Celebrating World Sight Day with new accessibility champions

Guide Dogs SA/NT is celebrating World Sight Day by acknowledging the newest Access Advocate Award recipients and encouraging people to try new assistive technologies, which enable people living with low vision or blindness to better engage with their community.

Celebrating World Sight Day at Government House today (Thursday October 9), Guide Dogs SA/NT will be recognising Adelaide Airport as its Access Advocate Award recipient for 2025, with City of Marion, City or Norwood, Payneham and St Peters, and Adelaide Oval receiving commendations.

The awards celebrate local organisations’ efforts to embed accessibility and inclusion practices, including undertaking Human Guide Training, and their commitment to raising awareness within their workplaces to support people living with low vision and blindness.

Last year’s Access Advocate Award winners were Adelaide Fringe and Keolis Downer.

Guide Dogs SA/NT Chief Executive Aaron Chia said it was important to highlight organisations doing their best to make sure every person could be equal, without being restricted by access or ability.

“Adelaide Airport has shown great leadership in creating a more inclusive experience for travellers in South Australia. Through its Hidden Disability program which includes Facility Dog Elmo, the “Try Before You Fly” event, and its participation in Human Guide Training, Adelaide Airport shows a genuine commitment to accessibility,” Mr Chia said.

“Travel can be a stressful time for anyone, and the initiatives Adelaide Airport has implemented as part of its workplace training create empathy and understanding, supporting more people to travel safely and confidently.”

The World Sight Day event will feature two panels, with speakers on the first panel ranging from their 20s (musician and university student Anthony) to 40s (mother and advocate Melissa, and Guide Dogs volunteer John) and 60s (social group participant Steve) raising awareness of the challenges they face and overcoming obstacles, focussing on accessibility opportunities.

The second panel will feature Adelaide Airport Ltd’s Access and Inclusion Specialist, Kelly Vincent, to discuss the ways it supports travellers, and Adelaide Oval, which has undertaken Human Guide Training and implemented other initiatives including a sensory room, so more people can enjoy their visit to the Oval.

The event will also feature a range of assistive technologies available for testing and trying, including low vision phones, electronic magnifiers with reading capabilities, Lego Braille Bricks and Braille games, electronic reading devices, white canes and pouring measures, along with Guide Dogs SA/NT puppies-in-training and interview opportunities.

“We are pleased to welcome our clients and community to celebrate World Sight Day with our team, and of course our puppies starting their journey and our working dogs supporting our clients on the day,” Mr Chia said.

“We’re also raising awareness of the importance of improving accessibility and inclusivity in our community, while sharing the role assistive technology plays in supporting people to live more independently at home and to have greater confidence when in the community, from hot water measuring cups which sound an alarm to phones and white canes.”

Guide Dogs SA/NT World Sight Day celebrations start at 10am for 10.20am at Government House.