About the Queensland Blind Association Inc.
Our Vision Statement and Services
The aim of the Queensland Blind Association Inc. (QBA) is to provide real assistance to its legally blind members so they can live in a safe and secure social environment and in comfort within the community.
Queensland Blind Association Inc. is a not-for-profit independent blindness organisation and is not affiliated with any other blindness agency or Government Department. However, we strengthen and build strategic partnerships with other agencies to promote better outcomes for our members.
Many blind people are restricted to pension benefits making it difficult for them to afford the specialised assistance and equipment they require.
The Association’s focus is to therefore provide financial assistance towards everyday necessities. This may include financial assistance towards house maintenance, white goods and select items of furniture, water tanks, solar panels, air conditioning, electricity, rates or rent, and tea/coffee vouchers. Other financial assistance may be available towards the purchase of computers and talking software, smartphones, tablets, funeral expenses, and magnification units for personal use only. Members may also be eligible for back to school and tertiary fees assistance and our most recent benefit, assistance towards communication expenses.
The Association also offers specialised low vision equipment, which is available through our office and our online store. This equipment includes a range of talking items including clocks, watches, bathroom and kitchen scales, compasses, thermometers, calculators, and more. Braille and low vision clocks and watches, magnifiers, kitchen utensils, games, fit over sunglasses, and writing aids are also available. To view our entire range, you can visit our shop here: QBA Online Store.
As the development of technology has widened, the educational and employment opportunities for people with a vision impairment and the range of equipment and software available continues to expand. The objective of the Association is to keep up to date with such developments and pass on to members the benefits of the latest equipment and technologies.
Within the Association we work as a team to provide a high quality service to our members that supports fairness, dignity, and respect. We are extremely proud to continue supporting our members and embody the aspirations of our founding members over 80 years ago.
The Queensland Blind Association was established by a small group of blind people in February 1939, just prior to World War 2.
It was known then as ‘The Blind Person’s Building and Home Maintenance Society’. Over the last 80+ years we have undergone name changes from the ‘Welfare Association for the Blind’ to our current name, the ‘Queensland Blind Association Inc.’
The first meeting, during which the Association was officially formed, was held in a small house in Young Street, Annerley. For the preceding years meetings were held in the President of the Association’s home in Brisbane Street, Annerley. As the Association continued to expand and find great success in supporting Blind Queenslanders, a home was purchased in Hubert Street, Woolloongabba.
When funding became available the house was renovated to accommodate two offices and a small hall. One of these rooms shared the board room table and a store-room for filing cupboards, and the other was built to accommodate the Association’s meetings and the Member’s Christmas party. This hall had a dual purpose in providing extra income as it was a suitable venue to rent for social and club meetings.
As the Association’s membership grew, so did our requirements for more space. After 40 prosperous years, the Association’s headquarters were built in Warwick Street, Annerley which is where it remains today. This building was officially opened on the 19th of February 1991 by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Walter Campbell.
The Association is a Brisbane-based organisation, directing our services throughout the state of Queensland. Our membership consists of legally blind people from the age of 16 and up. It is governed by a Board of Management which is comprised of six individuals who are also members of the Association. Our Patron is the The Hon James Douglas QC.
We are incredibly proud of our achievements as an Association and the journey we have travelled providing real assistance to the vision impaired and blind communities in Queensland and beyond.
We know the foundation that has been laid throughout the past 80+ years will continue to provide a strong platform through which we can continue to support our members, their families, and other low vision and blind people for many years to come.
