Ready to continue?

Seems like you have filled this form earlier. Let’s pick up where you left off.

I need help

Access to information.

Access the information you need independently and with ease.
An older adult sitting on a couch on her phone with a smile of their face.

What is Access to Information?

Information is presented in a range of formats and accessed for many different purposes. A change in vision can significantly impact our ability to independently access information, particularly when it is presented visually.

Accessing information can mean different things for different people. It can mean:

  • reading the newspaper
  • reading an email
  • using your phone to complete online shopping
  • searching the internet for your favourite recipe
  • and more.

The Guide Dogs Access to Information service is delivered by Orthoptists and Assistive Technology Specialists to support people to achieve goals related to accessing information.

A person sitting at a cafe looking at their phone smiling.

How could the Access to Information Service assist me?

You may wish to access information for:

  • everyday tasks
  • social participation
  • community participation
  • learning and employment
  • leisure.
A person picking up a piece of buttered toast that is on a wooden board. There is a second piece of toast on the board

Some examples of goals that our Access to Information service can support you to achieve include:

  • Looking at photos of my grandchildren
  • Reading recipes from my recipe book
  • Accessing the news each morning
  • Having a Skype call with my family who live overseas
  • Entering a calendar appointment into my phone so I don’t forget outings with my friends
  • Accessing materials to complete my studies
  • Downloading and listening to books for leisure.

What is the difference between an Orthoptist and an Assistive Technology Specialist?

At Guide Dogs our Orthoptists:

  • Assess your current level of vision to understand how it impacts your ability to access information; and
  • Explore options to assist you to maximise your vision so you can access information comfortably and independently.

An Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist is a professional who is dedicated to working with people who experience functional difficulties as a result of their low vision or blindness, supporting them to achieve their goals through the use of assistive technology.

Depending on how a person chooses to access information, they will either by assisted by an Orthoptist or AT Specialist. Our Orthoptists support people who still use their vision to access information, whereas our AT Specialists support people who use hearing or touch to access information.

When you contact Guide Dogs we will support you to connect with the most appropriate professional for your individual situation and goals.

Who can receive Access to Information Services?

Our Orthoptists and Assistive Technology Specialists work with people with different levels of low vision or blindness, including:

  • People with recent low vision or blindness
  • People with long standing low vision or blindness
  • People who have a Neurological Vision Impairment
  • Children and young adults with low vision or blindness (Orthoptists Only)
  • Adults and older adults with low vision or blindness

Currently, our Assistive Technology Specialists only work with adults and older adults. Children often require Assistive Technology primarily to support access to information in the school environment or related to their school work. Currently, various school supports exist that can meet these requests.

As well as working directly with the person with low vision or blindness, we will also work with families, other key supports and other health professionals where appropriate. Our Orthoptists and AT Specialists also work alongside our Occupational Therapists and Orientation and Mobility Specialists, as required.

An older adult painting on an easel.

How will an Orthoptist assist me?

  • Gather information about your low vision or blindness
  • Perform a ‘low vision assessment’ to determine your current level of vision
  • Spend the time to help you discover and work towards your goals related to accessing information
  • Provide advice and information on how to maximise the use of your remaining vision
  • Discuss and demonstrate how equipment like magnifiers might be able to help you
  • Help you to identify and learn about funding options that might be available to support you to access equipment or other required services
  • Assist you in learning to use your magnifier or other low vision aid.

Orthoptists can meet you at home, in the community, over the phone or using video-conference software.

A Guide Dogs staff member with a person who is getting onto an escalator. The staff member is looking at the person.

How will an Assistive Technology Specialist assist me?

  • Gather information about your low vision or blindness
  • Discuss your previous experiences with using Assistive Technology
  • Spend the time to help you discover and work towards your goals related to accessing information
  • Provide information about the different types of Assistive Technology available and how they may support you to achieve your goal
  • Connect you with suppliers to trial Assistive Technology as required
  • Demonstrate how in-built accessibility features of many mainstream products can be used to enhance your independence
  • Help you to identify and learn about funding options that might be available to support you to access equipment or other required services
  • Assist you in learning to use your chosen Assistive Technology to complete your desired activity.

Our Assistive Technology Specialists will meet you at home, in the community, over the phone or using video-conferencing.

Two people looking at a laptop screen. One is holding a phone to the laptop screen and the other is watching on.

What is the Assistive Technology Help Desk?

The Help Desk is available to people accessing our services who currently live within NSW or ACT.

The AT Help Desk is facilitated by our Assistive Technology Specialists to provide an avenue for quick, timely support when you need it.

The AT Help Desk can help you to:

  • Identify what Assistive Technology is available
  • Troubleshoot basic issues that arise with your Assistive Technology device
  • Apply your existing skills to new tasks
  • Connect to other services or community supports who can also provide assistance to you

For further information about the AT Help Desk, including hours and days of operation, please contact: 1800 484 333.

Find out more about the common types of Assistive Technology used by people with low vision or blindness.

What funding can I use to receive Access to Information support?

Guide Dogs is a registered NDIS provider and Aged Care provider, which means many people can use Access to Information services through their NDIS plan or Home Care package. Find out more about funding programs and supports.

We understand that sometimes people who need services may not be eligible to receive government funding.

If you have low vision or blindness and you do not have access to external funding, we will support you. We will understand your goals and develop a plan to achieve them, using funding provided by generous donations from the community.

How do I find out further information?

If you would like further information about our Access to Information service or would like to commence receiving support from one of our Orthoptists or Assistive Technology Specialists please contact:

Guide Dogs welcomes referrals and enquiries from individuals, families, health professionals and community organisations.

Enquire about this service

Let's get moving towards your personal goals.

    Fields marked with * are required.

    Referrer Details

    Format: AreaCode + No.

    Client Details

    Format: AreaCode + No.

    Address

    32768 characters remaining

    32768 characters remaining

    32768 characters remaining

    32768 characters remaining

    Additional Details

    Details of their vision status

    Communication Preferences