24 Sept 2025
Life’s special moments made more accessible, Australians with low vision or blindness can now share in the joy of giving and receiving greeting cards, thanks to a brand new partnership between Hallmark Cards Australia and Guide Dogs Australia.
For centuries, exchanging greeting cards has been one of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to celebrate, connect and show we care. But for more than half a million Australians with blindness or low vision, this cherished ritual has remained out of reach until now.
Accessibility leader Guide Dogs Australia has partnered with world-renowned greeting card expert Hallmark to launch the first accessible greeting card range, co-designed with inclusivity at its heart.
The twelve-card collection features Braille messages, tactile surfaces, bold modern designs, high-contrast colours and clear, easy-to-read text developed in consultation with people with low vision and blindness.
These simple but powerful design features help remove access barriers and means more Australians, including older people experiencing age-related vision changes, can take part in one of life’s most meaningful traditions.
23-year-old Karlee Symonds lives in Sydney with her Guide Dog Isla said,
“Opening a card might seem like a small and unimportant thing to most, but for someone with blindness, it can highlight just how often the world isn’t designed for us.
I’ve celebrated milestones where I couldn’t read the card in my hands in front of friends with everyone waiting for my reaction, it makes me feel invisible and awkward. These small moments of inaccessibility build up and can make the world become so small.
Accessible greeting cards mean my community can share in life’s simple but special joys just like anyone else, it means we feel included and that our milestones are just as important as everyone else’s.
Lee Kumutat, Guide Dogs National Advocacy and Policy Manager said: “Giving a greeting card has long been seen as one of the most important symbols of connection, celebration, and love. For Australians with low vision or blindness, being included in this tradition is incredibly powerful.
When brands like Hallmark prioritise accessibility, it sends a strong message: inclusion matters. These cards are proof that thoughtful co-design can remove huge barriers and create meaningful moments of joy for everyone.”
Hallmark Australia’s Product and Marketing Director Lyndal Matthews, said, “Greeting cards have always been about connecting with the people we care about. With this accessible range, we’re proud to make that connection possible for everyone, including individuals with low vision or blindness or elderly Australians experiencing vision changes. Everyone deserves to feel included in life’s important moments and celebrations.
This partnership reflects our commitment to ensuring all Australians have the opportunity to connect with their family, friends and loved ones.”
The card range is available instore at Coles, Kmart, Target and selected newsagents nationwide now and can also be purchased 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.