Welcome to Visual Independence in Australia

We aim to bring happiness to the blind and low visioned through the use of assistive / adaptive technology.

This site has been developed for access by the low visioned and blind.

For low visioned use control + to enlarge the screen. This can be done as many times as you need. Push control - to reduce the screen size.

Blind Users who have Internet friendly speech synthesizer software such as JAWS or the free NVDA software can tab to the desired folder and push enter.

ANNOUNCEMENT  

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the talking bar code scanner  (ID Mate Omni) into Australia. It will allow the blind and severely low visioned to independently identify items for themselves. It has been described as "a life changing piece of technology". It retails at $1,990 and there is a 20 percent discount available for those who ONLY receive the Centrelink pension. The poor exchange rate has required a price rise and unfortunately these are matters outside our control.

For low income Australians unable to obtain funding through the channels listed below, Visual Independence with the generous support and contributions of the Australian community,has commenced grants to low income blind and low visioned in need of such technology.
 

Our May 2009 GRANTS program has now closed and we have provided ID mates to 26 successful applicants.

We hope to shortly announce our next grants program. If you are interested, contact us by emailing info@visualindependence.org.au or calling  03 9853 9880 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW / LISTEN TO NATIONAL NINE NEWS RELEASE 9 APRIL 2008.

CLICK HERE FOR THE "TODAY" SHOW ON CHANNEL NINE 10 APRIL 2008

Many Blind automatically think they cannot afford it? Well read on!  

Eligible low income Western Australians in need of this technology can NOW APPLY through the Association for the Blind of W.A. or Blind Citizens WA to Lottery West for a grant to acquire the talking bar code scanner.

Likewise, eligible South Australians can NOW APPLY through the Royal Society for the Blind S.A. for assistance in obtaining a talking bar code scanner. You may also be able to seek out further opportunities for assistance through Blind Welfare

Those eligible living in New South Wales can NOW APPLY through Vision Australia for assistance in obtaining a talking bar code scanner under the PADP. 

Eligible Northern Territory residents can NOW APPLY through Vision Australia for assistance under the TIMES program. 

Members of the Queensland Blind Association should contact their Association to seek out opportunities for financial assistance.