Five-year-old Ally is exceptionally brave. At age 2, she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare, cancerous tumour of the retina, which has left her totally blind. For Ally, beginning school is especially challenging. A child who is blind or vision impaired needs more time to orientate him or herself to a new environment, and to grow confidence and make friends.

Without support, Ally's first days could be frustrating and lonely, with struggles to find her desk, her schoolbag or even her new friends in the playground.

More than 40,000 Western Australians are blind or vision impaired. By 2020, it's predicted this figure will rise to more than 80,0001. Blindness and vision impairment can impact on a person's emotional and physical wellbeing, confidence, relationships, education and career.

People with vision impairment are 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 4 times as likely to suffer serious falls, and twice as likely to use health services2.

How Do We Help?

The Association for the Blind of WA - Guide Dogs WA provides life-changing services to Western Australians who are blind or vision impaired. We support every aspect of a person's life, including learning, creativity, physical health, friendships, family life and participation in the workforce and community.

• Our early intervention program ensures children who are blind or vision impaired develop to their full potential.
• We help people to communicate, access information and gain skills for further education or employment.
• We work with people to build awareness of their surroundings at home and in the community, and assist them to travel independently using electronic travel aids, white canes or Guide Dogs.

Chief Executive Officer: Dr Clare Allen
President: Debbie Schaffer

1 Source: Clear Focus: The Economic Impact of Vision Loss in Australia in 2009

2 Epidemiology of Blinding Eye Diseases Report 2011

What Can You Do?

You can give a person who is blind or vision impaired the confidence and independence to live life to the full.

• $50 buys a telescopic (adjustable) white cane for a growing child who is vision impaired
• $500 pays for a device such as an iPad so that a child who is blind or vision impaired can experience reading for leisure
• $5,000 funds a sailing camp to teach children with vision impairment valuable life skills
• $30,000 sponsors a puppy to become a fully trained Guide Dog
• $100,000 supports the recruitment of a dual qualified Orientation & Mobility Instructor who can train people to use a white cane as well as a Guide Dog

Visit www.guidedogswa.com.au for more information on the services we provide and how you can make a difference.