What We Do
An Overview:
Guide Dogs Queensland’s mission is to equip, empower and educate blind and vision impaired Queenslanders with services and resources that enable them to maintain independence, mobilty and freedom.
We are known for our icon - the Guide Dog, however, this service is just part of what we do.
GDQ services include:
- Guide Dog training and placement;
- White Cane training;
- Electronic Travel Aids training;
- Community and professional education workshops;
- Mobility programs for vision impaired and blind children;
- Counselling by our on staff psychologist; and
Services are delivered both in the community and through residential programs during which clients learn new skills and live on site in our Client Residence.
In Demand
The demand for our services is expected to triple over the next 15 years in line with a demographic shift in Queensland.
People are living longer; the generation of 'baby boomers' are pushing through into the elderly age-group and blindness is primarily an age-related condition.
The Causes
Vision impairment is caused by many factors. Some people are born without sight but the vast majority develop eye conditions such as:
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration;
- Cataract,
- Glaucoma;
- Refractive Error; and
- Diabetic Eye Disease
These conditions may not rob you of sight completely – to varying degrees your world becomes blurred, obscured or simply unrecognisable.
When medical options have been explored, Guide Dogs Queensland is where Queenslanders of all ages come to for help.
The Outcome
People come to us with lost or fading vision having explored and exhausted all options. In the absence of a cure they seek to be educated about their vision loss and what they need to do to maintain a lifestyle.
They seek to be equipped with information, services and tools which help them overcome this disability and remain active at home, in the community and at work.
Ultimately people with vision impairment seek empowerment to live full and independent lives.
Quick facts:
- GDQ offers services specifically to Queenslanders.
- GDQ is a not-for-profit association providing Guide Dogs as well as the complete range of rehabilitation services to clients of all ages.
- GDQ remains autonomous and independent of other agencies.
- All services, including Guide Dogs, are provided to clients free of charge.
- GDQ is the only service provider in Queensland that offers the complete range of rehabilitation services.
- GDQ has seven regional offices throughout the State, at Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts.
- GDQ receives less than seven per cent in government funding to provide some specific rehabilitation services but none whatsoever for its breeding and training of Guide Dogs.
Sub links to:
Phone Numbers - Freecall 1800 810 122 - Guide Dog Shop 1800 007 460
Guide Dogs Queensland is a proud member of the International Guide Dog Federation. In addition, our organisation is a Quality Endorsed Company.
All Client Services provided through Guide Dogs Queensland comply with the '9' Queensland Standards for Disability Services (1997).