After completing research and consumer consultation, the Victoria Park-based organisation discovered that having the word ‘blind’ in its name limited its ability to reach people who needed help.
CEO Clare Allen said it was estimated that in recent years, as few as one in five people with vision impairment had sought help from the association.
‘With a little as 5 per cent of people with vision impairment experiencing total blindness, many West Australians living with low vision ” who may not identify themselves as ‘blind’ ” are missing out on vital services,’ Dr Allen said.
‘As part of the rebrand we’re also changing the way we provide services to enable us to support more people, more quickly and in a more flexible way,’ she said.
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READ NOW‘This is consistent with the government’s disability reform under the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the WA NDIS MyWay programs, which will begin in July.’
The Guide Dog Program will continue to be owned and operated by VisAbility, but will have a distinct logo, brand identity and website.
Find out more at www.visability.com.au or visit www. guidedogswa.com.au for details of the Guide Dogs WA program.