I write this petition out of deep concern on the general lack of funding, support and awareness for blind/visually impaired in Australian jails. Although a topic I feel strongly about, I don’t have the funds to do anything, so I hope someone takes this post into writing. I want people to sign this to recognise the horrible state of how visually impaired people are treated in jails, and to bring awareness so it can be taken further.

Our prisons should be equipped with the appropriate facilities and support services to accommodate visually impaired individuals, and currently, they are so far from satisfactory.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of 2020, an estimated 50,000 Australians are blind. If we consider the reality that some of these individuals might end up in prison, the lack of proper provisions for them becomes a pressing human rights issue. There also are international guidelines to consider. According to the United Nations' Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), it is obligational for countries to provide the medical services necessary for the protection of the physically disabled, including those with visual impairment.

We petition the Australian Government to implement measures ensuring visually impaired prisoners' safety and well-being, thereby living up to its commitment to fair treatment for all. We believe in an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their situation, is given the care and protection they deserve. So sign this petition if you believe in safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of all Australians, including the visually impaired in our prisons.