With many people feeling isolated due to the coronavirus, Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) has launched virtual ‘happy hours’ for the blind or vision impaired to help them stay connected during self-isolation. And you don’t need to be a BCA member to participate by phone or online.

The sessions are designed to provide an opportunity for people to share their thoughts around what’s going on. Updates are provided by BCA on what the organisation is currently doing, there’s a forum for people to discuss any issues relevant to blindness and vision impairment, and the sessions offer an opportunity for participants tp have some social connection.

The happy hours will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 12pm AEDT and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30pm to 8:30pm AEDT (excluding public holidays).

The first two weeks of meetings will focus on hearing from participants around how BCA can support them to remain connected. Based on participants’ feedback, BCA will provide an updated schedule of virtual catch ups and activities.

In this video, CEO Emma Bennison, pictured, provides more information about these catch-ups, why they are important and what can be expected from them.

BCA has organised three ways to join the events:

• If you are on a computer, laptop or tablet click on https://zoom.us/j/291084578
• If you are on a smart phone, tap on +61370182005,,291084578#
• If you are on a landline, dial 02 8015 6011 and enter the code 291 084 578.

Check out BCA’s Facebook page for regular updates.