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We’re with you every step

Adjusting to and living with a vision condition can be challenging. Looking after your emotional and mental wellbeing is important, and you never have to do it alone. Connect with others who share similar experiences in our Quality Living Groups.

Quality Living Groups

Our emotional support groups are confidential, safe and supportive. You can discuss the issues relating to your vision loss. Led by experienced coordinators, they provide useful knowledge on how to function in the world with blindness or low vision.

They offer tips on:

  • Adjusting things at home.
  • Building the confidence to move around your neighbourhood.
  • Advice on maintaining friendships.
  • Understanding easy-to-use technology that can help you do the things you love.

How it can help

Learning to live with your vision condition can be an empowering experience. Connecting with those who have lived through a similar experience is a good first step in regaining your confidence and living life on your terms.

Register your interest in Quality living groups

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition and searching for a safe and supportive place to chat about what you’re going through with others in a similar situation, register today.

Peer Support Groups

The Peer Support Program provides one-on-one telephone support to people who request to talk to someone who is blind or has low vision about coping with vision loss.

The service is available for people across all life stages, including parents and carers who would like to speak to other parents and carers. You would be matched to a trained volunteer with similar characteristics.

The person you speak to may:

  • Have a similar eye condition or level of vision loss.
  • Be of a similar age.
  • Have similar family circumstances (e.g. the client and the Peer may both have children).
  • Have experience in study or starting a new job.
  • Have a common interest or recreational activity with the client.

How it can help

A personal connection with someone who can relate to what you’re experiencing can help you feel understood and guide you on your journey with vision loss.

Explore stories from our groups

Cooking with Confidence - various sessions and times

Cooking with Confidence - various sessions and times

Kensington, VIC - 09:30am-11:30am

If you’re ready to get back into the kitchen or maybe step into the kitchen for the first time, come along and join the Kensington cooking groups.

Sunshine Social Friday – Every second Friday of the month

Sunshine Social Friday – Every second Friday of the month

Moonee Ponds , VIC - 10:00am-12:00pm

Join us for our monthly community-based event, the Coffee Club, held in Moonee Ponds.

Mindful Reading: Wellbeing Through Stories

Mindful Reading: Wellbeing Through Stories

Online - 02:00pm-03:00pm

In this monthly online series, you can experience the nourishing power of words and gain common connection.

Become a magic chef with Vision Australia!

Become a magic chef with Vision Australia!

Perth, WA - 03:30pm-05:30pm

Join Vision Australia Perth for a four week cooking course! Open to children aged 8 to 16, participants will embark on a delicious journey, mastering basic cooking techniques and kitchen safety.

Memoir writing: capture your life stories

Memoir writing: capture your life stories

- 11:30am-01:00pm

The Vision Australia Library is excited to help our members in their memoir writing journey. Our introductory programme is the perfect way to take your first steps towards writing your memoir. 

Beings at ACMI (Audio Described Gallery Tour)

Beings at ACMI (Audio Described Gallery Tour)

Melbourne, VIC - 10:15am-11:15am

Projected larger than life, Universal Everything’s parade of fantastical creatures morph in real-time, responding in unique ways with each interaction.

Brittnee seated smiling to camera

“It honestly made me feel there was life after blindness.”

— Brittnee, Vision Australia client

How Brittnee got her groove back

Real stories

For Brittnee it was the shock of the early onset of her vision loss that caused the most distress. 

“When you are 22, you don’t think you are going to get the diseases of an 80-year-old,” she says. “My darkest point was Australia Day 2017. I woke up in the morning and I was totally blind. The morning that I woke up with no sight, I then lost my job, I lost my career, my boss told me there was no point in me coming back. And that was probably the time I did lock myself in the house for about a week.” 

Brittnee contacted Vision Australia and learned about the Quality Living Groups. The groups helped Brittnee cope with her vision loss. 

“I honestly didn’t think the groups would be so much fun, I laughed more than I cried in these groups,” she says. “It honestly made me feel there was life after blindness.” 

Listen to Brittnee’s story

Technology and products

View all products
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Magnifiers

Magnifiers can reduce the strain on your eyes. Great for reading your favourite book, magazine or menu.

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Screen readers

Giving you greater access to your computer by having content on the screen read out to you.

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Lighting

Having the right lighting solutions can make many tasks around the home easier.

Frequently asked questions

Our clients have told us they have gained many things from the support they received via our groups including the confidence to take on new challenges, learning new ways to complete everyday tasks and developing a social support network.

Vision Australia have a range of general support and specific interest groups available. Each group requires a commitment of just a few hours each week. Call us on 1300 84 74 66 to find out more.

Services from Vision Australia do incur a fee. There are several ways you can fund the support, services and products you need including your NDIS plan. We can support you with your funding application. Please contact us on 1300 84 74 66 to discuss your funding options.

Helpful resources