Insights Summer 2026

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 https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/blind-low-vision-footy-free-come-try-session/

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.

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.

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

Any questions or queries about our Social Happy Hour Sessions? Contact Alana on alana.tiller@guidedogs.org.au or 08 8203 8338.

We hope you enjoyed this version of our Insights Newsletter. Stay tuned for the next one!