A new era for blind and vision impaired people has begun in Victoria. For 70-years, guide dogs Victoria has been operating out of the same building in Melbourne but today, it is opening what it calls a 'state of the art sensory' campus. The facility promises to improve guide dog training but will also be a community hub and sanctuary for the blind, as well as the wider community.
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00:00Do not be fooled, this is one happy and very lucky little puppy.
00:11It's learning new skills in a $33 million facility 10 years in the making.
00:16This is a game changing facility.
00:18For 70 years Guide Dogs Victoria has been helping the blind and vision impaired from
00:22the same building and their work can be profound.
00:26University has given me the confidence to go out independently, to attend university,
00:31to seek employment, to catch up with friends and family and have the energy to be able
00:36to do all of those things with confidence and with joy.
00:40But when Lucy walks into this centre she doesn't need dotting.
00:51Markers and guides large and subtle are everywhere so everyone of all abilities can move independently.
00:57There's actually a little ridge on the handrail and that tells you that to your right there
01:01is a bedroom door.
01:02Clients stay at the campus when they're learning how to work with their dog.
01:05The new living areas have adjustable sinks and cooktops and the bedrooms have had a 2024
01:11upgrade.
01:12These beds can be divided into two for when we're having children's programs.
01:18This is an indoor outdoor facility.
01:20Not only do the outdoors include more areas for dog training to happen but that sensory
01:24focus wayfinding emphasis exists here too.
01:27Things are soft to touch and the plants are citrus so all of the senses are enriched.
01:32And while the dogs often take centre stage with a puppy yard and new vet clinic, it's
01:36hoped much more can happen here.
01:39Along with dedicated areas for families, there's space for new employment and wellbeing programs
01:44and plans to collaborate with other organisations to provide wraparound services.
01:48It will future proof us.
01:50We think this sets new benchmarks in creating not only the physical space but also a new
01:56way of working.
01:58It just provides so much opportunity for everyone of any ability and any age to grow and learn
02:03and explore and thrive.