and other sources. Income from all government sources amounted to 30 per cent at $56 million. Based on data collected for the 2013 calendar year, A Snapshot of Blindness and Low Vision Services in Australia (the Snapshot Survey) found that a broad range of services are being delivered for people who are blind and/or have low vision by a group of diverse organisations, of varying size, scope and focus. The sector is comprised of a majority of specialist health or allied health staff and significantly supported by volunteers. Organisations employ a broad range of strategies to generate income, with 43 per cent of income derived from philanthropy and community fundraising, and with only 30 per cent of funding derived from the Government. The findings indicate that the need for services exceeds the financial capacity of the sector, with most respondents citing demand outweighing supply and one in six noting staff being required to work outside set hours. More than half of respondents reported an increase in service wait times on the previous year and more than a quarter reported having to refuse service. The majority of respondents anticipated that demand would further increase in the 2014 calendar year, across all service types. The Snapshot Survey also found that respondents were generally optimistic about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), expressing the potential increase in opportunities for people aged under 65 years, greater access to a broader range of services, the opportunity for increased income and the underpinning philosophy of fostering empowerment for people who are blind or vision impaired. However respondents were equally concerned about the impact of the NDIS on fundraising and philanthropy, increased administrative burden, their ability to offer greater flexibility and the expertise of the National Disability Insurance Agency to understand consumer needs and for consumers to understand the system. Respondents also expressed deep concern about the capacity to provide services and supports for people aged over 65. These concerns are anticipated to grow over time, resulting from the increased financial pressure created by the NDIS on philanthropy and fundraising, and the increased focus on meeting operational demand for people aged under 65. Report conclusion This report presents the first ever snapshot of services relating to blindness and low vision services in Australia, but has only partially addressed the lack of national data about this important sector. Vision 2020 Australia, ABF and NDS are confident that it accurately captures an overall picture of service provision together with the main points’ as reported by the ‘pressure network of service providers that plan and deliver services to the nearly one million Australians that are expected to have vision loss by 2020. We recommend:
and other sources. Income from all government sources amounted to 30 per cent at $56 million. Based on data collected for the 2013 calendar year, A Snapshot of Blindness and Low Vision Services in Australia (the Snapshot Survey) found that a broad range of services are being delivered for people who are blind and/or have low vision by a group of diverse organisations, of varying size, scope and focus. The sector is comprised of a majority of specialist health or allied health staff and significantly supported by volunteers. Organisations employ a broad range of strategies to generate income, with 43 per cent of income derived from philanthropy and community fundraising, and with only 30 per cent of funding derived from the Government. The findings indicate that the need for services exceeds the financial capacity of the sector, with most respondents citing demand outweighing supply and one in six noting staff being required to work outside set hours. More than half of respondents reported an increase in service wait times on the previous year and more than a quarter reported having to refuse service. The majority of respondents anticipated that demand would further increase in the 2014 calendar year, across all service types. The Snapshot Survey also found that respondents were generally optimistic about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), expressing the potential increase in opportunities for people aged under 65 years, greater access to a broader range of services, the opportunity for increased income and the underpinning philosophy of fostering empowerment for people who are blind or vision impaired. However respondents were equally concerned about the impact of the NDIS on fundraising and philanthropy, increased administrative burden, their ability to offer greater flexibility and the expertise of the National Disability Insurance Agency to understand consumer needs and for consumers to understand the system. Respondents also expressed deep concern about the capacity to provide services and supports for people aged over 65. These concerns are anticipated to grow over time, resulting from the increased financial pressure created by the NDIS on philanthropy and fundraising, and the increased focus on meeting operational demand for people aged under 65. Report conclusion This report presents the first ever snapshot of services relating to blindness and low vision services in Australia, but has only partially addressed the lack of national data about this important sector. Vision 2020 Australia, ABF and NDS are confident that it accurately captures an overall picture of service provision together with the main ‘pressure points’ as reported by the network of service providers that plan and deliver services to the nearly one million Australians that are expected to have vision loss by 2020. We recommend:
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