About Us
The Blind Australian of the Year Awards are proudly facilitated by Link Vision Ltd. Link Vision is an expanding accommodation provider and advocacy organisation. Founded in 1968 by Reverend Elsie Dodd and her husband Gordon Dodd, Link Vision’s mission is to support people with Low and No Vision lead more independent lives and access meaningful and equitable work opportunities.
This award acknowledges and promotes an equitable and inclusive Australia. It celebrates the exceptional contribution of a blind Australian who, by example, inspires others to excellence and by action, improves Australian community life.
Enlightening Social Attitudes
The Blind Australian of the Year Awards is a national awards campaign designed to increase social inclusion by highlighting the contribution of people living with blindness or low sight in our vision centric society, and the pathways that make this possible.
The stories of our award recipient and finalists provide essential encouragement and inspiration to others living with blindness and low sight, and other disabilities.
Crucially, their stories break through broadly held stereotypes of blindness and disability. They highlight to the community at large, the scope and capacity for achievement that our fellow Australians living with blindness possess.
The Blind Australian of the Year Awards Gala is a unique event providing opportunities for robust conversation, connection and participation in inclusive activities by people living with blindness and those that are sighted, that are not normally a part of a formal event! We hope to see you there!
Informing Social Policies
The stories of excellence derived from the nominations provide an important national insight into the matters that are valued by those living with blindness and low vision, their family, carers, friends, and community contacts.
The Blind Australian of the Year Awards are a compelling national platform for change and advancement of the issues identified through our awards and scholarship programs. In addition to this archive of information, our Blind Australian Award recipients, due to their national profile, are able to inform and influence decision makers and leaders to create more inclusive social policies and practice.
Research Tool
The information reflected in the nominations provides critical data for researchers to reflect and report on the evolving relationships of those living with blindness and low vision within communities throughout Australia. It will remain a valuable annual and a definitive social commentary on the needs, activities, and aspirations of those living with blindness and low vision in our society.
