Peer Support and Community Organisations
BRISBANE
SYDNEY OUTREACH
REGIONAL
Click on the links above to go to the relevant services
METROPOLITAN BRISBANE
COUNCIL ON THE AGEING (COTA) Queensland
Physical Location:
Level 5, 199 George Street
GPO Box 21
Brisbane Qld 4001
Contact details:
Tel: (07) 3316 2999
1300 738 348 (cost of a local call)
Fax: (07) 3316 2900
Email: cotaq@cotaq.org.au
Website: http://www.cotaq.org.au
Services provided:
COTA Queensland:
• Connects with seniors to understand their needs and priorities;
• Connects with resources to enhance the lives of seniors; and
• Connects with networks to strengthen the seniors voice.
Seniors issues, interests and well-being are our concern.
COTA Queensland aims to create a more just, fair and caring community. It’s a community where seniors can easily interact with people of their own and other generations, where they are actively involved and empowered and have access to appropriate support and care.
COTA Queensland provides research, policy development and advocacy, community education, information and referral and value-for money members’ benefits.
How to Refer:
Health professionals can refer clients to COTA Queensland, clients/patients can self-refer or family members may refer.
Appointments:
Appointments can be made by contacting COTA Queensland on 1300 738 348.
Costs to Client:
1 year single membership @ $24.
1 year joint membership @ $32.
Insurance and organisational membership available
Membership benefits include Ambassador card membership and savings directory.
Information Resources:
Confident, Safe and Secure Booklet.
COTA Queensland Infolinks has extensive links to services and information.
Resource library of books and fact sheets for Seniors on a wide range of seniors issues including Health, Community Care, Housing, Transport, Mature Aged Employment, Legal and Support Services etc.
Resources, fact sheets, policies etc available online.
Project resources including Confident, Safe and Secure Booklet, CD and audio tape which provides information on safety for seniors around walking, shopping, public transport, checklists for home security, property identification, fraud information etc.
LIFETEC QUEENSLAND
Physical Location:
Level One, Reading Newmarket
Cnr Newmarket and Enoggera Roads
Newmarket QLD 4051
Public Transport: Rail: Closest Station – Newmarket (Ferny Grove line). The closest wheelchair accessible station is Alderley.
Bus: Routes 325, 345, 357, 359, 390 (An accessible bus can be requested from Brisbane Transport Call Centre on 07 3403 8888).
Contact Details:
T: 1300 885 886
T: 07 3552 9000
F: 07 3552 9088
E: mail@lifetec.org.au
W: http://www.lifetec.org.au
Services Provided:
• Information, consultation and education to members of the public, health professionals and organisations on an extensive range of assistive technology.
• LifeTec Queensland Display Centre is open to the public 6 days a week and contains approximately 1500 items of assistive technology and an extensive library of books, journals, brochures and publications.
• Professional development workshops to assist professionals to increase their knowledge and skills in relation to assistive technology.
Referral Procedure:
• There is no-specific referral procedure for LifeTec services.
• Health and other service professionals can refer clients to LifeTec, patients/clients can self-refer, family members may also like to refer.
Appointments:
• Appointments can be made by contacting LifeTec Queensland.
Costs to Client/Patient:
• Some fees may apply depending on the type of services requested.
Information Resources:
• Clients and health professionals can subscribe to the LifeTec Assistive Technology Database which contains more than 8,000 products including up-to-date details on availability, pricing, and features.
• Over 65 fact sheets are available on the website to provide people with a guide on information regarding specific types of assistive technology.
QUEENSLAND BLIND ASSOCIATION INC
Physical Location:
26 Warwick Street
Annerley QLD 4103
PO Box 444 Annerley QLD 4103
Public Transport: Rail: Closest station - Fairfield (Beenleigh line).
Bus: Routes run along Ipswich Road.
Contact Details:
T: (07) 3848 8888
F: (07) 3848 6989
E: qba@qba.asn.au
W: http://www.qba.asn.au
Services Provided:
• Information and referral service.
• Sale of Low Vision & talking products to members and the public, with discount to membership on purchases.
• Financial assistance for members towards home ownership council rates, electricity, rental payments, house repayments and home maintenance,
Adaptive Technology assistance, education expenses of school aged children and in cases of hardship assistance for the necessities of life.
• Narrating and reading service.
• QBA Computer Users Group.
• Education workshops for health professionals, schools, blind and vision impaired support groups and carers.
How to Refer:
• Referrals can come directly from self referral, GPs, Ophthalmologists, other health professionals, blind and low vision agencies and from within membership.
• Referrals received by letter, phone or in person.
• Status of blindness information required.
• QBA offers access and referrals to expert social and welfare counselling.
Appointments:
• Appointments are preferred. Telephone 3848 8888 Monday to Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm.
• Appointments available within 48 hours approximately.
Costs to Client/Patient:
• Membership joining fee is $5 per year to receive financial benefits from QBA. To become a member a person must reside in Queensland, be over the age of 16 years and be legally blind.
Information Resources:
• Numerous publications regarding low vision and blindness available in normal print, large print, CD and electronic format.
• Extensive links to blind and low vision services and agencies on website.
QBA also has a range of low vision and talking products for sale in the Guide Dogs Queensland offices at Toowoomba and Townsville.
Guide Dogs Toowoomba: 270 Margaret Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350. Tel: 07 4632 6944.
Guide Dogs Townsville: 123 Ross River Road, Mundingburra Qld 4812. Tel: 07 4728 6922.
QUEENSLAND BRAILLE WRITING ASSOCIATION
Physical Location:
Braille House
507 Ipswich Road
Annerley QLD 4103
Public transport: Rail – Closest Station – Fairfield (Beenleigh Line).
Bus service: Stop 23 Ipswich Rd Annerley, between Norman and Vallely St.
Contact Details:
T: (07) 3848 5257 If calling outside our business hours, leave a message and we will return your call.
F: (07) 3848 8099
E: qbwa@bigpond.com
W: http://www.e-bility.com/qbwa
Services Provided:
• Tuition in tactual forms of literacy, Braille and Moon (a simplified embossed form), for adults who are blind or who have low vision.
• Free lending library of books and magazines in Braille or Moon.
• Provision of free, locally produced Braille magazines.
• Free transcription into Braille of education materials for students under the age of 18 years.
• A Braille transcription service for those over 18 years is available for the cost of materials only.
How to Refer:
• Individuals who require QBWA services or their family or friends, may contact QBWA by email, phone or letter in their preferred format.
• QBWA welcomes all enquiries, and require no formal proof of vision loss.
• The decision to attempt to learn a new way of reading and writing is a very personal one, and that is why, while QBWA strongly encourage health professionals to inform clients about QBWA and the services we provide, we prefer individuals to approach us in their own time.
Appointments:
• QBWA open hours are limited: Monday and Friday 8:30 am – 1:30 pm, so appointments are essential.
Costs to Client/Patient:
• Many of the QBWA services are free of charge. However, there is a fee for Braille or Moon tuition and course materials, and our transcription services for those over the age of 18 require a payment to meet the cost of materials only.
Information Resources:
• Information Brochures.
• Information regarding QBWA available on “Look Around”, a program on Radio 4RPH (1296 on AM band) on the first Monday of each month at 1:30pm (repeated on the following Wednesday at 7:00am).
• Website has extensive links to low vision and community organisations.
QUEENSLAND NARRATING SERVICE
Physical Location:
PO Box1383, Coorparoo DC, QLD 4151
Contact Details:
T: (07) 3324 0004
F: (07) 3324 2191
E: qns@qns.net.au
W: http://www.qns.net.au
Services Provided:
• QNS produces a wide range of unabridged recreational reading material, which can be accessed through the public library system. In addition, QNS produces a wide range of printed information, which includes government department documents and brochures, vocational material and educational texts, minutes of meetings and newsletters from various community and blindness agencies.
• If you have a need for particular printed material in an audio format can produce it for you.
• QNS is involved in various community projects focussed on reading.
How to Refer:
• Referrals by phone, letter or email are accepted from any individual, health professional, blindness agency, educational institution, Government Department, or community organisation.
• Self-disclosure of print disability is required before new clients are accepted.
Appointments:
Appointments:
• No appointment necessary. Office hours: 9:30am – 2:30 pm Monday to Friday.
• All requests for service can be recorded on the relevant client audio request form, which can be downloaded from the QNS website. Government departments, community organisations, blindness agencies, Disability Liaison Officers of educational institutions on behalf of students and individuals, can make requests. A letter, email or verbal requests are also accepted.
Prices are negotiable for individuals and non-profit organisations and an annual subscription to the Braille Mail (audio version) is free for individuals.
Costs to Institutions:
80 minute master cassettes $14.30 per cassette
copies of any master cassette $6.60 per cassette
80 minute CD master $30.00 per CD
copies of any master CDs $6.60 per CD
MP3 CDs $50.00 each
DAISY $80.00
Presentation folders $10.00 each
Information Resources:
• The Queensland Narrating Service Client handbook and brochures are available in audio cassette and CD format.
RETINA AUSTRALIA (QLD) INC
Physical Location:
Level 1
46 George Street (cnr Margaret Street)
Brisbane Qld
PO Box 16295 Brisbane East 4002
Public transport options: Free City circle bus stops near office - call office for details.
Contact Details:
T: (07) 300 300 65 (outside Brisbane telephone district free call 1800 000 999).
F: (07) 300 300 65
E: admin@retinaqld.org.au
W: http://www.retinaqld.org.au
Services Provided:
• Information and peer support for people diagnosed with a genetically inherited degenerative retinal eye disease.
• Assessment of immediate and long-term needs either in person at the RAQ office or by telephone.
• Informal chat session with a peer about the particular eye disease including short and long-term effect.
• Information about aids, equipment, benefits and services available to maximise independence.
• Discuss latest research developments including current and potential treatments.
• Referral to appropriate organisations for assistance, training or equipment.
• Coffee mornings and social activities.
• Information meetings featuring guest speakers talking on a wide variety of topics of interest to vision impaired people.
• Bi-ennial national conference featuring presentations by leading retinal researchers and a range of workshops focused on vision impairment issues.
How to Refer:
• Referral by health professionals and other VIP agencies welcome.
• Enquiries welcome about any aspect of severe vision loss.
• Referral by email or telephone.
• Office hours 10:00am – 3:00pm, Tuesday to Friday.
• Information required: Name, address, contact phone, email and eye condition.
• Referral can be at anytime, but at time of diagnosis is recommended.
Costs to Client/Patient:
• There is no cost associated with information or support services.
• A $15 annual membership subscription entitles a person to receive the quarterly newsletter “EYE-Q”.
Information Resources:
• Information booklets about Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt Disease, Usher Syndrome and Age Related Macular Degeneration.
• Cardboard glasses demonstrating the effect of Retinitis Pigmentosa.
• Quarterly newsletter providing information about a range of issues of interest to vision impaired people, including details of the latest retinal research.
BRISBANE SUPPORT GROUPS
Contact details for support groups and further informaiton about their activities is provided on the Queensland Blind Associaition website www.qba.asn.au
Albany Creek AVEO Low Vision Support Group
Bald Hills Low Vision Support Group
Bayside Low Vision Suport Group
Beaudesert Shire VIP Support Group
Beenleigh Support Group
Blind and Low Vision Parents
Bridgemans Downs Support Group
City Low Vision Suppport Group
Clifton VI awareness group
Ipswich VIP support Group
Keperra Sanctuary VIP group
Logan VIP support group
Mount Gravatt Low Vision Support Group
Nundah Northside LV support group
Redcliffe Blind and VI group
Retina Australia (QLD) Inc
St Lucia ALBINISM FELLOWSHIP OF AUSTRALIA
Southside Blind and Low Vision Support Group
Southside/Palm Beach VIP support group
Stanthorpe Low Vision Support Group
SYDNEY OUTREACH SUPPORT AGENCIES
GLAUCOMA AUSTRALIA
Physical Location:
Level 2
20 Clarke Street
Crows Nest NSW 2065
PO Box 420 Crows Nest NSW 1585
Contact Details:
T: 1800 500 880
T: 02 9906 6640
F: 02 9439 8736
E: glaucoma@glaucoma.org.au
W: http://www.glaucoma.org.au
Services Provided:
• Information and advice about glaucoma.
• Telephone support on the toll free number 1800 500 880.
• Peer counselling and support groups.
• Public and professional education.
• Distributing glaucoma literature, including brochures currently in eight languages and fact sheets in another seven languages.
• Access to Glaucoma News, an eight page informative newsletter (by subscription).
How to Refer:
• Clients/Patients can contact Glaucoma Australia directly on toll free number 1800 500 880.
• No specific information/criteria required.
• Service can be referred to at any stage of progression.
• No assessment so results not provided to referring practitioner.
Appointments:
• No assessments conducted.
• Service not appointment based. Clients/patient to phone toll free number, 9:00am – 5:00pm, Eastern Time, Monday to Friday.
• Calls answered immediately.
Costs to Client/Patient:
• Nil cost to client for telephone services.
• Member subscription fee is $20, or $15 for concession card holders per year.
Information Resources:
• Extensive information resources and educational material available at no charge for health professionals and clients/patients.
• Resources include information brochures (Understanding Glaucoma, What you need to know about Eye Drops), as well as general information sheets, and educational presentations.
• Glaucoma Questions & Answers booklet available in 8 languages other than English – Greek, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Polish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
MACULAR DEGENERATION FOUNDATION
Physical Location:
Suite 302, Level 3
447 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Contact Details:
T: 1800 111 709
F: 02 9261 8912
E: info@mdfoundation.com.au
W: www.mdfoundation.com.au
Services Provided:
• Education, awareness, support services, research and representation relating to Macular Degeneration.
• Telephone support on toll free number – 1800 111 709.
• Extensive information available on Macular Degeneration and low vision.
• Information on MD available in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese.
• Free public and community education seminars on MD.
• Education for health professionals (including Ophthalmologists, General Practitioners, Optometrists and students in Optometry and Orthoptics).
• Education seminars in other languages to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities.
• Quarterly newsletters.
• Eating for Eye Health cookbook - in both printed and audio format ($24.95 + postage and handling) – containing breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack ideas using eye health friendly foods, as well as important nutrition information.
• Navigator Audio Book - provision of Navigator audio book to provide access to books and newspapers for those who are print disabled.
• Social research projects gathering information on the experiences, needs and extent of knowledge of the disease among the MD community.
• Advocacy for the best interests of the MD community for treatments, rehabilitation and support for family and carers.
How to Refer:
• Self-referral by individuals or completion of evaluation forms during education sessions.
• Referral by healthcare professionals and support organisations.
Appointments
• No assessments conducted.
• Clients/patients to phone toll free number.
• RSVP required for public education sessions. Expression of interest form to be completed to book a community education session.
• Low vision aids and technology are on display in the Foundation’s office and can be viewed during business hours (9:00am - 5:00pm).
Costs to Client/Patient:
• Nil cost to client for telephone services, or publications, but donations accepted.
• $20 postage and handling charge to health care professionals ordering publications.
Information Resources:
• Extensive information available for health professionals and clients/patients including Low Vision – A Guide, and Family, Friends and Carer – A Guide, Slips, Trips & Falls – A Guide, Low Vision Aids & Technology – A Guide which are designed for use for all major eye diseases, not just Macular Degeneration.
• Information and resources on symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, management and nutrition and lifestyle. Information on depression is also available (in partnership with beyondblue).
• Booklets, Amsler grids, wall posters, newsletters.
• Multilingual information available in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese.
• A comprehensive website with regular updates on new research and the Foundation’s activities.
REGIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS
LIFETEC QUEENSLAND TOWNSVILLE
Physical Location:
Shop G-3A Domain Central
103 Duckworth Street
Garbutt Qld 4814
PO Box 8280
Garbutt Qld 4814
Contact Details:
T: 07 4759 5600
F: 07 4759 5688
E: mail@lifetec.org.au
W: http://www.lifetec.org.au
Services Provided:
• Information, consultation and education to members of the public, health professionals and organisations on an extensive range of assistive technology.
• LifeTec Queensland Display Centre is open to the public 5 days a week and contains over 500 items of assistive technology.
• Professional development workshops to assist professionals to increase their knowledge and skills in relation to assistive technology.
Referral Procedure:
• There is no-specific referral procedure for LifeTec services.
• Health and other service professionals can refer clients to LifeTec, patients/clients can self-refer, family members may also like to refer.
Appointments:
• Appointments can be made by contacting LifeTec Queensland.
Costs to Client/Patient:
• Some fees may apply depending on the type of services requested.
Information Resources:
• Clients and health professionals can subscribe to the LifeTec Assistive Technology Database, which contains more than 8,000 products including up-to-date details on availability, pricing, and features.
• Over 65 fact sheets are available on the website to provide people with a guide on information regarding specific types of assistive technology.
Contact details for the community organisations and support groups listed below and further information about their activities is provided on the Queensland Blind Associaition website: http://www.qba.asn.au or contact QVI project officer on 07 3391 9155, jane.fleming@visionaustralia.org
BUDERIM
Buderim Vision Support Group
BUNDABERG
The Bundaberg Talking Newspaper Assoc. Inc.
Blind and VIP Friendship Club
Hervey Bay Community Access Association Inc
Hervey Bay Blind Social Club
Wide Bay VI support group
Sailability - with Community Lifestyle Service and Bundaberg Yacht Club
T&C Talks (Isis Town and Country newspaper - A Childers CWA Project
BURDEKIN
Burdekin Community Association VIP support group
CAIRNS
Cairns VIP Men’s Suppport Group
Marlin Coast Blind and VI group
Mossman VIP support group
GOLD COAST
Gold Coast Blind and VIP Association
Vision in Paradise
Gold Coast VIP golf club
Gold Coast Sculpture Group
INNISFAIL
Innisfail VI support group
MACKAY
Mackay LIONS low vision activity group
Sarina Low Vision Support Group
MARYBOROUGH
Maryborough Visually Impaired Support Group
Maryborough Talking Newspaper ( Frazer Coast Chronicle)
MUNDUBBERRA
Burnett Talking Times
NOOSAVILLE
Tewantin Vision Impaired Support Group
ROCKHAMPTON
Rockhampton and District Blind Club
Rockhampton Low Vision Support Group
SUNSHINE COAST
Bribie Island Support Group
Caboolture Support Group
South Burnett Vision Impaired Support Group
o Nanango
o Kingaroy
Sunshine Coast VIP support group
TOOWOOMBA
Blind Citizen’s Association
Downs Asssociation for the Blind
Toowoomba Blind Get-together Club
Toowoomba: Book Lovers of Older Mentality (BLOOM)
Toowoomba Low Vision Friendship Group
TOWNSVILLE
Townsville Low Vision Support Group
Townsville – NQ Association for Blind Citizens
WARWICK
Warwick VIP awareness group
YEPPOON
Yeppoon Low Vision Support Group
4RPH Access to print information
Deafblind Association
Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Sport and Recreation Association of Queensland Inc
The Association encourages and coordinates programs for people of all ages and levels of ability in sport and healthy activity. The Association is state-wide with staff working in Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville, Maroochydore, Toowoomba, Bundaberg and Mackay.
One sport that is played is Goalball, a team sport for the visually impaired. The Association also supports many programs including running, cycling and bowls.
Queensland Blind Bowlers Association
Queensland Blind Cricket Association
Eye Health
