Clients, Our Focus

Counselling Services
The RSB has a specially trained team of counsellors who assist individual clients to adjust to their vision loss. Counselling is also provided for the families of people who have experienced vision loss, to provide them with an awareness and understanding of the functional and emotional impact of vision loss. In 2012/13, counselling services increased by 5 per cent.
Clients, Our Focus
A number of key client objectives have been set for 2013/14, including the redevelopment of the Support Group Program to include increased direct contact for clients and our recreation and leisure programs to ensure this service delivers new, innovative activities to clients.
RSB Community Services will also be working closely with RSB clients in 2013/14 to provide greater choice in the services they receive, with the aim to ensure they remain independent in their local communities for as long as possible.
James Bardsley

Manager, Community Services
Image: RSB client Michael Zannis crossing the road using his white cane
Caption: A white cane user for 32 years, RSB client Michael Zannis would literally be lost without RSB Orientation and Mobility Services.

“It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, white canes are able to be used by people of all ages,” he says, adding: “I use a GPS aid with my cane to assist me in making my way to my regular haunts.”

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++Low Vision Services

Image: Corporate photo of Loucia Calder

The RSB’s Low Vision Services at Knapman House deliver vital support to RSB clients across many critical areas including the Low Vision Centre, Adaptive Technology, Employment Services, Family Support Sessions, Child & Youth Services and more.
Low Vision Centre
Receiving more than 1,100 new referrals from eye care professionals across South Australia in 2012/13, the RSB Low Vision Centre (LVC) is the first point of contact for many adults and children recently diagnosed with an eye condition or experiencing vision loss.
The Low Vision Centre offers a unique referral pathway with its continuum of care model between the primary medical system and the RSB. Independent research has demonstrated that 98 per cent of people referred in this manner attend RSB’s Low Vision Centre within 12 months.
LVC professionals including optometrists, ophthalmologists and counsellors provide specialist low vision assessments and referrals to other RSB services through the clinic, which is run three times a week.
In 2012/13, the RSB recorded more than 2,200 clinic hours and provided 10,617 information and advisory services. A number of clinic tours were also hosted for allied health professionals and MPs, including the Honourable Kate Ellis, Minster for Employment, Participation and Early Childhood and Childcare.
Active in the education of SA’s eye care professionals, in 2012/13 the LVC partnered with Flinders University, Department of Optometry to host fourth and fifth year students in two-week placements. The partnership aims to provide undergraduate students with experience to build their confidence in providing functional low vision assessments and to improve the quality of services available to people who are vision impaired.
In 2012/13 the LVC also continued the provision of support groups for clients, including Low Vision Awareness Sessions and Peer Support Programs, as well as the Paediatric Low Vision Clinic.
Aimed at 0-6 year olds, the Paediatric Low Vision Clinic conducts extensive functional vision assessments to assist with individual developmental programs.
To assist with the expansion of the Paediatric Low Vision Clinic, in 2012/13 Paediatric Ophthalmologists were visited to strengthen the referral partnership. As a result, in April 2013 the RSB participated in the specialised Blind Sports classification low vision assessments, and hosted a training session for South Australian Paediatric Ophthalmologists and their clinical practice staff.
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The RSB would like to thank the Australian Government, Department of Health for ongoing funding support of the Low Vision Centre.

The LVC continues to stock the largest range of magnifiers and talking products in Australia and the public are encouraged to visit during business hours at Knapman House, 230 Pirie Street, Adelaide. These products are also available for purchase through the RSB’s online shop at www.rsb.org.au
Adaptive Technology Centre
Have you ever wondered how the iPhone can assist someone with low vision, what a Navigator is, or how a student who is blind or vision impaired can make the transition to the workplace? These answers and more can be found at the RSB Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC).
Providing the largest display of adaptive technology in Australia, the ATC was the first of its kind in Australia, when it opened in 1996.
In 2012/13, the ATC received 248 client referrals and provided more than 5,300 information and advisory services. The ever-increasing popularity and accessibility of mobile devices and tablets such as the Android, Apple iPhone and iPad also saw 87 training sessions on mobile devices, compared to 39 the previous year.
In May 2013, the ATC’s annual Tech Fest was held, attracting more than 300 people to the event. Suppliers from both Australia and overseas showcased their products, while presentations were not only well attended, but also covered a wide variety of topics from iPad accessibility to the bionic eye.
In 2012/13, the RSB Braille and Equipment Subsidy Scheme provided funding of more than $15,000 to assist 13 RSB clients to purchase much needed adaptive technology equipment.
Child & Youth Services
Offering a variety of support services to children, youths and their families, in 2012/13 RSB Child & Youth Services provided assistance and support to more than 100 South Australians under the age of 18 who are blind or vision impaired, as well as their families.
Taking a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach, a number of new groups and programs were introduced within Child & Youth Services in 2012/13 including a Parent Support Group and an iPad Bootcamp.
Working alongside the RSB ATC, RSB Child & Youth Services hosted its first ever iPad Bootcamp in July 2013 which was attended by five RSB clients under the age of 17. The purchase of three iPads for use in the workshop was made possible thanks to a donation from the Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund.
Image: RSB Adaptive Technology staff member assisting training a client on the computer
Caption: RSB Adaptive Technology specialists are on hand to provide training and support for people who are blind or vision impaired to help them master a wide range of adaptive technology.


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In 2012/13 RSB Child & Youth Services received support from a number of Trusts, Foundations and community support groups and special thanks go to the CMV Foundation, Cops for Kids, Kiwanis Club of Glenelg, Morialta Trust Inc. and the Universal Charitable Fund.

The RSB would also like to thank The Australian Government, Department of Social Services for its support of children and families through the Better Start Funding for Disability Early Intervention Services.
DisabilityCare Australia Update
As of 1 July 2013, DisabilityCare Australia (DCA) came into effect for children who have a disability aged under six years in South Australia. In 2014, children up to the age of 13 will be eligible to apply and in 2015, children up to the age of 14.
The RSB is a recognised DCA service provider. (provider number 35234897).
To find out more about the DisabilityCare Australia scheme and the RSB’s involvement, please email [e-mail], call [phone] or visit www.rsb.org.au
Employment Services
With more than 80 work and education placements in 2012/13, RSB Employment Services is a specialist employment agency for South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

In 2012/13 the RSB Employment Services team implemented a number of new initiatives including specialist job-search workshops held in the Employment Kiosk at RSB’s Knapman House.

Further, more than $250,000 worth of adaptive technology and workplace modifications were accessed to support RSB Employment Services clients through the Australian Government’s Job Access and Employment Assistance Fund. This has assisted in keeping South Australians who are blind or vision impaired in their jobs.
RSB Employment Services also successfully tendered for the Disability Employment Services (DES-ESS) contract, which commenced on 1 March 2013 for a five year period. This funding is essential in enabling the RSB to assist those who are blind or vision impaired either to gain or retain employment.
RSB Employment Services would like to acknowledge the Uniting Church and the Red Cross for providing RSB clients with valuable opportunities to access work experience in 2012/13, which has led to paid work opportunities for several clients.
The RSB also acknowledges the invaluable assistance and funding provided by the Australian Government, Department of Education and the Department of Employment and Job Access for theircontinued support.
Loucia Calder

Manager, Low Vision Services
Image: RSB client Michael Zannis sitting in front of a computer
Caption: Michael Zannis uses JAWS screen reading software in the workplace.

Logo: Disability Employment Services logo

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Image: RSB Client Darcey playing with his brother, Riley

Caption: At just six years of age, Darcey’s energy and enthusiasm for life isn’t dampened by his vision loss. “We try to let the kids enjoy as much as life has to offer, and assistance from RSB Child & Youth Services makes this possible,” says Darcey’s mum, Tracey.
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++RSB Guide Dog Service

Image: Corporate photo of Chris Muldoon

The RSB Guide Dog Service is the RSB’s most recent service development, established in 2006. To date, the service is proud to have trained 54 RSB Guide Dog and client working teams.
With the addition of this vital service, the RSB is able to offer a full complement of mobility services to RSB clients. This provides a significant improvement in mobility choice for people living with blindness or vision loss in South Australia.
Breeding Program
To ensure the growing client demand is met, a successful breeding program has been established at the RSB Guide Dog Service. Over the last six years Brood Bitches have been generously donated from guide dog schools all over the world, including Guide Dogs UK, Kansai Guide Dog School Japan (Asian Guide Dog Breeding Network AGBN), Guide Dogs for the Blind Ireland, Guide Dogs Norway, Guiding Eyes New York, USA, Guide Dogs for the Blind USA San Rafael and Guide Dogs Queensland to help the RSB Guide Dog Service secure the best breeding stock possible.
Brood Bitches Kira, Millie, Zoe, Anika and Zara, as well as retired Brood Bitches Yolanda and Yuma are fundamental to the RSB Guide Dog Service and in 2012/13 the K, L, M, N, O, P, Q and R pups were welcomed! A phenomenal total of 28 pups that all have the breeding pedigree to become future RSB Guide Dogs.
In addition to recruiting the best possible breeding stock, a breeding advisory group made up of specialist veterinarians continues to provide valuable assistance to produce the finest quality dogs – an achievement underlined by the 11 RSB Guide Dogs that were matched with RSB clients in 2012/13.
Puppy Education
With 55 pups in the RSB Guide Dog Service’s Puppy Education Program, the Service welcomed two new Puppy Education Supervisors to the team in 2013 with the aim to increase contact with volunteer Puppy Educators.
Image: Eight blonde RSB Guide Dog pups sitting in a row
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As well as new staff, the RSB Guide Dog Service also welcomed Lily, Lola and Queenie, a further three RSB Guide Dog German Shepherd pups in training to assist the Service to better meet client need and demand.

In 2012/13 a number of ethically approved research projects commenced involving the RSB Guide Dog pups in Puppy Education, with the hope to advance the understanding of the canine and improve the genetics within the RSB Guide Dog Service breeding program, as well as the wider community.
The RSB Guide Dog Service would like to thank the University of Adelaide Veterinary School and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) for their assistance and involvement in these projects.
The RSB Guide Dog Service would also like to thank everyone who assisted with the RSB Guide Dog Service Dog Distraction Program in 2012/13. The program uses local neighbourhood pups and dogs in conjunction with innovative training to improve dog distraction, and is proving effective for RSB Guide Dog pups in training.
Importantly, Puppy Education at the RSB Guide Dog Service would not exist without the vital ongoing support of RSB Volunteer Puppy Educators, Bed and Breakfast Boarders, Emergency Boarders and Brood Bitch Holders and we thank them for their continued efforts and dedication in raising our pups to become RSB Guide Dogs.
Formal Training
The RSB Guide Dog Service is proud to announce the following RSB Guide Dog graduates for 2012/13 – congratulations to RSB Guide Dogs Abbie, Aiden, Alfie, Beth, Lottie, Ruby, Vince, Yeva, York, Yuki (Shaylee) and Yvette.
Image: Dr Mark Reeve from Tea Tree Gully Veterinary Hospital gets up close and personal with R Pup Rupert.
Logo: Channel 9

Logo: IDEXX Labratories

Logo: FAB Cleaning

Logo: PetStock

Logo: Boehringer Ingelheim

Logo: Royal Canin

Logo: Sentinel Spectrum
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The 11 RSB Guide Dog and client teams graduated at a ceremony held during National Volunteer Week in May 2013 and are a testament to the hard work of staff, volunteers, veterinarians, sponsors and donors across South Australia and the world.

To assist with the increasing number of dogs in formal training and clients receiving dogs annually, the RSB Guide Dog Service welcomed Dave Matthews from Guide Dogs UK to the team in January 2013.
A Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) for 16 years, Dave has trained approximately 125 guide dogs and more than 100 guide dog and client teams in his career. During his time at the RSB, Dave is also training former Puppy Education Supervisor, Daisy Holt to become a GDMI.
With so many dogs and pups in training in 2013, fundraising and planning began for a purpose-built outdoor training facility at Gilles Plains. Using world-leading theories on dog development, the proposed training facility consists of two areas – a task training area and an environment enrichment area.
The training facility will provide an environment for pups and training dogs to optimise their learning potential, giving them a greater opportunity for success as RSB Guide Dogs. It will also increase the number of dogs we can train.
Special thanks go to the Lin Huddleston Charitable Foundation for their generous, life-changing donation towards this project, as well as everyone who has made a donation to date to make this project possible.
If you would like to make a donation towards this milestone – the first RSB Guide Dog Service outdoor training facility – please visit www.rsb.org.au or call us on freecall 1800 644 577.
Thank you
The RSB Guide Dog Service would not be the world class service it is today without the dedication and commitment of volunteers, veterinarians and valued sponsors, including Royal Canin, PETstock, Novartis, IDEXX Pathology Services, Boehringer Ingelheim, Channel 9 Adelaide and FaB Cleaning Services.
The RSB would also like to extend a special thank you to our passionate and dedicated vets, including Dr Mark Reeve (Tea Tree Gully Veterinary Hospital). Dr Angus Brown (Stephen Terrace Veterinary Clinic), Dr Andrew Carter (Magill Veterinary Clinic), Dr Chris Girling (Noah’s Crossing Veterinary Clinic), Dr Roger Lavelle (Lavelle Diagnostic, Lancefield Victoria) and Dr Tony Read (Veterinary Ophthalmic Services, Plympton)
Chris Muldoon

Manager, RSB Guide Dog Service
Image: RSB German Shepherd Pup getting to know blonde RSB Labrador Pup
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Image: RSB Client Roz Sommariva getting off a bus with her RSB Guide Dog Violetta

Caption: Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa during a standard eye test when she was 21 years old, Roz Sommariva made the personal and inspiring decision to get on with her life.

“The RSB starting working with me and also my family; the counselling services gave me the mental strength to deal with the situation, whilst the mobility training gave me the practical tools to implement my new goals. They changed my life for the better when they introduced me to my beautiful RSB Guide Dog, Violetta. My confidence skyrocketed and with that came the freedom to travel where I pleased.”

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++RSB Industrial Services

Image: Corporate photo of Mark Burleigh

Another busy and successful year at RSB Industrial Services stands as a credit to the workforce at the RSB Gilles Plains factory.
With a turnover of approximately $1.3 million, RSB Industrial Services has established a strong reputation for quality and efficient delivery of packaging and assembly solutions at a competitive price.
Since 1884, RSB Industrial Services has provided valuable and meaningful employment to many, and today more than 70 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired work at the Gilles Plains factory.
In 2012/13, RSB Industrial Services attracted many new customers and retained major clients including Electrolux, GM Holdens, Philmac, Starstedt, and Toro.
The spare parts base for Electrolux’s Home Products is in Adelaide and from here they service all spare parts for Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Ocean regions, the Middle East, South Africa and North America.
RSB Industrial Services is proud to be affiliated with this SA-based division, which is gaining international recognition with the recent export of two shipping containers of locally manufactured and produced Electrolux products to South Africa.
RSB Industrial Services is proud to have partnered with Electrolux for more than half a decade, meeting their stringent quality and financial requirements, and assisting Electrolux to encourage and support corporate responsibility by giving back to the community they operate in.
In 2012/13 RSB Industrial Services also joined Food SA, generating sales opportunities with other local manufacturing and service based organisations.
The Food SA membership resulted in new partnerships with SA Prawn Co-operative and Drake Supermarkets, who joined together with RSB Industrial Services to bring a truly SA gourmet delight in to South Australian homes – the first SA wild-caught king prawns available in take home retail packs. RSB Industrial Services worked with both companies to produce a customised packaging solution to meet their requirements.
Image: RSB Industrial Services working in the factory

Logo: HACCP Certified

Logo: Quality Assurance
Logo: Australian Disability Enterprises
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In comparison with other Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs), RSB Industrial Services stands strong as a one-stop shop for its clients, capable of assembling, fitting and finishing special job requirements. RSB Industrial Services also retains the highest levels of accreditation with ISO 9001 Quality Assurance and HACCP (Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Points) Certification.

RSB Industrial Services continues to thrive in a difficult economic environment, which is a credit to both its loyal customers and the quality and value of what it has to offer, including:

• 
  Manual bag and box filling
  
• 
  Sorting
  
• 
  Collating and labelling
  
• 
  Shrink-wrap packaging
  
• 
  Heat sealing
  
• 
  Blister packaging
  
• 
  Die cutting
  
• 
  Sonic welding
  
• 
  Thermoforming (vacuum)
  
• 
  Pressure forming
  

RSB Industrial Services wishes to thank all of our customers for their continued business support. These are valuable partnerships which deliver products and services to our customers as well as providing the positive benefits of employment and independence to RSB Industrial Services Employees who are blind or vision impaired, or living with other disabilities.

Do you have an assembly or packaging enquiry? Sales Consultant, Peter Nannini is available to discuss your needs and provide you with a competitive quote. Call RSB Industrial Services on [phone] or visit our website www.rsb.org.au
Mark Burleigh

Manager, Industrial Services
Image: RSB Industrial Services staff member working in the Factory clean room
Caption: RSB client and Industrial Services Employee Cuong Duong, 39, recently returned to work at the RSB Gilles Plains factory and he couldn’t be happier. “I love coming to work – I can’t put it any other way. I just love the job satisfaction in the sense that I’m working, but also giving back to the RSB in a way for everything they’ve done for me over the years.”
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++RSB Volunteer Services

Image: Corporate photo of James Bardsley

In 2012/13 RSB Volunteers once again went above and beyond to help change the lives of South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
Without the support and generous time given by almost 800 RSB Volunteers, the provision of many RSB services would not be possible. The volunteers’ invaluable efforts across all areas of the RSB are the equivalent of almost 80 full-time employees, which in monetary terms would equate to more than $3 million in salaries.
From providing transport to clients, assisting the RSB Guide Dog Service in raising and training future RSB Guide Dogs, coordinating recreation and leisure group activities, and simply enjoying a cup of tea and a chat with socially isolated clients –RSB Volunteers are essential in ensuring clients can enjoy every day activities that many people may take for granted.
In 2012/13 many RSB Volunteers embraced new activities at the RSB, including volunteering at the RSB Pop-Up Shop, recording the Talking Times in digital format and refreshing their Sighted Guide skills.
More than 120 certificates recognising five, 10, 15, 20 and 40 years of service were also awarded to RSB Volunteers across the state, including Muriel Marsh, Isabel Turner and Loris Schmidt who each achieved 40 years of service as RSB Volunteers of the Gawler RSB Auxiliary.
In May 2013, the RSB celebrated National Volunteer Week, saying “Thanks a million” to RSB Volunteers. More than 30 RSB Volunteers and staff participated in the National Volunteer Week parade, walking from Torrens Parade to Victoria Square where the week was officially launched by SA Minister for Volunteers, Tony Piccolo.
The RSB is very grateful to all volunteers who dedicated their time to assist South Australians who are blind or vision impaired in 2012/13.
If you would like to make a difference in your community please call RSB Volunteer Services on [phone], email [e-mail] or visit www.rsb.org.au
James Bardsley

Manager, Volunteer Services
Image: RSB Guide Dog Services volunteer family with an RSB Guide Dog pup
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Image: RSB Volunteer Alyshia handing an RSB Coin Collection Unit to a small business owner

Caption: RSB Coin Collection Volunteer, Alyshia Mcrae knows first-hand how a little small change can bring about big change for South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

“Coin collection units are a great way to support the RSB and the feedback from business owners is always incredibly positive. The benefits of being an RSB Volunteer far outweigh the work – you feel good knowing you’ve done something to help people in your local community living with vision loss.”