Enjoy The Female Perspective With These Audio Described Films
Birds Eye View is a charity that centres on the female perspective in film and campaigns for gender equality in all film spaces.    They aim for inclusivity – not just for women, but for everyone and now in their 18th year they continue to spotlight and celebrate new and classic films created by women. As the group continues supporting women working in film through advocacy, investment, mento...
8m Dec 09, 2020
8m
Royal Collection Trust opens up great works of art through audio described online tours
With the help from visually impaired Sight Loss Council members on a couple of pilot tours the Royal Collection Trust  (RCT) has just  launch free monthly audio described tours, opening masterpieces from the Royal Collection to blind and partially sighted people across the country.    RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Amy Stocker, Access Manager, Royal Collection Trust and Steven...
9m Dec 04, 2020
9m
By Trying To Have a Fulfilling Life You End Up Being An Advocate
Uyanga Erdenebold was born in Mongolia with sight, but due to a degenerative eye condition, was blind by the time she was 20.     In 2007 she became the first blind Mongolian to be awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to study at a university in the U.S., where she completed her graduate studies in Library and Information Science at the Louisiana State University.    Now, Uyanga is...
13m Dec 03, 2020
13m
Discovering Podcasts In Lockdown
Brian Rothery is a former journalist and computer programming pioneer and two years ago he lost his sight.   Since then, Brian has been benefiting from charity Alone's befriending service and even now in lockdown, Brian is thriving by using technology to start a podcast on a variety of topics, including writing and philosophy.    Brian spoke with RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew about ...
8m Nov 27, 2020
8m
Virtual Dances Classes For VIPs
Charity Rationale Arts are offering people with a visual impairment aged 16 and over the opportunity to learn to dance virtually via Zoom with their Sight Specific Moves Dance Course. The sessions are tailor-made to suit each person’s individual access needs. So, if you have a small space in your living room or have mobility issues and need to stay seated, they can teach you dance moves from t...
8m Nov 27, 2020
8m
Audio Description guides the eyes of sighted people in museums
We know how great audio description is for making the arts accessible for visually impaired people but could AD help sighted people in guiding their eyes when looking at works of art in a museum and help them to retain information? Well Dr Rachel Hutchinson has just completed her PHD looking into the benefits of recorded audio description for both blind and sighted people. The first part of D...
10m Nov 27, 2020
10m
Moorfields Eye Hospital is on the move!
Moorfields Eye Hospital has been at its City Road location in London for just over 120 years and subject to planning permission will be moving with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology to a brand new purpose built building near King’s Cross. The exterior design of the building has now been finalised and the Oriel Project Team behind the development and move to the new building are looking for bl...
8m Nov 25, 2020
8m
Vaccines and more Covid19 Vaccines...
RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey checked in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick to find out more about the current crop of vaccines for Covid19, what role Pharmacist might play in the role out of any vaccine, why people should take the vaccine if they are offered it and what the condition 'long covid' might be and how it might affect people who have the condition.    Elizabeth also mentioned You...
8m Nov 20, 2020
8m
It Makes Sense Campaign In Wales
Rebecca Fogarty, Engagement and Collaboration Manager at Public Health Wales, spoke to RNIB Connect Radio about the campaign, It Makes Sense. Image is of Welsh Flag.
5m Nov 19, 2020
5m
Inclusive Public Spaces Project
This is a worldwide project spearheaded by a Team based at Leeds University looking at the inclusivity of public spaces for everyone including disabled and visually impaired people.    The project will focus on two different cities in each of the five participating countries to look at the inclusivity of their streets and public spaces and the two UK cities are Glasgow and Leeds.     The Te...
8m Nov 19, 2020
8m
National And Grass Roots Support For Visually Impaired People.
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 befrie...
6m Nov 17, 2020
6m
Clarke Reynolds - Blind, Braille Artist turns Braille in to a visual art
Clarke Reynolds is a blind artist based in Portsmouth who is turning the tactile form of Braille dots into a visual art for everyone through his recent colourful Braille poster highlighting local key workers to a Braille bench. During lockdown many artists responded to the Coronavirus pandemic by photographing and painting portraits of local key workers to highlight their work in hospitals and...
8m Nov 17, 2020
8m
An App Empowering Those With Rare Eye Conditions
MyEyeSite is a new collaboration between Moorfields Eye hospital, Loft Digital, and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and it's all about empowering patients with their eye data.  By enabling people with rare eye disease to collect, manage and share their own health data, the project hopes o lead to better health outcomes, more efficient health services, and accelerated scientific research and cl...
4m Nov 17, 2020
4m
More Audio Described Theatrical Treats For Christmas.
With more theatres putting dates in their diaries for live performances, does that mean a return of audio described shows for blind and partially sighted patrons? It does, and there's even some festive treats, a first for Instagram and a DaDaFest online event. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Arts to unwrap what's in store. http://www.mindseyedescription...
6m Nov 13, 2020
6m
Stay Fit At Home With VIP Friendly Pilates Classes
If you're looking for an easy way to look after your health and wellbeing, without having to leave your house, why not try pilates?  Felicity Beach is the founder of FJBPilates and since lockdown, with the support of British Blind Sport, she's been running online classes with blind and partially sighted people in mind.  For more information about the pilates classes visit: www.fjbpilates.com 
9m Nov 11, 2020
9m
Get Lost With 'Planes, Trains, and Canes' Travel Show
Professor Mona Minkara is a recipient of the 2019 Holman Prize and thanks to the prestigious award, she was able to embark on journey around the globe and show everyone what it’s like to travel independently as a blind person.  In her travel show: 'Planes, Trains, and Canes' Mona takes us along as she experiences five cities, faces challenges, overcomes obstacles, and sheds light on issues tha...
13m Nov 11, 2020
13m
Andrew Tatham Author of I Shall Not Be Away Long
On Armistice Day, Andrew Tatham talks about his latest book, I Shall Not Be Away Long.  Illustrating the experiences of one man during World War 1, who had a connection to the National Institute for the Blind, as it was then called.   Photo is of the book cover, I Shall Not  Be Away Long, The First World War Letters of Lt. Col. Charels Bartlett, including the photograph of a letter.
12m Nov 10, 2020
12m
What are the different treatments for Covid19
RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey checked in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick to talk about the various current treatments for Covid19 and a suggestion from the BMA (British Medical Association) that medicine packs that are returned unopened to pharmacies should bee reused.    To get in touch with Elizabeth Roddick email  Elizabeth@newlifepharmacy.co.uk or for more information visit https://ne...
7m Nov 05, 2020
7m
John Sanders Talks About His Role as a Trustee for Sight life.
It's Trustees' Week, an annual event to showcase the great work undertaken by many volunteers throughout the the country.  John Sanders talks about the work he's undertaken as a trustee over the years. Photo is of Sight life logo.
7m Nov 04, 2020
7m
Gareth Davies with advice on how to cope during lockdown.
Wales is in its second week of lockdown and as winter approaches and the nights grow longer, Gareth Davies has some interesting ideas on how to enjoy and make the most of your time. Photo is of a leaf strewn path in woodland during autumn, with trees shedding their leaves.
5m Nov 03, 2020
5m
Spooky Accessible Entertainment Recommendations
It's Halloween so obviously, our producer Paulina went a bit Halloween crazy with this weekend's round-up of accessible entertainment suggestions, here they are...
7m Oct 30, 2020
7m
On A Sunlight Path Towards Helping Others
Margaret Curdy lost sight in one of her eyes four years ago. It was a painful ordeal which changed her world view forever and set her on a path of helping others by starting her own business, Sunlight Therapy. These days, since the coronavirus outbreak, Margaret has been working from home and using her experience as a Holistic Therapist, qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master/Teacher,...
9m Oct 29, 2020
9m
Fishing Tips With The Blind Angler
Learn some great fishing tips from The Blind Angler himself. Wayne Vowden jokingly calls himself the blind angler and even has a cap that says so. He hopes to encourage others to pick up the pass-time and shared his experience with RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew. Find Wayne on Facebook or YouTube as 'The Blind Angler'. (Image: The Blind Angler logo of an orange fish holding a fishing ...
8m Oct 26, 2020
8m
New Sight Loss Council Advocacy Groups looking For Volunteers
RNIB Connect Radio’s Barry Snell chats to Masuma Ali, Engagement Manager for the Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council and Eamonn Dunne, Engagement Manager for the Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council about two new advocacy groups which are set to launch for blind residents in Bedfordshire and Tyne and Wear. They are seeking blind and partially sighted volunteers interested in campaigning on the issues ...
6m Oct 22, 2020
6m
Ian Runcie, Wales VI Golf Phone Group
Ian, a former golf professional, encourages people to join the Wales VI golf phone group.  Ian talks about his sight loss, how it won't stop him achieving new goals and his love of the sport he's played throughout his life. Photo is of the head of a golf club and golf ball on grass.
6m Oct 21, 2020
6m
Claire Forde in conversation with... Palma Allan
Continuing her series of sit-down interviews, we go back to February 2020, as Claire Forde sat down to chat with Palma Allan MBE. Palma is very well known for her work with choirs for children, young people and adults, and for her work as Deputy Headteacher at Inverclyde Academy, and a music teacher working in various schools and her local area of Inverclyde. Her choirs have performed live at ...
40m Oct 20, 2020
40m
Rhian Morris, Pavement Promise
We all know parking on pavements can cause problems.  Rhian Morris talks about recent developments in Wales.   Photo is Pavement Promise logo, a stylised car with Pavement Promise written above.
6m Oct 20, 2020
6m
Visually Impaired Author Enjoys Sweet Success
RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell chats with visually impaired author Bill Skipworth, who's children's book 'The Raven's was recently published.
6m Oct 19, 2020
6m
More News Surrounding Mood Control Medicine
RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell chats with pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick who has an update on the mood control drug, lithium, which Elizabeth spoke about recently. Get in touch with Elizabeth at newlifepharmacy.co.uk (http://newlifepharmacy.co.uk/) Image: Close up picture of Elizabeth smiling. She is wearing a matching, purple jacket and scarf.
6m Oct 19, 2020
6m
Get A Load Of Belly Laughs With VI Comedy Night
I Say, what do you get when over a dozen visually impaired comedians congregate for some covert comedy? Well, the 'Eye Say, Eye Say, Eye Say!' comedy night, of course.   For this night of eye-watering comedy, an awesome range of visually impaired comedians will perform together and be live-streamed to you from a top-secret location, whilst comedian Georgie Morrell will be the handy socially-d...
7m Oct 16, 2020
7m
Have You Heard Of 'Joy's World Podcast'?
We're celebrating Black History Month this October and we thought it would be good to catch up with podcaster Joy Addo. As the creator and voice of 'Joy's World Podcast', Joy is often vocal about being a black, visually impaired single mother and continuously breaks stereotypes around each of these aspects of who she is.  To listen to Joy's World Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
9m Oct 12, 2020
9m
Mood Control Medicine May Become Unavailable
Barry Snel chats to pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick, who this week has some news around lithium. Get in touch with Elizabeth at newlifepharmacy.co.uk (http://newlifepharmacy.co.uk/) Image: Close up picture of Elizabeth smiling. She is wearing a matching, purple jacket and scarf.
6m Oct 08, 2020
6m
Bionic Eye That Could "Cure" Blindness
Research team at Australia's Monash University is working on a bionic eye that could potentially "cure" blindness.  This project could see major changes in how we treat sight loss and Arthur Lowery professor at Monash University's Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering spoke with us about this exciting development. (Image shows the prototype of the wireless headset used in ...
8m Oct 06, 2020
8m
Stay Connected With Macular Society's Befriending Service
Staying connected and being able to speak with someone who understands macular degeneration can be extremely beneficial during the 'new normal' of social distancing. RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Hannah Keegan from the Macular Society to find out how their telephone befriending is helping combat loneliness. If you are interested in using the telephone befriending service, p...
6m Oct 06, 2020
6m
Claire Forde in conversation with... David Tanner
Claire Forde chats with sports broadcaster David Tanner to talk all things football, as well as his fascinating broadcasting career. The former Sky Sports host talks about some of his famous interviews, including sneaking into a Glasgow pub to interview Jim Baxter, his involvement with the Rex Blind Party, who provide live commentary for visually impaired people at football matches in Scotland...
1hr 4m Oct 05, 2020
1hr 4m
Social Distancing Wearables On Sale Now.
For those with visual impairments, or hidden disabilities, getting out and about, while trying to social distance, can be difficult and challenging. In response to calls for some kind of wearable identifiers, to help the public recognise that someone may have difficulty social distancing, RNIB and the Hidden Disabilities Store have teamed up to launch some new products. RNIB Connect Radio's A...
8m Oct 05, 2020
8m
Red Szell talks to Stuart Turton
The 1st of October is 'Super Thursday' when publishers bring out their books for autumn and Christmas. This year there will be over 600 titles vying for reader’s attention but one of the most hotly anticipated is Stuart Turton’s follow up to the best-selling Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. He told Read On’s Red Szell all about it.
7m Sep 30, 2020
7m
Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend 2020
You can do many things to help support your favourite charity, for example, you could don a kilt and take a long stroll.  Our Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Annette West who did the Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend with her friends this year to help support RNIB.    If you’d like more information about the ways you can support RNIB's vital work just visit www.rnib.org.uk/donate or you can call the RNIB...
7m Sep 29, 2020
7m
Tandem Cycling Over 1,400 Miles For Charity
Would you cycle the length and breadth of the UK for charity? Well, that’s just what Kate Bosley and her husband John did in support of a charity that was there for them when they needed it the most.  To help raise money for the Kent Association for the Blind, they took on a 21-day tandem bike ride and cycled 1,400 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End and then Maidstone. RNIB Connect Radio’...
7m Sep 28, 2020
7m
Britain Blind Tennis Champion On Playing Tennis & Lockdown
Lockdown has affected the lives of many blind and partially sighted people across the world, including the ability to stay fit and active.  According to a survey by the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB), two-thirds of blind and visually impaired people say they feel less independent now than they did before. RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew caught up with blind tennis cham...
10m Sep 28, 2020
10m
Canadian Sight Loss Charity Increasing Services.
Many organisations have scaled back some of their services, or found new virtual ways of delivery, due to the pandemic. Canada's largest sight loss charity, CNIB, is gradually returning to it's offices, starting face to face rehab services and more. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to John Rafferty, CNIB's CEO, to hear more about the changes and what challenges still exist for their g...
5m Sep 21, 2020
5m
Video on how to help dog owners in distress goes viral
RNIB Connect Radio’s Barry Snell chats with Jemma Brown who’s video showing what people should do if they see a guide dog owner signalling in distress, recently went viral on the social media platform TikTok. Jemma discusses, her own sight loss, her love of technology and plans to further raise awareness around sight loss issues. {image: A close up of jemma looking happy. She is wearing a pin...
7m Sep 17, 2020
7m
How Accessible Is Voting In The USA?
With a major presidential election on the horizon, for the USA, how accessible is it for blind and partially sighted people to cast their vote in secrecy and privately? RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Chris Danielsen, from the National Federation of the Blind in the US, to find out more on the drive for accessible electronic voting and concerns over a drive to increase absentee vot...
7m Sep 15, 2020
7m
UK Survey For Visually Impaired Theatre Goers.
With tentative steps towards the opening of theatres and the increase in streamed performances, it's more important than ever for blind and partially sighted people to feed back their thoughts on returning to audio described performances. Organisations like MindsEye Description, Vocaleyes and The Audio Description Association have created a survey to gather your thoughts that will help theatre...
6m Sep 11, 2020
6m
Cough's and Colds - What To Do
RNIB Connect Radio's Barry Snell caught up with pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick, who has some great advice on dealing with coughs and colds. Get in touch with Elizabeth at newlifepharmacy.co.uk (http://newlifepharmacy.co.uk/) Image: Close up picture of Elizabeth smiling. She is wearing a matching, purple jacket and scarf.
7m Sep 10, 2020
7m
Increased Audio Described Arts & Theatre Events.
Thankfully there seems to be an increase in arts events that include audio description for blind and partially sighted patrons. This includes online and streamed offerings and there's even some tentative moves to having audiences back into theatres. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Anne Hornsby, from MindsEye Arts, to look at events in Manchester, Liverpool and a live show with Mic...
6m Sep 08, 2020
6m
Dealing With Tick bites
Barry Snell chats to pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick who has some invaluable advice on tick bites. Get in touch with Elizabeth at newlifepharmacy.co.uk (http://newlifepharmacy.co.uk/) Image: Close up picture of Elizabeth smiling. She is wearing a matching, purple jacket and scarf.
5m Sep 01, 2020
5m
Experience This Art Gallery's Virtual Tour
If you miss art galleries, there are still ways of experiencing them without having to leave your house. Southampton City Art Gallery offers an Audio Described Tour of their exhibition John Hitchens: Aspects of Landscape. Focusing on four of his paintings, the audio description is provided by Jo Bressloff and you can experience the tour for free online.   RNIB Connect Radio’s Paulina Kuchore...
7m Aug 28, 2020
7m
Don't Skip Out On Your Eye Appointment
Despite the changes and restrictions brought on by coronavirus, it is still essential to look after your eye health. RNIB Connect Radio’s Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Helen Devonport, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon about a decline in attendance to eye appointments and why it’s important to not miss them. If you would like more information on what to do if you have concerns about your sight duri...
7m Aug 28, 2020
7m
Georgie Morrell - The Perils of Making a Cup of Tea
Blind comedian Georgie Morrell reveals the perils of making a cup of tea, discusses the comedians who influenced her, and her hopes for greater accessibility to the arts in the future.
7m Aug 28, 2020
7m