The Power of Accessible Greetings

Written by Australian Dog Lover 11:56:00 - 0 Comments

A centuries-old tradition just got a modern update. For the first time, Australians with low vision or blindness can now share in the joy of giving and receiving greeting cards, thanks to a ground-breaking partnership between Hallmark Cards Australia and Guide Dogs Australia. 

This collaboration has resulted in Australia’s first-ever accessible greeting card range, designed to be inclusive from the ground up.

Thoughtful Design for a Broader Audience

Co-designed with people who have low vision or blindness, this new twelve-card collection was created with inclusivity at its core. The cards feature:

• Braille messages

• Tactile surfaces

• Bold, modern designs

• High-contrast colours

• Clear, easy-to-read text

These thoughtful design features help remove barriers, allowing more Australians, including older people experiencing age-related vision changes, to participate in one of life's most meaningful traditions.

More Than Just a Card, It's About Connection

For many, the inability to read a greeting card can be a painful reminder of a world not designed for them. Karlee Symonds, who lives with her Guide Dog Isla, knows this feeling well. 

"Opening a card might seem like a small and unimportant thing," she says, "but for someone with blindness, it can highlight just how often the world isn’t designed for us."

These accessible cards are more than just paper and ink; they are a symbol of inclusion. Lee Kumutat, Guide Dogs National Advocacy and Policy Manager, emphasizes this point, noting that when brands like Hallmark prioritise accessibility, it "sends a strong message: inclusion matters." This partnership proves that thoughtful co-design can break down significant barriers and create moments of joy for everyone.

Lyndal Matthews, Hallmark Australia's Product and Marketing Director, adds, "Everyone deserves to feel included in life’s important moments and celebrations. With this accessible range, we're proud to make that connection possible for everyone."

You can find the new accessible greeting cards in Coles, Kmart, Target, and selected newsagents nationwide, as well as online at www.hallmark.com.au.

About Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs is dedicated to empowering people with low vision or blindness. Through the provision of Guide Dogs, orientation and mobility and occupational therapy training, assistive technology, social and other vital services, Guide Dogs empowers individuals to break down barriers and live the life they choose. With a commitment to excellence in training and support, Guide Dogs members play a crucial role in the community, helping people navigate their world with confidence and dignity and are supported by a passionate network of volunteers, donors, and partners, all working together to create a more inclusive society.

About Hallmark Cards Australia

Hallmark Cards Australia has been helping Australians celebrate, connect, and care for over 70 years. From greeting cards and gift wrap to thoughtful gifts, we’re here to make life’s moments a little more meaningful. We’re a family-owned business with a story that started over 100 years ago, when 18-year-old J.C. Hall began selling postcards from two shoeboxes—with big dreams and a lot of heart.

That same spirit lives on in everything we do. Whether it’s a birthday, a milestone, or just a moment to say “I’m thinking of you,” we believe in the power of kindness and connection—for everyone, for every occasion.

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