27 August 2024

The Chair and Directors

Vision Australia

454 Glenferrie Rd

Kooyong Vic 3144

Open Letter re Appointment of Vision Australia CEO

Dear Directors,

We, the undersigned blind and vision impaired leaders, express our dismay regarding the decision to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) through an internal Expression of Interest (EOI) process. As Australia’s largest provider of blindness services, Vision Australia has a responsibility to ensure its leadership reflects the lived experience of our community. We urge the Board to reconsider this approach and commit to an external search, prioritising the appointment of the organisation’s first blind CEO.

The final report of Australia’s Disability Royal Commission underscores the need for inclusive and representative leadership in organisations serving people with disability. It states, “Leadership should reflect the diversity of the community it serves, including the lived experiences of people with disabilities.” The report emphasises that effective advocacy and leadership require that people with disabilities lead, ensuring their voices shape policy and service delivery.

While we acknowledge the talent within Vision Australia and its commitment to employing blind and vision impaired staff, most work in client-facing and middle management roles, lacking the executive experience required for the CEO position. By opting for an internal EOI process, Vision Australia risks missing the opportunity to appoint an experienced, progressive leader with fresh perspectives capable of advancing the organisation.

A blind CEO would not only bring invaluable lived experience but also serve as a powerful symbol of empowerment for the community. Such a leader would be uniquely positioned to address client needs, implement necessary changes, and drive the organisation’s mission forward with genuine insight and authority.

Unemployment remains a significant barrier for blind and vision impaired individuals. A 2019 World Blind Union survey found only 24% of blind Australians were in full-time employment, lagging behind countries like New Zealand and Canada. Additionally, pathways to executive leadership for blind and vision impaired talent are limited. Appointing a blind CEO would demonstrate Vision Australia’s commitment to providing an open, inclusive process and addressing these disparities.

We appreciate the Board’s intent to maintain momentum and ensure continuity. However, an external search is essential for transparency and inclusivity, especially given it has been 11.5 years since the role was last advertised. An internal EOI process may not fully capture the diverse perspectives required for effective leadership. The Disability Royal Commission called for “transparent and merit-based processes that value the perspectives of people with disabilities,” aligning with an external recruitment approach.

We respectfully urge the Vision Australia Board to revoke its decision for an internal EOI process and undertake an external search, committing to appoint a blind or vision impaired leader as CEO. This will demonstrate the Board’s dedication to promoting the employment of blind people and meeting current expectations for disability leadership.

We hope our concerns will be considered, and we look forward to a process that reflects the principle of “nothing about us without us” and the high standards Vision Australia strives to uphold.

The 34 people named below have requested that they be listed as signatories to this Open Letter.

  • Ben Clare, Disability Inclusion Lead Aspen Medical; International Development Project Manager Dept Foreign Affairs; Producer/Researcher ABC

  • Bertyl Smark Nilsson, Former Member Disability Advisory Council Aust; Former Board Member Swedish Federation of the Visually Handicapped

  • Brandon Ah Tong, Director Policy & Advocacy Fred Hollows Foundation; Board Member Vision 2020 Australia

  • Bryan Bashin, Former CEO San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind; Vice Chair Be My eyes.

  • Cameron Algie AM, Former CEO Aust Council of Cooperative Housing; Director & Facilitator: Chair MDFA Community Reference Group

  • David Blyth AO, Past President World Blind Union; Former Director Vision Australia; Founding President BCA

  • David Morrell, Former Deputy-Chair Disability Voices Tasmania; Former Deputy-Chair BCA Tasmania Branch

  • David Woodbridge, Former Assistive Technology Advisor Vision Australia; Podcaster

  • Doug McGinn, Disability Advisor University of Tasmania; Former Director Royal Guide Dogs of Tasmania; Former Director BCA

  • Duncan Meerding, Independent designer & consultant; Tasmania Branch President, BCA

  • Emma Bennison MBA, Director NV Access Ltd; Past President & CEO BCA: Recipient National Aspire Award Community Development & Advocacy

  • Francois Jacobs, Lecturer Disability and Inclusion Deakin University: ADCET Accessibility in Action Award recipient.

  • Frank Nowlan LLB, Past Executive Officer Blind Citizens Australia

  • Dr Graeme Innes AM, Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Chair & Director

  • James Teh, Director, NV Access Ltd

  • Jane Britt, NDIS & Policy Consultant; Director Social Futures; Director Holy Cross Services; Vision Australia Award 2020

  • John Simpson AM, Past President, Director & Executive Officer BCA; Former Director Aust Federation Disability Organisations; Former Senior Manager Vision Australia

  • Jonathan Mosen MNZM, Advocate and former CEO

  • Jullee-Anne Bell, Managing Director World Access for the Blind Australia

  • Lauren Henley, Director Policy & Advocacy Assistive Technology Suppliers Aust; 2023 Blind Australian of the Year; Former Advisor Age & Disability Discrimination Commissioner AHRC

  • Dr Lynne Davis, Former Board Member Vision Australia: Former Director BCA

  • Mathew Mirabella, Chair NV Access Ltd

  • Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind (USA)

  • Michael Curran, Executive Director, NV Access Ltd

  • Michael G Janes, Longtime active leader BCA; longtime client Vision Australia

  • Michael J Simpson, Former General Manager Vision Australia; Past President BCA; Former Deputy Chair Australian Disability Advisory Council

  • Nadia Mattiazzo, Former CEO BCA; Former President Dog Guide Handlers Australia; CEO Women with Disabilities Victoria

  • Ramona Mandy, Centre Manager Monash Assistive Technology & Society Centre Monash University; 2017 recipient Tammy Axelson Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Robert Altamore OAM, Past President BCA; President Radio 1RPH

  • Ron McCallum AO, Emeritus Professor & Former Dean of Law, University of Sydney; Former Chair UN Committee on the Rights of People with Disability; Senior Advisor Disability Royal Commission

  • Susan Thompson, Longtime active leader BCA

  • Tristan Claire, Chair Australian Braille Authority

  • Vaughan Roles, Solicitor; Former Australian Blind Cricketer

  • Vaughn Bennison, CEO Disability Voices Tasmania; Former Chair RPH Australia