The Access Circle – June–July 2026

Welcome

Dear Round Table members and supporters,

We hope you are keeping well and have enjoyed a productive start to the second half of the year. Following the success of our Adelaide conference, the Executive Committee has already begun planning for 2027, drawing on the valuable feedback you shared through the post-conference survey. This bumper edition of The Access Circle features updates, opportunities and news from across our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed content. Your contributions help keep our newsletter informative, relevant and connected to the interests of our members. Please keep them coming!

In this issue:

• Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition
• The 2026 Trans-Tasman UEB Certificate of Proficiency
• Books Without Barriers Revised Edition Published
• New Special Interest Group Established for Refreshable Graphics Displays
• ICEB Executive Mid-Term Meeting
• ANZAGG 3D Printing Meetings: Presentations and Learning Opportunities
• Monash Open Day – Assistive Technology Showcase
• In Memoriam

Francois Jacobs 

Consumer Representative 

News Roundup

Sydney Braille Forum Braille Competition

Calling all NSW students who read and write braille – it’s time to share your creativity!

The Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition 2026 is now open to school-aged students across New South Wales who use braille as their primary literacy medium. Whether you enjoy creating exciting stories, writing heartfelt poems or exploring imaginative ideas, this is your chance to showcase your braille skills and let your voice be heard.

The competition celebrates braille literacy, encourages creative expression and recognises the outstanding achievements of young braille writers. Students of all ages and abilities are encouraged to enter. Please contact [email protected] for your competition pack.

Demonstrate Your Braille Expertise – 2026 Trans-Tasman Certificate of Proficiency in Unified English Braille

Applications are now open for the 2026 Trans-Tasman Certificate of Proficiency in Unified English Braille (UEB), jointly administered by the Australian Braille Authority (ABA) and the Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT).

This annual open-book examination is designed to assess a candidate’s working knowledge of Unified English Braille and recognises a high standard of braille transcription and proofreading. It is the only nationally recognised braille accreditation currently available in Australia and is ideal for experienced braille transcribers, proofreaders, teachers, teacher aides and parents who have extensive experience producing braille materials.

The examination consists of three components:

•             Transcribing print passages into braille across a range of genres.

•             Transcribing a braille passage into print.

•             Proofreading a braille passage by identifying transcription errors.

Candidates may complete the examination using a manual brailler or approved six-key direct braille entry software, please express your interest by contacting [email protected].

Books Without Barriers

The revised edition of Books without Barriers: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Publishing has been launched. This revised edition broadens the guide’s scope to be more international in focus, incorporates feedback gathered from users of the first edition, and addresses recent advances in accessibility implementation – including emerging technologies and the growing applications of generative artificial intelligence.

Tech Talk

The Australia and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG) 3D printing group has created a new Special Interest Group for manufacturers, developers, researchers, policy makers and power users of refreshable graphics displays to share their innovations and work towards best practice. Topics of interest include emerging hardware and software developments, the presentation of complex materials and graphics, interoperability across devices and format standards, interaction techniques and usability. Chaired by Dr Samuel Reinders of Monash Assistive Technology & Society (MATS) Centre, our international meetings are held online once every two months. Experts are invited to apply to join the group via the registration form at https://forms.gle/hMpyV1PsaWceyzPh8.

Upcoming Events

ICEB Executive Mid-Term Meeting

Registrations are now open for the ICEB executive mid-term meeting.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the International Council on English Braille and what is happening with braille codes, technology and advocacy worldwide. Highlights will include the keynote address by Joe Sullivan on Monday; the nitty gritty of Unified English Braille code updates on Tuesday; an invited talk on resources for adult braille training on Wednesday; country reports on Thursday; and music and technology on Friday.

Please join us! The meeting will be held online from Monday 10 to Friday 14 August from 6am-9am AEST daily and registration is free via https://iceb.org/midterm26/.

ANZAGG Monthly Meetings

The Australia and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG) 3D printing group holds regular monthly meetings for people interested in 3D printing for touch readers and non-visual methods for 3D printing.

Our upcoming meeting topics are:

• 14 July: Tom Babinszki, (blind maker, Even Grounds) will chair a session with tips and troubleshooting for non-visual 3D printing
• 19 August: Michael Cantino (Blind and Low Vision Technology Specialist, Oregon public schools) will share some technical aspects of 3D printing and designing for touch
• 15 September: Tamara O’Callaghan (Professor at Northern Kentucky University) will share some of her innovative student projects using 3D printing for touch accessibility

New members are always welcome, and all meetings include time for self-introductions, asking questions and sharing your latest makes. Please contact [email protected]

Monash Open Day – Assistive Technology Showcase

Monash University will host a display of assistive technology innovations from the Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre on 2 August at 25 Exhibition Walk, Clayton. The free public event will feature DIY multisensory circuit‑making kits, 3D‑printed models, audio labelling tools, conversational agents, refreshable braille displays, tactile art and audio‑based gaming. Students and adults who are blind or have low vision are warmly encouraged to attend and explore opportunities to get involved in co‑creating assistive devices. Further details and registration:  https://www.monash.edu/open-day/campuses/clayton.

Member Matters

Vale Elise Lonsdale

Round Table was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Elise Lonsdale.

Elise was a member of Round Table through her organisation, Disability & Assistive Technology Access (DATA) Australasia. She was a valued supporter of Round Table, our annual conference, and the wider accessible information community.

Elise contributed generously to the sector through her knowledge, experience, and commitment to improving access to information and assistive technology. She was respected by many for her dedication, kindness, and willingness to help others.

Her contribution to Round Table and to the wider community will be remembered with great appreciation.

Round Table extends its sincere condolences to Elise’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew and worked with her.

Vale Elise. May she rest in peace.

 

Thank you for reading this edition of The Access Circle, and we invite you to forward it on to others who might benefit from our news and work. We welcome news items from across the Round Table community, including new technology making a difference or events readers may be interested in attending. Please submit items of up to 400 words by the end of the month to [email protected] for consideration in the next newsletter.