Talking Vision - Vision Australia Radio: Recent Episodes
Vision Australia
Let 'Talking Vision' be your national radio reference on blindness and low vision. On this weekly radio program presented by Sam Colley, you’ll hear discussions of issues relating to blindness and low vision, stories of inspiration and achievement from people living with vision loss, find out how you can access services from Vision Australia and how you can get involved in assisting Vision Australia to assist people who are blind or have low vision to life the life they choose. We welcome your comments and suggestions: talkingvision@visionaustralia.org
In this Talking Vision Hightlights Program we share 2 great interviews Sam did during his time on Talking Vision. Deena Morgan and Sandra George.
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In this Talking Vision Hightlights Program we share 2 great interviews Sam did during his time on Talking Vision. Arkan Yousef and Aaron Vernon.
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In this Talking Vision Hightlights Program we share 2 great interviews Sam did during his time on Talking Vision. Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa and William Chen.
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In this Talking Vision Hightlights Program we share 2 great interviews Sam did during his time on Talking Vision. Arkan Yousef and Karan Nagrani.
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This week Sam catches up with Ben Harrington and Elias Labbos from Travellers Aid as they celebrate Travellers Aid's 100th Birthday.
Plus as Sam finishes up on Talking Vision for the moment, he takes some time to say farewell.
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Peter Greco catches up with Vision Australia chief mission officer Chris Edwards to speak about the changes to Vision Australia Radio taking effect on 1 July, including the conclusion of the AM services on the network.
You'll also hear from Anushka Singh, coordinator of the 'Hear and See Me' Program as part of the Speak My Language initiative. Sam catches up with Anushka to hear about who can get involved in the podcast, the languages they are looking to focus on and what sort of topics people would like to speak about. The project is a collaboration between Vision Australia Radio and Ethnic Communities Council of NSW.
Then finally this week we wrap up with a Telelink chat as Sam speaks with Telelink coordinator Maria Markou, who highlights the upcoming July Special Interest Program and what people can head along to through Telelink in July.
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Sam catches up with Anum Ejaz, a researcher from Curtin University who is looking into the accessibility of visual social media such as Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok etc.
You'll also hear from Rachael Leahcar, who is set to appear as the ambassador for this year's Adelaide Disability and Workability Expo on 26 and 27 June at the Adelaide Showgrounds.
And finally this week, editor of For Your Information Liz Dalakouras is back to give a run down of the latest issue of FYI.
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We start off this week with a Vision Australia Library update from community engagement coordinator Maureen O'Reilly. Maureen is back to fill us in on some events members can look forward to over the next two months.
You'll also hear from Sandra George, Sandra is a member of the national committee at Albinism Fellowship Australia. She has a chat with Sam about International Albinism Awareness Day on June 13, the statistics around albinism and link with blindness and low vision, as well as why the day is so important for raising awareness around albinism in the community.
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Sam catches up with Chris Gross, the creator of AVA, a web based AI companion to assist people living with blindness and low vision. You can find out more about AVA by visiting Chris' QualityLife Collective website.
You'll also hear from PhD student Aasha Rose from University of Southern Queensland, she's back to give us an update on her research into adult braille literacy. Her online survey is almost closed but there's still time, if you would like to take part you can find the survey here.
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Sam speaks to David Woodbridge, blindness product specialist from Humanware, to get an update on the latest assistive technology available later this year for Windows users who are blind or have very low vision.
David also speaks about his involvement with the Assistive Technology Round Table conference in Adelaide, and gives a preview of some topics coming up in future episodes of his podcast.
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As part of the conversation around Global Accessibility Awareness Day on Thursday 21 May, Sam speaks to Liz Dalakouras about Vision Australia's new awareness campaign "Accessibility Starts at Home".
The campaign highlights the need for home appliances to be more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision, and you can check out a series of videos, podcasts and articles on this topic by heading to the landing page.
You'll also hear from Polly Goodwin, who Sam caught up with in 2024 when she was involved in a digital media conference running a workshop to make gaming more accessible and inclusive for the blind and low vision community.
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It's a Mother's Day Special episode of Talking Vision this week as we hear from three different mums who are blind or have low vision.
Sam takes a look back at some of the conversations he's had with mums from the blind and low vision community over the years, including Wanda Egerton and Anna Dal as part of the Mother's Day panel, as well as Deena Morgan.
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Sam catches up with community engagement coordinator from the Vision Australia Library, Maureen O'Reilly, to chat about some upcoming events in May as well as some creative writing workshops the library will be running in June.
You'll also hear from William Chen, a researcher from Monash University undertaking a PhD project around accessible public transport for users who are blind or have low vision.
William is running some workshops to get the public's feedback and why they do (or don't) use public transport, and if you're interested in taking part you can send him an email to find out more.
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This week Sam is in conversation with Maximiliano Guerra Morales, a Chilean disability rights activist, mechanical engineer and coordinator of Orquesta Filarmonica Antena, a 380 person orchestra featuring people of all abilities from his hometown of La Serena.
The orchestra is coming to Australia for the first time in July and Maxi would like to encourage members of the blind and low vision community to buy a ticket for their concert at the Sydney Opera House on 10 July.
To find out more about the orchestra, including the academy of music it was borne out from, you can visit their Instagram page, or to find out more about the event and raise any questions you may have you can get in touch with Maxi.
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Sam speaks to Stephanie Amir, spokesperson from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about the upcoming Australian census which is taking place on August 11, 2026. Steph tells us about the ways in which this year's census has been made accessible and confidential for all residents who are blind or have low vision.
You'll also hear from Jason Gipps who caught up with Ben Waechter, founder of Adelaide-based disability support service Kyd-X, at the recent Adelaide Independent Living Expo, and Frances is back on the show with an Anzac Day Reader Recommended.
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Sam is joined by Peter and Rohan Rickards as well as Kathy Leitch, three of the people involved in Sensaball, an omnidirectional cane tip designed for white cane users to navigate their surroundings with improved sensitivity and feedback from the cane tip.
You'll also hear from the Vision Australia Radio Adelaide team, who recently interviewed Nathan from SANFL at the Adelaide Independent Living Expo about blind footy, how the game works and how people can get involved and play.
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Sam welcomes back ophthalmologist, remote community outreach worker and First Nations health advocate Dr Kris Rallah-Baker to the show this week.
Kris caught up with us last year to have a chat about his role in the first season of Our Medicine on SBS and NITV, now in its second season, following his work in remote communities of Australia delivering healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients who are blind or have low vision.
You'll also hear from Cody Butler and Sean Kendrick, two members of the Brisbane-based band Clear Vision. Clear Vision comprises entirely of members who are blind or have low vision, put together in collaboration between Vision Australia, Brisbane City Council and Dotted Beats as part of the Youth Harmony initiative.
They chat with Sam about Clear Vision and Youth Harmony, as well as a gig in June that the Youth Harmony committee (of which they're both members) are putting together.
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Sam catches up with two regulars on the show this week, starting off with Joanne Cabot whose website, Live Well With Vision Loss, is now available for people to visit to find advice and support for people experiencing vision loss at any stage of life.
You'll also hear from Vision Australia Library manager Sarah Bloedorn, she's back with the latest news about some upcoming events at the library, as well as some information about the new ways people can access their favourite books.
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Sam speaks to Monash University researcher Claire Dorling about her PhD addressing the need for an education-based functional vision assessment for children and young people who are blind or have low vision.
You'll also hear from Santiago Velasquez, he's back with Sam to announce his public transport app Hailo has now launched for passengers who are blind or have low vision to make their way around the Melbourne bus network.
If you'd like to find out more about Hailo, Santiago has set up a page with all the info about Hailo's Melbourne pilot, or if you would like to download the app it's now available on the Apple Store or Google Play.
You can also find more info about Hailo through the Hailo pages on Facebook and Instagram.
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Sam welcomes back comedian Jeremy Moses to the show, Jeremy lives with low vision and mobility issues and discusses his disability along with many other topics in his show Hard to Work With, taking place between 26 March and 5 April as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
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Sam speaks with musician, disability advocate and writer Skye de Vent, who recently attended ten of the events from the recent Midsumma Festival, Melbourne's premier queer arts and culture festival.
They tell us about what worked and what could be improved in their experience as an audience member living with blindness and mobility restrictions.
You'll also hear from Impact Institute's Kathryn Carey, she's back on the show this week to tell us about an upcoming Disability Expo coming to Cranbourne in late March, and Frances is back with an International Women's Day themed Reader Recommended.
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Sam catches up with Kath Duncan who, among many roles over the years including journalist, researcher, actor, director and more, has more recently became playwright of Specials, a play highlighting real stories of life as a student in Australia's special education system.
Specials will be featuring for one week in late March, between 24 and 29 March at Arts House in North Melbourne, and Kath fills us in on all the details about what people can expect and how they can grab a ticket to head along, including an audio description and tactile tour night on March 27.
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We kick off the show this week with Kelly Schulz from Knowable Me, she's here to chat to Sam about a recent report Knowable Me has released, highlighting issues with disability inclusion and accessibility in Australia's top 200 companies.
You'll also hear from Vision Australia manager of corporate affairs and government relations, Chris Edwards, who tells us about a recent trial into ride share schemes for passengers who are blind or have low vision across all other Australian states and territories outside Victoria, who were the first to implement the scheme earlier this decade.
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We have a special appearance from Peter Greco this week, as he catches up with Mac Bollella from the South Australian Electoral Commission.
With the SA state election taking place on 21 March we get the latest details on how voters who are blind or have low vision can cast their votes confidentially and accessibly.
You'll also hear from music therapist Emily Shanahan, Sam catches up with her to get a recap 12 months on from the developments in music therapy after questions over its place in the NDIS, and the efforts over the last year to advocate and continue providing music therapies to clients with disabilities.
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We have a very special guest on the show this week as Sam speaks with new Vision Australia CEO, David Williamson.
David began his tenure as CEO in October of last year, and just past the three month mark Sam caught up with him to discuss his first three months as CEO, what he's gotten involved with so far and what he's looking forward to in 2026.
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This week Sam speaks with University of Southern Queensland PhD student Aasha Rose, whose research explores braille literacy and its link to positive life outcomes for braille users who are blind or have very low vision.
We also hear from editor of For Your Information, Liz Dalakouras, as she joins Sam with the latest issue to kick off February, and Frances is back with a Reader Recommended.
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We pay tribute to Food for Thought host and avid braille book reader Joy Nuske, who sadly passed away over the holiday break.
Frances Keyland caught up with Joy a few years back on Hear This, and you'll hear from Frances and Joy today.
Sam also catches up with Megan Star from Red Feet Wines, a winery in the King Valley in Victoria who will be holding a Taste of the Senses event for wine lovers who are blind or have low vision on 21 February.
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It's a Midsumma special episode of Talking Vision this week as we feature three interviews with Karen Bryant, Dolly Diamond and Justin Clausen.
You'll hear from Vision Australia Radio favourites Tess Herbert and Karan Nagrani as they're joined by Joy 94.9 personalities Little Jase, Adz and CJ to host the 3 hour carnival special broadcast which took place at the Alexandra Gardens on Sunday 18 January.
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We kick off the show this week with Karan Nagrani, who joins the show to talk about his upcoming show From Grindr To Blindr, taking place on 7 February at the Melbourne Pride Centre.
Then after Sam catches up with Karan we feature some news and information, and Frances wraps up the show with a Reader Recommended.
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It's a World Braille Day special episode of Talking Vision as we feature Vision Australia Radio and RPH network veteran Stephen Jolley, who catches up with BBC North America correspondent Gary O'Donoghue.
Gary has been totally blind from a young age, and so throughout his later childhood and adult life braille has played a central role in everything he does.
Tune in to hear more from Gary about braille's role in his life, making inroads as a blind journalist on the world stage, breaking down barriers and covering the latest global news from North America over the past decade for the BBC.
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Welcome to the second half of our two part holiday series on Talking Vision.
This week Sam features conversation from the second half of 2025, including Conrad Browne, Maurice Gleeson, Jo Cabot and Santiago Velasquez.
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Join Sam for the first of our two part holiday series on Talking Vision.
This week you'll hear interviews from the first half of 2025 including Emily Shanahan, Theresa Rockley-Hogan, Elphie Coyle and Ben Harrington.
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Sam speaks to Anne Diez, mother of five-year-old Iko. At age two Iko lost his vision due to leukemia but thanks to Vision Australia he's been able to adapt to play and be as active as ever.
Iko is one of our Carols ambassadors this year, if you'd like to buy a ticket and head along there's still time, simply head to the Carols website.
You'll also hear from Gino who joins us with some gift ideas for that friend or family member who is blind or has low vision, so if you need some last minute Christmas shopping ideas, Gino's got you sorted!
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We kick off the show with a library update from Vision Australia Library manager Sarah Bloedorn, who gives us a sneak preview of what the library has in store for members in 2026.
You'll also hear from singer and songwriter Summer Giddings, who has recently released a single for Christmas entitled Paper Hats and Mistletoe, alongside her new album Christmas with Summer.
Then finally to wrap up we get the latest on the Telelink January interest groups from Telelink programs coordinator Maria Markou, and Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam welcomes back Santiago Velazquez Hurtado, who is one of six ambassadors for this year's International Day of People with Disability. He talks about his role, the day itself and what days like this can do to raise awareness and provoke positive change for people with disabilities.
You'll also hear from Liz Dalakouras as she gives a final run down of For Your Information for 2025, and we finish up with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam speaks to Kathryn Carey from Impact Institute about their recent Melbourne Disability Expo which wrapped up on Saturday 22 November, as well as the other work Impact is doing in the disability space.
You'll also hear from Moonee Valley City Council's Kelly Armstrong, she tells us about an upcoming event in Flemington to mark the lead up to International Day of People with Disability on December 3.
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This week we celebrate the nine Vision Australia Award winners who received their awards at the recent Vision Australia Annual General Meeting on October 31.
You'll hear from all in attendance at the awards with introductions from master of ceremonies Ian Finlayson and chair Bill Jolley.
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Sam catches up with Vision Australia's manager of radio and audio services, Conrad Browne, about the recent CBAA conference in Hobart and the awards night where Vision Australia Radio picked up three awards, and Peter Greco was added to the community radio honour roll for his three decades of service to the sector.
You'll also hear from Sara McDonald and Belinda Marcon who join us to chat about the Melbourne Airport Assist program, designed to help passengers with disabilities find their way around the land side of the airport, including check in and baggage claim.
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Sam speaks to CEO of Bus Stop Films, Tracey Corbin-Matchett about an upcoming disability employment summit that Bus Stop Films has been involved in running, now is its second year.
The summit is called Driving Change, taking place over three days on 25-27 November both in Bondi and online, for members of the screen industry and creatives with lived experience of disability including but not limited to deafness, neurodivergence or mobility needs.
We also finish up with a bit of news and information, and Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam speaks with Associate Professor Tien Huynh from RMIT about her team's research into a new medication using natural proteins to tackle retina-based vision conditions such as macular degeneration.
You'll also hear from 2025 Blind Australian of the Year Maurice Gleeson, who recently picked up the award for his decades of service to the blind and low vision community in the field of sport and recreation.
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This week we celebrate the 2025 Blind Australian of the Year Awards with a range of interviews and speeches featuring Vision Australia Radio's own Jason Gipps, and Blind Australian of the Year MC Karan Nagrani.
Jason and Karan take you through the night featuring conversations with Reggie Bird, Tash from Braille and Tactile Signs Australia, award winner announcements and more.
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Talking Vision turns 800! To celebrate Sam takes us on a trip back over the years to feature some of his favourite conversations with people from the blind and low vision community who have made an impact on the world in their own way.
We also hear from Wayne Speers from Yarra Trams to tell us about the upcoming Try Before you Ride event at Southern Cross on 16 October.
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Lots of action on the show this week as we kick off with a Vision Australia library update from community engagement officer Maureen O'Reilly, who fills us in on some events coming up in the library over the next two months.
Then you'll hear from Kayla Everingham from our Vision Store in Queensland, she's heading along to the Community Inclusion Expo on Saturday October 11 in Brisbane with her team plus Vision Australia Radio's own Jason Gipps.
The fun doesn't stop there as B4 tennis player Sarah Pollard joins the show to tell us about an upcoming blind and low vision tennis come and try day in Geelong on Sunday October 12, and Liz joins us for the latest updates from Vision Australia's bi-weekly newsletter For Your Information, or FYI.
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Sam speaks to Myra Woodley from Vision Australia and Mikaela Day from Kay and Burton about the upcoming Santa Fun Run, taking place on 22 November at the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne. You can find out more about the Santa Fun Run and grab you early bird tickets by heading to the Santa Fun Run website.
You'll also hear from blind and low vision indoor skydiver Tom Kennedy, he catches up with Sam to chat about his first indoor skydiving competition, meeting with fellow indoor skydiver Jo Cabot and much more.
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This week we hear from Vision Australia Radio Geelong volunteer Jo Smith, who catches up with Vision Australia access technology specialist Kent Walsdorf. Kent shares a series of tips and tricks for screen reader users to avoid email scams, and stay cyber secure.
You'll also hear from Vision Australia radio and audio manager Conrad Browne, Sam catches up with him to chat about the record nine nominations Vision Australia Radio has received this year for the upcoming Community Broadcasting Association of Australia awards, taking place in Hobart in late October.
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Sam speaks with Joanne Cabot, who recently returned from competing in the blind and low vision category of iFly, an indoor skydiving competition for participants of all abilities.
She talks to us about this as well as her Dinner in the Dark events, trying her hand at surfing, but most importantly raising awareness and encouraging more people from the blind or low vision community to come and try indoor skydiving.
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Comedian with low vision Jeremy Moses is back on the show this week to share the latest news about his new show, Hard to Work With.
You'll also hear from another Talking Vision favourite as Kelly Schulz from Knowable Me chats with Sam about some research they're conducting about accessibility in the job seeking process, and Frances joins us with a Father's Day-themed Reader Recommended.
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We feature the final segment with Ian Bailey this week, as Sam hears from him about his work at UC Berkeley from immediately before and after the turn of the millennium.
You'll also hear from Vision Australia lead policy advisor Bruce Maguire, who tells us about a new survey Vision Australia is running to hear input from home appliance users who are blind or have low vision
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You'll hear from Ian Bailey again as Sam speaks with him about his work at Berkeley in the 1980s.
Then later in the program Leslie Heagney from Braille House joins the show to tell us about the Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition, now available for submissions until 18 September, and Frances Keyland wraps up the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Dr Erica Tandori and Dr Stu Favilla join Sam on the show this week to speak about their upcoming exhibition on X-ray crystallography during National Science Week, featuring tactile and braille interfaces as well as a soundscape.
You'll also hear from Liz who's back to tell us about the latest issue of For Your Information hitting inboxes this week.
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Monash PhD student William Chen is back on the program with Sam this week discussing his new research, including a study into how people in the blind and low vision community plan their journey and navigate their surroundings with technology, and the role that AI does or doesn't play in the process.
We also hear from Melanie Lane, choreographer of PHANTASM, a new dance work taking place at Chunky Move Studios in Melbourne from 7-16 August, with a tactile tour and audio described show on the final night. Melanie is joined by Kristina Arnott from Chunky Move to tell us all about PHANTASM and Chunky Move's work in the accessibility space.
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Sam is joined by Adam Demirtel from Holstep Health alongside Debbie Loke and Megan Kohlhagen from Vision Australia to discuss Carer Gateway, an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.
We also feature another piece in conversation with optometrist and low vision specialist Ian Bailey, this time covering his early years of research and lecturing in low vision at UC Berkeley.
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Sam speaks to CEO and co-founder of Split Atom Labs, Aaron Vernon, whose game studio is the developer of accessible mobile game Land of Livia, currently available on all Apple devices for gamers who are blind or have low vision.
We also feature part three of Sam's interview with Ian Bailey, covering his time between teaching and research positions at University of Melbourne and UC Berkeley.
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This week features part two of Sam's conversation with optometrist, researcher and low vision pioneer Ian Bailey, featuring stories around his postgraduate studies in Indiana, returning to the school of optometry in Melbourne and starting up the low vision clinic at the Association for the Blind in Kooyong.
After we hear from Ian, Vision Australia volunteer partnerships coordinator Jordan Ashby is on the show to tell us about a four part winter webinar series taking place every Monday this month through Telelink.
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This week Sam speaks with Ian Bailey, optometrist lecturer and low vision pioneer still currently working in the school of optometry at University of California in Berkeley.
You'll hear part one of their conversation this week from Ian's early life up until leaving London for postgraduate studies in Indiana.
Then later on in the show, Liz joins us for the latest updates from Vision Australia's fortnightly newsletter For Your Information, or FYI.
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Sam speaks to Intopia digital accessibility consultant Andrew Arch about a new series of guidelines Intopia have been working on together with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Then after we hear from Andrew, Sam speaks to optometrist Greeshma Patel from Specsavers about some new findings around presbyopia, an eye condition affecting many Australians over 40.
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Sam is joined by David Davenport, accessible formats production manager at Blind Vision NZ, who visited Australia recently to take part in a round table conference with a special interest in print disability and accessible printing for clients in New Zealand.
You'll also hear from Dr Jenny Crosbie, interim director of the Centre for Inclusive Employment, run through Swinburne University to drive better outcomes for employees and job seekers with disabilities in Australia.
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Sam speaks with Vision Australia national employment manager Vildana Praljak as part of season 2 of the Career Path podcast, where she speaks about ways we can bust some common employment myths faced by people who are blind or low vision.
You'll also hear from Umberine Williams, business development manager from the allied health department of Personnel Group, who are running a pair of information sessions in Perth and Wollongong around services available to people with disabilities in their local community.
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Sam speaks to Kris Rallah-Baker, Australia's first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ophthalmologist based on the Sunshine Coast, who has also done work with the Deadly Vision Clinic in Darwin as well as clinical community outreach in remote communities of the Northern Territory.
He is part of a new series on SBS and NITV called Our Medicine, which follows the stories of First Nations medical professionals and patients as they navigate the Australian medical system, and the challenges and achievements that come with that.
After we hear from Kris, Liz is back on the show with the latest news from For Your Information, and Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam is joined by Jeanna Manifold and Kate Gooden from Amazon's Alexa department to give us some updates on what Amazon is up to in the accessibility space with regards to their Alexa speakers, and what they got up to at the recent Round Table Conference covering topics related to blindness, low vision and print disability.
You'll also hear from small business owner and university student Sammy McCombe, who took part in season 2 of The Career Path, our podcast series tackling a bunch of situations faced by employees who are blind or have low vision.
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Sam catches up this week with Jonathan Craig from Vision 2020 and Brandon Ah Tong from Fred Hollows Foundation, who have both recently returned from the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness' conference in Nepal.
Among other things Brandon speaks about his new role as the chair of the IAPB's West Pacific region, and Jonathan speaks about his first IAPB conference, as they put things in place for a Global Eye Health Summit in 2026 or 2027.
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Sam speaks to Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner Dan Stubbs about a campaign the VDWC is currently running to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are upheld, and inform them of what they or those around them can do if they have a concern.
You'll also hear from writer, producer and actor Tsu Shan Chambers, who caught up with Sam to talk about her new movie, My Eyes, releasing on 28 May. You can find out more about the movie and book a ticket by heading to their web page.
Finally this week, editor of For Your Information Liz Dalakouras is back with all the latest news from the world of FYI.
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Sam speaks with Cr Anthony Aitken, access and inclusion committee chair from the City of Greater Geelong, about the council's call for community feedback to make parks, streets and public spaces safer and more accessible for residents with disabilities.
You'll also hear from CEO of Assistive Technology Services Australia, Serena Ovens. She's here to tell us about a pair of expos ATSA will be running in the next couple of weeks in Perth and Melbourne.
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It's a bit of an election special on Talking Vision as Peter Greco catches up with Rex Patrick, a senate candidate in South Australia campaigning as part of the Jacqui Lambie Network.
You'll also hear from Powerd Media's Emma Myers, who hosted a panel discussion with four advocates from the disability sector, and last but not least Sam catches up with Sam Barrett from Melbourne City Mission to talk about their upcoming fundraiser, Sleep at the G, taking place at the MCG on May 15.
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This week Sam speaks with Maureen O'Reilly from the Vision Australia Library about some events the library will be hosting in conjunction with Melbourne Writers Festival on the evening of May 9.
You'll also hear from CEO of Blind Citizens Australia Deb Deshayes, who joins the show to tell us about the upcoming BCA conference in June, and some of the initiatives BCA will be offering members in the coming weeks and months.
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Sam catches up with Elphie Coyle, founder and creative director of Lightmare Games, a games studio and digital training organisation with a focus on disability. This week Elphie tells us about a new initiative, Vibe Coding, which will be launching in the coming weeks.
Then later in the show we share some Easter news and information, and Frances wraps things up with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam speaks with Alex Morris from the Australian Electoral Commission, here to tell us about a range of accessibility measures available to voters who are blind or have low vision casting their votes at the Australian federal election on May 3.
We also feature some news and information, and Frances joins the show for a Reader Recommended.
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Sam is joined by Vision Australia Radio's Jason Gipps to chat about 100K Your Way, a fitness challenge taking place over the month of April to raise vital funds for Vision Australia Radio, you can join the challenge or donate here.
You'll also hear from Liz Dalakouras, editor of For Your Information, she's here to tell us about what's in store for readers in the latest issue of FYI.
Then to wrap up the show, we hear a small clip from the upcoming Career Path podcast with Fiona Herron from Commonwealth Bank, talking to Sam about disclosing your vision condition at work and dealing with questions around blindness and low vision.
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Sam speaks to Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby, senior lecturer in linguistics at Monash University, about tactile Auslan and a series of workshops run by Monash through a short course for practitioners of Auslan looking to better serve the needs of the deafblind community.
We also hear from Powerd Media's Emma Myers, who catches up with CEO of Children and Young People with Disability, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, to give her thoughts on what she hopes to see in this week's federal budget regarding measures to benefit Australians with disabilities.
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Sam speaks to comedian and slam poet Jeremy Moses, who returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2025 with his show 157 Years of Bad Slam Poetry.
Naturally it features his poems but also a light hearted discussion around serious topics in his life related to his disability, experiencing vision loss, and advocating for yourself when life throws its share of challenges in your way.
You'll also hear a small clip from our upcoming podcast The Career Path, this week featuring Professor Nick Titov, executive director at Mind Spot, here to talk to us about self care and mindfulness for members of the workforce who are blind or have low vision.
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Sam speaks to Camuran Albanoi, adult community mental health team leader at Goulburn Valley Health and organiser of a Harmony Day event on March 21.
They'll discuss mental health in Australia, and how to better involve and include voices from the wider community including people with disabilities.
Then later in the show we hear from Liz Dalakouras the editor of FYI, and Frances is back with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam speaks to Fraser Coast blindness and low vision advocate and fundraising superwoman Joanne Cabot who has, among other things, recently set up the Fraser Coast Blindness and Low Vision Hardship Fund, hosted a screening of the Blind Sea alongside a mini disability expo in the region.
Then later in the show, we hear from Paralympian and Vision Australia ambassador Jess Gallagher, who's here to tell us all about the upcoming annual 100K Your Way challenge taking place across the month of April to raise vital funds for Vision Australia's services to the blind and low vision community.
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Sam catches up with Vision 2020 policy and advocacy manager Jonathan Craig to speak about the body's priorities for an incoming federal government following this year's election, regarding the health and wellbeing of the blind and low vision community.
We also hear a sneak peek of an interview from an upcoming podcast, this week featuring blindness and low vision advocate and influencer Karan Nagrani, who talks about impostor syndrome and managing expectations at work as an employee who is blind or has low vision.
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This week there's a few things happening around Vision Australia as the Vision Australia Graduate Program is now open for applications until March 31, Sam speaks to equity and inclusion advisor Rachael Ramsdale to find out more.
Then we hear from Vision Australia Library manager Sarah Bloedorn, who's back with us to chat about some upcoming events at the library plus some new releases members can look forward to.
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It's World Radio Day this week on February 13 and to celebrate Sam is catching up with a couple of guests to speak about this year's theme, Radio and Climate Change: A Powerful Tool for Climate Action.
Kicking off the show we hear from ABC radio emergency broadcast lead Theresa Rockley-Hogan, who speaks about why radio is so important to keep people informed about their environment and how they keep their messaging accessible.
You'll also hear from Vision Australia lead policy advisor Bruce Maguire, who tells us about the latest research Vision Australia has been doing to inform the wider public and decision makers about the impact climate change has had and continues to have on the lives of people who are blind or have low vision.
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This week Sam speaks to Port Campbell resident Brendan Hyland, member of the Port Campbell Accessible Beaches Project providing equipment and accessible pathways to and from Port Campbell Beach for people with disabilities.
After our chat with Brendan, you'll hear from Joseph Friedman who catches up with Sam to speak about his involvement with Inside Voice, a new reading program on Vision Australia Radio featuring content by and for incarcerated persons in Australia.
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This week we highlight All Abilities Day at the Australian Open which took place on 21 January at Melbourne Park, featuring world #1s Grace Hobbs and Ross Patterson, who caught up with Sam to chat about their experiences.
Then after Grace and Ross we hear from Liz Dalakouras, the editor of Vision Australia's fortnightly newsletter For Your Information (FYI), and Frances joins the show for a Reader Recommended.
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It's a Midsumma special episode of Talking Vision as we feature two interviews from the live outside broadcast which took place as part of Midsumma Carnival Day on 19 January at the Alexandra Gardens.
You'll hear from Sam Colley and Karan Nagrani as they interview trans disabled theatre all rounder Oliver Ayres, then later on Conrad Browne and Tess Herbert catch up with Anastasia Lee, board member at the Victorian Pride Centre.
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Sam catches up with Ben Harrington from Travellers' Aid, offering accessibility and mobility services for passengers with disabilities at major stations but also events such as the Australian Open.
And speaking of the Open, Action Audio is back for the 5th year in a row to provide an auditory companion for tennis fans who are blind or have low vision, Sam chats with Tennis Australia's Gerard Mason all about it to find out more.
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Sam speaks with music therapist Emily Shanahan following the recent developments around NDIS funding for music and art therapies, and the positive impact it has had and continues to have for people of all ages with disabilities such as blindness or low vision.
Then after we hear from Emily, Maureen from the library is back on the show with a preview of all the exciting things going on in the library for 2025, and Frances wraps up the program with a Reader Recommended.
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We celebrate World Braille Day on the show this week, with an extra special anniversary in 2025 as this year marks the 200th birthday of braille since Louis Braille innovated the writing system in 1825.
Sam kicks off the show speaking to Tristan Clare, chair of the Australian Braille Authority as well as publications officer at Next Sense to talk about why braille plays such a vital role for people who are blind or have very low vision.
Later in the program you'll also hear from braille music specialist Jordie Howell, she gives us a rundown of braille music including a chat about the annual braille music camp in Mittagong for young braille musicians around Australia.
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This week we feature the best of Talking Vision in 2024, with some of Sam's favourite interviews from the year as you sit back on Christmas Day for a holiday special episode of Talking Vision.
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Sam speaks with Associate Professor Matthew Butler from Monash University's Faculty of Information Technology and president of Round Table, Sonali Marathe, who tell us about a new series of 3D printing guidelines for educational materials designed to be tactile and accessible to students who are blind or have low vision.
We also catch up with editor of For Your Information, Liz Dalakouras, to get an update on the final issue of FYI for 2024, and Frances is back with a Reader Recommended.
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This week Sam speaks with Dale Pierce and Sharon Taylor, two participants heading along to take part in the Vision Australia Trek for Vision.
The trek takes place over five days from April 29 to May 3 2025 on the Abel Tasman track on the South Island of New Zealand, to raise vital funds for Vision Australia client services such as the quality living groups helping people navigate life with vision loss.
To donate to Dale and Sharon's trek you can visit this link to Dale's fundraising page or this link to Sharon's fundraising page
If you would like to join Dale and Sharon or find out more about Trek for Vision you can visit visionaustralia.org/trekforvision
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Sam is joined by Janene Sadhu and Michael Janes, who both took up the option of live audio description at the 2023 Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight. They tell us about their experiences at the Bowl with AD, in the lead up to this year's Carols on Christmas Eve simulcast on Vision Australia Radio.
You'll also hear from Keith McVilly, a member of the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria, who have partnered with the Victorian Disability Worker Commission to conduct a public consultation on disability registration standards, open until 13 December.
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This week we hear from social worker and youth mentor Ian Clements, who after experiencing vision loss as a young adult overcame the various challenges that came with that to work as part of the Top Blokes Foundation in the Hunter Valley region.
Then later on in the show we feature some news and information about the upcoming International Day of People with Disability on Tuesday December 3, and Frances joins the show for a Reader Recommended.
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Hear from Jason Gipps as he catches up with guest curator of Geelong Design Week, Dr Tonya Meyrick, to chat about how they are making design accessible for members of the public who are blind or have low vision.
Later in the show it's award season as we recap the 2024 Vision Australia awards with Vision Australia acting CEO Justine Heath, who presented the awards at the recent Vision Australia Annual General Meeting on 31 October, and finally this week Marie is back with Penny Holmes-Brown from APM, winner of the Employer of Choice Award at the Blind Australian of the Year Awards.
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Sam caught up a while back with blind endurance runner, motivational speaker and all around thrill seeker Ben Pettingill, whose aim for 2024 is to run 3,249km for mental health in a project he calls 3249 Blind.
You'll also hear from Liz who's back to tell us about the latest issue of For Your Information, and we hear from Blind Australian of the Year Award winner Courtney Webeck who spoke with Marie from Vision Australia in Brisbane following her award win.
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This week on the show Sam speaks with father and son Peter and Rohan Rickards, alongside Kathy Leitch from Vision Australia.
Peter and Rohan are the inventors of Sensaball, a multi-directional cane tip designed to give greater feedback and less friction and vibration for white cane users.
Then after you hear from Peter Rohan and Kathy, Karan Nagrani is back on the show after catching up with Brisbane volunteer Marie for an interview at the Blind Australian of the Year Awards in Brisbane late last month.
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Sam is joined by Corene Strauss and Brooke Carter from the Australian Disability Network, who are here to tell us all about the PACE mentoring program for job seekers with disabilities, as well as their upcoming It's Not Hard to be Inclusive campaign running in the lead up to International Day of People with Disability on 3 December.
Then later in the show Sarah from the library is back to tell us all about the latest updates to the Vision Australia library, and we finish up with some news and information.
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Sam is joined by Samara Cunningham, artistic director of South Gippsland-based theatre company (It's no) drama who are hosting a production in November.
Very shortly they will also be running a training session to help locals make the performing arts more accessible for performers and staff in the region who are blind or have low vision.
Then later in the show Sam catches up with Harzita Hashim from the Children and Young People team at Vision Australia, as well as a very special guest from the North Pole, in the lead up to the Santa Fun Run taking place over two weeks in late November to raise vital funds for children who are blind or have low vision.
Finally to wrap up, we finish with some news and information and Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam welcomes back Karan Nagrani to Talking Vision this week in the lead up to the Blind Australian of the Year Awards held on 26 October in Brisbane, where Karan will be the MC.
Then we hear from Vanessa Papastavros who's here to tell us about the latest news from Speak My Language, a series of national audio and video podcasts featuring stories, advice and lived experiences of cultural and linguistically diverse Australians with disabilities.
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World Sight Day is coming up on October 10 and to celebrate this week on Talking Vision Sam catches up with paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Stephen Hing from the Retina and Eye Clinic in Sydney.
Stephen joined Sam to speak about this year's themes for World Sight Day: the importance of eye care in young people and inspiring children everywhere to love their eyes.
Later in the show you'll also hear from Maureen O'Reilly from the Vision Australia library, who's here to tell us about an upcoming event on November 6 covering the latest reading tools and accessible technology, and finally Liz joins the show to give us an update on the latest news from For Your Information (FYI).
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October is a busy month in the world of performing arts with Arts Centre Melbourne's disability led arts initiative, Alter State, kicking off from October 2 to 13. Sam speaks with access consultant Sarah Houbolt and CEO of Vitae Veritas Nilgun Guven all about what people can expect if they head along.
Then later in the show, The Other Film Festival is shortly upon us running from October 3 to 16, you'll hear from artistic director Fiona Tuomy as she fills Sam in on this year's festival, and what Arts Access Festival has planned to celebrate TOFF's 20th birthday.
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Sam is away this week but you'll hear from Jason Gipps who caught up with a group of graduates from the Career Visions program.
Career Visions is a Queensland based program run in partnership between Vision Australia and the Queensland government to give job seekers who are blind or have low vision important skills for their chosen careers, and gain the confidence to jump back into the workforce.
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Sam catches up on the show this week with comedian Jeremy Moses, who lives with a rare vision condition which has resulted in him being legally blind from birth.
In the past year Jeremy has taken to the stage to share his lived experience of disability, and he will be taking his talents to the Fringe Festivals in Sydney and Melbourne over the coming weeks.
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Sam is joined by Ross Joyce from the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) to discuss the news of federal NDIS minister Bill Shorten's retirement from politics in early 2025.
Then we hear from the National Gallery of Australia's Adriane Boag, who joins the show to tell us more about the monthly Art by Description series taking place every second Friday.
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Sam speaks this week with event manager of Ability Fest, Ashleigh O'Gara from Untitled Group.
Ability Fest will be kicking off over the month of October in both Melbourne and Brisbane, highlighting the talents of musicians with disabilities and ensuring an accessible and inclusive experience for the audience.
Then later on in the show we hear from Liz Dalakouras, the manager of For Your Information, and Frances wraps up the program with a Reader Recommended.
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As we approach the first day of the Paralympics on August 29 Australian time, Sam is joined by co-host of Studio 1 and four time Paralympian Sam Rickard, to give us a preview of the games and what he and Lizzie have in store for listeners over the next couple of weeks.
Then later in the show we hear from Belinda Wilson from Vision Australia to tell us about the range of programs available to children and young people now and in 2025, including the LEAP program for young people aged 14 to 18.
Finally this week, Frances drops in for a Reader Recommended, and we finish with some news and information.
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Sam speaks to deputy CEO of People With Disabilities Australia, Megan Spindler-Smith, about the government's recent response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
Then later on in the show, Vision Australia library manager Sarah Bloedorn catches up with Sam to tell us about the latest events and new releases available for library members over the next few weeks.
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Sam catches up with Kelly Schulz, founder and managing director of Knowable Me, an organisation providing market research services and key insights into needs and preferences of people with disabilities.
We also hear from Vision Australia Radio's Jason Gipps, he's here to tell us about some exciting new shows for people to look forward to, and invites all in the Bendigo region to come visit the studios at 20 Bridge St this Friday 18 August for the Vision Australia Radio Bendigo Open Day.
Finally this week, Frances joins the show for a Reader Recommended, and we wrap up with some news and information.
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We take a trip around regional Victoria on the show this week as Bruce Lees catches up with Graeme Knight, they're both members of the Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club (BAREC) which are holding a Radiofest on August 18.
Then we head over to Geelong as Sam speaks with Eddy Kontelj from Achilles Geelong, a new chapter of Achilles Australia which is launching on the Bellarine Peninsula with their first run at the Geelong Botanical Gardens on September 8.
And finally this week, we wrap up with the latest from Liz Dalakouras, the editor of For Your Information (FYI).
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Sam is joined by Daniel Fenech, the director of independent documentary The Blind Sea which follows the life of paralympian and blind surfer Matt Formston as he rides the world's biggest waves.
The Blind Sea is out in cinemas from August 15 to 18, and 50% of proceeds from ticket sales go towards Vision Australia.
Then later on in the show, there's some big news to share as Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton is stepping down after 11 and a half years as CEO.
Ron will be finishing up on 2 August, but before then he caught up with Sam this week to say goodbye to our listeners.
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Tanya Thomas from the Frankston and District Basketball Association is on the show this week to tell us about their blind and low vision basketball program, taking place every Tuesday morning at the Frankston Basketball Centre.
You'll also hear from Maureen O'Reilly from the Vision Australia Library, who's here to tell us about a couple of events over the next few weeks for children to enjoy.
Finally this week, Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended and we wrap up with some news and information.
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Sam is joined by Dr Brian Ang, an ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist who is campaigning for proactive glaucoma care, a series of strategies to lower the risk factors and prevent the onset of glaucoma.
You'll also hear from Peter Greco later in the show, he catches up with Andrea Summerell from the NSW electoral commission, and the ways in which voters who are blind or have low vision can cast their votes safely and accessibly in upcoming the local government elections.
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This week on Talking Vision Sam speaks with Ben Dew from Tennis Australia about the upcoming Blind and Low Vision Tennis Championships on July 19.
Then later in the show Sarah from the Library is back to tell us about some upcoming events for people to look forward to, and we mark NAIDOC Week with some first nations reads featuring first nations histories and experiences.
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Sam speaks with CEO of Ageing with Grace, Esis Tawfik, about the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme and the ways it can foster connections and long lasting friendships for older Australians experiencing vision loss.
You'll also hear from Verity Hunt-Ballard from Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, who have collaborated with Amazon to launch Story Sauce, an audio-based story platform for primary aged kids to inspire them to tell their own story.
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Coming up over the month of July, Arts Access Victoria are celebrating on a couple of fronts with the organisation turning 50, but also celebrating Disability Pride Month. Sam caught up with CEO Caroline Bowditch to find out more.
We also hear from editor of For Your Information, Liz Dalakouras, about the latest edition of FYI and what people can expect in the most recent issue, then Frances is back with a Reader Recommended and we finish up with some news and information.
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We say farewell this week but certainly not goodbye forever to Stella Glorie as she finishes up at Vision Australia after 15 years.
Sam caught up with her to look back over the 15 years, and share her favourite moments and interviews from her time both on and off air.
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Sam is joined this week by Narelle Gatti, a passionate digital access advocate with lived experience of vision loss.
Narelle speaks about how she managed life with her family after the change, her work and podcast addressing accessibility needs, and appearing on Vision Australia Radio program Kintsugi Heroes.
Then after we hear from Narelle, Associate Professor Matthew Butler is back on the program to tell us about a new PhD scholarship opportunity at the Monash Assistive Technology Society centre.
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The Disrupting Sighted Ableism series is holding its third and final session at the Arts Centre in Melbourne on June 25, and we're joined by Lauren Hayes and Micaela Schmidt to tell us about the panel discussion they'll be running on the day.
Then later in the show, Bill Jolley celebrated six months in his role as chair of the Vision Australia board, and he joined Sam this week to have a look back over the past six months and what he's looking forward to in the rest of 2024 and beyond.
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This week we pay tribute to braille music pioneer Dorothy Hamilton OAM, who sadly passed away recently at the age of 97.
Dorothy appeared several times over the years on Talking Vision, and today you'll hear from three different people who caught up with her for an interview.
We begin with Glen Morrow, producer and presenter of Meet Dorothy Hamilton, a half hour documentary which originally aired on Talking Vision in September 2015.
You'll also hear from Stella as she speaks with Dorothy for World Braille Day in 2018.
Then finally this week Tess Herbert, a former student of Dorothy's at the annual braille music camp in Mittagong, caught up with her to celebrate her lifetime achievement award from Vision Australia, received at the 2021 Vision Australia Annual General Meeting.
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Coming up on 8 June the Vision Australia Open Day is taking place at the Coorparoo office in Brisbane. Hear from Courtney McKee, Anish Chamoli, Mel Bligh and Donna Dyson as they catch up with Sam to speak about the day.
Then later in the show, we celebrate National Volunteer Week as Sam is joined by Barry Leviny, long time volunteer for Vision Australia including his role as co-host of The Uncertainty Principle on Vision Australia Radio for the past 14 years.
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It's Global Accessibility Awareness Day on Thursday May 16, and to celebrate Sam catches up with two guests with a deep involvement in the accessibility sector.
Kicking off the show this week you'll hear from Dr Scott Hollier, the founder and CEO of the Centre for Accessibility Australia, who is here to speak about artificial intelligence and its benefits and drawbacks for the sector.
Then later in the show Polly Goodwin makes her return to Talking Vision to tell us all about her collaboration with Dr Xiaochun Zhang from University College London, AD4Games, which they recently presented at a workshop in Japan.
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Sam is joined this week by three participants in the Career Visions program, Sarah McKaskill, Serena O'Brien and Michael Backstrom, alongside program coordinator Harmonie Downes. They speak about their experiences in the program and how it can help Brisbane-based job seekers who are blind or have low vision.
Then later on this week we hear from Blind Citizens Australia CEO Deb Deshayes, who has recently reached six months in the role. Sam caught up with her to take a look back over some of the highlights from the first six months.
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Kicking off the show this week Sam catches up with Vision Australia marketing lead Chris Edkins. Chris is one of the minds behind the Pupil Project, a series of five videos highlighting the everyday experiences of people with low vision.
Then after we hear from Chris, Sam is joined by Australian Disability Network CEO Corene Strauss. Corene is here to tell us about the upcoming ADN awards night and Impact Conference, taking place over 8 and 9 May in Melbourne.
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Coming up on May 9 the Department of Transport and Planning is holding a Try Before You Ride event at Southern Cross station in Melourne, and Sam caught up with customer relations and disability advocate Fiona Demark to find out all about it.
Later on the show this week we celebrate International Guide Dog Day on Wednesday April 24 as Sam speaks with Harriet Moffat, Seeing Eye Dogs community engagement coordinator and host of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show on Vision Australia Radio.
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The Reading Writing Hotline recently turned 30 and to celebrate Sam is joined by the manager of the Hotline, Vanessa Iles.
Vanessa tells us all about the work the Hotline has been doing over the past 30 years, and the ways in which they have helped members of the blind and low vision community to access the literacy and numeracy resources they need.
Then later in the show, Sam speaks to artistic director of the Melbourne Writers' Festival, Michaela McGuire.
Michaela tells us all about the upcoming festival taking place between 6 and 12 May, including a double header taking place at Vision Australia in Kooyong on the evening of Friday May 10.
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We head over to Adelaide this week to speak with Sam Rickard and Lizzie Eastham from Studio 1 on Vision Australia Radio Adelaide, as they tell us all about how they're going on their 100K Your Way challenge over the month of April.
Later in the show Frances is back with a Reader Recommended, and we finish up with some news and information.
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Sam is joined by Vision Australia Radio Perth volunteer Kate Leaversuch, who is taking part in the 100K Your Way challenge over the month of April to raise funds for Vision Australia Radio.
Then later on this week Stella catches up with Telelink coordinator Maria Markou who gives us some updates on the latest things happening in the world of Telelink, including some new language groups and volunteer opportunities.
Finally on the show Frances is back with a Reader Recommended, and we wrap up with a bit of news and information.
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Sam is joined by William Chen, developer of the Theia mobile healthcare app which brings Covid RAT tests to users who are blind or have low vision, in a way they can access the information and results they need in a way that's safe, private and independent.
We'll also hear from Steph from the Comms team to give us the latest news and events happening that Vision Australia is involved with around the country right now and into the month of April.
Then finally this week we finish up with a bit of news and information about some upcoming events taking place at the Vision Australia Library as part of the Melbourne Writer's Festival in May.
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This week features the second of our interviews with paraclimbers heading to the IFSC World Cups starting in May in Salt Lake City. Sam catches up with Jason Whiter, a climber with very low vision in his right eye who joined the show alongside his coach and sighted guide Ben Dalby.
Later on in the program, Leeanne from the Library is back to tell us about some upcoming events in the Vision Australia Library, and we take a look back over the most popular reads of 2023.
Finally this week the 100k Your Way fundraising campaign is ramping up, Sam speaks to Vision Australia Radio's Jason Gipps to tell us all about the campaign and how people can get involved to raise vital funds for Vision Australia over the month of April.
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Sam speaks to Sarah Larcombe from the Australian Paraclimbing team, as part of a two part series featuring paraclimbers from the team before they head to the IFSC Paraclimbing World Cups in Salt Lake City in May.
We also hear from Vision Australia's business lead for home care packages, Meghan Hird, as Stella catches up with her to find out all about the home care packages Vision Australia can offer for older Australians who are blind or have low vision.
And finally this week, to mark World Glaucoma Week taking place from 10 to 16 March, we feature Sam's interview with ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist Dr Nathan Kerr, who provides an update on the prevention and treatment of glaucoma.
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Sam is joined by Antony Rako, a singer with very low vision who also writes, produces, mixes and promotes his own songs by himself under the name Tony Lowkey.
After we hear from Antony, Vision Australia manager of audio description services Michael Ward is back on the show to tell us all about the latest audio described offerings.
Then to wrap up this week Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended, and we finish with some news and information.
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The Trek for Vision is under way in just over a week's time and heading over to New Zealand for the week is Vision Australia Parramatta's Karen Pritchard, who is out to prove that blindness or low vision is no obstacle to tackling hiking trails in Australia or around the world.
We also head back to Perth to chat with Kerry Fasolo and Sandra Martin, volunteers on The Digest, a show broadcasting from Vision Australia Perth across the network which has recently changed things up a bit, and is always looking for more people to put their hand up and get involved.
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The Variety Braille Music Camp is coming up in April, and to tell us more about it Sam is joined by camp organiser Lee Strickland whose business, Dotted Beats, has partnered with Variety in Queensland to help bring the camp to life.
You'll also hear from the Happy Pants team in Perth, they're seeking new volunteers for people to get involved with the show so if you're interested feel free to get in touch today.
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First proclaimed by UNESCO in 2011, World Radio Day takes place on 13 February every year to shine a spotlight on radio as a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity.
In this spirit this week we hear from three people with a love for radio: Kath Letch from Australia, Camuran Albanoi from Albania and Jambay Tshering from Bhutan.
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World Radio Day is just around the corner on 13 February, and we have another voice from the sector this week as Sam catches up with Chris Corcoran from Reading Radio in Brisbane.
Later in the show, you'll hear from Sam Foulkes joining the show all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio. Sam is head of braille production at Clovernook, an organisation which is hosting the Ohio Braille Challenge in a couple of weeks time.
And finally this week, Santiago Velasquez is back to tell us about Hailo, a new app set to roll out for bus passengers who are blind or have low vision to help them get around their network much more easily and reliably.
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Sam is joined by Madhuka de Silva, whose PhD research at Monash University is looking into the ways that assistive technology can make dance more accessible and inclusive for people who are blind or have low vision.
We also hear from employment consultant Harmonie Downes who tells us about Career Visions, a five month traineeship program run in partnership with the QLD government, and Steph from the media team joins the show to give us a wrap up of the big things going on at Vision Australia over the holiday break.
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It's a special Midsumma Festival edition of Talking Vision this week as we share a highlight package of the interviews from Carnival Day on Sunday 21 January.
We start off with Sam and Tess speaking with Karan Nagrani, blindness and low vision ambassador for Midsumma.
Later on in the show Sam and Tess are back again with Nilgun Guven from Vitae Vertias who joined them to speak about the latest audio description services available for the festival.
And finally to wrap up, Sam and Yvette catch up with Lena Molnar from Women with Disabilities Victoria, who are committed to providing a more safe and inclusive state for women with a disability.
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First up this week Sam speaks with chair of the Vision Australia Radio committee in Shepparton, Peter Simpson. Peter was involved in the early days of Vision Australia Radio in the 80s, but returned to volunteer six years ago after moving to Shepparton.
After you hear from Peter, Jason Gipps is on the program to tell us about a special broadcast taking place live at the opening day of Midsumma on January 21 between 10am and 1pm.
And finally on the program this week, Sam from the shop is back to tell us about the latest from the Vision Store, and we wrap up with some news and information.
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Sam speaks with Lizzie Eastham, new permanent co-host of Studio 1 with Sam Rickard on Vision Australia Radio's Adelaide station.
We also hear from Sarah from the library, who gives us an update on some upcoming programs and exciting new books now available in the Vision Australia library.
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We celebrate World Braille Day this week on Talking Vision with some special interviews celebrating the life changing impact braille has had and continues to have for users around the world.
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This week we take a look back over the past year of Talking Vision with a best of 2023, featuring favourite interviews from the year just gone.
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This week we've got a Carols theme in the lead up to Christmas and the Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight taking place as always on CHristmas Eve, December 24.
To start off with Sam catches up with singer, pianist and music therapist Lara Nakhle who will be returning to Carols for the 2nd time in as many years.
After we hear from Lara Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton is on the show for a quick chat about the Carols, and the important role they play every year in raising vital funds for services to the blind and low vision community.
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Sam is joined by Kristen Morris and Gillean HIlton from the Disability Liaison Officer program, set up to enable patients with disability to access the healthcare they require.
Then later on in the show, Telelink volunteer coordinator Jordan Ashby is here to tell us all about a series of Zoom webinars taking place in January with three prominent figures from the blind and low vision community achieving great things.
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Matt Lee catches up with Achilles member Claudia Stephenson who along with her guide recently completed the New York Marathon.
You'll also hear from Conrad, he's back with Fiona Tuomy from the Other Film Festival, a festival featuring movies made by and accessible for people with disability, including audio description, captions and more.
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The Feelix library celebrated 20 years recently, and Sam caught up with acting library manager Sarah Bloedorn to have a chat all about the kits and the impact they've had on the lives of toddlers and young children who are blind or have low vision.
Stella is also back on the show speaking with a participant from this year's LEAP program, we have one more trip back into the radio archives with an article from the first reading program on the 1179AM frequency, and Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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It's part two of our 40th anniversary special on Talking Vision as this week Sam catches up with John Simpson, a figure central to many corners of the RPH network in the 80s and 90s and well into the 2000s.
We also hear a small clip from the launch of the 1179AM frequency on the 19th of August 1990, with speeches from Norman Spencer and Stephen Jolley.
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Vision Australia Radio is turning 40! We're celebrating over the next two weeks by looking back at some historic moments on the air, this week including the first evening broadcast on 22 September 1983 with Stephen Jolley, Ian Beath, Neville Kerr and Elaine Harris.
Then later on in the show this week Sam also catches up with long time volunteer Judi Meese who has been involved with Vision Australia Radio since its inception.
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Sam speaks with Danielle Gullotta from the Art Gallery of NSW. Danielle is here to tell us all about their Tactile Archibald Prize exhibition, an accessible exhibition for visitors who are blind or have low vision which is touring around Australia in coming months.
Then later in the show, we feature some highlights from the 2023 Vision Australia Annual General Meeting, featuring incoming board member Amber Collins, Client Reference Group member Paul Hedley, and Vision Australia Award winner Lara Nakhle.
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Sam Colley presents an hour long AGM Special featuring highlights from the 2023 Vision Australia Annual General Meeting, which took place at 10am on Thursday 26 October at the Vision Australia head office in Kooyong.
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It's finally here! We celebrate Talking Vision's 700th episode by taking a walk down memory lane with interviews from Stephen Jolley, Stella Glorie and Sam Colley spanning the past 12 years of Talking Vision.
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Sam is joined by referee, coach and player Sebastian Petrovic to chat about the recent blind football (soccer) series which took place in Melbourne, and spread the word about the sport to clubs and schools around Australia.
Then after we hear from Sebastian this week, Sam chats with Lara, Jemma, Erin and Amy from the Vision Australia office in Brisbane who are all heading off together on the Trek for Vision, taking place next March in New Zealand to raise vital funds for Vision Australia's Quality Living Groups and Vision Australia Radio.
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We celebrate White Cane Day on Talking Vision this week as Sam catches up with Duncan Steward, the owner and founder of Platinum Cre8ive, and Jordan Ashby, volunteer coordinator for Vision Australia in NSW.
Duncan and Jordan have both been involved in White Cane Day events over the years, including White Stick Fest which is now available to watch on demand at whitestickfest.org featuring artists who are blind or have low vision from Australia and around the world.
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The third book in the Big Visions series, Dressed for Success, is now available and Stella joins the show this week to chat all about it with the star of the book, fashion designer Nikki Hind, alongside Vision Australia library manager Vildana Praljak.
Then after you hear from Stella Nikki and Vildana, Sam catches up with Leeanne from the Library about some more upcoming events in the library this October and some new additions to the library catalogue, and finally this week Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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On October 28 the Blind Australian of the Year Awards will be taking place in Brisbane, and Sam is joined by engagement and inclusion manager Marie Bampton from Link Vision, the host of the awards, to have a chat all about them.
Nominations for the awards are still open so if you would like to find out more, or nominate a person or organisation you feel has made a difference in the blind and low vision community this year, head to the Blind Australian of the Year website today.
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Sam catches up with Tiana, a university student and audio description user from Brisbane.
Tiana has started a petition to bring audio description to shows such as Gilmore Girls on Netflix with the potential to expand to other shows and streaming platforms.
Then later on this week, Vision Australia Radio manager Conrad Browne joins the show to chat about the Vision Australia Radio listener survey, Stella chats with us about the latest issue of For Your Information (FYI), and Frances wraps up the show with a Reader Recommended.
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It's a special Father's Day edition of Talking Vision this week as we chat with a couple of dads who are blind or have low vision.
Sam catches up with president of RPH Australia and father of two James Manders, who gives us an insight into life as a dad with a vision condition, and the adaptations and supports he's found most beneficial over that time.
Later on in the show, Stella is joined by new dad Matt Collins as he shares some stories of being a dad and how he and his partner navigated a few unique situations!
Then last but not least this week Frances is back with a Father's Day Reader Recommended.
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There's some exciting news for travelers on the Melbourne tram network as Yarra Trams is trailing a new mobile app called Navilens, designed to help passengers who are blind or have low vision navigate around the network more safely and accessibly.
We also hear from outgoing CEO of Blind Citizens Australia, Sally Karandrews, who is finishing up at BCA in late September to take up an academic opportunity.
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Milos from Kikiriki Games is back on the show this week joining Sam to chat about their latest accessible game, Brave Brain.
This is the second game from the Czech developers after releasing To The Dragon Cave last year.
After you hear from Milos this week, Sam is joined by a new regular to Talking Vision, Sam from the Shop to give us the latest news from the Vision Store.
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It's a reunion of sorts on Talking Vision this week as we hear from two familiar voices: Ria Andriani and Stella Glorie.
Ria is here to chat with Sam about the difficulties she's faced in being provided utility bills that are accessible and understandable for customers who are blind or have low vision.
Then after we hear from Ria, Stella is on the show to give us the latest news and updates from the Vision Australia Library, including some events and programs that are coming up for people to get involved in.
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In our final interview leading up to the IBSA Games in Birmingham, Sam speaks with B3 tennis number one Phoebe David who, along with 10 others, will be heading to the Games in just over a week's time.
We also hear from director of government relations and advocacy Chris Edwards, he has some exciting news to share about audio description which is now available for certain programs on free to air streaming services.
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Ben Dew from Tennis Australia is on the show this week to chat about the recent National Blind and Low Vision Tennis Championships which took place in Melbourne, we look ahead to the IBSA Games later this month and let people know how they can get involved in blind and low vision tennis at a court near them.
Then after Sam chats with Ben, Helen is back on the show to give us the latest info from For Your Information, otherwise known as FYI.
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The second edition of the popular Big Visions series, Cooking Up a Storm, is now available through all major retailers and the Vision Australia Library.
Sam chats with the star of Cooking Up a Storm, Craig Shanahan, a blind chef from Sydney who is the founder of Blind Chef Cafe in Penrith.
Craig is also the winner of a Blind Australian of the Year award for his work promoting inclusion and awareness of disability in the local community.
Then after we have a chat with Craig, Frances Keyland is back on the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam is joined this week by Sam and Erin, a husband and wife who have started Tantalising Tours, a Melbourne-based business which focuses on accessible tours to enable guests who are blind or have low vision to jump into the world of food and wine.
You'll also hear from Vision Australia director of government relations and advocacy Chris Edwards, he's here to chat about Dark Memory Lane, an exhibition coming up on August 11 at the National Gallery of Victoria held in collaboration with Vision Australia to raise public awareness about life after experiencing vision loss.
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Join Sam this week as we chat with the second of our athletes heading to the IBSA Games in Birmingham, taking place in late August. This time it's Sam Byrne, senior member of the men's goalball team the Aussie Storm.
After you hear from Sam and Sam, Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton is back on the show with LEAP participant Cassie, who recently had the chance to be CEO for a day as part of the LEAP work experience open day at Kooyong.
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Julie Neumann is heading to the IBSA Games in Birmingham next month as captain of the history-making women's blind cricket team, she joins Sam on the show this week to chat all about it.
Later on this week, Sam catches up with Nick Owen, an engineer and founder of his own engineering consultancy Nuvotion, but most importantly Nick is also running a Telelink webinar on July 17 to let students know all about how they can design and build their own racing car in the Formula SAE Australasia series.
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Sam catches up with health and wellness coach Andy Hampson, who is the facilitator of Inspiring a Healthier You, a four part Telelink Zoom webinar series running every Tuesday morning in July.
Then later in this week Stella is back with Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton. Ron has some exciting news about an upcoming 50km hiking trip taking place in March 2024, where a small team of 12 to 15 people hike across the South Island of New Zealand to raise vital funds for Vision Australia.
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Sam is joined this week by Roma Dix, the organiser of an online campaign to support young musicians who are blind or have very low vision to attend the annual Braille Music Camp in Mittagong.
After we hear from Roma, Lara from Vision Australia's children and young people team is on the show to chat about Life Ready, a new program designed to give people from age 0 to 25 the best start at life.
And finally this week, Stella is back with a new issue of For Your Information, or FYI for short.
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Sam catches up with Dominique Parker, one of the creators of Honeycomb Festival, a game available for download on PC which has been created for players who are blind or have low vision.
Then later in the show, Leeanne from the Library is back with another update from the Vision Australia library to let us know all about some upcoming events and new additions to the library catalogue, and in keeping with the book theme Frances joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Here's the latest from our team at Talking Vision. Talking Vision can be found on a number of popular podcast services including but not limited to, Apple, Google, Amazon and Spotify.
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We wrap up National Volunteering Month as Sam chats with president of Blind Bats, Paul Szep. Blind Bats is an organisation bringing blind cricket to members of the community with an innovative beeping ball which he's had in development for the past 30 years.
Paul has been a volunteer in various capacities for a large amount of his life, and he is a keen advocate for the positive impact volunteers can have in their communities.
Then after we chat with Paul, Helen is back with the latest issue of For Your Information (FYI) and Frances wraps things up for this week with a Reader Recommended.
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We celebrate a couple of special days on the Talking Vision calendar this week, as mums around the country head into the week after being pampered on Mother's Day this past Sunday, and on Thursday May 18 we focus on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).
To kick off the show Sam catches up with mother of two Deena for Mother's Day. Deena talks about how she and husband Thomas have navigated raising two daughters together as parents who are both blind or have low vision.
Then later on in the program we hear from digital access consultant Rosie to celebrate GAAD. She tells us all about the latest digital accessibility survey from Vision Australia, and some priorities that have emerged to improve digital accessibility for the blind and low vision community.
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Sam speaks with Vision Australia director of advocacy and government relations Chris Edwards about the ongoing electric vehicle pedestrian safety survey, which is still open for submissions until May 21.
Then later on this week we hear from Dina Bassile. Dina is the founder of Groove Tunes, an accessible music festival which will be taking place at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne on June 3.
After you hear from Dina, Frances is back with a Reader Recommended, and we wrap up with some news and information.
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Stella is back on the show this week with writer and comedian Jennifer Wong, whose standup comedy show "No Peripheral Vision" is currently touring around the country. Jennifer lives with retinitis pigmentosa, and she loves a pun, so for her the name of the show was a perfect fit.
Then later on in the show this week, the Vision Australia Career Start program is still open for applications until May 12. Sam catches up with a current Career Start participant, Georgia Parsonson, to tell us all about her experience over the past year in the program.
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We celebrate International Guide Dog Day this week as Jane and Kim from Seeing Eye Dogs join Sam all the way from the International Guide Dog Federation conference in Canada, to celebrate the day and talk about why dog guides are so crucial to the mobility and independence of their owners who are blind or have low vision.
Then later in the show Leeanne from the Library is back as well with Tess to chat about all the latest news from the Vision Australia Library, and last but not least we hear from CEO of Blind Citizens Australia, Sally Aurisch, with a wrap up of all the things going on at BCA.
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The host becomes the guest as Stella interviews Sam about his experiences at the Australian Grand Prix which took place in Melbourne between March 30 and April 2 this year.
Then later on Sam is back in the interviewer's chair with Nicole Kontos. Nicole is a participant in 100K Your Way, a Vision Australia campaign which sees members of the blind and low vision community walk, run, swim, ride 100km over the month of April, to raise funds for Vision Australia while also keeping fit and active.
And finally on the show this week we hear from Helen, the editor of For Your Information (FYI), with a preview of what's in store for subscribers in April.
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This week we feature part two of our Last Seen conversations as Sam catches up with UN youth advocate, entrepreneur and public speaker Santiago Velasquez, who joins the show along with artist Kathleen O'Hagan who worked together with Santiago to bring his most cherished visual memories to life.
We also celebrate Audio Description Awareness Day which is coming up on April 16, as Vision Australia audio description manager Michael Ward joins the show to chat about a new partnership with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne, and fills us in on the latest offerings from the world of audio description.
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Sam is joined this week by musician and disability advocate Jane Britt as she discusses her participation in Last Seen, a multisensory art exhibition exploring the most cherished visual memories of 10 Australians who have experienced vision loss.
We also hear from Barb Lemin from the Bendigo SES as she tells us about her involvement in the upcoming Vision Australia Bendigo Easter Egg Hunt, and Vision Australia Radio manager Conrad Browne joins the show to have a quick chat about Radiothon which is running from April 1 to 30.
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Sam celebrates the 100 year anniversary of blind cricket with long term player, administrator and volunteer Doug Sloan, who was also one of the main organisers of a 100th anniversary celebration dinner held at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Centre.
We also hear from Erik van Vulpen, a senior researcher at La Trobe University who is leading a project to improve the safety and accessibility of autonomous public transport vehicles for people with disability.
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We celebrate the official launch of the first Big Visions book, Surfing in the Dark, as Sam catches up with blind surfer and protagonist Matt Formston.
Matt joined Talking Vision along with his mum Lorraine to chat about the book but also share some stories from their life together as a family.
After we hear from Matt and Lorraine, Helen is back on the show with the latest edition of For Your Information otherwise known as FYI, and to wrap up the show Frances joins us for a Reader Recommended.
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It's a jam packed episode of Talking Vision this week as we hear from ophthalmologist Dr Nathan Kerr and orthoptist Renata de Lazzari, who join Sam to talk about World Glaucoma Week taking place from March 12 to 18.
Sam also catches up with a couple of organisations later in the show as first up we hear from Vision Australia's Phil McCarroll with an update of the latest happenings in Vision Australia, and then Vision 2020 CEO Carly Iles pops in for a quick chat about the upcoming Barry Jones Vision Oration on March 22.
Then to finally wrap up the show Frances Keyland is back with a Reader Recommended.
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Talking Vision celebrates International Women's Day on March 8 as Tess Herbert takes over the airwaves to host an all female lineup!
You'll hear from Linda Agnew, dean academic from the department of health at Griffith University, the first female professor and dean of faculty in Australia to have lived experience with blindness or low vision.
Later on in the program, Tess catches up with Judith Bowtell, a career coach and mentor working as part of Front and Centre, a program to help women and non-binary people with disabilities gain confidence and achieve their career objectives.
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Sam is joined by Maysa Abouzeid, a Melbourne-based athlete competing in blind judo competitions around the world. She speaks about her experiences as a judoka with lived experience of blindness, and her path to the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.
You'll also hear from Leeanne from the library about some upcoming events and new book releases, and Sarah from the shop is back to chat about the latest products available in the Vision Store.
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Sam catches up with Jess Strudwick, the founder of Jessica's Choco Yum which sells biscuits with an inclusive focus, for instance braille sugar cookies featuring messages on top of the biscuit.
You'll also hear from Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria's Miriam Bilander, she joins Sam on the show to talk about an upcoming event for children and young people aged 12 to 25 to head along to a guided tour of the Sydney Road Street Party on March 5.
And finally this week, we wrap up with some news and information.
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It's a special World Radio Day episode of Talking Vision as Sam catches up with chair of RPH Australia, James Manders, to speak about the power of radio.
James has lived experience with vision loss, and he speaks about how this and his work in the finance and technology sectors has stood him in good stead for his role with RPH, but also why radio means so much to him.
After Sam chats with James we also hear from Vision Australia librarian Victoria Rogers, who has some exciting news about some new resources available to high school students, and Frances Keyland joins the show for a Reader Recommended.
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This week we have a special anniversary to celebrate as Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton joins Talking Vision to chat with Sam about 10 years in the job at Vision Australia.
You'll hear from him in 2 parts this week as he looks back over the past 10 years but also speaks about what he's excited to get involved with in 2023 and beyond.
Then after Sam catches up with Ron, Helen is back on the program for the new year to give us the latest updates about what's in store for readers in this month's edition of For Your Information, or FYI for short.
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Blind low vision tennis champions Courtney Webeck and Mick Leigh join Sam on the show this week to give us a recap of a BLV tennis exhibition match they took part in at the Australian Open against former world number 8 Alicia Molik.
Then later in the show blind cricket is turning 100 this summer, and to celebrate we have Blind Sports Recreation Victoria president and CEO Maurice Gleeson on the show to fill us in on all the details about the upcoming festivities taking place on March 24.
And finally this week Frances Keyland joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam chats with Angela Schiller, the first councillor in South Australia who is blind or has low vision. Angela was recently elected as councillor in Victor Harbour about an hour south of Adelaide and she speaks about what she's looking forward to, her role on the Disability Access and Inclusion Committee and much more.
Then later in the show you'll hear from award-winning podcaster Melaine Robinson who is joined by her support worker Zoe Duncan to speak with Sam about the highs and lows of Melaine's experiences at large events as a dog guide user, such as the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia conference in Cairns late last year.
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Sam catches up with Max McDonnell, a musician, cricketer and speaker of 3 languages who was a recent participant in the LEAP program at Vision Australia. Max also joined Sam and the team at Vision Australia Radio for a week late last year and you'll hear from him first up on the show today.
Then later in the show, Tess Herbert is back with Leeanne from the library to give us some new book recommendations, tell us about some exciting events coming up from the library in February, and preview the Big Vision series of books featuring figures from the blind and low vision community achieving great things which will be launching in March.
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To kick off the new year it's a special episode of Talking Vision as Stella presents the rich and interesting history of the audible pedestrian button in Australia, featuring the Power House Museum's documentary Push to Walk: A People's History of the Pedestrian Button
You'll hear from John Jacobs, the producer of Push to Walk, as well as Vision Australia's own Bill Jolley, who had a major role to play in the implementation of the button, which has of course had a huge impact on accessibility and mobility for the blind and low vision community.
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We celebrate World Braille Day this week as Stella catches up with a Talking Vision favourite, Dorothy Hamilton, as she speaks about the role braille has played in her life as a musician and teacher.
Then later in the show Tess chats with Georgia Parsonson, a braille user and Vision Australia Career Start Graduate who came to braille after experiencing vision loss as a teenager.
And finally this week Stella is back with Timothy from the Vision Australia Library to fill us in on all the details around the catalogue of braille books that are available.
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We look back on the year in this week's show with a couple of interviews from earlier in 2022.
It's a sporting theme this week to tie in nicely with the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as well as the recent Blind Cricket T20 World Cup, as you'll hear from Steffan Nero who Sam caught up with after he hit a triple century mid year in Brisbane.
You'll also hear once more from Jess Gallagher, as Sam caught up with the Commonwealth Games gold medalist in cycling after she returned from the Games this year in Tokyo.
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This week it's a Christmas special as we feature a couple of performers with their own contributions to the ever growing catalogue of Christmas favourites.
Stella catches up with Simon Gleeson, quickly becoming a familiar face at Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight. You'll hear from him and his rendition of "The Holy City".
Then later in the show Sam chats with Connor Wink, a blind multi-instrumentalist and recent top 48 finalist on The Voice Australia. Sam chats with him to look back on his year, and introduce his new Christmas song "Weather Man" which will wrap up the show.
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Sam catches up with NSW electoral commissioner John Schmidt and Blind Citizens Australia CEO Sally Aurisch to speak about the technology assisted voting review currently taking place in NSW, which is open for submissions until January 13.
You'll also hear from a few Vision Australia favourites as we wrap up for the year. Sam has the opportunity to chat this week with Helen the editor of For Your Information (FYI), Telelink coordinator Maria Markou and media aficionado Ainsleigh Sheridan to get a highlight package of the year and look forward to 2023.
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Stella is back this week with a great show for everyone as she catches up with Vision Australia Radio manager Conrad Browne to celebrate the upcoming 40 year anniversary of the RPH network.
You'll still hear from Sam though as he speaks with Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton about the upcoming Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve, and we hear from Sue Moore, a Perth-based white cane user.
And finally on the show this week, Frances Keyland joins us for a Reader Recommended.
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It's a special episode this week as we celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
You'll hear a new voice on the show this week as Mark Jackman joins the show. Mark is a puppy trainer from Seeing Eye Dogs but he's also an avid golfer and he catches up with World Blind Golf CEO, Neil Herdegen, to speak about the ways World Blind Golf is innovating and making golf accessible for the blind and low vision community.
You'll also hear from Tess, she's back this week chatting with Rina Gocaj and Flo Elmazi from Sisterwould, an inclusive haircare brand featuring products which have been designed to be accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
And finally on the show this week, Helen catches up with Tony Wu from the Vision Store to speak about the some possible gift ideas from the shop as we approach the holiday break.
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Sam is joined by Loc Tang, a participant in the Speak My Language podcast series which documents the stories of people from culturally diverse backgrounds with disabilities in 24 different languages.
Tess is back as well with Leeanne from the Library to have a look back over the year just gone in the Vision Australia library, look forward to some exciting news events coming up in 2022 and give us some new book recommendations.
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Vision Australia manager of advocacy and government relations Chris Edwards joins Sam on the show this week, to speak about Vision Australia's priorities for an incoming Victorian government, particularly in the areas of travel, employment and pedestrian safety.
You'll also hear from Amazon Echo user Val Smyth, who was a participant in Vision Australia's 12 week Smart Speaker course, she chats to Sam about what this has meant for her independence, and the skills she's gained when using her smart devices around the home.
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This week on Talking Vision Peter Greco catches up with Sue Lang from the Victorian Electoral Commission, who tells us about all the ways in which voters who are blind or have low vision can cast their votes in the Victorian State election on November 26 in a way that is safe, verifiable and above all confidential.
We’ll also hear from Helen who catches up with Sam to chat about the latest issue of FYI, otherwise known as For Your Information, and Frances Keyland joins the program for a Reader Recommended.
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Conrad Browne catches up for a chat with Dr Geraldine Lane, a teaching fellow from Curtin University whose PhD explored the positive impact of dog guides on their users' wellbeing.
She discusses how her own guides have changed not only her life but the lives of those around her in her work.
Then later on in the show Stephen Jolley is joined by Brittnee Watson as part of the Let's Talk About Vision Loss series, featuring 8 people who share their personal stories of vision loss to help others facing similar experiences.
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It's Stella filling in for Sam this week as he is up in Cairns for the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia awards, but you will hear from Sam as he catches up with a recent Holman Prize Winner.
Her name is Abby Holmes, originally from Ethiopia she was one of the 3 recipients of the $25,000 prize to provide her community in her home town of Wolayta with vital braille and adaptive technology resources.
Before that though, Stella catches up with Member for Higgins Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, who recently visited Vision Australia to hold discussions on how the government can best support people who are blind or have low vision.
And finally this week, the Vision Australia Annual General Meeting recently took place and you'll hear from a very familiar voice who Stella had the pleasure to speak with her after she received a Vision Australia award for her lifelong contribution to the community.
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Sam catches up with Ainsleigh from Vision Australia for a wrap up of the latest news and campaigns Vision Australia is involved with around the country, including Seeing Eye Dogs, Amazon and more.
Then later on this week Sam is joined by another Holman Prize winner, Zimbabwean DJ and radio presenter Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa, who is excited to fulfill his dream of opening up studios in Zimbabwe and Uganda to train and employ members of the blind and low vision community.
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Join guest host Tess Herbert this week as she takes over for a special episode of Talking Vision to celebrate White Cane Day on October 15.
Sam interviews Diane Lucantoni, a white cane user from Ballarat who has taken up using her cane after losing her vision shortly before the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020.
Then later in the show Tess is back to speak with Graeme Innes and Maryanne Diamond, who have both been recently admitted to the board of the National Disability Insurance Agency.
And finally this week, Frances Keyland joins the program for a Reader Recommended.
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On this week's episode Dan Casey chats to father of two Darren Moyle in the last of our fortnightly vox pops with dads who are blind or have low vision.
Then later on in the show, Sam catches up with Adelaide programmer and Holman Prize winner Cassie Hames. Cassie is the developer of See Me, an app which helps people access their bus route safely and accessibly.
And finally this week, Helen joins the show to tell us all about the latest news in Vision Australia's newsletter For Your Information, or FYI for short.
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In this interview highlight, Peter Greco speaks to Conrad Browne, Manager Vision Australia Radio and Audio Services to learn of this year's 2022 listener survey and why Vision Australia Radio listeners and Vision Australia clients are being encouraged to take part.
to complete the survey and for a chance to win a great prize from station sponsor Amazon, visit www.varadio.org
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Sam catches up with Liz Wheeler, long time Parramatta resident and dog guide user, to speak about making roads and footpaths safe and accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
Sam is also joined by Leeanne from the library to tell us all about some exciting events the library is holding later in October, as well as the new additions to the Vision Australia Library catalogue.
Then finally keeping on the book theme this week, Frances Keyland is back with a Reader Recommended.
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Sam speaks to Chris Harrop from Telstra, head of the 5G Touch and Track project. 5G Touch and Track is a tactile device with built in vibrations designed to improve the gameday experience for Australian Rules football fans who are blind or have low vision.
Dan Casey also returns to the show this week, with the second of our three-part vox pop series where he speaks with fellow dads about their experiences. This week you'll hear from father of two Cameron Roles.
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Sam catches up with Nicole Willing from Blind Citizens Australia to speak about the upcoming Entrepreneurial Mindset webinar series, to help business owners who are blind or low vision to get the most out of their business.
One of the presenters, Janelle Colquhoun, also joins Sam on the show to speak about her own experiences. Janelle is the director of Salubrious Productions, a Brisbane-based performing arts company which she has been running since 1999.
Then finally on the show this week, Helen catches up with 2016 Further Education Bursary recipient Sadam, to hear about how the bursary helped him at a crucial time in his life.
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Join Dan Casey this week for the first of our 3 part Father’s Day Vox Pop series, where we chat with dads who are blind or have low vision. This week Dan speaks with Grant Wilson, father of two adult children who is legally blind.
Then later on in the program Helen Velissaris chats with Josh Wintersgill from Open Inclusion, a UK-based organisation which is running the Simply Open Awards. Registrations close soon on September 14 so make sure to get your nominations in today.
And last but not least Helen is back with Sam to talk all things For Your Information, or FYI for short.
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Stella catches up on the show this week with Deb Deshayes, general manager of projects and engagement from Blind Citizens Australia. Stella and Deb chat about the upcoming BCA Connect conference which is taking place on the 17th of September, and that kicks off the show this week.
After we hear from Stella and Deb, Stephen Jolley is on the program speaking with Ben Page who shares his experiences as part of Vision Australia's Let's Talk About Vision Loss series, which explores the lives of people who are blind or have low vision who have experienced vision loss later in life.
Then last but certainly not least, Frances Keyland joins the program with a Reader Recommended
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We're very excited this week to welcome Commonwealth Games dual gold medalist and Vision Australia ambassador Jess Gallagher to the program.
Jess was the recent winner of two gold medals in the cycling program but she’s also competed in everything from athletics to skiing to rowing, and she catches up with Sam to celebrate following the conclusion of the Games.
Then after Sam chats with Jess, Helen joins the show to catch up with Alexandra from the Vision Store in Bendigo with some Father's Day gift ideas for dads out there who are blind or have low vision.
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Tess Herbert joins the show this week to have a chat with Leeanne from the Library about the upcoming In Conversation event in September between writers Sulari Gentill and Robert Gott, and Leeanne also gives us some new book recommendations
Then later on in the program Sam speaks with Nicole Lee from People with Disabilities Australia to celebrate the organisation's 40th birthday, with both a look back over the highlights of the past 4 decades and also a look ahead to the future.
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Stella Glorie speaks with Cassandra Chiu and Andrew Chew, chair and board member of K9 Assistance based in Singapore, an organisation which launched in 2020 to provide assistance dogs for people with disabilities throughout Singapore.
Both Cassandra and Andrew are blind and Cassandra is one of the first Seeing Eye Dog users in Singapore, and they recently visited Vision Australia to gain knowledge and expertise from the Seeing Eye Dogs branch of Vision Australia to bring back to K9.
Then later in the program this week Bethany Cody catches up with Brittnee Watson. Both Bethany and Brittnee have tattoos and through their shared lived experience with low vision, they seek to bust the misconceptions and discrimination faced by people from the blind and low vision community who are interested in getting tattoos.
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Vision Australia manager of commercial services Michael Linke joins the show this week to chat about the new Vision Store website, which recently launched with a new range of products and videos.
Sam also speaks with Vision 2020 policy and advocacy manager Carly Iles about the organisation's advocacy plans regarding the new federal government, and then finally Sam catches up with Helen Velissaris to chat about the latest issue of For Your Information, otherwise known as FYI.
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This week on Talking Vision you’ll hear from Brenda, a disability advocate, volunteer and keen lawn bowler who lost her vision late in life. Brenda catches up with Matthew Layton as part of the Let’s talk about vision loss series, which explores the lives and achievements of people who have experienced vision loss.
Policy and advocacy team leader Jane Britt from Blind Citizens Australia also joins the show to speak about her work advocating for people who are blind or have low vision.
It was this advocacy work which saw Jane win a Vision Australia youth award in 2020. She joins Stella to talk about the awards, which are now open for nominations until the 12th of August.
Then finally on the show this week, Sam catches up for a super quick chat with retinitis pigmentosa advocate and Big Brother superfan Bethany Cody. We get her thoughts and share in the exciting news about winner of Big Brother Reggie Sorensen who, like Bethany, has lived experience with RP.
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Sam catches up with Graham Pearce, a Wikipedia administrator from Busselton in Western Australia. Graham has been working as an administrator for the past 17 years, and he speaks to me all about the highlights of this time as well as the connections and friendships he’s made in the Wikipedia community along the way.
Then later in the show we’re very excited to welcome Blind Australian of the Year finalist and PhD candidate Arkan Yousef to Talking Vision. Arkan joined Sam recently to speak about his life teaching in Iraq, moving to Australia after experiencing vision loss later in life, and his volunteer work in Western Sydney over the past 16 years.
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Sam is joined on the show this week by Darren Britten from ADCET – the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training, who have recently launched a pair of resources aimed at tertiary educators to improve the lives of students who are blind or have low vision.
Then later on this week, Stella Glorie catches up with blind cook, author and Holman Prize winner Penny Melville-Brown to talk about her new book A cook’s tour: Baking blind goes global, capturing the highs and lows of Penny’s life over the past five years while travelling the world, meeting with world class chefs, and overcoming near tragedy and arduous physical recovery to keep doing what she loves.
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This week on Talking Vision Stella Glorie chats to Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton for a quarterly update of the latest news and events happening around the organisation, such as the recent Career Sampler events and some upcoming news in the world of Seeing Eye Dogs.
Then later in the show Sam catches up with Leeanne from the Library about their event Treat Your Shelf taking place on July 29 in celebration of National Library and Information Week, and Helen Velissaris joins the show to give us a highlight package from the July issue of Vision Australia's newsletter For Your Information, or FYI for short.
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This week on Talking Vision Sam speaks with Telelink coordinator Maria Markou and volunteer coordinator Jordan Ashby about the upcoming Special Interest Telelink program running for the month of July, and expressions of interest for volunteer positions in the Telelink program.
Sam also catches up with Jana and Milos from Kikiriki Games, who recently launched their first title To The Dragon Cave, an audio-based mobile game designed first and foremost for users in the blind and low vision community.
To wrap up this week, Frances Keyland joins the show with a Reader Recommended, and we finish up with some news and information.
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Sam Colley speaks with opening batter Steffan Nero from the Australian Blind Cricket Team, who recently scored a record breaking 309 not out from 140 balls at last week's Inclusion Series in Brisbane vs New Zealand.
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Sam speaks with Reeni Ekanayake from Vision Australia about It’s Time to See What’s Possible, a digital awareness campaign aiming to bust the myths and misconceptions around hiring employees who are blind or have low vision.
Then later in the show Stella chats with mum of two Sarah who has low vision. Sarah is the facilitator of parents’ groups for Vision Australia both online and through the Quality Living program, and she talks about the highs and lows of being a mum with low vision.
And finally we have a sneak peek of Sam's conversation with blind cricketer Steffan Nero who recently broke the batting record which had stood for 24 years, that full interview will be available shortly on the Talking Vision podcast just above this episode.
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Don't worry, the next episode of Talking Vision isn't far away. For now, dedicated Vision Australia Radio listener Sheila Blanchfield shares why she loves our radio service for people living with print disability and why she feels you should support us this Radiothon. Help this radio program stay on air for another 12 months.
Support our work and donate now.
Learn more about our radiothon
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A very special treat this week, in honour of Radiothon Stephen Jolley and Jamie Kelly pay tribute to the role radio plays in their lives.
Jamie discusses his passion for radio and treats us to sounds of his impressive audio catalogue.
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On this week's Talking Vision, Stella Glorie takes the reigns to celebrate Vision Australia Radiothon. She chats to long time avid Vision Australia Radio listener, Sheila. Sheila talks about her involvement in the early days of the station, how it’s evolved over the years, her favourite programs and why the service remains as vital as ever for people who are blind like herself.
Also on the program, we hear from Vision Australia orthoptist Melissa who discusses the work orthoptists do especially when working with someone with low vision.
And Frances Keyland is on the program with a cosy murder Reader Recommended
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Beth Cody catches up for an interview with Reggie Sorensen, who speaks about what it means to her to take part in the latest season of Big Brother Australia as someone who lives with retinitis pigmentosa. Beth is a huge fan of Big Brother as well as somebody who shares lived experience with RP, and you can hear a fair portion of their conversation coming up very shortly.
Then later on in the program Sam has the opportunity to speak with Matthew Layton and Sam Rickard from Studio 1 as we kick off Radiothon at Vision Australia Radio for the month of June, and Sam also catches up with Helen Velissaris to chat all about the latest issue of For Your Information, or FYI for short.
We also pay tribute to RPH and Blind Citizens Australia pioneer Neville Kerr, who recently passed away at the age of 82.
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This week on Talking Vision Sam catches up with Mildura volunteer Andrea Gorham to celebrate National Volunteer Week which recently took place between the 16th and 22nd of May. Andrea chats all about the work she’s been doing as a driver and swish umpire for the best part of 7 years, and her favourite memories over the time.
Then later in the show Sam chats with blindness and low vision specialist teacher Marc Angelier and occupational therapist Marie Oddoux from the Lego Foundation, they join the program to speak all about the foundation’s Lego Braille Bricks which are now celebrating 12 months in Australia.
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Kicking off the show this week Sam is joined by Vision Australia Queensland youth services manager Courtney McKee to chat all about the annual Careers Sampler taking place on the 4th of June in locations all around Australia as well as online.
Then after Sam’s conversation with Courtney, Stella catches up for a chat with mother of three Ranmali this week as part of our celebrations for Mother’s Day, Ranmali has low vision and she chats with Stella about some of the challenges she’s faced as a mum but also the strategies and ways she’s adapted.
And finally this week keeping on the mother’s day theme Sam speaks with Leeanne from the Library about their upcoming event on the 8th of June called We’ve Got This: In Conversation with Leah and Ben van Poppel where they discuss life as parents who are blind or have low vision.
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It’s an election special episode of Talking Vision this week with interviews from Peter Greco as he catches up with Vision Australia manager of advocacy and government relations Chris Edwards, kicking off the show with a discussion around the progress that has been made in the field of accessible voting, and why it is so crucial to the rights of voters who are blind or have low vision.
On this topic Peter also speaks with Australian Electoral Commission director of media and digital engagement Evan Ekin-Smyth to discuss the accessible voting options that are available to voters at this upcoming federal election on May 21, and how voters can sign up to register for phone voting and receive electoral information in their preferred format.
Then finally this week, we play a series of 2 minute grabs from three politicians Peter had the chance to speak with over the last few weeks, where he discussed key issues facing the disabled community with Bill Shorten from the ALP, Jordon Steele-John from the Greens and finally Malcolm Roberts from One Nation.
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Sam speaks with Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner Dan Stubbs about a new campaign the commission has launched to ensure the quality of support for people with disabilities. He gives an overview of the ways in which the commission is able to assist with complaints people may have, and the avenues people can pursue if they wish to raise a concern.
Then later in the program, Helen Velissaris joins the program with Sarah from the shop to chat about some gift ideas for Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday the 8th of May, and then finally this week Sam and Helen are back to provide the latest news from For Your Information or FYI for short.
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Sam speaks with AFL disability and inclusion manager Tim Nield about the AFL’s work with the disabled community both on and off the field, as well as the plans for competitions in the disability sphere including AFL Blind in 2022.
Then later on in the program this week we commemorate Anzac Day with a series of stories and poems presented by Dorothy Fletcher from Afternoon Live, with excerpts from her recent Anzac Day special.
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Sam catches up with Shannon Rees from the National Disability Insurance Agency to talk about the MyNDIS app for mobile, and some updates which NDIS clients can look forward to.
Then later on in the show Helen Velissaris speaks with Brisbane university student and Vision Australia bursary recipient Ambrose Bub, who shares his experience of vision loss and adapting to life at university.
Finally this week, Telelink coordinator Maria Markou joins Sam to share the latest news in the world of Telelink.
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We celebrate Audio Description Awareness Day coming up this Saturday the 16th of April, as Sam speaks with Vision Australia manager of audio description Michael Ward. Michael gives us an overview of what’s going on in the world of audio description, and provides hints and tips about how to set up audio description on your device, how to find info about audio description at the theatre and more.
Then later in the show Sam chats to audio describer and keen audio description advocate Polly Goodwin who joins the show to tell us all about Audio Description Awareness Day itself, and why raising awareness of audio description is so crucial to improving the service for the blind and low vision community.
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Vision Australia head of policy Bruce Maguire joins Sam to talk about the importance of ensuring voters who are blind or have low vision can enjoy the same rights and protections as their sighted peers, as well as the developments around the recently discontinued iVote system in NSW and what this means for the blind and low vision community.
Then later on in the show Sam catches up with Rhyce and Caren Ellis. They speak with Sam about their life together as a newlywed couple who are both blind or have low vision, from when they first went out together to the recent challenges and wins they faced when organising their wedding and honeymoon.
And finally before we wrap up this week Helen joins Sam to chat about April’s issue of For Your Information or FYI.
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Sam speaks to Shannon Jones and Ingrid McKenna, two players from the premiership winning St Kilda blind football club, to celebrate the start of the AFL men’s footy season. They join the show to promote not only blind football but also blind sports and recreation more broadly.
Paul Hedley also joins Sam on the show this week to talk about his time as one of the participants in Let’s Talk About Vision Loss, featuring eight people who share their very personal stories of blindness or low vision to help others facing similar experiences.
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Coming up on the show this week Sam speaks with Callum Padgett, host of a new children’s program on Vision Australia Radio called Happy Pants, taking place every Saturday at 10am starting April 2. Happy Pants is aimed at kids who are blind or have low vision or a print disability to learn and play in a way that’s fun, engaging and, most importantly, accessible.
Later on in the show Conrad Browne catches up with head of ophthalmology at Flinders University Professor Jamie Craig who shares some take home messages for people to look after their eye health and prevent glaucoma in particular. You’ll also hear from Jamie about some exciting new developments in testing to detect the early signs of glaucoma before it’s able to cause severe damage.
Jamie's research team at the Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma (ANZRAG) would be happy to hear from anyone who would like to provide a blood or saliva sample for our genetic research.
They are especially interested in those glaucoma cases with severe vision loss, and young age of diagnosis. To find out more you can visit their website at www.anzrag.com, or send them an email on info@anzrag.com
Then finally we wrap up this week with some news and information.
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On this week’s special International Women’s Day episode of Talking Vision, Ria Andriani has a chat with blind climate activist, journalist and disability advocate Aine Kelly-Costello about ways in which climate action can be made more accessible for people with disability, what people can do to bring change and encouraging people who are blind or have low vision to demand more from governments and organisations regarding not only the environment but also accessibility and the rights of people with disabilities. If you'd like to hear more from Aine, you can read her thesis here.
Then later in the show Tess Herbert catches up with Grace Fowler, creator of craft beer Nas XPA in collaboration with ABC disability affairs reporter Nas Campanella for International Women’s Day. Tess Herbert recently caught up with Grace to talk about the ways in which Akasha and Reckless have made the packaging accessible for customers who are blind or have low vision, including a QR code with an audio description of the can read by Nas herself.
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Helen chats with Queensland-based student and Vision Australia bursary recipient Layla who is entering her 2nd year of uni studying a bachelor of business online through Deakin University in Melbourne.
Then later on in the program Stella catches up with Hobart-based seeing eye dog owner Jen. Jen is taking part in this year’s Bay of Fires walk with her Seeing Eye Dog Nelly in November, which is now open for registrations to raise vital funds for Seeing Eye Dogs.
And finally this week Helen joins Sam on the show to chat about this month’s issue of For Your Information or FYI for short.
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On the show this week Sam has a quick chat with chief operating officer of the attorney-general’s department Cameron Gifford about the new digital statutory declaration form made accessible for users who are blind or have low vision, which is available on their website to download.
Then later on in the show you'll hear from deputy chair of Vision Australia and member of the federal government’s aged care council of elders, Bill Jolley, about the highlights from the first meeting, what he’s looking forward to in his time with the council and more.
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Vision Australia Radio presenter and audio describer John Westland joins Sam on this week’s program to celebrate World Radio Day which recently took place on Sunday the 13th of February, inaugurated by UNESCO in 2011 to commemorate the importance of radio as the medium reaching the widest audience in the world.
Then later on in the show Tess Herbert catches up with Sarah Bloedorn from the library to chat all about Library Lovers Day, find out about some upcoming events at the Vision Australia library and share some Valentine’s Day book recommendations.
And finally this week we wrap up with a little bit of news and information.
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This week on Talking Vision, Sam catches up with Jenine from Aira to find out more about how they can help during the pandemic.
Then Helen Velissaris catches up with engineer and board game creator Aaron Titilius to chat about Torkings, an accessible board game for players who are blind or have low vision quite similar to Connect 4.
And finally this week Sam has a quick chat with Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton about the organisation’s plans to improve the lives of older Australians who are blind or have low vision in 2022.
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This week on Talking Vision Sam speaks with executive director of customer operations at Transport for NSW, Lewis Clark, about the new Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme smartcards and a pair of upcoming information sessions Transport for NSW will be running with Vision Australia.
Then later on in the show, Stella is on the program chatting with Maud Rowell, one of three winners of the 2021 Holman Prize, and Lee Kumutat from Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired about the prize and how you can enter.
Then finally we wrap up the show this week with some news and information.
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This week on Talking Vision Sam speaks with Vision Australia Career Start coordinator Melissa Rattle about the Career Start program for 2022, which is very shortly opening for applications on the 1st of February.
Then later in the show Sam catches up with director and past president of Blind Citizens Australia John Simpson to look back over his time with BCA and what he’s excited about for 2022.
And finally to wrap up this week Helen Velissaris has a chat with Sarah from the shop about some handy new gadgets for students heading back to school or uni in the next few weeks.
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Tess Herbert catches up this week with organiser and coordinator Tina Brunet and past model Peggy Soo to talk about This Is Me, an annual fashion event which features women from diverse backgrounds.
The event seeks to empower women to overcome the various obstacles or challenges in their lives which have impacted on their self-esteem and self-worth, including women who are blind or have low vision or women with disability more broadly.
As mentioned Peggy is a past participant of This Is Me, who has low vision. Peggy took part in the 2020 event as a model, and she shared her experiences with Tess. That conversation with Tina and Peggy kicks off the show this week, and then we finish up with some news and information.
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Blind Citizens Australia is undergoing a couple of leadership changes with new faces stepping up in the roles of president and CEO, and Sam recently had the opportunity to welcome incoming CEO Sally Aurisch to the program to talk about her new role.
Then later in the show, Sam chats with Vision Australia Radio manager Conrad Browne and broadcast technician Dale Simpson, winners of the awards for station leadership and excellence in technical services at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia awards last month.
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Welcome to this special World Braille Day episode of Talking Vision, to start off this week you'll hear a small excerpt from a piece of music called “Follow Me”, a favourite of listeners from past years which comes to us from the annual braille music camp, taking place in Mittagong in New South Wales for both young students and seasoned veterans of braille music alike across Australia.
We have an all-braille program lined up today in celebration of World Braille Day, which marks the anniversary of the birth of the inventor of braille, Louis Braille, every 4th of January.
You may remember back in 2020 Stella Glorie caught up with Jordie Howell and Micala Schmidt to talk all things braille music, that interview is coming up later in the show, but first Sam catches up with avid braille reader Tess Herbert, who talks about the highlights and challenges of reading as someone who is totally blind, and to finish up today we feature another popular favourite song from the annual Braille Music Camp, "How Lovely are the Messengers".
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This week on the show Melaine Robinson talks about the feeling as a journalist and documentary maker when you capture a perfect moment, and the unforgettable experiences she shared with her support worker Zoe.
Melaine is the winner of the CBAA award for Best Feature or Documentary for Rideability, which highlights the important role horses play in animal-assisted therapies, and the power of the bonds between animals and humans.
Melaine’s documentary is up next, and then later in the show Sam catches up with her to chat about Rideability, to help get to know a bit more about the person behind the mic.
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Carols favourite David Hobson joins the show this week to talk about what he finds most special about the experience of being involved with Carols by Candlelight every Christmas Eve.
David was recently the recipient of a Vision Australia award for his services to the Carols over the years, and he caught up with Helen Velissaris to chat about this as well as all things Carols in the lead up to this year’s event, that interview’s coming up later in the show.
After Helen’s interview with David, you’ll hear one of David’s most iconic Carols numbers, The Holy City.
But first, Sam catches up for a quick chat with Vision Australia library manager Sarah Bloedorn to share some important news about the Vision Australia braille library.
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Sam talks to Gleb Zevkov about the future of accessibility apps and his ideas for increased accessibility on apps and devices in coming years.
Gleb is an app developer and co-founder with Katja Danilova of Voxmate, an audio-based accessibility app for Android phone aimed at users who are blind or have very low vision that are interested in an alternative to screen readers or audio described graphics.
This interview takes up a large portion of the show this week, but stay tuned for some news and information.
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Sam chats with producer and presenter of New Horizons for BCA Vaughn Bennison there talking about why he loves radio as a medium of communication to listeners who are blind or have low vision. Vaughn was the recent recipient of a Blind Citizens Australia certificate of appreciation for his work with the organisation, and you’ll hear from him to kick off the show.
Then later on Sam catches up with Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton to chat about this year’s Carols By Candlelight coming up in just over 2 weeks’ time, and you’ll also hear from guitarist and songwriter Jason Resch from the band Darlinghurst, making their debut at the Carols in 2021.
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It’s an action packed episode of Talking Vision this week as we celebrate International Day of People with Disability, coming up this Friday, December 3.
Queensland psychologist Courtney McKee joins Sam to talk about why International Day of People with Disability and days like it are so important for the community, and chat about her recent article for the ABC about her work as a psychologist with a disability.
Then later in the show Sam catches up with manager of advocacy and government relations Chris Edwards to chat with him about his thoughts on the day which he recently shared on the IDPwD website, and then finally Stella chats to journalist, musician and transcriber Ria Andriani about her new video series exploring the experiences of musicians with disability.
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Sam catches up with policy advisor from Victoria Walks, Duane Burtt, to talk about their Victorian Walking Survey which will be running until December 15. They’re also looking to hear in particular about how people navigate on foot with mobility aids so if you’d like to have your say, make sure to listen out to find out more.
Then later on in the show you’ll hear from Vision Australia general manager of client services Karen Knight, she catches up with a close friend and long time colleague of hers, Maryanne Diamond AO, to congratulate her on her recent Vision Australia award for her services to the blind and low vision community.
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It’s a special milestone edition of Talking Vision this week as we celebrate our 600th show!
To celebrate with us on the program Sam begins by catching up with Vision Australia Radio manager Conrad Browne who shares what he enjoys most about the show, and what he’s most excited about for Talking Vision and other programs on Vision Australia Radio in the future.
Then later on in the program you’ll hear from two figures from Talking Vision royalty as Stephen Jolley and Stella Glorie join Sam to take a look back over the last 11 years of Talking Vision, share their fondest memories and talk about why the show has been and continues to be so important for members of the blind and low vision community.
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Client Reference Group member Dino Farronato talks about his work in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse portfolio, and how it has intersected with his lived experience with retinitis pigmentosa. Dino was a guest speaker at the 2021 Vision Australia Annual General Meeting, and you’ll hear more from him to start off this week’s episode.
Then later in the show, Peter Greco catches up with Dr Andrew Rochford from Digital Health to talk about how people who are blind or have low vision can access their vaccination certificate, and take part in a survey to have their say about their experience with digital health platforms.
Finally this week Helen Velissaris catches up with a new voice from the Vision Australia Store, it’s Sarah from the shop talking about gift ideas as Christmas approaches.
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It’s an episode of award winners this week on Talking Vision as Peter Greco chats with David Blyth Award winner Claire Tellefson, they caught up on Vision Extra recently to talk more about her work bringing digital literacy to people in the deafblind community, and working to make telecommunications more accessible.
Then later in the show you’ll hear from Tess Herbert, she catches up with blind music pioneer and long-serving Vision Australia staff member and volunteer Dorothy Hamilton to talk about music, life and being honoured with a lifetime achievement award by Vision Australia at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.
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President and CEO of Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria, Maurice Gleeson OAM, joins Sam on the program this week to talk about the fondest memories of his time in the role over the past 30 years.
Maurice was recently honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the 2021 Victorian Disability Awards, and it was a pleasure to be able to catch up with him to celebrate all he has done within the blind and low vision community.
Then after the interview with Maurice, we wrap up the show this week with some news and information.
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Sam catches up with Mimi Taye from the Vision Australia library to talk about an upcoming event on November 14 called “Read My Way”, an exploration of accessible formats which will be taking place online featuring a tour of the Vision Australia Radio studios, panel discussion by library staff and more.
Author Cameron Algie also joins the show to talk about his new book, “I Can See Clearly Now: Understanding and Managing Vision Loss”. Cameron was born with retinitis pigmentosa and it’s this lived experience which not only has seen him run quality living groups for people with vision loss for 14 years, but also motivated him to share his experiences and observations in his new book.
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Parents’ group member Melissa Fanshawe joins Talking Vision this week to talk about Vision Australia’s Client Reference Group, which is seeking expressions of interest from new members to take part and have their say.
Sam also catches up with disability discrimination commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett from the Australian Human Rights Commission to talk about their IncludeAbility initiative, which seeks to provide resources for job seekers with disability, as well as raising awareness of their needs and building dialogue with prospective employers.
Then finally we wrap up the show with some news and information.
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It’s a special White Cane Day edition of Talking Vision as Sam catches up with vice president of Blind Citizens Australia Fiona Woods to talk about the upcoming David Blyth Award which will be held on the evening of White Cane Day on October 15.
Vision Australia client Ed Tap also joins the show with his orientation and mobility instructor Carolina Canavezzi to talk about the journey they’ve been on together to improve Ed’s independence after he experienced further vision loss.
Then to wrap up the show, Stella Glorie pops in for a quick chat about Vision Australia’s monthly newsletter For Your Information or FYI.
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Sam catches up with Rita Peker from Uber to talk about an accessible COVID vaccine transport voucher program Uber is involved with that looks to subsidise riders with mobility needs to get to and from their local vaccination hubs.
Also later on in the show, founder of Platinum Creative and legally blind musician Duncan Steward joins Sam to chat about White Stick Fest, a 2 hour online concert which showcases performing artists from Australia and around the world who are blind or have low vision.
Then finally we wrap up the show this week with some news and information.
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Stella catches up with Lexie from Crime Stoppers, who is involved with a new show on Vision Australia Radio called SafetyVision, a 15-minute weekly program which aims to keep the blind and low vision community safe.
You’ll also hear from LEAP graduate mentor Caitlin, she chats with Stella about the experiences and skills she gained from taking part in the 2020 LEAP program, and why she was so keen to become a mentor in 2021.
Then finally this week, we have a new voice debuting on the show as Helen Velissaris joins Talking Vision to chat with Julie from the shop about the latest spring offerings from the Vision Store.
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Sam has a chat with Vision Australia online training specialist and father of five Jamie Kelly, along with manager of government relations and father of three Chris Edwards, as part of this year’s Father’s Day panel.
They talk about the importance of support networks and independence for dads who are blind or have low vision, and share not only the more challenging aspects of being a dad but also their fondest memories.
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Sam catches up with Vision Australia’s Belinda Wilson about an upcoming podcast on Vision Australia Radio she’s hosting called The Career Path. Belinda recently launched a survey to gain perspectives from the blind and low vision community on employment, and what topics would be useful to hear about.
Then later in the show, Stephen Jolley sits down with paratriathlete Katie Kelly in the second of our Paralympics interviews. Katie has low vision as a result of a degenerative condition, and she speaks about her experiences after taking part in the triathlon at her second Paralympics in Tokyo.
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It’s a special Paralympics-themed episode of Talking Vision this week as Stephen Jolley chats with Scott Nicholas from Paralympics Australia about the Australian paralympic team, the latest achievements from our athletes who are blind or have low vision, and the work Paralympics Australia does more broadly.
Then to wrap up the show Sam chats with Stella Glorie about the latest news from the upcoming issue of Vision Australia’s monthly newsletter For Your Information or FYI for short.
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Wayne Hawkins from the Accessible Telecoms project is on the program this week, talking about how he and his team sought to create a resource for users with disabilities that is independent, informative and, most importantly, accessible.
Wayne is blind himself, and among other things he talks about his lived experience as a phone and tablet user who is blind, and the ways in which a resource like Accessible Telecoms can help users who are not only blind or have low vision, but also those with disability in general.
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Blind jazz musician Nelson Rufatt and braille music transcriber Jordie Howell join Tess Herbert this week to chat about the various aspects of braille music, as well sharing their experiences as long-standing participants in the annual braille music camp, both as students and now mentors.
Although due to COVID this year’s camp couldn’t go ahead, Nelson and Jordie also discuss the plans for some virtual events to take place over the next couple of months, and provide some words of wisdom for young musicians who are blind or have low vision.
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Vision Australia library manager Sarah Bloedorn joins Stella on the program this week to talk about just a small portion of the 2,000 new additions to the Vision Australia Library catalogue as well as some exciting virtual library events coming up over the next few weeks, that conversation is coming up later in the program.
But first, Stella pops up again to chat with Julie Scott from the Vision Australia Store about some gift ideas for Father’s Day which is coming up just around the corner, then finally on the show we wrap up with a bit of news and information, and Frances Keyland joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Susan Clift from the team at Census 2021 joins the program to provide some important information about the upcoming Census, and talks about the accessible formats available for Australians who are blind or have low vision to complete their Census form on August 10. Peter Greco recently caught up with her to chat about the census, and that interview’s coming up later in the show.
But first, you'll hear from radio student Sam Valavanis who recently received a Vision Australia further education bursary, he joins the show alongside bursary coordinator Joy King to chat about the bursaries which have recently opened up for prospective students in 2022.
Then later on we wrap up the show with some news and information.
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Vision Australia deputy chair Bill Jolley was recently the recipient of a World Blind Union life membership for his services to the blindness and low vision community, he caught up with Vision Extra’s Peter Greco for a chat earlier this month and that interview’s coming up later in the show.
But first, Sam has a quick chat with education services coordinator Claire Nolan about LEAP, a careers and life skills program for students who are blind or have low vision which is opening up for applications very shortly. If you'd like to know more, you can visit the LEAP web page.
Then finally Stella Glorie joins the show to chat about the upcoming issue of Vision Australia’s monthly newsletter For Your Information, or FYI for short.
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All abilities bodybuilder and weightlifter Jason Whiter talks about the accessibility challenges he’s experienced as a gym user after losing his vision, and some strategies he’s found useful to overcome them.
He joins Sam on a panel discussion this week with blind soccer referee and personal trainer Sebastian Petrovic to talk about accessible ways to keep fit and healthy this winter, and promote some fun upcoming blind sports and recreation events.
Then later in the show we wrap up with some news and information, and Frances Keyland joins the show with a Reader Recommended.
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Former member of Parliament Christopher Pyne joins the show this week to talk about his life in politics, his proudest achievements and the family connection to ophthalmology and eye health that has him eager to take on his recent new role as chair of Vision 2020 Australia.
Stephen Jolley recently caught up with Christopher following the commencement of his new role as well as Vision 2020’s recent 21st anniversary, and their conversation continues for the duration of the show this week.
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This week on the program Stella speaks with Phillip, a retired mathematician and computer scientist who talks about how his work in the way robots process visual information led him to ask the same question of humans, and how his own experiences with vision loss influenced his research.
But first, Sam briefly catches up with Seeing Eye Dogs puppy trainer Paige Coleman to talk about the upcoming Puppy Games on July 22, and Frances joins the program with a Reader Recommended.
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Francois talks about what he’s discovered through Vision Australia Radio, and why he’s enjoyed listening to the various programs on Vision Australia Radio over the years. Stella sat down with him a little while back to share his story as part of this month’s Radiothon, and that interview is coming up later in the program.
But first we hear from Caleb, an information technology student from Federation University in Ballarat. Caleb was this year’s recipient of the Fairhall Memorial Award, which awards $500 to one student around Australia who is blind or has low vision, he talks about how this has helped him hit the ground running in his degree and what path of IT he hopes to follow in the future.
Then to wrap up the show Sam catches up with Stella to chat about the latest news from For Your Information, and Frances joins the program with a Reader Recommended.
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We hear from Harriet Moffat, host of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show on Vision Australia Radio, talking about dispelling some misconceptions members of the public have had about the life of a Seeing Eye Dog. Sam recently had a chat with her to highlight her show as part of this month’s Radiothon, and you can hear that interview later in the program.
Coming up first though, Sam catches up with Telelink coordinator Maria Markou to chat about the Special Interest groups that are coming up as part of the Telelink program in July, and then we wrap up the show with a bit of news and information.
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We hear from blind triathlete and motivational speaker Nathan Johnston about what he enjoys most about competing in triathlons, and the experiences that have stuck with him while taking part as a triathlete.
Before that though, Sam has a quick chat with Jason from Vision Australia Radio about this month’s Radiothon, and then we wrap up the show this week with a bit of news and information.
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Diana Fisk is on the show this week talking about her latest film True Vision, which explores how people deal with unexpected obstacles in their lives, and the perceptions that go with diagnosis and disability.
Then later in the show as part of this month’s theme of Radiothon, Stella catches up with long time Vision Australia Radio Adelaide presenter Peter Greco to talk about life behind the mic, his fondest memories and where it all started for him.
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On this week’s episode Sam catches up with Blind Speed managing director Ben Felten who talks about the rush of excitement he still feels to this day every time he jumps on the motorbike, as well as the extra challenges he faces as a rider who is blind. Ben lost his vision in his late 20s as a result of retinitis pigmentosa, but since then he has established a new world motorcycle land speed record in March 2018, and has aspirations for new records to come.
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We catch up with Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton and diversity officer Ranmali McCormack to talk about Vision Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan, along with the initiatives the organisation has planned over the coming weeks and months both within Vision Australia and the community.
Later in the show Jamie Usher talks about life after losing his vision, his journey going back to study as a psychologist, and subsequently the motivation behind his podcast, the Mind Tradie, which focuses on mindfulness and positive mental health.
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Audio journalism group facilitator Max Rowley is on the show this week to talk about the workshops he’s been running over the past year for people who are blind or have low vision, but also to share his love for radio and podcasts and encourage people to get involved.
We also have a piece from one of his participants, Melaine Robinson, who documented her experience late last year of living through the 8 month lockdown in Melbourne, and the sense of community that grew out of the challenges of the pandemic.
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We hear from Sarah Hartley, an advocacy advisor at Vision Australia who’s recently joined the Queensland Accessible Transport Advisory Council to share her lived experiences as a transport user with low vision.
Tess Herbert and Polly Goodwin also join the show to talk about Nothing’s Off Limits, a new podcast series they’ll be hosting over the next 2 months on Vision Australia Radio, Frances joins the program for a reader recommended, and we wrap up the show with some news and information.
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It’s a special Mother’s Day edition of Talking Vision this week, as Sam sits down for a chat with Wanda Egerton and Anna Dal for this year’s Mother’s Day panel. They talked about their experiences as mums who are blind or have low vision, what challenges they faced and how they educated those around them to understand more about being a parent with a vision condition.
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It's International Guide Dog Day this week on April 28, and to celebrate we have a couple of young dog guide owners on the show.
First up on this week's episode Sam catches up with Ollie Fanshawe, who recently joined with his mum Melissa and Seeing Eye Dogs trainer Brooke Anderson to talk about the difference his Seeing Eye Dog Sadie has made to his independence.
Then Stella has a chat with high school student Tegan about the benefits of having a guide dog that she had observed in her time around them from a young age, which prompted her to get her own guide dog Louis when she turned 16.
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We talk to Dr Theresa Ruig from Vision Australia this week about an upcoming series of Career Samplers taking place around Australia on the 8th of May, which connects children and young people with mentors to chat about education, employment and life.
Courtney McKee also catches up with Niky Hepi, who talks about the benefits of pottery as a way of keeping mentally active and practicing mindfulness, as well as how she makes her classes accessible for participants who are blind or have low vision.
Later in the show Frances Keyland joins us for a Reader Recommended, and we wrap up with some news and information.
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We chat with Vision Australia Radio manager Conrad Browne this week to talk about the exciting changes happening at Vision Australia Radio.
Later in the show Sam catches up with Dino Farronato, who talks about his role in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse portfolio of the Vision Australia Client Reference Group, and to wrap up the show we finish with some news and information.
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It’s a very special episode of Talking Vision today as Sam chats with Junior Finau who, with his wife Rosa, recently founded a choir in Brisbane called Ikuna Voices for singers who are blind or have low vision to get together, share their talents and passion for music, and form long lasting friendships and connections.
Be sure to listen in as Junior tells of the challenges and setbacks he and Rosa have overcome together, and their push to raise awareness of blindness and low vision in the community.
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This week on Talking Vision, Heather Mack from the Centre for Eye Research chats to Stella about the advances that are being made in gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases, and why their latest survey is so important in understanding what patients know so they can get the word out to the patients who need it.
Sam also catches up for a chat with writer and facilitator Anna Dal about a series of upcoming creative writing workshops she’ll be running for writers who are blind or have low vision kicking off in early April for 6 to 8 weeks, then later in the program Frances joins us for a reader recommended, and we wrap up with a bit of news and information.
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This week on Talking Vision, Marion Rivers talks about her time as an orthoptist working in Australia and around the world for the best part of 5 decades. She recently received an Australia Day honours award for her services to the field of orthoptics, and she has a chat with Vision Australia orthoptist Nabill Jacob.
Later in the program Stella also catches up with Rowena, a life long horse lover who is saddling up to ride her horse Ice 5000km from Queensland all the way down to Victoria in 2022 in the name of charity, raising vital funds and giving back to the organisations that helped her when she became totally blind later in life.
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Each week, join Frances Keyland for the latest recommended titles from readers of the Vision Australia Library. This time around Frances has a rural romance and news of an upcoming author event.
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It’s a week of Lego and literature on Talking Vision this week as Tony Wu chats with host of Behind the Scenes Chris Thompson about why Vision Australia is so excited to announce the launch of braille Lego bricks in schools around Australia.
You’ll also hear from author Colleen Ashby whose memoir I Can See Clearly Now is coming out on the 20th of March, we caught up with her about writing the book as well as her experiences and approach to life with vision loss, then to wrap up the show Frances Keyland joins the program with a special reader recommended in the lead up to the Vision Australia library’s From Paddock to Page event on the 30th of March.
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A program dedicated to #IWD. We hear from psychologist Courtney Mckee who investigates the complexities of shopping when you’re blind or have low vision. And we shine a spotlight on the trail-blazing librarians whose hard work and innovation still impacts braille production today.
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This week it's a program dedicated to International Women's Day. We hear from psychologist Courtney McKee who investigates the complexities of shopping when you’re blind or have low vision. And we shine a spotlight on the trail-blazing librarians whose hard work and innovation still impacts braille production today.
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On this week’s episode of Talking Vision, we talk about Vision Australia's priorities for the upcoming state election in Western Australia for people who are blind or have low vision.
We’ll also be chatting with an audio describer about some exciting events they'll be involved with at the Melbourne Fashion Festival later this month, and you can find the link to the events here.
And Stella chats with author and cook Maribel Steel about a great opportunity this month for avid cooks out there to follow along at a blind baking event taking place soon.
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February is Retinitis Pigmentosa Awareness Month and we hear from a young woman who’s going to share her story of being diagnosed and living with the condition, plus a Vision Australia orthoptist chatting about some of the specific ways an orthoptist can support and assist people with RP
Plus, news from the Centre for Eye Research Australia about about a survey on genetic therapies for inherited retinal diseases.
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Frances Keyland presents a Reader Recommended, The Duke and I by romance writer Julia Quinn and part of the Bridgerton series.
Noted for their humour and sharp and witty dialogue, the books are said to be a modern twist of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the twist being sex and passion rather than arm-in-arm promenading.
The Vision Australia Library has nine of the Bridgerton books available in DAISY audio beginning with The Duke and I which sees the ‘irresistible’, Duke of Hastings shunning marriage and society until Daphne Bridgerton agrees to a fake courtship. Each benefit from the sham courtship but neither of them counted on love finding a way.
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We chat with the Victorian Law Reform Commission about its review on reforming the law to make it easier for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision to serve on juries. The commission wants to hear from people about their experiences.
Also on the program, information about the Seeing Eye Dog masterclass series for all dog handlers and Frances is on with a Reader Recommended from the Library.
You can find out more about the Victorian Law Reform Commission and access the survey here
You can find out about the Seeing Eye Dog masterclass plus register here.
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Victoria’s blind and low vision community are celebrating increased access to public transport after an expansion to the state’s Multi-Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP).
We speak with the Uber’s General Manager for Mobility, Dom Taylor plus Government Relations lead here at Vision Australia, Chris Edwards about this exciting development.
Also on the program, if you’ve been involved in NDIS feedback Vision Australia’s NDIS team wants to hear from and Frances Keyland is on the program with a Reader Recommended.
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Offering $25,000 in prize money, the Holman Prize is open to anyone the world over who is blind or legally blind. We chat with LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin about how to enter and what makes a Holman Prize winner.
We also feature the first of a series of interviews from psychologist Courtney McKee, who catches up with a young musician to talk about the way transformed his life after he lost his vision.
And we hear from a young writer about her piece in a new anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia as well as other topics like siblings, the role of humour and navigating life with a disability.
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We speak with Michelle Bowler from the Australia wide free legal service Your Story which was established to give advice to people who are interested in sharing their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
And we chat with Donna Fahie from Vision Australia's Perth office about a regular social group event and other news about the Perth office.
Plus news and information including news from Talking Vision host Stella Glorie.
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On this week’s episode of Talking Vision, Tess Herbert sits down for a chat with Holman Prize winner and two-time Paralympian Tyler Merren.
Tyler is the creator of the Revision Audio Fitness App, which enables users who are blind or have low vision to access a wide range of exercise and fitness programs in an accessible format on their phone, tablet or computer.
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We celebrate World Braille Day
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Ken Brandt has led a fun and adventurous life and had a successful business career despite, or perhaps in part because of, having low vision. He recently published his book Positive Vision, he chats with Sam Colley about his decision to write the book and why he believes having low vision is no barrier to a full and rewarding life.
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A musical Talking Vision to celebrate Christmas and to end the year on a positive (and lyrical) note. We hear songs from some of the stars Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight over the years.
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We chat with Vildana Praljak from the Vision Australia library about the exciting changes and events taking place for the next year
Telelink is running its special interest program once again in and we hear from Polly Goodwin who’s facilitating a group on audio description on TV.
And Frances Keyland joins us for a Reader Recommended.
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We chat with singer David Campbell who this year was honoured with a Vision Australia award for his contribution and services to Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight.
Also on the program, Telelink coordinator Maria Markou and the range of special interest groups throughout January and he hear from Alderberto who is facilitating one of the travel programs.
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Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141
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We speak with disability advocate and lawyer, Graeme Innes AO about a monthly teleconference which gives people the opportunity to hear first-hand and to ask questions about the accessibility app Aira.
Also on the program, we continue our series on the 40anniversary of Vision Australia’s social program Telelink and chat with language group participant Tracy.
There’s also information about an upcoming in conversation with Professor Ron McCallum AO about his memoir Born at the Right Time Wednesday 2 December at 6.30pm AEDT
https://bit.ly/2UZ4pGn
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Vision Australia's LEAP program is for young people aged 14 to 18 to develop and act of their future personal and vocational goals and expressions of interest are now open for 2021. We cat with program coordinator Claire Nolan on what makes this such a unique and exciting program.
Also on the program, there's a new podcast series on the way where nothing is "off limits" and you can help by completing the survey.
And Frances Keyland's on the program with a Reader Recommended
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Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141
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We continue the celebration of Telelink’s 40th anniversary and hear from Program Supervisor Nemoy Malcom about the way the program can connect people from all around Australia.
Also on the program, we catch up with a well-known voice on Vision Australia Radio, Peter Greco – host of Focal Point and Leisure Link – who’s recently been nominated for a Community Broadcasting Association Award.
And Julie from the shop is on the program to chat about the Vision Australia Calendars for 2021.
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Vision Australia’s Graduate Career is a 12-month paid placement for people who are blind or have low vision.
We hear from three this year’s graduates who share their experiences of the past 7 months and the gains they’ve received.
Program Coordinator, Melissa, is also on the program to give us all the information on applying and why people should apply.
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Vision Australia’s Graduate Career is a 12-month paid placement for people who are blind or have low vision.
We hear from three this year’s graduates who share their experiences of the past 7 months and the gains they’ve received.
Program Coordinator, Melissa, is also on the program to give us all the information on applying and why people should apply.
Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141
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This is the complete audio of the 2020 Vision Australia AGM held on the October 29 over various locations.
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Talking Vision 2020 Vision Australia AGM Special
Vision Australia held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday October 29. In this special Talking Vision you hear can highlights from the AGM and other proceedings:
Chair Andrew Moffat
CEO Ron Hooton
Guest Speaker and Client Reference Group Member Nadia Mattiazzo
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Happy anniversary to Vision Australia’s Telelink program, which for 40 years has been connecting like-minded people in a variety of interests for group chats through phone and video conferencing.
We chat with the founder of this program Jennifer Gibbons about what it took to get the program up and running and the impact it has had on both the organisation and wider community.
Also on the program, Ana Dal loves online shopping and she takes us through the good, the bad and the wonderful of shopping with your fingertips when you are blind.
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Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141
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We celebrate White Cane Day and chat with a young white cane user Sam, his father Jim and orientation and mobility specialist Darren.
Also on the program, Donna Dyson has chosen White Cane Day to release her latest single I Close My Eyes to See. We talk with Donna about her motivation to write the song and what White Cane Day means to her.
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Tess Herbert joins us to chat about some of the challenges of moving house when you not only have low vision but during a pandemic. She also speaks with Sally Aurisch from Blind Citizens Australia’s involvement in a film festival focussing on disability.
And we hear from Greg Kennedy from the Australian Blind Bowls Association who is encouraging everyone to get outside, get involved and get bowling.
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Cocky Guides provides adventure tours for people who are blind or have low vision. It recently celebrated its second anniversary and we chat with founder (and head adventurer) Buck McFarlane along with regular participant Cathy, who says the tours provide her with the adventure she had longed for.
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We chat with Damian McMorrow Lead Technology Advisor at Vision Australia’s AT help desk about an upcoming webinar on how technology can assist with dog guide mobility.
Also on the program, we chat with Dr Raymond Wong from the Centre for Eye Research Australia on the development he world’s most detailed retinal gene atlas and how this might be a key to resorting sight.
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Victorians will be voting the upcoming local council elections this October. Running for the first time is Jason Whiter who has low vision and is a very active member of his community. He’s on the program to chat about some of the positive impacts council can implement for disabled people.
Also on the program, Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is going virtual for its upcoming conference. We hear from BCA’s Sally Aurisch about what this will look like and how people can get involved. And Frances Keyland is on the program with a reader recommended.
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The Paralympics documentary, Rising Phoenix has been launched on Netflix – on the date when the Paralympics was due to begin. We hear from Tess Herbert who’s in conversation with Matt Collins about their thoughts on the documentary including the audio description.
Also on the program, we chat with Maurice Gleeson who’s been recent appointed as president of the International Blind Tennis Association has garnered much applause.
Plus we have some news and information.
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This week we bring you all the joy and music from the Braille Music Camp 2019. Held in Mittagong NSW every year the camp gives young singers and music makers the opportunity to be empowered by other blind people in a place where braille is the norm and blindness is the majority.
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“A place where people can talk to each other is one of the most effective ways they can get back to restoring a life that they feel like they’ve lost (after vision loss).”
This week we feature an extended conversation with Cameron Algie who reflects on 14 years of working as a Quality Living Group Coordinator for Vision Australia.
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We speak with Associate Professor Lyndell Lim from the Centre for Eye Research Australia about new research into diabetic retinopathy and the ways in which people with diabetes can maintain eye health.
Also on the program, we hear about an exciting new social inclusion program from Vision Australia including online workshops in creative writing and English conversation.
Plus we have an audio guide to putting on a mask safely and efficiently.
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We hear from a couple of listeners and their reviews and recommendations on the newly arrived audio description services on free-to-air television.
Also on the program, the National Music Therapy Research Unit at the University of Melbourne is running online programs for music loving people with disabilities. We chat with Dr Katrina Skewes McFerran about the program and the transformative power of music.
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Seeking employment during a pandemic may seem like mission impossible. Vision Australia’s Pre-Employment Coordinator, Belinda Wilson, says it’s a good opportunity to strengthen those skills that employees will want in the future. She’s is in conversation with Tess Herbert to explain what those skill are and also what the future of employment might look like.
Also on the program – what do we need at this time? A bit of light entertainment and some fun while raising awareness. Seeing Eye Dogs is hosting the Puppy Games which will see puppy dogs who are in training take part in a series of challenges. We chat with Puppy Development Trainer, Paige, about the games
And Frances Keyland is on the show with Reader Recommended.
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Blind news reader and journalist, Nas Campanella recently moved into the newly recreated Disability Affairs role with the ABC. We chat with her about what it means for people with disability to have media representation, the progression of her own career and what advice she might have for a young blind person considering a career as a journalist.
Also on the program, Vision Australia is calling for nominations for its annual awards and we catch up with CEO Ron Hooten on how to nominate someone and the important role the awards play within the blindness and low vision community.
And, Frances Keyland presents a Reader Recommended.
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We chat with Dr. Lauren Ayton, a clinical researcher with Melbourne University and the Centre for Eye Research whose work involves the development of a nation-wide database of Australians with inherited retinal disease (IRD). This research marks an important step toward changing the diagnosis of IRD.
Also on the program, we have new about audio description finally coming to Australian free-to-air TV and Frances Keyland brings us a fresh new reader recommended.
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Vision Australia will be providing a response to the Disability Royal Commission Emergency Response Consultation. We talk with Vision Australia’s Lead Policy Advisor, Bruce Maguire, on how people who are blind or have low vision can provide their feedback on their experiences on the recent bushfires and Covid-19 emergencies.
We chat with David Woodbridge about an upcoming gaming and coding webinar and catch up with Matthew Layton, from Vision Australia Radio’s Studio 1 on some of his recent interviews.
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For thirty years Vision Australia’s Assistive Technology Advisor and host of the radio program Talking Tech, David Woodbridge, has been sharing his extensive knowledge of both assistive and mainstream technology to the blindness and low vision community. From gadgets to apps and larger devices, David’s passion and excitement about how technology can assist people is inspiring and infectious. We chat to him about some of the changes in technology he’s seen in the last three decades, what he loves about technology and helping people and, of course, his all time favourite gadget.
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June 1 to 6 is Orthoptics Awareness week, a time to celebrate the work and the contribution orthoptists make to eye health and eye care. Certified orthoptist Tony Wu is on the program to discuss the range of work of an orthoptist can undertake.
We hear from Tess and Sam about living in lockdown when you are blind or have low vision. Tess was two weeks into a new job when she had to relocate from the city to rural NSW and begin working from home.
Sam says his life isn’t so much different although as a sports fan he is missing that aspect.
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Earlier this year President of Blind Citizens Australia, John Simpson AM, was acknowledged in the Australia Day Honours list with Member in the Order of Australia (AM) for outstanding service to people who are blind or vision impaired.
John is deeply committed to the information needs of people with a print disability and has been recognised through a number of important awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Roundtable on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.
He’s also built a strong career within the blindness and low vision sector.
John is in conversation with musician, singer and braille music transcriber, Jordie Howell.
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Thursday 21st may is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GADD) a day that focusses on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities and impairments.
Jamie Kelly, from the Library, is in conversation with Vision Australia’s National Manager of Digital Access, Neil King about the work his team does and what inclusion looks like in the digital landscape.
Also on the program, we celebrate volunteer week with a chat with Christopher who has clocked up over 45 years volunteering service plus Vision Australia Radio’s Peter Greco brings us two volunteering stories.
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We celebrate Mother’s Day and hear from Anna and Gurleen, on the the experiences of being a mother when you are blind or have low vision.
Also on the program, we speak with CEO of the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia about the importance of keeping eye-health appointments during the time of Covi-19.
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May is Macular Month, a time to raise awareness of all macular diseases.
We hear from Dr Zhichao Wu from the Centre for Eye Research’s macular unit and the studies into age related macular degeneration.
Also on the program, we speak with Stephen Jolley about living through lockdown when you are blind and Frances Keyland is on the show with a Reader Recommended.
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We celebrate International Guide Dog Day (April 29) and hear from Caren about the difference a Seeing Eye Dog has made in her life. We also speak with Seeing Eye Dog puppy trainer Kim and chat with Glen who is one of the many fabulous volunteer puppy carers.
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This week we focus on ANZAC Day and hear some moving recorded letters sourced from the National Library of Australia’s Trove database of newspapers from nurses on the frontline hospitals during World War 1.
We also replay part of an interview with Capt. William Anderson (retired) who served in the Australian Army for before losing his vision in a peace time training operation.
Frances Keyland is also on the program with a special ANZAC Day Reader Recommended.
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