Coming dates to put in your diary
- International Albinism Awareness Day June 13th every year
- “AFA Fest” (the next Conference) – August 2026 in Adelaide. More details next year.
- Local Events – These have now resumed post covid, with events held in most states for IAAD. Members will be informed via email of any other state events. 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.
2024 “AFA Fest” – celebrating all things albinism!
WHEN: 1.00 pm Fri 16th to Sunday 18th August 2024 (Registration from 12 noon)
WHERE: Rendezvous Hotel, 328 Flinders St, Melbourne (next to Flinders St station).
Thank you to our volunteers and all those who attended, to make this a successful event. There were many opportunities to socialise and meet others who have albinism and for families to get to know each other.
Some of the highlights were:
- Making new connections and life long friendships
- Participating as a family in exciting outings and activities
- Time for social interaction during the day and casual evening dinners
- Sharing experiences and advice
- Hearing and learning from knowledgable speakers and panels of PWA
- Opportunity to ask questions and share tips and tricks
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 2024
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 with Albinism to give to family, friends or work colleagues.
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.
Join us on Facebook