Guide Dogs Queensland

Thousands of blind and vision impaired Queenslanders turn to us each year, seeking our support, training and resources to be equipped with information, services and tools that help them overcome this disability and remain active at home, in the community and at work.

About Us

Established in 1960, Guide Dogs Queensland has been helping to "equip, empower and educate" blind and vision impaired Queenslanders, of all ages, with a wide range of top-quality orientation and mobility services.

With less than seven per cent government funding for some specific rehabilitation services, and none for our Guide Dogs, we rely on the generosity of individuals, corporate sponsors and people who leave a bequest in their Will so that we can continue to fund our vital work.

We are best known for our icon - the Guide Dog, however, this service is just a small part of what we do. Our services include:

• Guide Dog training and placement;
• White Cane training;
• Electronic Travel Aids training;
• Community and professional education workshops;
• Mobility programs for vision impaired and blind children; and
• Counselling by our on staff psychologist.
• Services are delivered both in the community and through residential programs during which clients learn new skills and live on site in our Client Residence.

GDQ is the only service provider in Queensland that offers this complete range of rehabilitation services, and we have seven regional offices at Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

Thousands of blind and vision impaired Queenslanders turn to us each year, seeking our support, training and resources to be equipped with information, services and tools that help them overcome this disability and remain active at home, in the community and at work.

Ultimately people with vision impairment seek empowerment to live full and independent lives.

Our History

From its humble beginnings in May 1960, Guide Dogs Queensland has grown to be the premier provider of services to Queensland’s blind and vision impaired community, and one of the state’s most respected charities.

Guide Dogs Queensland had its genesis in the provision of Guide Dogs, however, Queenslanders began undertaking training in the White Cane as early as the mid 1960s. At this time, Orientation and Mobility training was recognised as an essential service that could be offered by the National Council of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Australia). Queenslanders were able to receive training by travelling to the national centre which moved from Perth to Melbourne.

Over the years the allocation of funds to provide services from a central body became problematic and, in 1993, in a bid to ensure Queenslanders who were blind received equitable services Guide Dogs Queensland broke away from the national body.  Since that date Queensland has gone from strength to strength in establishing itself not only as one of the leading Guide Dog schools in Australia in terms of industry education and training but the world – especially in the fields of Guide Dog breeding; and innovation in Orientation and Mobility programs.