Podcasts about visually impaired people

In a survey conducted in 2022 by the Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo), 68.4% of respondents said they were “troubled” by the digitalization of government and businesses. In addition to self-checkouts, there were also many responses citing image authentication for internet banking and login operations using one-time passwords. Toyoharu Yoshiizumi (67), head of the information department at the Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired (and himself visually impaired), pointed out, "As digitalization progresses, we are being left behind." He said the increase in unmanned stores is also a concern, saying, "Without store clerks, reasonable consideration cannot be given. I think it is difficult for businesses, but I would like them to improve the environment so that visually impaired people can use the facilities.” Episode Notes: ‘“We are being left behind”: Visually Impaired People in Japan Struggle with Digitalization': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/05/22/we-are-being-left-behind-visually-impaired-people-in-japan-struggle-with-digitalization/

Birmingham City University (BCU) recently welcomed a delegation of health and education professionals from Ukraine as part of a World Health Foundation project looking at improving treatment options for soldiers with complex eye injuries. The visit to BCU and other institutions across the UK, supported by Blind Veterans UK, allowed the University to demonstrate the valuable role it is playing in the field of visual rehabilitation and to show case the many other services offered to blind and partially sighted people by other sight loss organisations including Blind Veterans UK and the RNIB to name just a few. RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined by Susan Cadby, Senior Lecturer in Rehabilitation Studies at Birmingham City University and Philippa Cubitt, National Rehabilitation Services Lead at Blind Veterans to find out more about the Ukraine visit, the sharing of information around rehabilitation services here in the UK and other services for blind and partially sighted people and what we can learn from the Ukraine visitors around how modern war fare has changed some of the eye injuries coming out of conflicts today compared to 10 or 20 years ago. For more about Birmingham City University and their courses including vision rehabilitation doo visit - https://www.bcu.ac.uk And for more about Blind Veterans UK and their work supporting vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss do visit - https://www.blindveterans.org.uk  Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font.

Want to know what life is like for a blind person in Sweden? Well, Jennifer Murray chats to Julia Lindahl about her life and her work for the visually impaired in Sweden. SRF Website: Home Image description:  Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font.

Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind abilities Studio to introduce us to and bring us up to date with The Blind Kitchen, the web site, the audio described videos and what to expect in the coming months. With over 90 items on the store shelves, Debra has an adaptive tool for just about anyone. Whether you need it or someone you know that needs it, Debra has it and more than likely, has a blog or video demonstrating its uses with safety and vision loss in mind. We hope you enjoy!   From the web: The Blind Kitchen offers adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge to blind and visually impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Our collections are available online as are our short instructional videos. Shipping is always free! Everyone has a place at the table in The Blind Kitchen! read More

The French firm Thales is launching a credit card that talks. Not to embarrass users for their spending habits, but to make transactions more secure for people with a visual impairments. About 250 million people worldwide have some form of visual impairment, according to the World Health Organization, and in France they’re often targeted in fraud schemes because of their disability. The new Thales credit card connects users with a phone app that verbalizes transactions. In Paris, John Laurenson tagged along as one person tried it out.

The French firm Thales is launching a credit card that talks. Not to embarrass users for their spending habits, but to make transactions more secure for people with a visual impairments. About 250 million people worldwide have some form of visual impairment, according to the World Health Organization, and in France they’re often targeted in fraud schemes because of their disability. The new Thales credit card connects users with a phone app that verbalizes transactions. In Paris, John Laurenson tagged along as one person tried it out.

Illegally parked cars on footpaths and cycling lanes can be a frustrating everyday experience. But is this a bigger issues than we know of? Kieran was joined by Green Party Councilor for Dublin City, Donna Cooney and Dr Robert Synott, Coordinator and founder of Voice of Vison Impairment Ireland

Where do you go if you are seeking training on how to use the various technology? We look at whether the training provided by rehabilitation services goes deep enough and what alternatives are available to you. We speak to Simon Labbett, who is a rehab officer and Chair of the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network, to Scott Wood who is a team leader at the RNIB's Technology for Life service and to Mike Townsend, who is representing the Technology Association of Visually Impaired People. Blind stand-up comedian Chris McCausland has a new four part show, that airs on Radio 4's Tuesday night comedy slot. It's called You Heard it Here First and panellists have to decipher what is going on in a variety of audio clips. We review the first episode with visually impaired comedy writer and Assistant TV Producer, Reece Finnegan. On the episode in question, Chris' panellists were: Rhys James, Donna Preston, Alasdair Beckett-King and Ria Lina. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz Poole Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.

We are debating a rather ambiguous question on this episode of In Touch: is the modern world more or less difficult for people who are blind and partially sighted? It is a difficult question because there are many variables to consider: your age, whether you have a job, how comfortable you are with the evolution of technology and, of course, your level of sight. To help us tackle it, we have invited Matt Johnson, who specializes in IT and data law, Roshni Hafeez, who is a VAT tax specialist with HMRC and Mike Lambert, who worked as a English lecturer in further education. There are also many areas to cover within this debate and so we have chosen to touch upon banking and trains and assess how technology interweaves into these and many other aspects of our society. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz Poole and Paul Holloway Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words 'In Touch' and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.

In questo episodio di Voices from the Labs parleremo della ricerca condotta in questi ultimi 2 anni dal laboratorio Unit for Visually Impaired People, sui problemi di inclusività delle misure anti COVID-19 e racconteremo della recente pubblicazione del laboratorio Neurobiology of miRNA riguardante una classe di RNA (piRNA) che potrebbe aiutare nella diagnosi di malattie neurodegenerative. Infine, andremo nello spazio con MARM, il nuovo robot di IIT sviluppato per assistere gli astronauti nelle operazioni spaziali sviluppato del laboratorio Human and Humanoid Centered Mechatronics.In questo episodio, ospite di Voices From The Labs, è il ricercatore Giuliano Iurilli, PI del laboratorio di System Neurobiology del Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems di IIT di Rovereto. Il suo team studia i meccanismi cerebrali che gli animali utilizzano per risolvere problemi quotidiani cruciali per la sopravvivenza, in particolare il loro lavoro si concentra sul funzionamento del sistema olfattivo. Con lui abbiamo avuto anche il piacere di conversare dei cosiddetti “nasi artificiali” e delle ricerche svolte per digitizzare gli odori.

Would you like to get away for some rest and relaxation? Maybe an action-packed adventure holiday is more your style. Hywel Davies has been speaking to one travel company that's making sure everything they do is accessible. For more information about Seable Holidays, visit www.seable.co.uk 

WeWalk, a U.K.-based startup developing a “smart cane” for visually-impaired people, today announced it has raised £2 million ($2.4 million) in venture funding from several notable institutional and angel investors — this includes Manchester City and German international footballer Ä°lkay GündoÄŸan.

WeWalk, a U.K.-based startup developing a “smart cane” for visually-impaired people, today announced it has raised £2 million ($2.4 million) in venture funding from several notable institutional and angel investors — this includes Manchester City and German international footballer İlkay Gündoğan.

For a little over a month, groups of blind and visually impaired Nebraskans have been gathering in Omaha for pottery lessons. The goal of the nonprofit putting on the classes? Provide a chance for students to transcend their disabilities through art.

For a little over a month, groups of blind and visually impaired Nebraskans have been gathering in Omaha for pottery lessons. The goal of the nonprofit putting on the classes? Provide a chance for students to transcend their disabilities through art.

The hugely successful Sight Village exhibitions are heading to Leeds in September. They bring together large and small sight loss charities, high and low tech companies plus a host of other exhibitors with something for blind and partially sighted people of all ages. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Lottie Reid, from Sight Village, to look ahead to the free event. If you'd like more details, go to www.qacsightvillage.org.uk call 0121 803 5484 or email sv@qac.ac.uk #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB logo

A visually impaired university student and entrepreneur has created a brand new hi-tech version of the classic white cane, to help those with visual impairments.19-year-old Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia who's CEO of ‘MyVision' said it uses AI, LiDAR and GPS technology, and can notify users with audio directions or haptic feedback. She has secured £10,000 in funding after winning the Samsung ‘Solve For Tomorrow' national technology competition.The government's official advisors on climate change say we're currently not on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.The Climate Change Committee has called for improved policies on energy efficiency and land use, and said there's still an urgent need to cut demand for fossil fuels.Also in this episode:Fashion blogger Maxim Sapozhnikov reveals Monkeypox symptoms after testing positiveVFX artist explains vegas scenes in new Elvis movieHighly antibiotic-resistant MRSA strain that arose in pigs ‘can jump to humans'Electric Gamebox launches team Angry Birds game Social media companies ‘should do more to crack down on car insurance scammers'The iceberg which lets you show off your favourite artistsFollow us on Twitter for more news - @EveningStandard See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Blind and Visually Impaired Deserve the Same Opportunities as Everyone Else- May 20th, 8PM Eastern (ACB Media 1) and repeats throughout the next seven days (go to https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/ for more details) The subject of how blind and visually impaired people deserve the same opportunities as everyone else was brought up in a recent special column to the Topeka Capital-Journal by Karyn Page, Vice-President of Innovation, and Workforce Innovation Center Lead at Envision, a Wichita, Kansas-based organization, and is providing opportunity and inspiration for the blind and visually impaired. Karyn joins us to explain this subject. To listen to this week's “Speaking Out for the Blind,” go to: https://www.acbmedia.org/home/streams/, and choose one of the links under the heading “ACB Media 1 – Mainstream,” or call 1-518-906-1820, and when prompted, press “1” for ACB Media 1. You may also listen to the program live on the ACB Link mobile app. For more information, go to http://link.acb.org. Show archive page is at https://speaking-out-for-the-blind.pinecast.co/. Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number). PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play. Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and Twitter page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind). For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-296-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-deserve-the-same-opportunities-as-everyone-else

Wing Chun Kung Fu is a well established martial art which can be used for self defence, general fitness and can even be used like Tai Chi, to promote balance and inner strength. The style is also well suited for being taught to blind and partially sighted people, due to it's close proximity stances and reliance on touch sensitivity rather than sight. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Martin Gibbons, Wing Chun teacher, to discuss the martial art and it's suitability for teaching to visually impaired students. If you'd like more information on Wing Chun in your area, search online for local classes. For those in the Glasgow area, contact Martin for a taster session via https://www.facebook.com/Wing-Chun-Private-Lessons-105947932104613 #RNIBConnect Image: Martin Gibbons, Wing Chun teacher

Nell'episodio 06 di Voices From The Labs troverete una selezione delle attività più significative di ricerca e non solo, portate avanti dall'Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia: la selezione da parte del Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca del Progetto RAISE, scritto e concepito da IIT, CNR e Università degli Studi Genova, tra gli 11 ecosistemi dell'innovazione nazionali nell'ambito del PNRR e l'accesso alle fasi negoziali e attuative. La nuova collaborazione tra IIT e il Comando Carabinieri per la Tutela del Patrimonio Culturale al fine di realizzare nuovi strumenti tecnologici di contrasto agli illeciti nel settore dell'art crime, partendo da esigenze concrete, con particolare attenzione agli scavi clandestini nei siti archeologici e al traffico online di beni culturali. Fino al concorso letterario FAHRENHEIT.IIT 2022 per scrittori e scrittrici che si vogliono cimentare in brevi manoscritti ambientati e ispirati ai 4 domini di ricerca IIT: robotica, scienze della vita, nanomateriali e scienze computazionaliPer l'intervista ai microfoni di Voices From The Labs, la ricercatrice Monica Gori, responsabile del laboratorio U-VIP - Unit for Visually Impaired People che racconta l'attività di ricerca condotta dal proprio team attraverso lo studio dei sensi e delle multisensorialità per progettare e sviluppare nuovi dispositivi tecnologici inclusivi e riabilitativi che Gori identifica come “tecnologia responsabile” perché basata su risultati scientifici e in grado di produrre risultati misurabili, consentendo di quantificare il beneficio che porta. Ma quali sono le tecnologie già esistente per persone con disabilità e quali di queste sono pensate per bambini e bambine ipovedenti?

Your weekly dose of information that keeps you up to date on the latest developments in the field of technology designed to assist people with disabilities and special needs. Special Guests: Davide Esposito – PhD Student Fellow – Unit for Visually Impaired People – Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia   Website: https://www.iit.it/it/web/unit-for-visually-impaired-people facebook – https://www.facebook.com/iit.uvip/ twitter – https://twitter.com/UVip_iit […] The post ATU560 – Acoustic Archery Game with Davide Esposito appeared first on Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads.

The Saltire Strikers are a 10 pin bowling club, based in Glasgow, for blind and partially sighted people of all ages. The club is looking for new members and volunteers to get involved in the game, for fun or for competitions. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Ian Stevenson, from Saltire Strikers, to learn more about the club. If you'd like more info, or would like to join as a player or volunteer, go to http://saltirestrikers.co.uk/ #RNIBConnect  Image: RNIB See Sport Differently logo

After a 2 year break, due to Lockdown rules, the ever popular Blind Sailing Week is back. If your blind or partially sighted, you can get out on the water for a fantastic week of yachting and beginners are welcome. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Will Bridge to find out more about the week and how you can get more information. #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB See Sport Differently logo

What is it like to do a PhD while starting your family? How can you get practical and emotional support while writing your thesis or launching your academic career when you have small children? Recent OU PhD graduates Dr Emilie Giles and Dr Jade Levell talk about having and raising their children during their doctorates and beyond, the trials and tribulations, how they made it work and how the ‘perfect' thesis is a done thesis. Further reading Theses Giles, Emilie (2021). E-textiles for Self-Expression: Participatory Making with Blind and Visually Impaired People. PhD thesis The Open University http://oro.open.ac.uk/77859/ Levell, Jade (2020). The Road Home: Masculinity, Vulnerability, And Violence : A Narrative Study Using Music Elicitation With Men Who Had Childhood Experience Of Domestic Violence/Abuse And On-Road/Gang-Involvement. PhD thesis The Open University http://oro.open.ac.uk/70991/ Support groups and resources Brearley, J. (2021) Pregnant Then Screwed: The Truth About the Motherhood Penalty and How to Fix It, Simon and Schuster. Evans, E. and Grant, C. (eds) (2008) Mama, PhD: Women Write about Motherhood and Academic Life, Rutgers University Press. Facebook group Mama, PhD https://www.facebook.com/groups/26883644770 Mother Pukka - For people who happen to be parents https://www.motherpukka.co.uk/ Doctoral Mom Life https://www.facebook.com/Doctoral-Mom-Life-1448686481853569/

Enshrined in UK law is the right for, those eligible, to cast their electoral vote independently and in secrecy. However, this is not possible for many blind and partially sighted people due to the inaccessible systems with which we still cast our vote. RNIB Scotland held an event at the Forth Valley Sensory Centre, in Falkirk, where politicians and other decision makers were able to try voting while wearing Sim Specs, which mimic a variety of sight loss conditions. They were also able to try out a Tactile Voting Device and audio candidate list, to make the process more accessible. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland, and Jacquie Winning Centre Manager, about the event. We also heard from George Adams MSP and Stephen Kerr MSP who attended the event and tried out the new technology. #RNIBConnect Image: Polling Station sign

Smartify, a mainstream smartphone app which provides greater access to information about works of art on display in museums and galleries for sighted people, could also be a game changer in access to museums and galleries for blind and partially sighted art lovers too. Smartify is a UK developed mainstream app that is being used in museums and galleries both in the UK and around the world and when you scan a gallery with Smartify on your phone the app will recognise the work on display and bring up an image of the work that you can zoom into if you have some sight. The app will also display the text that is normally found on the gallery wall about the work of art on your phone too which can be read out with a screen reader. RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey caught up with Hannah Thompson, Professor of French and Critical Disability Studies from Royal Holloway University of London, who has used the app on a recent museum visit as a partially blind person as well as producing an audio described guide of the University's picture gallery using the Smartify App. Hannah began by telling Toby a bit about the background to Smartify, how it works when visiting a museum or gallery as a partially blind person as well as how the audio described tour of Royal Holloway University of London's picture gallery came about and working on the audio description with students and Smartify. The audio described tour of the picture gallery at Royal Holloway University of London is up for a Times Heritage Education award for outstanding contribution to equality, diversity, and inclusion. If you would like to listen to the audio description of the works on display in the Royal Holloway University of London picture gallery do visit the following link - https://smartify.org/tours/audio-descriptive-tour (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

On FSCast 202 we'll get to know financial educator Chris Peterson and learn about some of the advantages of opening an ABLE account.   Then, to celebrate World Emoji Day, I'll be joined by Garreth Tigwell and Benjamin Gorman, two authors of the paper “Emoji Accessibility for Visually Impaired People.”   Transcript available at blog.freedomscientific.com/fscast

The right to vote independently and in secrecy is enshrined in law, but for many blind and partially sighted people that simply isn't possible. For many years now, UK sight loss charity, RNIB has been pushing for change to the out of date system and a judicial review agrees. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Mike Wordingham to hear more about the charity's Turned Out Report on voting and the Westminster event where MPs learned about the challenges and solutions. If you'd like to have your say on voting, or get involved to help make changes, go to www.rnib.org.uk/campaigning You can also call the Helpline on  0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call the RNIB Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image: Polling Station sign

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Visionary UK, the umbrella organisation which represents many of the UK's sight loss charities. This month we hear from Fiona and Lucy, from Visionary UK, and Mark Upton, CEO of Oxfordshire Association for the Blind, as they discuss ways of improving the amount of blind and partially sighted people working in the sight loss sector. If you live in the Oxfordshire area and would like more information on the services provided by Oxfordshire Association for the Blind, go to https://www.oxeyes.org.uk/ #RNIBConnect Image: Oxfordshire Association for the Blind Daisy Flower on the logo

Introduction of New Club at Kings Point in Tamarac for the visually impaired. Mission: Support and educate people with low vision, visually impaired, legally blind or blind.

Ever wondered what a Case Study actually is and how they can help to support other visually impaired people and the work of the RNIB?Now it's your chance to share your stories of sight loss as a blind or partially sighted person to both help other visually impaired people and the work of the RNIB.Connect Radio' Toby Davey caught up with Gary Mazin, Stories Library Manager here at the RNIB to find out more about case studies or as Gary puts it personal customer stories and how you can get involved.Gary outlined to Toby what a case study (customer story) is all about and how they and your sight loss story might be used here at the RNIB, how your story is turned into a case study, the types of stories the Stories Library team are looking for, including people with a wide range of backgrounds and interests as well as people like Gary who might have dual sensory loss or might have other disabilities as well as sight loss.If you would like to get in touch with the Stories Library Team and share your experiences of life as a blind or partially sighted person then. Do either email the Stories Library Team via  storieslibrary@rnib.org.uk or you can call and leave a message for  the team on 07753 100 205. Image shows the RNIB Logo. RNIB is written in black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Words 'See differently' are written underneath.

It's been a long time but finally British Blind Sport can resume their sport, and activity, taster days around the UK.The days give blind and partially sighted people, of all ages and abilities, the chance to try some new sports and activities with professional coaching.RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to David Melville, from BBS, to learn more about the first face to face event and how you can register to attend.If you'd like more info on British Blind Sport, or would like to go to the taster day, go to www.britishblindsport.org.uk #RNIBConnectImage: British Blind Sport logo

Do you enjoy baking? Perhaps you have picked up a liking for making tasty treats throughout lockdown or spent the last few months polishing your baking skills. No matter, if a veteran baker or a star-baker-in-the-making, there's a great live online event in which you can bake together with other blind and visually impaired people from the comfort of your own home.The Online bake-in event will take place on Monday April 12th at 10:30 am and you'll get a chance to make lemon Victoria sponges! We spoke with British Royal Navy veteran, blind baker, winner of the Holman Prize and creator of Baking Blind, Penny Melville-Brown to find out how to take part.For more information about the event: Exclusive : Live online bake-in for blind and visually impaired people | Penny Melville-Brown's Blog (disabilitydynamics.co.uk)  For help with signing up call Open Sight Open Sight in Hampshire at 02380 641 244. Image shows Penny sitting in a nice outdoor area with containers of fresh cherries. 

Ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election, which will take place in May 2021, RNIB Scotland are calling on candidates to support their key manifesto asks. James Scotland, RNIB Scotland director spoke with us about their manifesto, and how by asking your candidates to become RNIB Champions, you can help deliver profound change for blind and partially sighted people living in Scotland.  For more information about RNIB Scotland's Manifesto and to contact your local candidates for the Holyrood election and ask them to pledge their support visit: www.rnib.org.uk/scotland  Image: RNIB Scotland logo. Words RNIB Scotland written in black atop a white background and underlined with a bold pink line.

Whenever I talk to Visually Impaired people about the subject of work, it's invariably a tale of woe. It's estimated that 75% of blind and partially sighted people of working age are on the dole … A shocking statistic! You do however occasionally come across some positive stories, in which Visually Impaired People have been treated fairly and received all the support they need. Mark and Kerry Fielding who live in Blackpool started a new job recently and so far, everything is going well.

When Steve Springthorpe went to his mother's care home for a visit, he was shocked to be told that as visits were restricted to 1 visitor, he could not be accompanied by his wife. This meant that Steve, who is registered blind, had no guide and could not continue to see his mother. After an intervention by John Dixon from RNIB, the situation has now been resolved and changes have been made to rules across England. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to John and Steve to find out more.If you would like some help or advice from RNIB's Campaigns, or Policy, team, go to www.rnib.org.uk or call 0303 123 9999. #RNIBConnectImage: RNIB logo

While swimming pools remain closed, you may think an event devoted to the sport, and pastime, would be a little out of the ordinary?But no, UK charity British Blind Sport have created a fun and exciting virtual event that promises to have something for everyone.From competitions, Q&A sessions with Swim England and a talk with Paralympic gold medal winner Hannah Russell MBE to a whole host of advice and tips, it promises to be a great day.RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to David Melville, from BBS, to learn more about the event and how you can get involved.To get more information or to register for the event on Saturday, March 27th go to:British Blind Sport Swim Event Webpage: https://britishblindsport.org.uk/bbs-national-vi-youth-swimming-event/  Swim Event Registration form: https://britishblindsport.wufoo.com/forms/m14ur9di10lach7/ #RNIB ConnectImage: BBS Logo

As part of the Sensing Nature project re-storying landscapes for social inclusion three organisations have come together; Sensing Nature, Natural Inclusion and Westonbirt Arboretum to offer this fantastic opportunity for visually impaired people to become volunteer sensory guides at the stunning Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire.Connect Radio's Toby Davey chats with Sarah Bell from Sensing Nature and Andy Shipley from Natural Inclusion to find out more about this amazing opportunity for visually impaired people.Sarah and Andy provide some background to both Sensing Nature and Natural Inclusion as well as how the Sensory Guide opportunity at Westonbirt Arboretum came about.Sarah also explained a bit more about what they are looking for from potential visually impaired Sensory Guides and what visually impaired people will gain from being part of the project.More information about the Sensory Guide opportunity at Westonbirt Arboretum can be found by either visiting the volunteering pages of the Westonbirt Arboretum website- https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/volunteering or the Sensing Nature website-   https://sensing-nature.com(Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath) 

“This is about developing a balance between quantitative and qualitative perspective, it isn't just about the data - the data is important, of course it is - but it's also the lived patient experience. Both are key.”    In this week's episode of The G Word, Chris Wigley is joined by Dave McCormick, who has been a member of the Genomics England Participant Panel since 2017 and became a participant in the 100,000 Genomes Project due to his rare sight condition. Dave is also an Advisor on the MSc in Genomic Sciences at The University of Manchester, and a Patient Representative in North West GLH Clinical Advisory Group.    In this episode, Dave and Chris discuss why is it so important for people studying to become bioinformaticians or clinical scientists to embed the patient voice, getting healthcare professionals and scientists to talk to people in lay language and DIGVIP (Digital Inclusion on Genomics with Visually-Impaired People), a webinar series launched to try to bring research and patients closer together.   

If you are blind or partially sighted and have been made redundant, or are facing redundancy, there is help available from a collaboration between the Thomas Pocklington Trust and the Centre For Resolution. They are running a free professional coaching project with bespoke advice and support, with places now available. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Martin Sigsworth, From Pocklington, and Ryan Compton from CfR, to learn more about the support available. If you'd like more information on the Professional Coaching, go to www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/employment or email employment@pocklington-trust.org.uk #RNIBConnectImage: Thomas Pocklington Trust logo 

Finding a job isn't easy for anyone right now, but for visually impaired people, it's even more difficult. Claire Randall from Kent, who went to blind school in South Africa, tells Tom Walker about the challenges she's facing in finding employment.

Each year an event takes place, for 1 week, along the South Coast of England. Skippers and their yachts, with a sighted crew, invite blind and partially sighted people to join them for a week on the water and it's open to experienced sailors and complete novices. Despite the current pandemic situation, the organisers are getting ready for a summer sail but will adapt as restrictions change, or re-schedule as necessary. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Will Bridge, Event Co Ordinator, to learn more about the week and how people can get involved in, what has come to be, a fun and social event. If you would like more information about this years event, you can email mail@blindweeksailing.co.uk or go to the website http://www.impossibledream.org.uk/blindWeek.html #RNIBConnectImage: Sailing Yacht in the sunset

Jacquie Winning is the Manager of the Forth Valley Sensory Centre, serving customers across Falkirk and Stirlingshire. Her work during the pandemic has earned her an MBE for reacting quickly to the restrictions and making sure that people with sensory loss were not forgotten and provided with as much support as possible. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Jacquie to learn more about the work of the centre and what it means to her to be honoured in this way.www.forthvalleysensorycentre.org#RNIBConnectImage: MBE Medal

RNIB Northern Ireland and Guide Dogs Northern Ireland are collaborating on a brand new, Lottery funded, project called, Our Futures.It is lead by, and for, blind and partially sighted children and young people from Northern Ireland.The project will help them with transitions through education, employment, learn new technology and work to improve their surroundings and public attitudes to sight loss.RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Rosaleen Dempsey, from RNIB Ni, and Nathan Hood, a blind service user, to learn more about the project, it's goals and who can take part.www.rnib.org.uk/northernireland#RNIBConnectImage: RNIB NI logo

Visionary UK is an umbrella organisation, which brings national and local sight loss charities together in collaboration. Their collective goal is to improve the every day lives of blind and partially sighted people, from across the UK. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Andy Haynes, from Visionary UK, and James Garbett, from Berkshire Vision, to learn how telephone events and befriending calls are helping many keep in touch and cope with lockdown. http://www.berkshirevision.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image: Berkshire vision logo.

In this podcast i am talking about a subject and that subject is about What are the main jobs out their for completely blind or visually impaired people ? I am going into these main jobs and those jobs are working as a customer service working as a teacher or counsler or working as a chef or working as a dj . I am going into these main jobs and if your the type to enjoy doing one of these jobs then one of these job titles will be best for you

In this podcast i am talking about a subject and that subject is Can completely blind or visually impaired people have pets besides our gguide dogs I am going into my answer for this question and the answer is yes we are able to have other pets besides our guide dogs but I talk about things to consider when having a other pet such like can your pet get along with your guide dog is your pet trained and I as well talk about if it would be the right move or not but I over all talk about if we can have pets just besides our guide dogs .

In this podcast i am talking about a subject and that subject is 3 common mistakes people make when interacting with completely blind or visually impaired people I am going into my andser for this question and those mistakes are 1. Cutting in line 2. Taking stuff out of our carts when shopping 3. Assisting us when needing sighted guide . I am going into my reasons for these 3 common mistakes people make and these common mistakes are meant for situations when at a store or in public