The Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) has entered into an arrangement for Vision Australia to provide services to RSB clients in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
This initiative is the result of RSB’s decision to concentrate its activities in South Australia.
RSB President Barry Clarke said clients would continue to receive the high standard of services by Vision Australia.
There will be no impact on RSB’s operations in South Australia. Clients in the Hunter and Central Coast region and in the ACT and central west New South Wales will have access to the full suite of Vision Australia’s services from orientation and mobility specialists, orthoptists and physiotherapists to advocacy services, adaptive technology support, community support programs, employment services, and Australia’s largest accessible library.
Mr Clarke said the welfare of clients and their families, as well as staff and volunteers, had been at the forefront of the consideration of the new arrangements.
“Our focus is very much on ensuring all our clients and their families are well looked after and that they can continue to rely on Vision Australia to deliver the important services they need,” he said.
Vision Australia Chief Executive Officer Ron Hooton said as the largest national service provider for blind and low vision people, the organisation was well placed and well-resourced to support RSB’s clients in NSW and the ACT.
“As the largest provider in the country, we’re confident we can offer those clients more options and more choice,” he said.
“We expect the new arrangements will be in place by early August, with a broad range of activities planned to ensure all clients, staff, volunteers, health professionals are fully aware of the changes.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming RSB’s clients across NSW and the ACT into our Vision Australia community.”