bcaaccesstohealthservicesforpeoplewhoareblindorvision.docVIP

Access to health services for people who are blind or vision impaired Blind Citizens Australia PO Box 24 Sunshine VIC 3020 Telephone: (03) 9372 6400 Toll Free: 1800 033 660 TTY: (03) 9376 9275 Facsimile: (03) 9372 6466 Email: bca@.au Website: .au Table of Contents Introduction 3 General information on blindness, vision impairment and health care services 3 Access to Information 4 Access to Premises and Services 6 Hospitals and Public Health Settings 7 Principles of good practice for the General Practice (GP) setting 9 Suggestions for Change 11 Appendix 1 – Common Disorders of the Eye 12 Appendix 2 – Blindness and Dog Guide Agencies 14 Introduction Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is the peak national advocacy organisation of and for people who are blind or vision impaired. Our mission is to achieve equity and equality by our empowerment, by promoting positive community attitudes, and by striving for high quality and accessible services which meet our needs. As the national advocacy peak body we have over 3000 individual members, branches nationwide and around 14 affiliate organisations that represent the interests of blind or vision impaired Australians. General information on blindness, vision impairment and health care services This paper draws on BCA’s thirty year experience as the national peak body representing people who are blind or vision impaired in Australia. When accessing health care services, the major issues confronting people who are blind or vision impaired are access to information and access to premises and services. There is considerable overlap between these issues as they manifest themselves in people’s daily lives. In addition to outlining these and other problems in this document, possible solutions and methods for best practice will also be discussed. It is important for health care professionals to understand that people who are blind or vision impaired will experienc