> 0:03:45.418 involved in a real live project with Vision Australia is 0:03:45.418 --> 0:03:47.968 having an open day in June, and we've all been 0:03:47.968 --> 0:03:51.328 assigned roles there as well. So apart from the practical 0:03:51.328 --> 0:03:53.668 skills we're learning, we're also being thrown into a real 0:03:53.668 --> 0:03:56.788 life situation as well. So it's just a the whole 0:03:56.788 --> 0:03:59.638 program is designed to get us back into, um, you know, 0:03:59.638 --> 0:04:01.618 into a working situation. 0:04:01.618 --> 0:04:05.098 With the three of you. Are you comfortable chatting about 0:04:05.098 --> 0:04:08.998 your vision conditions? Would you be okay going into detail 0:04:08.998 --> 0:04:11.428 about that? Sarah, we'll come to you. 0:04:11.428 --> 0:04:14.398 I'm sorry. I have hypoplasia of the optic nerve as 0:04:14.398 --> 0:04:17.428 well as nystagmus. And I was born with both conditions. 0:04:17.428 --> 0:04:21.658 So basically the hypoplasia makes me very short sighted. The 0:04:21.658 --> 0:04:23.788 optic nerve is too thin, so I have to look 0:04:23.788 --> 0:04:26.848 very closely at things. And I've only just started using 0:04:26.848 --> 0:04:29.248 a cane to get around areas that I don't know well. 0:04:29.248 --> 0:04:31.318 But I still have a bit of vision so can 0:04:31.318 --> 0:04:34.108 get around by myself in areas that I know quite well. 0:04:34.138 --> 0:04:37.198 I've also got a bit of nystagmus myself, so I 0:04:37.198 --> 0:04:40.168 can totally get where you're coming from with that. And 0:04:40.168 --> 0:04:42.748 you know, the impact that can have on the focus 0:04:42.748 --> 0:04:45.778 and the balance and all that thing. So yeah, totally, 0:04:45.778 --> 0:04:49.588 totally get where you're coming from there. So, Serena, how 0:04:49.588 --> 0:04:50.428 about you? 0:04:50.458 --> 0:04:53.668 Yep. So I lost my vision at a very young age. 0:04:53.668 --> 0:04:56.368 I don't actually remember having vision. So probably a good 0:04:56.368 --> 0:04:58.588 thing in a way that was due to a tumour 0:04:58.588 --> 0:05:01.378 on the brain, which damaged the optic nerve, to the 0:05:01.378 --> 0:05:03.418 point where I have only a little bit of light 0:05:03.418 --> 0:05:06.388 perception left in my right eye, but everything else is 0:05:06.388 --> 0:05:10.138 completely gone as a result, though, I grew up using 0:05:10.138 --> 0:05:14.938 mobility techniques, cane predominantly, but other aides as they got integrated. 0:05:14.938 --> 0:05:17.638 Over the years, people have told me that my mobility 0:05:17.638 --> 0:05:19.888 is quite good. I have been using it since I 0:05:19.888 --> 0:05:23.278 think I was in Darwin and using buses on my 0:05:23.278 --> 0:05:26.188 own at the age of eight I think. So, yeah, 0:05:26.188 --> 0:05:29.248 a lot. Lots of experience with it. And uh, my 0:05:29.248 --> 0:05:31.588 field is technology, so I like to play around with 0:05:31.588 --> 0:05:33.958 the new mobility tech that comes out. So it just 0:05:33.958 --> 0:05:36.088 gives you an idea of what it can be if 0:05:36.088 --> 0:05:37.138 you start early. 0:05:37.168 --> 0:05:40.438 Great to hear you got some positive feedback over the years. 0:05:40.438 --> 0:05:43.828 That's always wonderful to boost your confidence a little bit and, 0:05:43.828 --> 0:05:46.108 you know, give you that feeling that you're definitely on 0:05:46.108 --> 0:05:48.418 the right track and you're doing something right. So that's 0:05:48.418 --> 0:05:52.648 always a wonderful feeling. Now Michael will, um, come to you. 0:05:53.068 --> 0:05:58.288 Yeah. So I, uh, have retinitis pigmentosa. I got diagnosed 0:05:58.288 --> 0:06:01.348 around about 2005 or so, but I think I had 0:06:01.348 --> 0:06:03.958 it a long time before that. But I was working 0:06:03.958 --> 0:06:06.178 in sport, and I finished up at the end of 0:06:06.178 --> 0:06:09.238 2019 because my work involved, inside and outside work and 0:06:09.238 --> 0:06:11.548 outside work got a bit difficult with people trying to 0:06:11.548 --> 0:06:13.858 fend footys away from me and that sort of thing. 0:06:13.858 --> 0:06:16.468 But I have a cane and I have a torch, 0:06:16.468 --> 0:06:19.438 the retinitis pigmentosa, basically. I've got ten degrees of vision 0:06:19.438 --> 0:06:21.808 and I'm not blind as well. So I have a 0:06:21.808 --> 0:06:24.028 cane and a torch to help me out when I 0:06:24.028 --> 0:06:26.758 get into situations where I'm not familiar. And yeah, that's 0:06:26.758 --> 0:06:28.138 about where I am at the moment. 0:06:28.138 --> 0:06:31.738 I'm keen to hear about how you found out about 0:06:31.738 --> 0:06:35.368 career visions and what sort of motivated you to get involved. 0:06:35.368 --> 0:06:38.308 You have spoken about this a little bit already, the 0:06:38.308 --> 0:06:40.618 three of you, but I'm interested to go into a 0:06:40.618 --> 0:06:44.008 bit more detail. So, Sarah, I'll come back to you. 0:06:44.098 --> 0:06:49.258 Yeah. So I saw an email saying that. Was closing soon. 0:06:49.828 --> 0:06:51.718 Obviously don't read my emails properly because I missed all 0:06:51.718 --> 0:06:54.178 the other ones about it, and I was at a 0:06:54.178 --> 0:06:57.058 point where I'd been looking for a job for probably 0:06:57.058 --> 0:06:59.398 about two years, and I was getting a bit fed 0:06:59.398 --> 0:07:02.788 up and I just had another rejection. So this sounded 0:07:02.788 --> 0:07:05.548 very interesting, and then spoke to Harmony and came in 0:07:05.548 --> 0:07:08.908 for an interview with some others in the employment services team, 0:07:08.908 --> 0:07:12.958 and it just sounded really great to upskill and further 0:07:12.958 --> 0:07:15.808 the computer skills and everything that I already had. Yeah, 0:07:15.808 --> 0:07:18.868 so just decided to do it and got accepted. Luckilly 0:07:18.868 --> 0:07:20.278 and yeah, it's been great. 0:07:20.278 --> 0:07:23.308 And Serena, we'll come to you. Now, I know you've 0:07:23.308 --> 0:07:26.728 talked about your technology background a bit. Did that have 0:07:26.728 --> 0:07:30.448 much of a bearing on your choice to get involved 0:07:30.448 --> 0:07:33.748 in the Career Visions program to further that or what 0:07:33.748 --> 0:07:35.548 sort of, um, your motivation? 0:07:35.548 --> 0:07:39.778 Yeah. So I haven't had any employment for a long time. Many, 0:07:39.778 --> 0:07:43.798 many years. I've only ever done voluntary work briefly, and 0:07:43.798 --> 0:07:46.468 I attempted to do a TAFE course a year or 0:07:46.468 --> 0:07:49.168 two ago, and that didn't go so well. So I 0:07:49.168 --> 0:07:51.658 kind of got a little bit burnt from that. But 0:07:51.658 --> 0:07:55.228 then through Job club here at Vision Australia and through 0:07:55.228 --> 0:07:57.928 a friend that I have that is in Job Club, 0:07:57.928 --> 0:08:01.258 I found out about this program and I also saw 0:08:01.258 --> 0:08:03.898 it on the website when I was browsing the website, 0:08:03.898 --> 0:08:06.118 and I decided there and then, yep, I'm going to 0:08:06.118 --> 0:08:09.688 go for this and give it a go. And uh, again, 0:08:09.688 --> 0:08:12.268 I came in for an interview and got accepted. I 0:08:12.268 --> 0:08:15.358 was kind of surprised. On the technology front, yes, I 0:08:15.358 --> 0:08:19.228 do use technology quite a lot in my life. Fortunately 0:08:19.228 --> 0:08:22.798 for me, I have used computers for a long time. 0:08:22.798 --> 0:08:24.868 That's given me a lot of experience with them, but 0:08:24.868 --> 0:08:29.218 what I lacked was experience using things like office. So 0:08:29.218 --> 0:08:31.438 if I was going to get a job, that would 0:08:31.438 --> 0:08:33.718 be my major downfall, and I needed to find a 0:08:33.718 --> 0:08:36.598 way to learn what I needed to know for that stuff. 0:08:36.598 --> 0:08:38.668 And this seemed to be one of the better ways 0:08:38.668 --> 0:08:41.728 to do that, because just going through TAFE really didn't 0:08:41.728 --> 0:08:43.798 do things for me too well. They didn't know how 0:08:43.798 --> 0:08:47.638 to help me. Whereas Vision Australia does have that process happening. 0:08:47.908 --> 0:08:51.148 Some unfortunate, all too common to hear that sort of 0:08:51.178 --> 0:08:56.368 thing happening with various courses that they just don't really understand, um, 0:08:56.368 --> 0:08:59.188 what the needs are for people who are blind or 0:08:59.188 --> 0:09:02.398 have low vision. And that's an ongoing conversation. We can 0:09:02.398 --> 0:09:06.808 certainly have another time. That's, uh, that's hours long one there. 0:09:06.808 --> 0:09:11.218 So certainly, certainly can, um, have a long chat about that. 0:09:11.218 --> 0:09:14.098 But Michael, I'm going to come to you. We've spoken 0:09:14.098 --> 0:09:17.518 already a little bit about your desire to get back 0:09:17.518 --> 0:09:22.168 into the workforce after being retired for a few years now, 0:09:22.168 --> 0:09:26.218 but tell us a little bit about some other motivations 0:09:26.218 --> 0:09:29.668 behind getting involved in career visions on top of that. 0:09:30.118 --> 0:09:32.428 Oh yeah. Well, I've been a client of Vision Australia 0:09:32.428 --> 0:09:35.488 for about since I retired, and, um, I was encouraged 0:09:35.488 --> 0:09:38.218 by Robert Terry to apply for this, but I was 0:09:38.218 --> 0:09:40.408 always I was keen to get into some sort of work, 0:09:40.408 --> 0:09:43.138 some sort of part time work, because I live alone 0:09:43.138 --> 0:09:46.018 and I miss I just miss the whole camaraderie and 0:09:46.018 --> 0:09:50.518 the going into work and having that social interaction. And, um, 0:09:50.518 --> 0:09:52.828 I know people, you know, dream about being retired, but 0:09:52.828 --> 0:09:54.808 I think retirement is sort of overrated unless you got 0:09:54.808 --> 0:09:58.018 really lots of things to do. So the biggest motivation 0:09:58.018 --> 0:09:59.908 was to get him back to the social interaction and 0:09:59.908 --> 0:10:01.858 that camaraderie of a workplace. 0:10:01.858 --> 0:10:05.038 Yeah, exactly. It does give a lot of purpose to 0:10:05.038 --> 0:10:08.158 people as well, and it's always handy to have a 0:10:08.158 --> 0:10:11.908 bit of extra money floating around. That's always a fantastic 0:10:11.908 --> 0:10:15.058 little side effect from that. But what I'm interested to 0:10:15.058 --> 0:10:19.138 do now is hear about what you've all enjoyed the 0:10:19.138 --> 0:10:23.278 most about being in touch with career visions and taking 0:10:23.278 --> 0:10:26.158 part in the program. So, Sarah, what I'll do is 0:10:26.158 --> 0:10:27.508 I'll come back to you. 0:10:27.988 --> 0:10:31.108 I've enjoyed a few things, but probably the standout for 0:10:31.108 --> 0:10:34.528 me has been computer classes with Lee Jones here at 0:10:34.528 --> 0:10:38.788 Vision Australia. Just learning the keyboard commands and everything because 0:10:38.788 --> 0:10:40.138 as I said, like I had a bit of computer 0:10:40.138 --> 0:10:43.678 knowledge with Microsoft programs, but even just these few weeks 0:10:43.678 --> 0:10:45.868 of learning has helped me to go a lot quicker 0:10:45.868 --> 0:10:49.318 in putting spreadsheets together and documents just with the keyboard commands. 0:10:49.318 --> 0:10:52.168 So that's been so invaluable to me. And then, yeah, 0:10:52.168 --> 0:10:53.998 just getting to meet a bunch of awesome people has 0:10:53.998 --> 0:10:54.928 been really cool. 0:10:54.928 --> 0:10:58.648 And Sarina, how about you? What's been the most enjoyable part? 0:10:58.678 --> 0:11:01.858 Probably for me, ironically, as strange as it might sound, 0:11:01.858 --> 0:11:04.348 not so much the computer side of things, but just 0:11:04.348 --> 0:11:07.948 seeing how internally business is run. Because that's not something 0:11:07.948 --> 0:11:11.278 I've got any experience with, uh, in any real sense. 0:11:11.278 --> 0:11:14.158 So seeing some of this and learning how this works, 0:11:14.158 --> 0:11:17.758 that's going to be invaluable, because again, it's like I've 0:11:17.758 --> 0:11:20.698 volunteered for Coast Guard. You don't really have any of 0:11:20.698 --> 0:11:23.998 this in that environment. So this is kind of a 0:11:23.998 --> 0:11:26.848 bit of a culture shock in a way. The computer 0:11:26.848 --> 0:11:30.868 side of things. Yeah, that's easy. It's the other stuff 0:11:30.868 --> 0:11:33.448 that I'm liking finding out about. 0:11:33.448 --> 0:11:37.108 Yeah. It's always fantastic to come up with new skills 0:11:37.108 --> 0:11:40.498 and learn something new. Michael, has that been something you've 0:11:40.498 --> 0:11:43.198 enjoyed as well? What sort have been the best part 0:11:43.198 --> 0:11:43.858 for you? 0:11:44.188 --> 0:11:47.008 Well, just enjoy meeting the other participants in the program 0:11:47.008 --> 0:11:49.778 because we've all. Got their own little own separate stories 0:11:49.778 --> 0:11:52.088 we've all got here, you know, different ways. But we're 0:11:52.088 --> 0:11:54.008 all here trying to, um, you know, end with a 0:11:54.008 --> 0:11:58.028 positive outcome. But also coming into Vision Australia, it's a positive. The, 0:11:58.208 --> 0:12:00.308 you know, the vibe of the place. It's a positive 0:12:00.308 --> 0:12:02.708 place to come to. Everyone seems to be, um, you know, 0:12:02.708 --> 0:12:06.038 working towards a, um, a good result for everyone. So 0:12:06.038 --> 0:12:08.558 it's a pleasure coming in here every day. 0:12:08.558 --> 0:12:13.508 And joining me finally is the coordinator of the Career 0:12:13.508 --> 0:12:17.018 Visions program. One of the people making it all happen. 0:12:17.018 --> 0:12:20.228 Harmony down. So harmony, welcome to the show. 0:12:20.558 --> 0:12:20.978 Thanks. 0:12:20.978 --> 0:12:21.788 It's great to be. 0:12:21.788 --> 0:12:22.718 Here, Sam. 0:12:22.718 --> 0:12:25.658 So quickly, harmony, just give us a little bit of 0:12:25.658 --> 0:12:29.498 a final bit of info about the program, how people 0:12:29.498 --> 0:12:32.318 can get involved and how it's all happened. 0:12:32.318 --> 0:12:35.798 Sure. So Career Visions is a funded program through the 0:12:35.798 --> 0:12:40.658 Skilling Queenslanders for work initiative, which is a grant application 0:12:40.658 --> 0:12:43.328 process that we do to the Queensland Government, and it's 0:12:43.328 --> 0:12:47.078 administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. 0:12:47.078 --> 0:12:50.198 So when we're looking to put in these applications, we 0:12:50.198 --> 0:12:54.158 have between an 18 to 24 week funded traineeship program. 0:12:54.158 --> 0:12:57.518 So this one is running for 22 weeks and has 0:12:57.518 --> 0:13:01.208 a focus on work skills development. The first 12 weeks 0:13:01.328 --> 0:13:04.568 they're working with us at Vision Australia and they do 0:13:04.568 --> 0:13:07.508 their accredited training at TAFE and their certificate one in 0:13:07.508 --> 0:13:11.408 work skills, followed by a range of computer based training 0:13:11.408 --> 0:13:16.178 and professional development activities for the first 12 weeks. In 0:13:16.178 --> 0:13:20.468 this process, we identify their strengths and their career aspirations, 0:13:20.468 --> 0:13:23.438 and they head off to a work placement for ten 0:13:23.438 --> 0:13:27.668 weeks where they can further flex all their awesome superpowers 0:13:27.668 --> 0:13:30.488 that they gain throughout the 22 weeks that they have 0:13:30.488 --> 0:13:33.818 with us. This is an annual funded grant program, and 0:13:33.818 --> 0:13:36.878 so we were really lucky this year to include the 0:13:36.878 --> 0:13:39.908 Open Day event, which is held on the 8th of June, 0:13:39.908 --> 0:13:42.608 and it's being run with the children's and young people's 0:13:42.638 --> 0:13:45.818 team and has a lot of investment from the local community, 0:13:45.818 --> 0:13:49.208 as well as local and state federal government. The other 0:13:49.208 --> 0:13:52.298 aspects of the Career Visions program is that it leverages 0:13:52.328 --> 0:13:55.358 a lot of our staff with lived experience of low 0:13:55.358 --> 0:13:57.818 vision and blindness, so we know what it takes, and 0:13:57.818 --> 0:14:00.338 we know what it's like to feel like you're trying 0:14:00.338 --> 0:14:02.858 to carve out where you want to go. So it's 0:14:02.858 --> 0:14:06.068 a big investment by Vision Australia as well as the government. 0:14:06.068 --> 0:14:08.618 And it's a great partnership and it's a really great 0:14:08.618 --> 0:14:12.998 program that each year we run, if we're successful and 0:14:12.998 --> 0:14:16.448 hopefully next year in 2025, we'll have the Eoi's out 0:14:16.448 --> 0:14:19.658 again in February next year. So yeah, that's it. 0:14:19.658 --> 0:14:22.268 It's been great to chat with you all. I've been 0:14:22.268 --> 0:14:27.008 speaking today with Sarah, Serena and Michael, as well as 0:14:27.008 --> 0:14:32.378 Harmony downs, all involved in the Career Visions program at 0:14:32.378 --> 0:14:42.548 Vision Australia. On Sam Corley and you're listening to Talking 0:14:42.548 --> 0:14:48.008 Vision on Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio 0:14:48.008 --> 0:14:52.208 and the Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that 0:14:52.208 --> 0:14:58.268 conversation there with Sarah, Serena and Michael alongside Harmony. If 0:14:58.268 --> 0:15:01.778 you missed any part of that conversation or you'd love 0:15:01.778 --> 0:15:05.678 to hear it again. Talking vision is available on the 0:15:05.678 --> 0:15:13.478 Vision Australia Radio website VA radio.org. That's VA radio.org. You 0:15:13.478 --> 0:15:16.688 can also find the program on the podcast app of 0:15:16.688 --> 0:15:21.698 your choice or through the Vision Australia library. Coming up next, 0:15:21.698 --> 0:15:27.248 I speak with Chief Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia, 0:15:27.278 --> 0:15:31.838 Deb Deshaies, who recently celebrated six months in the role 0:15:31.838 --> 0:15:36.398 as CEO. I began my interview with Deb by asking 0:15:36.398 --> 0:15:39.968 her to have a look back over the past six 0:15:39.968 --> 0:15:44.108 months and give us her thoughts and feelings on what's 0:15:44.108 --> 0:15:48.788 no doubt been quite a whirlwind that's rolled around super quick. 0:15:48.818 --> 0:15:51.278 Well, Sam, I think you just said it yourself that 0:15:51.278 --> 0:15:57.428 it has been a whirlwind and it has gone extremely fast. 0:15:57.428 --> 0:15:59.648 In fact, when I got to the six month mark, 0:15:59.648 --> 0:16:01.868 I thought, gosh, it actually feels like I've been here 0:16:01.868 --> 0:16:05.828 a couple of years. So definitely very busy. But I've 0:16:05.858 --> 0:16:11.678 thoroughly enjoyed returning to BCA and settling into a different seat, 0:16:11.678 --> 0:16:14.858 and was previously general Manager of Projects and Engagement for 0:16:14.858 --> 0:16:18.788 those listeners who weren't aware, and then left the organisation 0:16:18.788 --> 0:16:21.578 for probably about three months to apply for this role 0:16:21.578 --> 0:16:25.868 and then have returned. But look, yeah, probably extremely busy 0:16:25.868 --> 0:16:29.378 is the only way that I could describe it, particularly 0:16:29.378 --> 0:16:32.768 because I entered in the midst of an audit and 0:16:32.768 --> 0:16:37.268 some really critical grant applications were due for consideration and submission, 0:16:37.268 --> 0:16:41.018 and then that all led into our annual general meeting. 0:16:41.018 --> 0:16:46.178 So I think from mid October to pretty much Christmas Eve, 0:16:46.268 --> 0:16:49.868 it was just rapid trying to ensure that the team 0:16:49.868 --> 0:16:53.708 was supported throughout those processes, the board as well, and 0:16:53.708 --> 0:16:58.028 preparation for the AGM, you know, and that all ran 0:16:58.028 --> 0:17:01.718 parallel to just the day to day operational needs. And 0:17:01.748 --> 0:17:04.568 of course, most importantly, and something that I value very 0:17:04.568 --> 0:17:08.318 much is forming those relationships with our members, with our 0:17:08.318 --> 0:17:13.088 team of staff and directors, you know, partner organisations such 0:17:13.088 --> 0:17:17.888 as Vision Australia and our disability representative organisations in the community. 0:17:17.888 --> 0:17:21.278 You know, we have many connections and it's for me 0:17:21.278 --> 0:17:24.518 it was about just trying to understand who's who, you know, 0:17:24.518 --> 0:17:28.838 where's the roadmap as such around the other disability organisations. 0:17:28.838 --> 0:17:31.148 You know, the key people in those organisations that we've 0:17:31.148 --> 0:17:35.138 been collaborating with, people in the community. What are some 0:17:35.138 --> 0:17:39.398 other options for us to broaden the work and educate 0:17:39.398 --> 0:17:43.058 others on the whole purpose of BCA and the work 0:17:43.058 --> 0:17:46.328 that we do? So extremely busy. Yes, I think I 0:17:46.328 --> 0:17:47.198 saw a few times. 0:17:47.198 --> 0:17:52.328 Yeah, absolutely. And Deb, you mentioned those connections there, which have, 0:17:52.328 --> 0:17:56.048 you know, no doubt stood you in very good stead, including, 0:17:56.078 --> 0:18:00.368 of course, your time with Vision Australia and other blindness 0:18:00.368 --> 0:18:05.168 and low vision organisations alongside Blind Citizens Australia, where of 0:18:05.168 --> 0:18:08.978 course you find yourself. Now, what sort of advantage has 0:18:08.978 --> 0:18:12.548 that given you to have those sort of experiences in 0:18:12.548 --> 0:18:16.538 other parts of the blindness and low vision sector, as 0:18:16.538 --> 0:18:19.928 you do head into this role as CEO? 0:18:20.288 --> 0:18:24.128 Um, I think just an appreciation for the differences in 0:18:24.128 --> 0:18:29.918 the organisation, you know, service delivery versus advocacy, appreciation for 0:18:29.918 --> 0:18:33.818 all the work that's done, obviously, having an existing relationship 0:18:33.818 --> 0:18:36.668 with Ron Horton. So it's been really great to connect 0:18:36.668 --> 0:18:38.978 him with Ron and his team again and Bill jolly, 0:18:38.978 --> 0:18:42.188 as well as now the president, because we've got the 0:18:42.188 --> 0:18:45.128 memorandum of understanding with Vision Australia. So I've certainly found 0:18:45.128 --> 0:18:48.848 that a really smooth transition and great just to already 0:18:48.848 --> 0:18:52.328 have that understanding, as I say, of service delivery of 0:18:52.328 --> 0:18:55.598 a lot of the people in the organisation not having 0:18:55.598 --> 0:18:57.668 to then I suppose go back and go, oh, what 0:18:57.668 --> 0:19:00.278 do Vision Australia do? What do Guide Dogs do? What 0:19:00.278 --> 0:19:03.398 do some of the other disability organisations do? Great to 0:19:03.398 --> 0:19:06.128 connect in with Dan Stubbs again to in his role 0:19:06.128 --> 0:19:07.988 I think pretty sure that was in my first week. 0:19:07.988 --> 0:19:10.508 Actually went to a roundtable there led by Dan, which 0:19:10.508 --> 0:19:13.508 was fantastic. So I think, you know, I feel very 0:19:13.508 --> 0:19:19.088 fortunate to have had those previous experiences and knowledge of 0:19:19.088 --> 0:19:23.378 what each organisation and leadership styles, and we're all striving 0:19:23.378 --> 0:19:26.408 for the same thing. Sam. It's just we provide our 0:19:26.408 --> 0:19:29.888 purpose at BCA and service delivery. It's just obviously done 0:19:29.888 --> 0:19:32.888 in different ways, but as much as we can collaborate 0:19:32.888 --> 0:19:36.368 as possible, then that's definitely what I subscribe to and 0:19:36.368 --> 0:19:37.718 look forward to that. Continue. 0:19:38.108 --> 0:19:42.218 And no doubt, in those past six months there have 0:19:42.218 --> 0:19:46.748 been quite a few challenges and things to overcome. But 0:19:46.748 --> 0:19:50.978 what's that been like for blind citizens? Australia going into 0:19:50.978 --> 0:19:55.238 a world post Covid, changes to the NDIS and other 0:19:55.238 --> 0:19:57.758 such things like that? What have sort of been the 0:19:57.758 --> 0:20:01.688 biggest things to deal with I guess over the past 0:20:01.688 --> 0:20:02.648 six months? 0:20:02.918 --> 0:20:06.188 I mean, for Covid obviously pretty I think we've all 0:20:06.188 --> 0:20:09.668 the whole world's got pretty familiar, haven't we? Yeah for sure. 0:20:09.698 --> 0:20:13.358 Accepting of the way in which our lives are now. 0:20:13.358 --> 0:20:15.518 And in fact, sometimes, you know, when you, you know, 0:20:15.518 --> 0:20:17.708 you walk around the streets, you think, did we actually 0:20:17.708 --> 0:20:20.378 ever have Covid? Because it's just like we never did. 0:20:20.378 --> 0:20:24.098 It's so busy, you know, rare. Will you perhaps be 0:20:24.098 --> 0:20:26.948 offered a mask or or notice someone wearing a mask? 0:20:26.948 --> 0:20:29.588 But for BCA, we were already working remotely, which was 0:20:29.588 --> 0:20:33.698 under Emma's leadership. So we didn't need to really adapt 0:20:33.698 --> 0:20:37.658 ourselves in terms of where's everyone working? Do we have offices? 0:20:37.658 --> 0:20:40.808 That type of scenario that a lot of other organisations 0:20:40.808 --> 0:20:43.988 went through? So we were a little bit more prepared, 0:20:43.988 --> 0:20:48.608 which was great, but particularly changed in terms of how 0:20:48.608 --> 0:20:51.458 our staff operate getting out and about now and then. 0:20:51.458 --> 0:20:54.728 There's probably still more relating to my role. I probably 0:20:54.728 --> 0:20:57.458 am away from the home desk on average two days 0:20:57.458 --> 0:20:59.738 a week, and that's fantastic because it's going out and 0:20:59.738 --> 0:21:03.578 connecting with, as you mentioned, the Ndia, building those relationships 0:21:03.578 --> 0:21:06.908 and understanding more about what their intentions are moving forward 0:21:06.908 --> 0:21:11.408 for disability representative organisations. I think also, well, one of 0:21:11.408 --> 0:21:13.808 our biggest challenges and one thing that certainly kept me 0:21:13.808 --> 0:21:16.208 very busy, and one of the things that I'm very 0:21:16.208 --> 0:21:20.498 much looking forward to is knowing the outcome of our 0:21:20.498 --> 0:21:24.968 grant applications. It's made now and a significant amount of 0:21:24.968 --> 0:21:28.148 our team's contracts finishing 30th of June of this year. 0:21:28.148 --> 0:21:31.028 We've been doing a lot of work to submit some applications, 0:21:31.028 --> 0:21:35.378 so that's kept us very busy in terms of applying 0:21:35.378 --> 0:21:38.708 for some critical grants to keep our advocacy work going, 0:21:38.738 --> 0:21:41.138 to keep some of our projects going, such as our 0:21:41.138 --> 0:21:44.378 own area for employment, and that as soon as we know, 0:21:44.378 --> 0:21:47.138 Sam will hopefully continue to keep us busy. If we 0:21:47.138 --> 0:21:49.448 are successful, I'm going to be positive and see it 0:21:49.448 --> 0:21:52.358 as you know, very likely. But it's just that not knowing. 0:21:52.358 --> 0:21:55.418 So that's something that we're looking forward to hearing more about. 0:21:55.418 --> 0:21:58.898 And staying on that positive note, Deb, I think it's 0:21:58.898 --> 0:22:02.888 also worth looking back over some highlights, some of the 0:22:02.888 --> 0:22:07.208 really exciting things that have taken place over the past 0:22:07.208 --> 0:22:10.088 six months. So what have you really been able to 0:22:10.088 --> 0:22:13.148 look back and enjoy and think? You know, that was 0:22:13.148 --> 0:22:15.878 really great. We were part of such and such or, 0:22:15.878 --> 0:22:18.668 you know, this was a great sort of instance where 0:22:18.698 --> 0:22:23.978 something really fantastic happened within or outside of the organisation. 0:22:23.978 --> 0:22:27.428 I think one of the main things is building our 0:22:27.428 --> 0:22:32.318 relationships outside the four walls of BCA so that we 0:22:32.318 --> 0:22:36.098 are more heard, known, seen out in the community and 0:22:36.098 --> 0:22:40.658 with other disability organisations internally. We've contracted a fundraising manager 0:22:40.658 --> 0:22:43.988 to work on a range of fundraising activities to increase 0:22:43.988 --> 0:22:48.068 our support for BCA and the Geoffrey Blyth Foundation, we've 0:22:48.068 --> 0:22:51.368 got our upcoming national volunteer celebrations. It's just the second 0:22:51.368 --> 0:22:54.068 year that we're actually running that, and I was involved 0:22:54.068 --> 0:22:55.868 in it last year, so I'm really pleased to see 0:22:55.868 --> 0:22:58.538 that we're doing that again. I just feel like there's 0:22:58.538 --> 0:23:00.788 so many things. Sam, you know, from an advocacy point 0:23:00.788 --> 0:23:03.878 of view, there's been so many areas and writing policies 0:23:03.878 --> 0:23:07.748 in so many areas that we just continue to do. 0:23:07.748 --> 0:23:09.998 And when we do our annual report, I know you're 0:23:09.998 --> 0:23:12.308 only asking me six months, but when we do do 0:23:12.308 --> 0:23:16.058 the year and review, it's so full, it's like, oh, 0:23:16.058 --> 0:23:18.608 I think over 40 pages of all the different things 0:23:18.608 --> 0:23:23.888 that BCA has been able to contribute to collaborate on influence, 0:23:23.888 --> 0:23:27.488 you know, change the way in which our members receive 0:23:27.488 --> 0:23:31.928 a service or supports. So I can't really pick one highlight. 0:23:31.928 --> 0:23:33.248 I do also want to be. 0:23:33.248 --> 0:23:36.458 Impossible to pick just one. Absolutely, yeah. 0:23:36.458 --> 0:23:38.648 But just want to acknowledge the board as well. And 0:23:38.648 --> 0:23:41.048 I came back to BCA, spent a lot of time 0:23:41.048 --> 0:23:43.208 with the owner would. So I feel very fortunate that 0:23:43.208 --> 0:23:45.428 we've been able to actually even be in person a 0:23:45.428 --> 0:23:47.858 few times. And one of those occasions was at the 0:23:47.858 --> 0:23:54.008 Mastercard event that BCA was selected to receive the profits 0:23:54.008 --> 0:23:57.308 from the ticket sales, but it was great to work 0:23:57.308 --> 0:24:02.138 on that alongside Fiona, and just to spend more time 0:24:02.138 --> 0:24:06.008 with her, having her perspective on the organisation, you know, 0:24:06.008 --> 0:24:09.098 and her her leadership as our president as well. But 0:24:09.098 --> 0:24:11.888 the rest of the board have been fantastic. I've thoroughly 0:24:11.888 --> 0:24:14.498 enjoyed getting to know them at a much deeper level. Um, 0:24:14.498 --> 0:24:18.338 we welcomed Robin and Neil as two newer directors. Unfortunately, 0:24:18.338 --> 0:24:21.788 we farewelled Pru and Joanne. I mean, change happens all 0:24:21.788 --> 0:24:24.038 the time, but you know, it was great even just 0:24:24.038 --> 0:24:27.008 to have that short period of time working alongside them 0:24:27.008 --> 0:24:27.908 as well. 0:24:27.908 --> 0:24:32.288 Looking forward to the rest of the year. Deb. And 0:24:32.288 --> 0:24:37.058 the uncertainty notwithstanding, there is quite a lot of things, 0:24:37.058 --> 0:24:41.318 no doubt. To look forward to for the rest of 2024. 0:24:41.318 --> 0:24:45.788 So what are some really exciting things coming up for 0:24:45.788 --> 0:24:49.178 BCA over the rest of the year that you and 0:24:49.178 --> 0:24:53.408 the team, and all the clients and BCA members out 0:24:53.408 --> 0:24:54.878 there can look forward to. 0:24:55.268 --> 0:24:59.288 Well, Sam, as I said earlier, it does hinge on 0:24:59.288 --> 0:25:02.798 the outcome of our grant applications. I do want to 0:25:02.798 --> 0:25:05.858 acknowledge the team, though, right now are very much doing 0:25:05.858 --> 0:25:09.158 their absolute best to continue to provide the peer connect 0:25:09.158 --> 0:25:12.008 programs to all of our members, you know, continuing to 0:25:12.008 --> 0:25:15.188 advocate in all the necessary, you know, necessary areas, whether 0:25:15.188 --> 0:25:19.328 they be individual or for systemic related matters. We hope 0:25:19.328 --> 0:25:23.048 to continue all of that work. Can't really say how 0:25:23.048 --> 0:25:26.168 much or what that will look like, but we certainly 0:25:26.168 --> 0:25:28.538 will hope and have our fingers crossed that we'll be 0:25:28.538 --> 0:25:31.058 able to continue to extend on some of our peer 0:25:31.058 --> 0:25:35.198 connect programs, hopefully continue our An Eye to the future 0:25:35.198 --> 0:25:38.798 employment program. We also have the scholarships. We'll continue to 0:25:38.798 --> 0:25:41.018 do those, which is really fantastic to be able to 0:25:41.018 --> 0:25:43.298 acknowledge those who want to go out and do some study, 0:25:43.298 --> 0:25:45.308 and to be able to assist them to purchase a 0:25:45.308 --> 0:25:49.118 much needed items that they need for their studies. But yeah, 0:25:49.118 --> 0:25:51.608 I'm just being honest and transparent. Sam, it's really tricky 0:25:51.608 --> 0:25:55.268 to say what we'll look like from 1st of July onwards. 0:25:55.268 --> 0:25:57.518 We are just doing what we can now with what 0:25:57.518 --> 0:26:00.548 we have and are very hopeful for the future. 0:26:00.758 --> 0:26:04.088 That's very good to have that, um, positive outlook. But 0:26:04.088 --> 0:26:08.378 we do appreciate your honesty and being realistic about things 0:26:08.378 --> 0:26:11.918 that are going on in the space and the nature 0:26:11.918 --> 0:26:14.858 of not for profit and all those sort of things. 0:26:14.858 --> 0:26:17.948 So absolutely, a lot of people out there would perfectly 0:26:17.948 --> 0:26:21.518 understand that for sure. A lot of people very familiar 0:26:21.518 --> 0:26:24.518 with that. But we do keep our fingers crossed as 0:26:24.518 --> 0:26:29.108 well and look forward to hearing about some hopefully positive 0:26:29.108 --> 0:26:32.708 news in the not too distant future. So thank you 0:26:32.708 --> 0:26:36.218 very much for your time today. I've been speaking today 0:26:36.218 --> 0:26:41.858 with Deb Deshaies, chief executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia, 0:26:41.858 --> 0:26:46.778 just past the six month mark as CEO of BCA, 0:26:46.778 --> 0:26:50.408 and it's been an absolute pleasure to chat with you today. Deb, 0:26:50.408 --> 0:26:52.208 thank you very much for your time. 0:26:52.268 --> 0:26:54.818 Oh no, thank you, Sam. Appreciate the invitation and just 0:26:54.818 --> 0:26:57.998 engaging and I'm sure we'll speak again shortly hopefully. 0:26:57.998 --> 0:27:01.088 Yeah, absolutely. One of our grants for sure. I can give. 0:27:01.088 --> 0:27:02.948 You a little bit more around what do we look 0:27:02.948 --> 0:27:04.028 like moving forward. 0:27:04.028 --> 0:27:13.968 Excellent. Thank you so much. And that's all the time 0:27:13.968 --> 0:27:17.898 we have for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision. 0:27:17.928 --> 0:27:22.578 Talking vision is a Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to 0:27:22.578 --> 0:27:26.928 all involved with putting the show together every week. And remember, 0:27:26.928 --> 0:27:29.688 we love hearing from you. So please get in touch 0:27:29.688 --> 0:27:35.238 any time on our email at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. 0:27:35.238 --> 0:27:40.458 That's talking vision all one word at Vision australia.org. But 0:27:40.458 --> 0:27:44.058 until next week it's Sam Colly saying bye for now. 0:27:47.678 --> 0:27:51.428 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us any time 0:27:51.428 --> 0:28:00.728 during business hours on one 308 4746. That's one (300) 847-4106 0:28:00.728 --> 0:28:06.038 or by visiting Vision Australia. Org that's Vision australia.org.