Vision Australia gets Microsoft's biggest ever Australian community software grant

It is Microsoft's biggest software donation grant in Australia to date.

The grant will help Vision Australia enhance the services it provides, assist with the upgrade of its IT systems, enhance fundraising efforts, and improve the organisation's overall operational capability and efficiency.

When Kenny Johar first started developing signs of Retinitis Pigmentosa as an Year 12 student, he was in denial of his deteriorating eyesight.

"From early on, I had high career aspirations. I was not about to let a vision impairment stop me from achieving my ambitions," he said.

The Microsoft technology upgrades will bring Vision Australia clients like Johar benefits such as discussion forums to overcome key social issues, such as social isolation and loneliness.

In addition, the creation of an online library to subscribe to newspapers and magazines and download the content in a format they can access.

"Less than 5 percent of published information is available in formats that can be read by people who are blind or have low vision," said Gerard Menses, CEO, Vision Australia.

"By harnessing digital technology, Vision Australia and Microsoft are working in partnership to revolutionise the way our clients access the written word."

Vision Australia will become a research and development advisor to Microsoft, helping the company to make its products and services more user-friendly and accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.

"Information is at the heart of modern society, it's what makes us tick," said John Galligan, director of corporate affairs, Microsoft Australia.

"Imagine then only having limited or no access at all to written information. Advances in technology combined with the efforts of organisations like Vision Australia mean we are well on the way to making this a thing of the past for people who are blind or who have low vision.

"Microsoft and Vision Australia have a shared goal to enhance the quality of life of people who are blind or have low vision, as well as their families.

"We view our relationship with Vision Australia as world-class and a benchmark for our engagement with accessibility groups across the world."

Microsoft's support for Vision Australia is part of its Unlimited Potential (UP) program, a commitment to help people realise their potential through software and technology.