People who are blind or vision-impaired in NSW can now apply for the 2014 travel award from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT following the successful launch of the inspirational travel awards last year.
A spokeswoman said it was designed to promote independent travel for those with a vision impairment.
She said the Experience Unseen Travel Awards offer five $1000 travel bursaries.
Applications close on March 21 and winners will be announced on April 4, 2014.
“While vision loss is on the rise, we’re hoping our awards will encourage people affected to realise that it doesn’t have to stop them from enjoying a full and active life,” said Frances Tinsley, client services executive manager for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
“You don’t have to see to be able to experience doing things most of us take for granted, including travelling.”
A report says by 2020 the number of NSW and ACT residents with a vision condition that can’t be corrected is expected to rise 20 per cent to 120,000, including 40,000 who are blind.
The public will be able to follow each winner’s experiences and what independent travel means to them through their dedicated travel blog or diary.
The 2013 winners said the the awards enabled them to experience travelling to new places.
One of them, Jonathan Goerlach, from Canberra, travelled to the Great Barrier Reef to conquer a fear of swimming ahead of hoping to secure a spot in the para-triathlon team for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
“The Unseen Experience Travel Awards give people who are blind or vision-impaired the opportunity to do something they otherwise might only dream of doing,” a 2013 award-winner and Rio Paralympics hopeful said.
To apply for the Experience Unseen Travel Awards, please visit guidedogs.com.au/travelawards or call 94129300 for an application form.
Source: Hill News
