Talking Vision

Presented by Stephen Jolly

Program 111 – Friday 18 May 2012.

In this week’s program, we find out about volunteering opportunities with Vision Australia and hear the account of a vision Australia volunteer. Two people with vision loss each tell their story explaining their significant contribution to the community.
Participants in the program are:

•           Esis Tawfik, National Co-ordinator Volunteer Program with Vision Australia;
•           Graham Pilsworth from Algester in Brisbane, a Vision Australia volunteer;
•           Noni Casey from Surrey Hills in Melbourne; and
•           Janeen Horne from Riverwood in Sydney, who each talk about their contribution to the community.

Program 108 – Friday 27 April 2012.

In recognition of International Guide Dog Day, this week’s program explores the lives of these remarkable dogs and the people they partner with. Two people tell of their experiences with their dogs and a puppy carer explains the nurturing and training that lay the foundation for later training and years of service.
Participants are:

Twanny Farrugia, a Guide Dog user from Springvale in Melbourne;
Jenny Nickols, a Seeing Eye Dog User from Lutana in Hobart;
Michelle Griffiths, a SEDA Puppy Carer from Albany Creek in Brisbane.

Program 107 – Friday 20 April 2012.

This week we celebrate international recognition of an Australian screen reading product NVDA. The prestigious 2012
Access Awards from the American Foundation for the Blind included one to NV Access, a small software company of blind and low vision Australians, for their work providing this computer access product which is at no cost to the user. Also on the program, we explore the anticipated impact for people with vision loss of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and associated government reforms.
Participants are:

Dr Scott Hollier, Western Australian State Manager for Media Access Australia;
Michael Curran, Founder, Director and software developer with NV Access;
Michael Simpson, General Manager Advocacy with Vision Australia.

Program 103 – Friday 23 March 2012.

There are two major areas of focus in this week’s program. We have another visit to Vision Australia’s Equipment Solutions to find out the latest and to look again at some of the very popular products. Also, we focus on living with vision loss in regional Australia. We speak with a resident of Woodgate on the idealic Central coast of Queensland and catch up with the Vision Australia Team Manager with responsibility for services in the Southern Riverina to find out about the impact of recent floods in that part of New South Wales.
You can hear:

Julie Scott, Customer Service Officer with Vision Australia’s Equipment Solutions;
Deb Stessl, a resident of Woodgate in Queensland who has very low vision;
Kerry Strauch, Vision Australia Team Manager for Wagga Wagga in the New South Wales Southern Riverina.

Also in the program, Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia Library, previews more in ‘Reader Recommended’.

Program 102 – Friday 16 March 2012.

This week we look at the current state of Audio Description in Australia. We consider the various platforms of live theatre, cinema, DVD as well as the TV environment with the ABC to conduct a trial in the 2^nd half of this year.
Participants in the discussion are:

John Simpson, Operations Manager Accessible Information Solutions with Vision Australia;
Robyn Gaile, Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia.

We also include a striking illustration of the impact of Audio Description for someone not able to see the action.

Program 101 – Friday 9 March 2012.

This week we find out about the recent International Mobility Conference held in Palmerston North New Zealand. The event was co-hosted by the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, Vision Australia and Massey University. Listen to a panel discussing Orientation and Mobility as it applies today, the background to the event and some of their impressions of the conference.
Participants in the discussion are:

Nicola Misso, National Manager Orientation & Mobility Services with Vision Australia;
Penny Stevenson an Orientation & Mobility Specialist with Vision Australia;
Paul Metcalf, Head of Rehabilitation and Guide Dog Services with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

Also in the program, you can hear a catchy musical promotion of braille and Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia library previews more in Reader Recommended.

Program 100 – Friday 2 March 2012.

This week we drop in on the launch event for the National Year of Reading as the PM is handed a book in braille. We look ahead to the start of Audio Description on ABC television and a new NBN Champion talks about what this communications infrastructure will be able to add to the lives of people with a disability.
On the program you will be able to hear:

National Year of Reading Patron, William McInnes;
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard;
Policy Advisor with the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Wayne Hawkins;
Disability Discrimination Commissioner and NBN Champion, Graeme Innes AM;

Program 99 – Friday 24 February 2012.

This week we explore the impact of vision loss on the individual and those around them. We find out the Vision Australia understanding of this and what the organisation offers people. We also find out about the Vision Australia Quality Living Program. Two people tell of the experience of the initial diagnosis of their sight loss and how they have met this life challenge.
Participants in the program are:

Marion Rivers, Assistant Manager in NSW for Vision Australia Independent Living Services;
Cameron Algie, a Vision Australia Quality Living Program Coordinator;
Joanne Sherman from Lisarow in NSW;
Bruce Blackshaw from Croydon Park in NSW.

Program 98 – Friday 17 February 2012.

This week’s presentation sweeps across a range of areas of interest. We look ahead to the International Mobility Conference In Palmerston North in New Zealand. One of Australia’s leading Paralympians talks about preparations for London and her new role as a Global Ambassador for Vision 2020. We talk to Vision Australia’s Regional Manager in Queensland about the impact of the flood emergency on people living with vision loss as well as activity as the Queensland election campaign warms up.
Participants in the program are:

Nicola Misso, National Manager Orientation and Mobility Services with Vision Australia;
Vision Australia Ambassador and Paralympian Jessica Gallagher following the announcement of her new role with Vision 2020;
Karen Knight, Regional Manager with Vision Australia for Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Also in the program, Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia Library previews more in Reader Recommended.

Program 97 – Friday 10th February 2012.

As Audio Description continues to develop in Australia we meet a visitor from the UK who heads up the Vocaleyes organisation that coordinates the service in theatres and other public places in the UK. We also chat with two inspiring people who were each recognised on Australia Day for contribution to their community that makes a difference for people who are blind or have low vision.
Participants in the program are:

Judy Dixi, Executive Director of Vocaleyes in the UK;
Jordie Howell, a musician who is blind and talks about Roma Dix;
Roma Dix from Mittagong upon the announcement of her being awarded an OAM;
Maureen Davenport upon receipt of an Achievement Award for her work with the Nunda Low Vision Support Group in Brisbane.

Program 96 – Friday 3rd February 2012.

With the academic year underway, it is timely to look at the special challenges and available support for students who are blind or have low vision. We firstly seek the Vision Australia perspective, here from a young man embarking on first year studies and from a young woman stepping up to year 3. We then are introduced to the on campus support available to students with a disability.
Participants this week are:

Max Bini, Tertiary Education Consultant with Vision Australia;
1^st year student Warrwick Gage from Harvey Bay Queensland;
3^rd year student Ria Andriani from Padstow New South Wales;
Lana Todes, a Disability Liaison Officer from the University of Melbourne.

Program 95 – Friday 27 January 2012.

This week’s presentation is packed with news for those interested in the world of reading. There is a preview of the National Year of Reading, an explanation of developments at the Vision Australia Library and a look ahead to the Perth National Conference of the Round Table on Information Access for People with a Print Disability.
Participants this week are:

Sue McKerracher from the Library Agency to talk about the National Year of Reading;
Tony Iezzi, National Library Manager with Vision Australia;
Chris Whitelock, Director of Information Services for the Association for the Blind of WA, hosts of the 2012 National Round Table Conference.

Program 94 – Friday 20 January 2012.

As the world of adaptive technology races along, we pause this week to reflect and speculate. Stephen Jolley has brought together a panel of three people who each share their unique experience, insights and perspective. Of the two who are blind, one leads a training organisation in the United States, to equip people with vision loss to use PC technology and the other uses assistive technology in his work as a communications analyst. The contributor who has low vision, influences the Australian environment through his senior role with Media Access Australia.
Participants are:

CathyAnne Murtha from Tucson Arizona who heads the Access Technology Institute;
Bill Jolley, a Communications Analyst with the Australian Communications and Media Authority in Melbourne;
DR Scott Hollier, Project Manager & Western Australia Manager with Media Access Australia.

Program 93 – Friday 12 January 2012.

This week we revisit a once in a life time experience for a group of primary school children when they spoke with an astronaut on board the International Space Station. From a feature originally broadcast in late September 2011, we discover how this amazing event came about, meet one of the space cadets who tells how the experience was for her and talk with one of Vision Australia’s children Services team who explains the significance of the occasion in the development of these young people living with vision loss.
Amongst those participating in the program are:

Paul Paradigm, Vision Australia Adaptive Technology Consultant and National Co-ordinator of Amateur Radio’s AMSAT;
Jessica McKinnon from Carlingford in Sydney who communicated with the International Space Station;
Natalie Kain, a paediatric Occupational Therapist with Vision Australia’s Children Services;
Mike Fossum, an astronaut on board the International Space Station.

Program 92 – Friday 6 January 2012.

In acknowledgement of the anniversary of the birth on January 4 1809, of Braille inventor Louis Braille, this program celebrates Braille by delving in to a lesser known area of its use. We revisit the program broadcast in July 2010, featuring the rich tradition amongst blind Australian musicians of the Braille Music Camps. Every year, students of music and adult mentors who are also blind or have low vision, Gather at Mittagong in NSW, for a week of musical play and learning. We hear from two of the students and one of the many adults who share their experience as musicians who have vision loss. We also present this week, a musical tribute to Louis Braille performed by Blind Canadian Terry Kelly.
Guests you can hear are:
•           Jordie Howell, blind musician and Adult Braille Instructor with Vision Australia;
•           Student Emma-Mae Schmidt from Albury NSW;
•           Student Nelson Rufatt from Avalon NSW;
•           Blind Canadian musician Terry Kelly with Merci Louis.

Program 91 – Friday 30 December 2011

We have a variety of content this week. We hear about the experiences from a couple who are blind and have low vision of their recent holiday in New Zealand with how audio and other support worked for them. With the Melbourne Cricket Ground currently in focus for many Australians, a lady who is blind gives her impressions after a thorough tour of this iconic stadium. Then Lorin Nicholson who is blind, talks about the Tandem Bike ride from Brisbane to Melbourne increasing community awareness of blindness and low vision and raising funds to assist Vision Australia with its service provision.
Participants this week are:

Christine Simpson, back from a holiday in New Zealand with her husband;
Kate Stephens, with her impressions of a tour of the MCG;
Lorin Nicholson, following his tandem ride from Brisbane to Melbourne;
Peter Vaughan, from Clubs Australia, a sponsor of the bike ride.

Program 90 – Friday 23 December 2011

In keeping with Christmas week, we have a program of reflection and of celebration. We check in with our Australian President of the World Blind Union. We learn a little of how life has been for those New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision, that were impacted by the devastating earthquakes. A student with low vision from Erskineville in Sydney tells of his successful completion of the HSC.
Participants this week are:

Maryanne Diamond, President of the World Blind Union and General Manager International and Stakeholder Relations with Vision Australia;
Gloria Weeks, Secretary of the Canterbury Branch of the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand;
Luke Toutou, a successful HSC student.

Program 88 – Friday 9 December 2011.

This week we look at steps Vision Australia is taking in order to more effectively serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We hear about the development and implementation of Vision Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan and of the availability of a handy introduction to Indigenous Australia known as The Little Red Yellow Black Book.
In conversation in the program with Stephen Jolley are:

John Gow, National Manager Human Resources with Vision Australia;
Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes who is Aboriginal, has low vision and leads the Reconciliation Action Plan implementation project;
Aboriginal author Bruce Pascoe who talks about his writing and his mother who was blind and had severe hearing loss.

Also in the program, Bruce Pascoe reads introductory text from The Little Red Yellow Black Book.

Program 86 – Friday 25 November 2011.

This week we talk sport, hearing from people engaged in quite diverse competitive endeavours. We find out a little about blind cricket, swish and sailing.
Participants in the program are:

Peter Robinson, Chair of Blind Cricket Australia;
Graeme Guildford, President of the Brisbane Swish Club;
Don Scott, from Sailability in Sydney.

Also in the program, Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia Library, previews more in Reader Recommended.

Program 85 – Friday 18 November 2011.

This week we visit Vision Australia’s Equipment Solutions picking up some interesting Christmas ideas from items that are new as well as others that have served people with vision loss very well for many years. We bring you a conversation with a highly distinguished Australian who is blind and preview more titles available from the Vision Australia Library.
Participants in the program are:

Julie Scott from Vision Australia’s Equipment Solutions;
Professor Emeritus Ron McCallum AO;
Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia Library with Reader Recommended.

Program 84 – Friday 11 Nov 2011.

This week we learn of a flaw in Australian Immigration law which results in refusal of permanent residency to new comers who happen to have a disability. You can hear the story of a woman from India who because of her vision loss had to battle for two years before obtaining ministerial approval to stay in Australia with her family and resume her career making a difference for people with a disability.
Participants in the program are :

Simran Kaur, who tells her story;
Vision Australia National Advocacy Manager, Renee Williamson;
Vision Australia Policy Officer Brandon Ah Tong.

Also this week, Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia Library previews more in Reader Recommended.

Program 83 – Friday 4 Nov 2011.

This week we explore recreation. We hear the Vision Australia perspective on needs of older people with Vision Loss with an outline of recreation services offered and three people, each tell of their approach to keeping mind and body active.
Contributors to the program are:

Louise Pettigrew, Recreation Development Senior Practitioner with Vision Australia;
Sandi Dark from Epping in Sydney;
Carmel Strutt from Albury NSW;
Cliff Howard from Geelong in Victoria.