Blind-cricket star to raise awareness with Blind Citizens WA hosting a barbecue at Karratha Country Club

Blind-cricket star Brad Brider will visit the Pilbara to raise awareness of the services available to people with vision impairments. Brider, who is vice-captain of the national blind cricket squad, is heading to Karratha on July 23 for a barbecue at the Karratha Country Club, with people with vision impairment, friends, family, and carers invited to attend. The visit aims to raise awareness of services available in the Pilbara for people with vision impairments as well as support services for families and support workers. The day will also feature fun activities with Blind Citizens WA bringing up a range of sporting equipment including cricketing gear and a football so people can have a kick and play some cricket. Brider made history when he was debuted in 2013 as the youngest ever player to play for the national blind cricket squad at just 16 years old. Brider, who is also a sous chef, was born with Fraser syndrome, a condition which meant he has no lens in his left eye and no eyelashes. He also has nystagmus, which is an involuntary shaking of the eye. Brider said it was exciting to be able to visit Karratha and hopefully help more people access more support services. “We’re there to answer any questions they have about accessing NDIS or accessing it in Perth or locally,” he said. “A lot of what you learn as a vision-impaired person is from other vision-impaired people, the tips and tricks. “It’s not just vision-impaired people, it’s the support workers that can turn up and meet people they could help out, families with people who have vision impairment and want to know more.” He said the idea behind bringing sporting gear up was to remind people that vision-impaired people had the option to play sports.