Talking Vision

Let 'Talking Vision' be your national radio reference on blindness and low vision.

On this weekly radio program you can hear:

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please email talkingvision@visionaustralia.org

Recent programs

Program 111 for the week of 14 May 2012

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:

Let Talking Vision be your national radio reference on blindness and low vision. A Vision Australia Radio production, it is broadcast nationally each week on over 23 RPH and other community stations.


 

Program 110 for the week of 7 May 2012

This week's program is centred around the recent Annual Conference of the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities. Three participants tell their personal experiences of information access and review the conference and associated events held in Perth from April 28 to May 1.

Participants in the program are:

Let Talking Vision be your national radio reference on blindness and low vision. A Vision Australia Radio production, it is broadcast nationally each week on over 23 RPH and other community stations.


 

Program 109 for the week of 30 April 2012

This week we feature aspects of Social Media along with exciting developments in television. From Media Access Australia we explore issues around accessibility of tools such as Facebook and Twitter and a user who is blind tells her experience of this approach to communication. Also, we bring news of the introduction of Audio Description to ABC television and an update on the availability of Talking Set Top Boxes for Digital Television.

Participants in the program are:

Also in the program, Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia Library previews another title in 'Reader Recommended'.

Let Talking Vision be your national radio reference on blindness and low vision. A Vision Australia Radio production, it is broadcast nationally each week on over 23 RPH and other community stations.


 

Program 108 for the week of 24 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:

Let Talking Vision be your national radio reference on blindness and low vision. A Vision Australia Radio production, it is broadcast nationally each week on over 23 RPH and other community stations.


 

Program 107 for the week of 16 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:


 

Edition 106 - 9 April 2012

This week we focus on the pastime of walking. As a number of walking groups of people with vision loss have developed around the country, it is timely to find out a little about them. We speak with two people each involved with the establishment of a walking group and with someone who runs a series of walking programs.

Participants this week are:

Also in the program, you can hear a musical promotion of Braille from the Hadley School for the Blind in the US and Frances Keyland from the Vision Australia Library returns with more in 'Reader Recommended'.

Edition 105 - 2 April 2012

The cricket season in Australia is over but the interest in blind cricket takes no break with the national team preparing for an Ashes contest in the UK in June. We speak this week with two members of the Australian squad and with a young woman who reflects on her first season of club cricket. Also, we speak with an outstanding vision impaired Paralympic swimmer who has recently broken a world record.

In the program you can hear:

Edition 104 - 26 March 2012

The 2012 London Paralympic Games are less than 5 months away so it is timely to drop in on the preparation of Australians likely to compete under Vision Impaired classifications. We find out a little of the work of the Australian Paralympic Committee and speak with two tandem cyclists to gain an appreciation of their background and incredible work ethic as they prepare for the Games.

You can hear:

19 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:

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

12 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 2nd half of this year.

Participants in the discussion are:

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

5 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:

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.

27 February 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:


20 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:

13 February 2012

This week the program 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:

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

6 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:

30 January 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:

23 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:

16 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:

9 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:

2 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:

26 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:

19 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:

12 December 2011

This week we bring you a demonstration of the iPhone's Siri speech response capability in a technology update. We tell how a guide dog user and Vision Australia's advocacy team combined for a victory over discrimination. There's also time to tell you about the work of Bionic Vision Australia and for news of more in the Vision Australia Library in Reader Recommended.

Participants this week are:

5 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:

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

28 November 2011

Again we talk sport, this time with people who are blind or have low vision talking about high intensity competition and extraordinary physical endeavour. Also with December 3 being the International Day of People With a Disability, we have a message from the Disability Discrimination Commissioner.

Participants in the program are:

21 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:

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

14 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:

7 November 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 :

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

31 October 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:

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

31 October 2011

Vision Australia 2011 AGM

The Vision Australia Enfield Centre was the venue this year for the Annual General Meeting, held at 11:00 am on Friday October 28.

Speakers in this two hour audio coverage of proceedings presented by Stephen Jolley include:

Included also, are:

The signing of the renewed MOU between Vision Australia and Blind Citizens Australia; and
Presentation of the Vision Australia Client Service Award to Brenda Murray, the Youth service Award to Loren Henley and the Corporate Award to Myer.

Also in this Talking Vision special, illustrating activities to enhance the life experience of children with vision loss is coverage of the recent link up with the International Space Station.

24 October 2011

This week, we look at accessing banking services when one has vision loss. Representatives of ANZ and CBA, each of whom themselves are blind, tell of their work guiding their respective organisations towards better accessibility for all and two people with low vision talk about how they manage their daily personal financial affairs.

From the banking sector we hear from:

Telling of their personal experience accessing banking services are:

You can also hear the helpful prompting voice of an 'audio enabled' Automatic Teller Machine.

In addition, we bring you a conversation Stephen Jolley recorded at the recent Convention of Blind Citizens Australia with Dr Kevin Murfitt, Chair of Vision Australia.


17 October 2011

This week, Stephen Jolley speaks with some of the attendees at the national convention of Blind Citizens Australia held in Adelaide over October 15 and 16. You can hear stories of personal achievement, impressions of this gathering of people with vision loss from around the country, and commentary on current support and opportunities for Australians living with vision loss.

Guests in the program are:

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

10 October 2011

This week's program concentrates on International White Cane Day and issues it brings to mind. You can hear some background to this world wide event along with an overview of the Vision Australia participation. An Orientation and Mobility Specialist explains their role of assisting someone with vision loss to move about independently and a cane user will tell us the importance of this mobility aid to him.

Participating in the program are:

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

3 October 2011

This week we find out about World Sight Day which is coming up on October 13 and explore some of the issues it brings to mind. A Vision 2020 Australia representative overviews the day and there is an explanation of the prevalence of vision loss in Australia. Then a Vision Australia orthoptist takes us through the more common eye conditions and explains how vision can be conserved.

Contributing to the World Sight Day coverage are:

Also in the program:

26 September 2011

This week we find out about 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. 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 this event in the development of these young people living with vision loss.

Amongst those participating in the program are:

19 September 2011

In the final of a series of three covering the Vision Australia Texpo 2011, we hear from more technology providers, about products of interest to people who are blind or have low vision. In addition, with the arrival of Australia's first Talking Set Top Box for digital television, we bring you a demonstration with information about how you can obtain one.

Exhibitors participating in the program in conversation with Stephen Jolley are:

Also in the program, Vision Australia Adaptive Technology Consultant Nick Allan, demonstrates the new Bush Australia, Talking Set Top Box for digital television.

12 September 2011

This is the second of a series exploring exhibits at the Vision Australia Texpo 2011. Find out about an innovative way to introduce people to playing music. There is information about the range of low vision and blindness products from Optek Systems and Australian Independence Products. Hear an informed and passionate Apple advocate explain the advantages of this family of products for people who are blind or have low vision.

Exhibitors participating in the program in conversation with Stephen Jolley are:

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

5 September 2011

This is the first of a series exploring some of the exhibits at the Vision Australia Texpo 2011. This week we hear about the range of low vision and blindness products from Humanware. Also, we have a demonstration of the Kapten Plus voice response GPS navigation aid.

Exhibitors participating in the program in conversation with Stephen Jolley are:

Also in the program:

29 August 2011

From this program, one can learn something of how people who are deafblind use braille and other technologies to access the internet and communicate by mobile phone. In addition, in this visit to the Ablelink technology centre in Melbourne, we are given a number of insights in to the lives of people who are deafblind including tackling public transport.

Participating in the program in conversation with Stephen Jolley are:

22 August 2011

This program examines plans for introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from the perspectives of the broad disability sector, people who are blind or have low vision and organisations providing services to people who are blind or have low vision.

Participants in a panel discussion with Stephen Jolley are:

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

15 August 2011

In this program, people reflect on specialist services they have received from Vision Australia. We also find out about the community of people with vision loss living in Bundaberg Queensland.

Participating in the program are:

8 August 2011

This program looks at some of the areas of service support available to people needing to adjust to their loss of vision. Three Vision Australia Service specialists, each explain their work highlighting the difference they can make in the lives of people they work with.

We meet:

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

01 August 2011

This program covers the impact of Vision loss from the perspective of someone who can tell of their personal experience and looks too, at what Vision Australia can offer in response. Also in this edition, we find out about research being undertaken for Vision Australia to better understand the information access needs of people who are blind or have low vision.

Guests you can hear are:

25 July 2011

This program explains arrangements made so that people with a print disability can participate in the Population Census coming up in August. Also, with a new financial year just underway, we hear the CEO's perspective on how Vision Australia is faring.

Guests you can hear are:

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

18 July 2011

This program explores that longstanding tradition, 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 and one of the many adults who share their experience as musicians who have vision loss. We also get an update from President Maryanne Diamond, of recent activities of the World Blind Union.

Guests you can hear are:

11 July 2011

This week's program features a firsthand account of transition from being an active young girl with normal vision to becoming an adult with total blindness.

Speaking at the recent conference of the Round Table on Information Access for People with a Print Disability Jodie Hoger in a frank and open presentation, told the story of "from Reluctance to Acceptance - A Personal Journey", revealing her experience as she and those around her, adjusted to her vision loss. Jodie also tells of her current role as a Teacher Consultant supporting students with vision loss with TAFE NSW.

Also in the program;

4 July 2011

This program marks Naidoc Week by celebrating the accomplishments of extraordinary Aboriginal musician who is blind. Also, we gain some informative insights into parenting when both mum and dad are blind.

Guests participating this week are:

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

27 June 2011

This program has an update on the switchover to Digital Television including a demonstration of a talking Digital TV set top box. We gain some insights into the current thinking of Britain's RNIB and have news of the readers' choice arrangements for choosing the Vision Australia Braille Book of the Year.

Guests participating this week are:

Talking Vision Archives

Broadcast frequencies and schedule

Vision Australia Radio details
Vision Australia RadioDay and time
Albury 101.7 FM3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Bendigo 88.7 FM3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Geelong 99.5 FM3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Melbourne 1179 AM3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Mildura 107.5 fm3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Shepparton 100.1 FM3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Warragul 93.5 FM3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Warrnambool 94.5 FM3.30pm Wednesdays and 7.30pm Sundays
Other RPH station details 
RPH StationsDay and time
2RPH Sydney 1224 AM2.00pm Wednesdays and 8.30pm Fridays
2RPH Newcastle 100.5 FM2.00pm Wednesdays and 8.30pm Fridays
4RPH Brisbane 1296 AM2.30pm Mondays and 7.30pm Tuesdays
1RPH Canberra 1125 AM3.00pm Thursdays and 8.00pm Saturdays
1RPH Wagga Wagga 89.5 FM3.00pm Thursdays and 8.00pm Saturdays
7RPH Hobart 864 AM3.00pm Thursdays
7RPH Launceston 106.9 FM3.00pm Thursdays
1296 RPH Adelaide 1197AM7.00pm Saturdays
6RPH Perth 990AM3.30pm Wednesdays and 9.45pm Saturdays

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