Contact Details

Image of Guide Dog Owner and Guide Dog Established in 1913, the Association for the Blind of WA – Guide Dogs WA has provided life changing services to Western Australians living with blindness and vision impairment for almost a century.

We provide direct, individualised and group-based services to more than 4,000 clients each year. Our clients range from newborn babies to seniors in their nineties and their families and carers.

Our services help people to:

Minimise the effects of vision loss and remain independent
Achieve the highest level of participation in daily life consistent with their expectations, abilities and desires
Bring about change in society that promotes this level of participation.

Confidence, wellness and connection underpin our holistic approach to providing these services. We believe in a service and working environment that promotes excellence, honesty, dignity, respect, integrity, courtesy and fairness.

Our vision is that people who are blind or vision impaired share a quality of life equal to other Western Australians.

Our mission is to maximise the quality of life of people who are blind or vision impaired by building confidence, promoting wellness, and creating connection.

Approximately 25% of our clients live in regional areas of the State. Our services are provided from our main office in Victoria Park, through regional offices located in Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton and Mandurah, and through visiting service programs in other rural areas of the State.

Our Staff

More than 100 professional staff and field workers work across the State to provide individualised home-based services and offer support and training to help people to build confidence and lead fulfilling and independent lives.

Social workers offer counselling, support, information and advice to assist people to come to terms with the emotional impact of vision loss. They develop strong knowledge of community resources and can provide links to useful community and locally based services.
Occupational therapists offer support and training in daily living skills - ranging from household management to personal care. They also provide advice and special equipment to help people who are blind or vision impaired live independently.
Orientation and Mobility Instructors offer training for people to travel safely and independently through their environment. This can involve special techniques or the use of special aids including the white cane or sonic equipment.
Guide Dog Instructors work throughout the State, training Guide Dog puppies and Guide Dogs and supporting Guide Dog owners throughout their partnership with their Guide Dog.
Specialist staff for children - including a Speech Pathologist, Developmental Psychologist and Paediatric Physiotherapist - work particularly on the early intervention program for young children.
Recreation Officers provide advice, training and support so that people can participate in recreation, leisure and sporting activities of their choice.
Braille teachers and production assistants provide a wide range of reading materials in Braille. Our Library staff provide library services in alternate formats to clients.
Optometrists and orthoptists assess and make recommendations on the best use of remaining vision.