SeeWay Launched, Australia’s First Comprehensive Support Network for Low Vision

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has announced the launch of SeeWay, an initiative set to transform support for Australians experiencing permanent changes in their vision. As the nation’s first comprehensive, free network dedicated to people with moderate low vision, SeeWay fills a critical gap in care-empowering individuals to maintain independence and quality of life even when they do not qualify for traditional disability funding.

Bridging the Support Gap for Low Vision

More than 61,000 Australians currently live with moderate low vision, a figure expected to nearly double by 2050 due to the country’s aging population. Many in this group face daily challenges but fall outside the eligibility criteria for government-funded services. SeeWay was developed in direct response to this unmet need, offering a holistic suite of resources, guidance, and psychological support that extends well beyond the clinical consultation room.

Personalised, Accessible, and Practical Support

SeeWay’s flagship program, Navigate Your Journey, is a free, online support network designed to deliver tailored content and connect users with practical services. After answering a few short questions, individuals receive personalised recommendations on daily living assistance, transportation, digital skills training, financial entitlements, and more-all curated to their lifestyle and goals.

Key features of SeeWay include:

• Digital Skills Training: Helping users confidently navigate smartphones, tablets, and computers, and access assistive technologies to support daily life.

• Mental Wellbeing Support: Access to no-gap professional counselling and psychosocial support from experts trained in low vision, addressing both emotional and practical challenges.

• Practical Living Guidance: Everyday tips and resources for thriving at home, at work, and in the community.

The platform is accessible nationwide, free to use, and designed specifically for the low vision community, their families, and carers.

A Seamless Solution for Eye Care Professionals

SeeWay also offers significant benefits for eye care professionals. By providing a trusted, comprehensive referral pathway, it allows clinicians to extend support to patients without adding to their workload. The initiative was officially introduced to the sector at the Vision 2020 Australia Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care event and is set for a dedicated launch event for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and orthoptists in Sydney on May 14, 2025.

Industry and Community Response

The response from both the eye health industry and the broader community has been overwhelmingly positive. Dale Cleaver, CEO of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, described SeeWay as a “game-changer” for people with low vision and the professionals who support them, with a full rollout planned for early 2025.

A Trusted, Local Resource

Unlike many online resources that may be international or generic, SeeWay is a locally developed, trusted initiative of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, ensuring that information and support are relevant to the Australian context. The program is currently in its pilot phase, with interested individuals encouraged to join the waitlist ahead of the national launch on May 29, 2025.

For More Information

Eye care professionals and individuals living with low vision can learn more or join the waitlist by visiting the SeeWay website. As Australia’s population ages and the prevalence of vision loss grows, SeeWay stands poised to redefine support, independence, and community for thousands nationwide.