Events

Coming dates to put in your diary

  • International Albinism Awareness Day June 13th every year
  • AFA Conference – 19th to 21st August 2022, Sydney (Parramatta). See below!
  • Local Events – Unfortunately most have been put on hold due to Covid and the Flu season. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay in touch online with those you know, or join our facebook page (see below) to make new contacts or to keep in touch with those who “know albinism”.

NOTE: More detailed information for members can be found under the Membership and Events tab.

2022 AFA Conference – excited to be back again!

WHEN: 2.00 pm Fri 19th August, to 3.30 pm Sun 21st August

WHERE: Novotel Hotel Parramatta Sydney

CHILDRENS’ PROGRAMS: Primary and secondary aged programs with lots of fun activities, will run alongside the main program, with a creche for children 1 to 4 years – all at the same venue. Please enrol your children in the program when you REGISTER.

REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE. Note that financial members will require the Code sent to them via email, in order to access the reduced member rates. If you are not a member, CLICK HERE to check out our membership!

CONFERENCE PROGRAM: Will include sessions on:-

  • All about Albinism – Albinism 101
  • Skin and eyesight in someone with albinism
  • Careers and low vision
  • Blind and Low vision sports
  • Technology for people with low vision
  • Low vision mobility
  • And Many More Sessions….

There will be many opportunities to socialise and meet others who have albinism and for families to get to know each other. More information about the program and accommodation will become available in the Members Section of this site.

We hope that you will be able to make it to the conference – we look forward to meeting you there!

International Albinism Awareness Day June 13th

This day was sanctioned by the United Nations to raise awareness about albinism around the world and is celebrated each year on June 13th. We encourage families and communities of those with albinism to connect online, to advocate for albinism, share information, fundraise or simply post an albinism photo to social media. Each year many of our children hold events at their school, speak to their class or at assembly, or perhaps fundraise for the AFA on or near that date.

IAAD 2022

This year’s theme is “United in Making Our Voice Heard”. We are very fortunate in Australia to not have the discrimination suffered by PWA in Africa or other countries and while we support their efforts through the global alliance, the AFA is centred on work in Australia. We still have issues here that need to be tackled, but publicly celebrating what we can do on a day like this, can be more productive in overcoming many misconceptions.

It is an opportunity for us to celebrate the theme at school, work or with friends, with a positive bent on the theme to celebrate. Let others know about albinism and our vision, how we get on with life just like everyone else and can do almost anything. Demonstrate our capabilities and how we use technology and other skills to study, work and get around.

For a one page handout on IAAD and albinism to hand out at your event, or to friends and family, Click on one of the target groups below:

IAAD Information for kids at school suitable for upper primary or secondary ages.

IAAD Information for adults

IAAD Information for Adults with Albinism to give to family, friends or work colleagues.

Albinism Book mark to print

Events in a “normal” year

The Albinism Fellowship of Australia hold regular social and educational events with the purpose of providing support and fellowship to our members, their families and friends.

Attending an albinism event or get together can be uplifting and life changing for a parent of a child with albinism or as an adult, who may meet another person with albinism for the first time.

We take great care to ensure that all our gatherings are family friendly,  held at locations that are easily accessed by public transport where possible and as vision impaired friendly as possible.

We hold a National Conference every two years, as well as regular state get togethers and seminars.

Please contact one of our State Reps to enquire about events near you.

Facebook Page

The AFA has a closed Facebook page for Australians with a connection to albinism, who can join via application. It is designed to be a safe place to pose questions, share strategies and experiences with those who understand. Facebook members include adults and teens with albinism, parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family members and occasionally low vision professionals known to us who provide valuable information. CLICK HERE to join.