News

Insights Summer 2026

January 15, 2026

Welcome to the Summer edition of Insights, Guide Dogs SA/NT’s client newsletter. We hope you enjoy keeping up to date on what’s happening at Guide Dogs SA/NT, and reading the wonderful stories and practical tips for our community.

Use the audio player below if you prefer an audio version of this edition of Insights, it consists of two parts, hit play on the second audio player once you finished part one.

Part 1:

Part 2:

In this edition:

Just announced: SANFL Blind & Low Vision League
New service: Support Coordination
Changes to the Disability Parking Permit Scheme
Navigate public transport with BindiMaps
Upcoming Social Happy Hour sessions

Just announced: SANFL Blind & Low Vision League

Pictured from left, SANFL Head of Game Development Brad Humphrey, Blind Low Vision participants Isaac McInnes, Tyreece Bevan and Amelia Hart and Guide Dogs SA/NT Chief Operating Officer Jason Clark with Guide Dogs Merlin and Tofu.

Guide dogs Merlin and Tofu with Tyreece Bevan, Isaac McInnes, Amelia Hart, and Brad Humphrey at the Adelaide Oval, Thursday, December 4, 2025. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news! Guide Dogs SA/NT has teamed up with SANFL to launch South Australia’s first Blind and Low Vision (BLV) Aussie Rules Football League.

Kicking off in March, the SANFL BLV League will offer a modified and supportive footy experience in a welcoming environment. The league will be run as a six-a-side competition, with teams of 8-10 players. Matches will be played indoors at AFL Max (Adelaide Airport) with a specially designed Sherrin football fitted with an electronic beeper. Goal umpires will also use rattles to help players locate the goals.

Guide Dogs SA/NT CEO Aaron Chia said, “The SANFL BLV League is an excellent step in ensuring there is greater access and inclusion in our community for people with any level of vision, and we’re incredibly proud to be supporting this initiative. We’re looking forward to partnering with SANFL so that more South Australians can enjoy and get involved in the football community.”

If you’re curious to give it a go, SANFL will be hosting a free ‘come and try’ session at AFL Max on Saturday 7 February from 5.30pm.

To find out more or register your interest, visit www.sanfl.com.au or email inclusion@sanfl.com.au.

New service: Support Coordination

Three people sit at a wooden table in a modern kitchen, holding mugs and having a conversation.

We’re pleased to introduce a new Support Coordination service, now available to Guide Dogs SA/NT clients and delivered by our expert team at Guide Dogs Victoria.

If you have an NDIS plan and would like some extra help navigating it, our Support Coordinators can support you to better understand your plan, connect with the right services, manage appointments and service agreements, and work towards your goals with confidence.

This service can be helpful whether you’re new to the NDIS or already have a plan in place. Support Coordination is NDIS-funded and you can connect with your Coordinator in the way that suits you best, by phone, email or video call.

To find out more or get started, visit sant.guidedogs.com.au/services/support-coordination or contact our Client Support team at 1800 757 738 or ClientSupport@guidedogs.org.au.

Important changes to the Disability Parking Permit Scheme

For the first time in 25 years, South Australia’s Disability Parking Permit (DPP) scheme has changed. These changes will help more South Australians access these permits.

The new DPP scheme started on Monday, 24 November 2025.

The scheme has been modified to better meet the needs of people living with a disability. This includes people who:

Live with blindness
Have a significant condition (intellectual, cognitive, behavioural or neurological) that prevents them from moving independently without the continuous support of another person.

What has changed

The eligibility criteria has expanded to:

Include people who live with blindness
Include people with significant intellectual, cognitive, behavioural or neurological impairments
Remove the rule that public transport use must be significantly impeded
Update criteria for physical mobility impairments.

Learn More and Apply:

Visit SA.GOV.AU to apply for a DPP or contact Service SA on 13 10 84.

Navigating public transport made easier with BindiMaps

Adelaide Metro is making public transport easier to navigate for everyone, particularly people who live with blindness and low vision.

BindiMaps is a navigation app designed for complex indoor spaces and is now available at selected Adelaide Metro locations.

The app provides clear, step-by-step directions in simple language, helping users understand where they are, what’s around them, and how to move safely through busy areas.

The trial is currently live at the Adelaide Railway Station, the tram stop outside Adelaide Railway Station and Paradise Interchange.

BindiMaps can be accessed through the mobile app, a web browser, or via the onsite kiosk located near the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre inside Adelaide Railway Station.

Download BindiMaps on iOS or Android to try it today: https://bindimaps.com/download

Social Happy Hour: Upcoming Sessions

If you’re 18 or over, we invite you to join us for our upcoming FREE Social Happy Hour sessions – a relaxed space to connect with others, share experiences, and learn something new.

Check out our next sessions, below:

Tech Tasters: Hands-On Explore and Try Session

Join us for a friendly, hands-on session where you can explore magnifiers, smart devices, kitchen aids and everyday accessibility tools. This is a great opportunity to try things out, ask questions and discover what might make day-to-day life a little easier.

Date: Friday 23 January 2026 | Time: 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Click here to register: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/tech-tasters-part-2-hands-on-explore-and-try-session/
Tech Tasters Part 2: Hands-On Explore and Try Session

Continue your journey exploring assistive technology with expert guidance. Join our Occupational Therapist clinician to explore a wider range of assistive and accessible technology in practice.

Date: Friday 6 February 2026 | Time: 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Click here to register: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/tech-tasters-part-2-hands-on-explore-and-try-session/
Blind Cricket: Come and Try

Give Blind Cricket a go in a safe and supportive setting: no experience needed! This hands-on session welcomes people of all vision levels to come together, enjoy some friendly competition, and try the sport with peers. All equipment is provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and team spirit.

Date: Friday 20 March 2026 | Time: 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Click here to register: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/blind-cricket-come-and-try