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Centre of ExcellenceIn September 2007, the Association took a historic step when it officially opened its Centre of Excellence. It is located in Victoria Park, on the site first purchased by the Association in 1922, and from which the Association services have operated for 85 years. Through the very generous support of individuals, small and large companies, governments and Lotterywest, we provide our services to the Western Australian community from one of the most innovative buildings of its kind in the world. In 2002, the Association for the Blind realised that its’ challenge was to shape the future of the organisation. This meant providing relevant and integrated services based on strong research, as well as making the most of recent technological advances to help clients lead fulfilling lives in a rapidly changing world. The idea of the new centre was born in 2004, the Association launched its “Building our Vision” Campaign to raise funds to construct the Centre of Excellence at Victoria Park. As a result of generous support from all sectors of the Western Australian community, and from both the Australian and Western Australian Governments, the Association raised $14.5 million (to May 07). We sincerely thanks those individuals who led the “Building our Vision Campaign” and the hundreds of donors who have worked with us to achieve our goal. Building our Vision Campaign LeadersCampaign PatronsThe Hon. David Malcolm AC CitWA Campaign PresidentStan Perron AM, Chairman, Perron Group of Companies International Vice PresidentDr Haruhisa Handa Campaign ChairmanJohn Poynton, Executive Chairman, Azure Capital Pty Ltd Leadership Gifts ChairmanBryan Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Plan B Financial Services Major Gifts ChairmanDanielle Blain, Director, Schaffer Corporation Key Gifts ChairmanAaron Constantine, Executive Director, Paterson Securities Ltd Community Gifts ChairmanPeter Hickson, Managing Director, Spices Catering Government Liaison ChairmanRoss McLean, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Campaign TreasurerKevin Karlson Campaign Leadership
From left, Howard Lange (Planning Committee), Dr Margaret Crowley (Association CEO), Graham Laycock (Planning Committee), Dr Geoff Gallop (then Premier of WA, Life Member of the Association), Debbie Schaffer (Major Gifts Committee), David Malcolm (Campaign Patron and then Chief Justice of WA), Jill Perryman (Campaign Patron), John Poynton (Campaign Chairman), Front: Elizabeth Needham (Association President), Dr Haruhisa Handa (Campaign International Vice President), Stan Perron (Campaign President) Absent were Professor Alex Cohen (Campaign Patron), Peter Hickson (Campaign Planning Committee Chairman) Bryan Taylor (Leadership Gifts Chairman), Danielle Blain (Major Gifts Chairman) and Aaron Constantine (Key Gifts Chairman) Centre of ExcellenceSome of the facilities that make this 6000 sq m Centre unique in Australia include:
Vision Management CentreA client’s first contact with the Association is through the Vision Management Centre. Professional and friendly staff provide optometric examination, assessment, prescription, provision of optical aids and advice on techniques to make better use of remaining vision.
Confident Living CentreAlongside clinical services are programs enabling clients to undertake a range of training opportunities as well as participate in formal and informal recreation, leisure and social activities. Together these represent significant opportunities for peer support and fellowship – critical ingredients for sustained health and wellbeing. Lotterywest Children's CentreFor fully-sighted children, 80% of learning is through visual observation and interaction. Children who are blind or severely vision impaired often struggle to develop essential skills. The Lotterywest Children’s Centre provides children with exciting spaces to access the latest technology for education or recreation, listen to audio described videos on the large screen in the Mega theatre or just hang out in the Club Room. Specialists including occupational therapists, mobility instructors and physiotherapists also work with children and their families. Handa Sports Academy and Recreation CentreBuilding confidence and promoting wellness are central to the Centre’s philosophy. Containing a large sports hall and gymnasium, the Handa Sports Academy and Recreation Centre provides an ideal venue for sports, which have been tailored to people with a vision impairment. A wide variety of fitness programs are provided including individual and team sports. Industry Skills CentreImproving literacy outcomes for clients is at the heart of the Industry Skills Centre. Being unable to read, write and correspond with friends and relatives is a very isolating experience. The Centre helps people to re-establish communication with the world as well as assisting them to succeed in education and in the workforce. Braille teaching is delivered in a group-based environment that offers a social and self-paced experience. Braille and Talking Book LibraryThe Braille and Talking Book Library and Resource Centre provides “talking books” using the latest digital technology. It also enables the Association to improve and expand its services to regional clients through use of the latest technology. Woodside Guide Dog Discovery CentreCommunity awareness is the key to reducing the impact of, and number of people with, vision impairment. A community that understands the challenges faced by people with vision impairment will result in improved social, recreational and employment outcomes for clients. The Centre provides a stimulating hands-on environment where people of all ages can “experience” vision impairment. Guide Dog Conference CentreThe Conference Centre supports the community awareness program by providing conference and meeting facilities including the 120 seat Wesfarmers Theatrette. It is available for booking by external groups. LocationThe centre is located at 61 Kitchener Avenue, Victoria Park
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