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 talking bar code scanner  (ID Mate Omni) in Australia has been expanded to incorporate products retailed in New Zealand. It allows 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 AUD $1,730 and there is a 20 percent discount available for those who ONLY receive the Centrelink pension.

The next database update is due for release in March 2010.  
 

The Coles ID Mate grant program released 92 units into the community. This program for 2009 /2010 is now closed. We thank Coles for their generous ongoing support.

Current grant opportunities February 2010 onwards

Visual Independence will continue to accept applications for the Australian ID Mate. Funding will be dependent on the availability of sponors and donors.

For further information, telephone Bernie Slagtman 03 9853 9880 or mobile 0402 859 885 or email info@visualindependence.org.au  Click here to download a grants application

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.