News
Insights Winter 2025
Hi, 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. This newsletter is also available in audio format via the audio player below, the audio player has buttons to increase or decrease speed .
In this edition:
• Empowered Living Program – September 2025
• Blind Sports Trial – Come and Try
• Vision Loss Peer Support Group – Northern Territory
• Glenelg Tram Line Closure – What you Need to Know
• Join us and make a difference: Consumer Reference Group
• You’re Invited: Final Session of Our Social Happy Hour Empowerment Series: Reconnecting with Your Interests
• Have your say: Disability Discrimination Act Review
Empowered Living Program – September 2025
Build Confidence in Your Communication and Relationships
Want to connect better, speak up with confidence, and strengthen your relationships? Join our free three-part workshop series designed to help you build communication skills that make a real impact in everyday life.
You’ll learn how to:
• Be present and engaged in conversations
• Handle difficult remarks with confidence
• Speak assertively and advocate for yourself
• Communicate clearly in group settings
Featuring expert guest speakers Sheila Eime (Relationship Coach) and Robert Elliot (Voice Coach), the sessions include practical tools and vocal techniques tailored for people who are blind or are living with low vision.
Age: 18+
Dates: Wednesdays 3, 10, and 17 September
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide. If you live in regional SA or the NT, you can join by phone call. Jjust let us know, have your phone ready, and we’ll call you!
Cost: FREE to join.
RSVP by 25 August
Learn more here: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/empowered-living-program-september-2025/
Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019830f1db777f699cee5502b6d2331b
Blind Sports Trial – Come and Try
Give Blind sports a go in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment—no experience needed! This fun, hands-on session welcomes people with all vision levels to come together, try out sport with peers, and enjoy some friendly competition. All equipment is provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and team spirit!
Date: 19th September
Time: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Location: Adelaide TBC (we will inform closer to the date)
Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/bbda10ce7de4417fb47122fd7b55ba72
Vision Loss Peer Support Group – Northern Territory
Do you live in the NT?
You’re invited to join our friends at the Vision Loss Peer Support Group: a face-to-face monthly peer support group for people living with vision loss in the NT.
The group location alternates between Casuarina and Palmerston, with a courtesy bus available for transportation to and from the venues.
We are a very diverse mixed age group and welcome all ages to going us. Every month, we meet to share stories, food and discuss issues that people wish to highlight. We pass on tips, tricks and information about devices and programs. It is a safe space which allows people with different vision issues to talk with other people on this journey.
Additionally, social sport groups are available in the NT at various times and locations, such as blind table tennis, soccer and tennis.
Interested to learn more? Contact details for the Support Group and Sports Groups are below.
Support Group:
• Facebook: Vision Loss Support Group NT
• Phone: Paul: 0412385529 or Alison: 0401170186
Swish (table tennis)
• Email: darwintta@gmail.com
• Tennis:
• Andy Bhardwaj at 0406396138
6-month Glenelg tram line closure: What you need to know
The tram line is now closed between South Terrace, Adelaide and Mosely Square, Glenelg until late January 2026. Here is a recent update from Adelaide Metro:
Glenelg tram line closure
• There will be a full closure of the whole tram network all day Saturday, 2 August and Sunday, 3 August 2025.
• Following this, the Glenelg tram line will remain closed between South Terrace, Adelaide and Moseley Square, Glenelg to late January 2026.
• Full services will resume for the start of the school year in 2026.
• This is part of the Tram Grade Separation Projects, removing three congested tram level crossings to make journeys safer and more reliable.
Substitute bus
• There will be substitute bus services in place for all closures.
• Substitute bus services will match the tram frequency and capacity, operating every 10 to 20 minutes during the day and night, and increasing to every 5 minutes during weekday peak periods.
• The bus will service substitute bus stops as close to the tram stop as possible.
• There may be longer travel times with modified routes and more congested traffic conditions, so we encourage you to plan ahead.
• Tram services will continue to operate as normal between:
• South Terrace and Royal Adelaide Hospital
• Botanic Gardens and Entertainment Centre
Accessible services
• Every effort is made so that timetabled substitute bus services are accessible for all customers, including the elderly, customers with a disability and those travelling with prams.
• If you have concerns about accessing public transport during the tram line closures, we encourage you to contact the substitute bus operator for your line.
Glenelg line: contact Torrens Transit on 8292 8100
Botanic line: contact Busways on 0401 263 391
More information
• Plan your journey with timetables, bus maps, and more at www.adelaidemetro.com.au/tramclosure
• You can also call the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 for assistance.
Join us and make a difference!
At Guide Dogs, we’re passionate about providing the best possible services to our clients. Who better to help us achieve that than the people we serve? That’s why we’re looking for you to join our dynamic Consumer Reference Group (CRG)!
This is your chance to share your unique perspective and experiences. Our Consumer Reference Group is a forum where you can have input on relevant issues and other matters, such as the development of policies and procedures, guidelines, practices and publications.
As a CRG member, you will play a vital role in shaping how we serve our diverse community across South Australia and the Northern Territory. We encourage applications from everyone – all ages, genders, backgrounds, and locations!
Participation in the Consumer Reference Group is on a voluntary basis. The CRG meets four times a year. Meetings are held via teleconference on Microsoft Teams.
If you are interested in joining the Consumer Reference Group or would like further information, please contact Simon or Salina on 1800 757 738. Expression of interest period ends on 26th September 2025.
We know that no two journeys are the same, and we look forward to working side-by-side with you to deliver the best possible services for all.
Regards,
Simon Wong and Salina Shrestha, Consumer Liaison Officers, Guide Dogs SA/NT.
You’re Invited: Final Session of Our Social Happy Hour Empowerment Series
Reconnecting with Your Interests
Our recent Social Happy Hour series has been exploring self-employment, financial independence, and personal growth – featuring lived experiences, practical tools, and expert insights.
In Session 1, we explored pathways to self-employment with Blind Citizens Australia. In Session 2, we heard from Global Sisters about building micro-businesses and resilience through life changes.
Don’t miss our final session in the series:
Session 3: Reconnecting with Your Interests
With Nikki Hind – Australia’s First Legally Blind Fashion Designer
Date: Friday 22 August
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nikki Hind, founder of Blind Grit, as she shares her journey of turning adversity into creative power. Discover how reconnecting with your passions can lead to meaningful, values-driven work—and walk away with new ideas for your own path forward.
Learn more here: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/reconnecting-with-your-interests-and-building-paths-forward-with-nikki-hind/
Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/76b3632319014183988e0828abb7ccc1
Have your say: Disability Discrimination Act Review
The Attorney General’s department has published a consultation considering a range of issues to be addressed in a review of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This review process is in response to recommendations resulting from the Disability Royal Commission published in 2024.
The government invites people including those living with disability, families and carers to share their views on this important area for reform.
There are two ways to contribute to the consultation. There is an issues paper to which you can respond, and a shorter survey.
This is the first stage of the review, and there will be further opportunities to engage with this process in the future.
The consultation closes on 24 October 2025. To find out more visit: https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/human-rights-and-anti-discrimination/australias-anti-discrimination-law/review-disability-discrimination-act
We hope you enjoyed this version of our client insights newsletter. Stay tuned for the next one!
