Goondiwindi 'untapped' by Guide Dogs
Increasing demand for help with lost or fading vision has prompted Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ) to stage its first ever expo in Goondiwindi in a bid to connect local people with services.
The Association has received a number of inquiries from people in the district over recent months and given its closest regional office is in Toowoomba, will stage the ‘Mobility Expo’ on Tuesday, October 25, at Care Goondiwindi.
GDQ Rehabilitation Services Manager Bashir Ebrahim OAM said the rate of blindness and vision impairment was increasing in Queensland, and this was reflected in a gradual rise in the number of inquiries from local people wanting training and support for themselves or family members.
“Goondiwindi is very much ‘untapped’ by Guide Dogs Queensland and we hope the expo will raise awareness of the training we offer with Guide Dogs as well as other aids,” he said.
“We know some people are already traveling to our Low Vision Clinic in Toowoomba but the expo is a one-stop shop of training options and a chance for people to drop in without making an appointment.
“We are known for our Guide Dogs but also offer counselling, White Cane training and help with orientation. There’s also strong interest in our GPS units and electronic travel aids.
“People with low vision, their family and friends can come along and talk to qualified instructors and find out about daily living aids, technology that can help at home and at work, and support groups.”
Mr Ebrahim said that thanks to community support, all services were provided free of charge and GDQ instructors were able to travel to Goondiwindi to provide training at any time.
GDQ receives less than seven per cent in Government funding for some specific rehabilitation services but none for Guide Dogs, or the services it provides in rural Queensland.
“We rely on the community to donate to the Association or purchase our Guide Dog products to continue delivering services” he said.
The expo, which runs from 10am to 1pm, is open to the public and free of charge.
Media Opportunity:
What: Guide Dogs Queensland Mobility Expo
Who: GDQ Rehabilitation Services Manager Bashir Ebrahim OAM and Mobility Expo visitors.
When: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 10am – 1pm
Where: Care Goondiwindi, 56 Marshall St, Goondiwindi
In this section
Contact Us
- Guide Dogs
- Freecall 1800 810 122
- Guide Dogs Shop
- 1800 007 460
- Head Office
-
Guide Dogs Queensland
Breeding and Training Centre
1978 Gympie Rd
Bald Hills, Qld, 4036
