Episodes
-
Now, our David Hogg hears about the result of the LENS Trial which was which was looking at slowing progression of eye disease in people with diabetes.
-
What happens when your sight loss starts to impact your work? Our David Hogg spoke to John and Kenny from Veolia UK and Heather Barbara, an Employment Advisor from RNIB to find out…
-
Missing episodes?
-
What's been big on Social Media this week?
Holly Tuke from the RNIB Social Media Team joins Amelia to talk inaccessible platform updates, Glastonbury, and how to write great alt. text for your summer outfits.
Visit the RNIB Website for more information on making your posts accessible - How to make your social media accessible | RNIB
Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. -
What is the accessibility like for gigs at stadiums. Our David Hogg spoke to Katrina Thomson who recently attended Pink’s show at Hampden in Glasgow…
-
The Blind Adventurer Dean Dunbar is back with a big win.
He told Amelia about the competition, his new proneboard and cycling with his guide dog.
Keep up with Dean's adventures via his website extremedreams.co.uk and by searching for 'Dean Dunbar Blind and Dangerous' on Facebook.
Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'Connect Radio' underneath. -
With the general election fast approaching, Hywel Davies has been hearing about accessible voting from RNIB Cymru.
You can find out more on accessible voting in Wales here; RNIB Cymru: make voting accessible once and for all | RNIB -
Each week, we sit down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.
This week, stepping in for Matt is Vivienne Francis, RNIB Chief Social Change Officer to chat about a new advertising award at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity which celebrates accessibility, plus RNIB's call for an accessible voting process for blind and partially sighted people in the UK.
If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk
You can also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call RNIB's Helpline.
#RNIBConnect
Image Shows RNIB Logo, White Background RNIB in Bold Black Letters with a Solid Pink Line Below. -
Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re involved in and ask for your input to bring positive change to the lives of blind and partially sighted people, throughout the UK.
This month the team are discussing the forthcoming UK General Election and an ask for your help, ahead of July 4th 2024.
If you’d like more information on campaigns or want to get involved, email [email protected]
Visit rnib.org.uk/news or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999
If you like your socials, follow @RNIB_Campaigns on Twitter for campaign specific updates.
#RNIBConnect
Image Shows RNIB Logo, White Background with RNIB In Bold Black Letters with a Solid Pink Line Below -
Blind and partially deaf traveller and writer Tony Giles has visited over 133 countries from the UN list of 193.
He told Amelia about the highlights and challenges of his travels, writing his novels and tips for other VI travellers.
Learn more about Tony and get updates on his travels on his website https://www.tonythetraveller.com/
Find his first book 'Seeing the world my way: a totally blind and partially deaf guy's global adventures' on the RNIB Talking Books Library.
Find his other eBooks, 'Seeing The Americas My Way' and 'Seeing a Slice of Southern Africa My Way' on Amazon and Apple Books.
Image shows: Tony feeding an alpaca some green vegetation at Awanacancha alpaca farm, a weaving centre and farm near Puka Pukara village and ruins. This is a cultural project that is presented as a living museum of the Andes. Various single storey village or farm buildings can be seen in the background. Other members of Tony’s group can also be seen feeding alpacas. -
Gary Hogan was working in the RAF when he began to notice changes in his sight.
He told Amelia about changing career after sight loss, lockdown challenges and finding a love of chess which took him to IBCA World Individual Chess Championship.
If you want to learn more about the BCA go to braillechess.org.uk
Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. -
The issue of guide dogs and air travel has been in the news recently, Hubert has been speaking to Mar about his experience, together with Samantha from RNIB’s legal team who talks about the legal side of the story.
-
The Department for Work and Pensions are making changes to welfare payments and if you're of pension age and in receipt of tax credits, there are changes on the way.
RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Dominic Milne, from RNIB's Legal Rights Service, to find out what you need to do, if you fall into this category.
If you'd like advice around DWP welfare payments, call RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
#RNIBConnect
Image Shows RNIB Logo, White Background RNIB in Bold Black Letters with a Solid Pink Line Below -
Jemma Davidson, RNIB Customer Voice Insight Co-ordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in with RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey.
Opportunities highlighted this week included:
With the Paralympics fast approaching, we’d love your help to showcase how blind and partially sighted people take part in these sports and activities.
If you take part in Judo, Athletics, Swimming, Tandem Cycling on road or track, Triathlon, Rowing or Equestrian sports, we want to hear from you.
Email [email protected] with the sport you do, to find out more and how you could be part of this fantastic opportunity.
Join Akqa, an ideas and innovation company at Wimbledon for an exciting opportunity to trial Action Audio, a groundbreaking audio accessibility technology for blind and partially sighted individuals.
They are hosting two special events: a 2 hour Zoom co-design workshop on the 24th and 25th June starting at 9am and a trial during the tournament at a match on 7th to 13th July.
There will also be a survey to complete following the project.
The technology enables fans to Experience tennis in a whole new way and help shape the future of accessible sports.
To sign up please email: [email protected]
Are you a Visually impaired Academic interested in talking with other academics?
Would you like to connect with other academics with sight loss to share experiences and strategies for teaching and researching?
if this applies to you, and you would also like to connect with other academics, please let Bernice know, and they can set up an online meeting.
You can email Bernice at [email protected]
To find out more about these and other Connect Voices opportunities along with how you can get involved with RNIB Connect Voices do visit - https://www.rnib.org.uk/connect-community/connect-voices-network/connect-voices-current-opportunities
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 Deafblind Awareness Week Hywel Davies has been hearing more from the country’s only national charity that specialises in the condition, Deafblind UK.
For more information on the charity, visit their website - Deafblind UK | Supporting Deafblindness in the UK -
Amelia Catches up with Holly Tuke from the RNIB Social Media team for this weeks update.
They discuss the Euros, what makes a GIF and alt text of an interesting water bottle mishap.
Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. -
How accessible is the current voting process if you’re blind or partially sighted? And just what improvements do people want to see?
Hubert has been speaking to one voter about their thoughts on the voting process.
And if you would like to help make sight loss a priority for the next UK Government ask your local candidates to become an RNIB Champion if elected. To contact your candidates fill out the simple form here: https://rnib.in/GEConnectR
Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. -
There’s a public speaking event being held in Glasgow on Tuesday 25th June showcasing several Blind and Partially young people’s public speaking skills following a course. David Hogg found out more.
-
News about accessible opera and ballet with a first for opera audio description at the Royal Opera House in London as there will be recorded audio description available at all of the performances of Tosca in July along with touch tours prior to the performances on Tuesday 16 and Friday 19 July at 6.30pm.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Audio Describer Alice Gilmour who worked on the recorded description for Tosca and Paul Adams, Access Project Manager at the Royal Opera House to find out more about Tosca with recorded description.
About Tosca:
From Sardou's play to Puccini's opera
From the early 1890s Giacomo Puccini had toyed with adapting French playwright Victorien Sardou’s gripping melodrama La Tosca into an opera, but only began serious work following the premiere of the critically acclaimed La bohème in 1896. Employing La bohème's gifted librettists Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica to streamline Sardou's complicated plot, Puccini’s Tosca premiered in 1900.
With the city gripped by political unrest, fears of violence plagued the premiere at Rome’s Teatro Costanzi. However, Tosca opened without incident, and although unpopular with critics who disliked its violence, it became an immediate success with the public and has remained a favourite ever since.
Puccini portrays the idealism of Tosca and her lover Cavaradossi through radiant, expansive music, including Act I's duet 'Qual occhio al mondo' (What eyes of this world), Cavaradossi's ardent aria 'Recondita armonia' (Hidden harmony) and Tosca's despairing Act II prayer 'Vissi d'arte' (I lived for my art). Scarpia's music, by contrast, is dark and terrifying – from the demonic chords that open the opera to the violence of his Act II exchanges with Tosca.
Booking details:
To book your tickets and a place on the pre-performance Touch Tours on Tuesday 16 or Friday 19 July at 6.30pm do contact the Royal Opera House box office either by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 7304 4000 and don’t forget to mention that you would like a headset and device to listen to the recorded audio description for Tosca.
Touch tours are only available to ticket holders using the Audio Description service and if applicable, their companion.
More about Tosca can be found on the following pages of the Royal Opera House website - https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/tosca-by-jonathan-kent-2024-details#accessibility
(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) -
The UK General Election is taking place on the 4th of July and it’s important that everyone heads to the polling stations to cast their vote.
Paulina Kuchorew speaks with RNIB’s Chief Executive Matt Stringer about what the charity is focusing on ahead of the UK General Election and why it's important to head to the polling station.
And if you would like to help make sight loss a priority for the next UK Government ask your local candidates to become an RNIB Champion if elected. To contact your candidates fill out the simple form here: https://rnib.in/GEConnectR
Image shows RNIB logo. A white square with RNIB written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. -
RNIB are offering guided walks to prospective candidates in the run up to the General Election.
David Hogg spoke to RNIB’s Lewis Winton and Ross Meegan about how the walks are going so for and about the RNIB Champions Scheme.
And if you would like to help make sight loss a priority for the next UK Government ask your local candidates to become an RNIB Champion if elected. To contact your candidates fill out the simple form here: https://rnib.in/GEConnectR
Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. - Show more
