Vision Australia – 20 Years of Innovation
In September 2025 Vision Australia celebrated 20 years since the launch of their innovative online library service, a model that continues to inspire library services around the world. To join the celebrations we take a look at the story behind the i-access platform from Vision Australia.
The beginning of something big
It all started when Andrew Wright and Andrew Furlong were tasked to find a better way to deliver daily newspapers. At the time, narrating newspapers and mailing them out was slow and unsustainable.
Fortunately, there was a foundation to build on. Tim Noonan and Lanie Duran formerly from RBS, had collaborated with Clive Lansink from New Zealand to create ‘Today’s News Now’, a telephone-based service using six landlines and early text-to-speech technology. The ‘News on the Go’ took that concept further.
Vision Australia partnered with News Limited and Fairfax, who generously provided newspaper content free of charge, a partnership that continues to this day. Starting with 22 newspapers, the service now offers access to more than 400 accessible publications.
Innovation through collaboration
A key contributor was Didier Schvartz from Canada, whom Andrew Furlong met through the DAISY Consortium. Didier worked closely with Vision Australia to develop the NOTG software, which later became the backbone of its broader content distribution system called i-access.
Though originally designed for newspapers, the software, still called Newspublisher, now seamlessly handles thousands of books, magazines, newspapers, and podcasts. DAISY format publications are delivered to thousands of online players and apps using the DAISY Online Delivery Protocol
The team behind this innovation was a blend of personalities: Andrew Wright, known for his vibrant sweaters and infectious laugh, was complimented by Didier and Andrew Furlong, both more reserved. Working closely together, they achieved what many thought impossible.
To digitise Vision Australia’s extensive tape collection, a custom oven was built to bake and restore aging tapes, which were then converted using a high-speed system designed by Placid Talia – just one of many ingenious solutions.
Later, Sean Brougham joined the team and helped evolve the service into the i-access service Vision Australia’s clients enjoy today.
A global benchmark
The solution created was one of the first online libraries launched by a Library for the Blind. Its success, and that of i-access, set a benchmark that inspired similar services around the world. Vision Australia continues to innovate to this day.
A legacy of firsts
Over the years, Vision Australia have advanced numerous innovations to complement its library service including:
- Transitioned from analogue tape to digital production early
- Early adopter of the DAISY format
- Co-development of the international DODP2 standard
- Prototyping and co-development of the first online DAISY player
- One of the first to exit CD for distribution
- Developed the first mobile internet (3G/4G) DAISY player
- Partnered with Optus (Telco) to offer affordable mobile data for clients
- One of the first to launch a smartphone app for accessible reading
- Collaborated on the first affordable hand-held, solar powered, accessible audio player (Envoy Connect)
- Developed automated distribution and remote player loading software and docking station (Kiosk)
Partnership
This 20-year journey is a testament to the creativity, collaboration, and commitment of everyone involved including many organisations and peers from around the world that Vision Australia have had the privilege of partnering with. Thank you!
Our thanks to the team at Vision Australia for sharing their news and allowing us to join in their celebrations.