News
Insights Winter 2023
Welcome to the Winter 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 tips for our community.
In This Newsletter
ABC expands audio descriptions to iView
Free tickets! Metropolitan Male Choir of SA concert
Want to try Blind Cricket?
What’s on? Upcoming Events
Life changed in an instant for Raelene
Nominate now! Carer and Young Carer Awards
Creative Oasis Camp Success
Get Social on CatchUp
ABC expands audio descriptions to iView
Have you heard? The ABC has expanded audio descriptions to ABC iView, enabling spectators who are blind or have low vision to enjoy their favourite shows, movies and news in a more inclusive way.
The audio description service has now been launched over 100 ABC iView titles, including programs such as Bluey, Fisk, Muster Dogs, Four Corners, Australian Story, The Newsreader and Mystery Road.
ABC audio descriptions campaign ambassador Nas Campanella, said that audio description has been a game changer, enabling her to consume her favourite shows more independently.
“Previously, I had to rely on someone to tell me what is happening on screen and hope that someone was free and willing to watch a particular show with me,’’ she said. “The level of detail I received about facial expressions, actions or costumes on screen was dependent on what that person felt I needed to know. It was frustrating. If I watched a show alone and there were sections with no dialogue, I simply missed out on those often important details. It certainly impacted my enjoyment of a show.”
“Audio description allows me to have equal access to the same information and finer details as everyone else. And it means I can contribute to those water cooler conversations with family, friends, and colleagues like everyone else.”
Free tickets! Metropolitan Male Choir of SA concert
The Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia is once again generously offering a limited number of free tickets to Guide Dogs clients for their premier event, the Variety Concert on Sunday 20 August at Norwood Concert Hall.
If you’re interested in attending this event, please express your interest by contacting Salina Shrestha or Simon Wong, Consumer Liaison Officers at Guide Dogs SA/NT on (08) 8203 8347 or 0400691493 or via email at clientsupport@guidedogs.org.au
Want to try Blind Cricket?
Are you interested in trying Blind Cricket? There are currently opportunities for juniors and seniors, from social cricket up to state and national representation. The season typically runs from October to March, with training sessions on Wednesday evenings and games on Sunday afternoons. Games and training take place at the University playing fields in North Adelaide.
Pre-season training will begin in September and coaching is available for beginners.
Find out more by contacting David Penn, President on 0439490010 or email president@blindcricketsa.org
Visit the Blind Cricket SA facebook page
Upcoming Events
Gardening for people with vision loss
Fri 25 August, 2023 11:00am
Following vision loss you may experience challenges with gardening. In this session, we will explore ways to make gardening fun and safe for people living with low vision or blindness. Including some tips and ideas for creating your own sensory garden.
Body language skills and personal presence
Fri 8 September, 11:00am
Following visual cues during communication with others can be challenging with low vision or blindness. Discover the secret body language tips that can boost your confidence and help you network during social situations.
Access 2 Arts events
Keep up to date with accessible arts activities around Adelaide and SA, including audio-described ‘If Fabrics Could Speak’; a tactile tour of Kaspar Schmidt Mumm’s exhibition, ROCKAMORA; and audio-described performance of two State Theatre Company plays, The Dictionary of Lost Words and Welcome to Your New Life.
Life Changed in an Instant for Raelene
Guide Dogs SA/NT recently shared the story of client Raelene and her recently matched Guide Dog, Fargo, as part of a fundraising campaign. We wanted to share this story with you.
Raelene, a mother and grandmother from Mount Gambier, was driving to work, something she had done countless times before. The next thing she knew, she suddenly woke up. She had hit a tree. Doctors found she had experienced a seizure at the wheel, with a devastating cause. Raelene was diagnosed with brain cancer, and was given a prognosis of just fifteen months.
The cancer has caused loss of vision. Raelene can currently only see a very small area, straight ahead. The team at Guide Dogs SA/NT supported Raelene to maximise use of her remaining vision. And three years after Raelene’s life-changing diagnosis, it was time to explore how partnering with a Guide Dog could increase her independence.
“With Fargo, I’m able to do all the things I love. I’m very social – I’m part of a knitting group, a crochet group and a quilting group. I take art classes, enjoy live music and go ten pin bowling. Having Fargo means I can continue to get out and do those things with confidence,” says Raelene.
Click here to read Raelene’s full story
Nominate now! Carer and Young Carer Awards
The South Australian Community Achievement Awards are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities, and businesses are making throughout the community in South Australia. The Community Achievement Award recognises Carers who go above and beyond their duties. This year there will be two Carer categories, the Carer Achievement Award and the Young Carer Achievement Award (13-25 years old).
Nominate yourself or someone else before August 9 2023 to stand a chance to win a prize package worth more than $1,500 including a $500 Woolworths Gift Card, a complimentary membership to The Career College valued at $594 and a $500 Bartercard Travel Voucher, plus a trophy at the gala dinner on November 10 2023.
Creative Oasis Camp Success
Did you know that Guide Dogs runs regular activities for our school-aged clients during school holidays? During the recent July holidays we had a blast on our ‘Creative Oasis Camp’ with a group of teenage clients. We had fun in a creative clay session, exploring rhythm in a dance workshop, making masks at the Migration Museum and even tried our hands at chocolate making.
These activities provide a wonderful opportunity for students to connect to their peers whilst learning new skills. Please email Salina Shrestha, Consumer Liaison Officer to express your interest in joining us for activities during the October school holidays on (08) 8203 8347 or 0400691493 or email clientsupport@guidedogs.org.au
Get Social on CatchUp
Have you joined CatchUp? It’s Guide Dogs’ accessible online community for social connection, information, and more. You’ll find social discussions, resources and news, and opportunities to connect with people with low vision and blindness.
