Blind Citizens Australia to Proceed with Unpaid Mentoring Model

Dear supporters,

United Blind Leaders (UBL) wishes to update the blind and vision-impaired community regarding the remuneration model for the Eye to the Future: Resilience, Insight & Skills for Employment (RISE) mentoring program being delivered by Blind Citizens Australia (BCA).

UBL has been in direct correspondence with BCA over recent weeks, raising concerns about the decision to appoint blind mentors to this externally funded program on an unpaid, volunteer basis. We have argued that mentoring is skilled, professional work that draws directly on lived experience, and that such expertise should be appropriately recognised and remunerated, particularly in the context of a publicly funded program intended to build employment pathways for people who are blind or vision impaired.

BCA has now advised UBL that, following a review of its funding agreement, it intends to proceed with the RISE program using a volunteer mentoring model. BCA has stated that moving to a paid model for this cohort would present contractual and regulatory barriers, and may delay the program.

UBL remains deeply concerned by this decision. In our view, an unpaid model for a publicly funded leadership and employment program does not reflect the principle that lived experience expertise should be appropriately recognised. It risks undermining the professional standing of blind mentors and sends an unfortunate message about the value placed on blind leadership within our community. It may also diminish opportunities for meaningful sessional employment for blind people in the future.

We also note that several of our directors have had discussions with government representatives which emphasised the importance of properly remunerating lived experience expertise. We will be seeking further clarification from government to ensure that policy settings support fair and sustainable employment pathways for blind leaders.

UBL continues to assert that alternative options were available to BCA, including the provision of honorariums from organisational reserves. This is particularly relevant given the public commitment made at BCA’s most recent Annual General Meeting to invest more in leadership development.

Until there is a clear commitment to remunerating lived experience expertise, UBL encourages Australian members of the blind and vision-impaired community to carefully consider their involvement with the RISE program. We also suggest that any of our supporters who share our dismay regarding BCA’s decision, give consideration to raising your concerns with the BCA Board, in order that they gain an understanding of the depth of feeling within the blind community on this matter. Emails should be directed to president@bca.org.au.

UBL remains open to constructive dialogue with BCA and hopes that a resolution can be found that upholds the dignity, professionalism, and economic participation of blind leaders.

We will continue to keep you informed as this matter develops, given many of you have told us you are concerned about BCA’s approach. In the meantime, we thank you for your ongoing support of the principle that lived experience leadership deserves recognition, respect and fair remuneration.

Together, we can continue to advocate for a blindness-led future where leadership is valued, professionalised and properly supported.

Kind regards,

United Blind Leaders LTD