S1 Ep1083: Vidar Hjarding MBE - The Snowman, Audio Described Theatre Review
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjarding MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews. This time Vidar was reviewing the longest running Christmas show in English Theatre history, ‘The Snowman’ at the Birmingham Repertory The...
8m Jan 21, 2022
8m
S1 Ep1083: New Year’s Honour For Visually Impaired Tokyo Paralympics Javelin Gold Medal Winner!
Here at RNIB Connect Radio we were very pleased to see a number of blind and partially sighted people honoured in the 2022 New Year's Honours list including many Paralympics GB medal winners from the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Dan Pembroke MBE, visually impaired athlete who not only smashed Paralympic records but also won a Javelin Gold medal at the Tokyo...
6m Jan 20, 2022
6m
S1 Ep1082: Research into the domestic abuse of people with sight loss.
Nanya Coles and Nicola Stokes from Safe Lives, a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good, are about to embark on a research project in partnership with the Vision Foundation looking into domestic abuse experience of blind and partially sighted people. With disabled people three times more likely to be in abusive relationships than non-disabled people they ...
9m Jan 20, 2022
9m
S1 Ep1079: Visionary UK, Moorvision and what working together, can achieve!
Ellie's been catching up with CEO of Visionary Fiona Sandford and a very special guest to hear all about a new project, Children and Young People’s Sight Loss MOT... To find out more about Visionary and the work they do, please visit their website here: Welcome to Visionary - Visionary (https://www.visionary.org.uk/) To find out more about Moorvision, please visit their website here: Welcome ...
10m Jan 19, 2022
10m
S1 Ep1081: Battle For Accessible Voting Continues After Westminster Vote
On Monday 17th January, MPs in the House of Commons discussed the latest Elections Bill and possible changes to its content. Many sight loss charities were hoping for strengthened legislation to make sure that blind and partially sighted people are guaranteed changes, to make voting independently a secret and private process, guaranteed to all UK voters. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spo...
7m Jan 18, 2022
7m
S1 Ep1080: National Theatre London Audio Description Round Up
Now for the first of regular features here on RNIB Connect Radio to highlight what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people. Our Toby Davey was joined by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre. David began by giving Toby a bit of background to his life in theatre from performing as a professional dancer in a very well known touring Ir...
10m Jan 18, 2022
10m
S1 Ep1078: Xtra Potential
Ellie has been finding out about a not for profit organisation set up in 2020 who are offering an opportunity for a young blind or partially sighted person. If you'd like to find out more about the work Xtra Potential do or get involved in their latest project, you can visit their website here: Xtra Potential | We believe in every child's potential (https://www.xtrapotential.org.uk/) Image sh...
8m Jan 18, 2022
8m
S1 Ep1077: Activating Enterprise Episode 1 - Brian Rothery
In our new Activating Enterprise series here on RNIB Connect Radio, we are finding out how sometimes life changing events can become catalysts for positive change when it comes to career opportunities.    In this episode journalist, author, lecturer, programmer and systems manager, Brian Rothery explains the concept of displacement factor, how it has played a major role in his career outcomes...
8m Jan 17, 2022
8m
S1 Ep1074: New Year’s Honour For Visually Impaired Tokyo Gold Medal Winning Rower!
Here at RNIB Connect Radio we were very pleased to see a number of blind and partially sighted people honoured in the 2022 New Year's Honours list including many Paralympics GB medal winners from the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Ellen Buttrick MBE, visually impaired rower who along with the rest of the Paralympics GB Adaptive Rowing Coxed 4 Team won Gold in...
6m Jan 17, 2022
6m
S1 Ep1075: Canadian Sight Loss Charity Pushing Braille In 2022
Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with John Rafferty, CEO of Canada's largest sight loss charity CNIB. They discuss some of the big stories coming from the organisation and this month Braille is big, as well as invites for you to join their virtual offerings. If you'd like to learn more about CNIB or would like to take part in some of the virtual events, where ever you are ...
10m Jan 14, 2022
10m
S1 Ep1075: Supported Living Services Transfers To New Charity
As UK sight loss charity RNIB looks to continue to transfer it's regulated services to new providers, the next step of the project is coming to a conclusion. The Redhill site in Surrey, which supports visually impaired people with additional needs to live independently, is about to have it's day to day running taken over by the charity SeeAbility. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to D...
7m Jan 14, 2022
7m
S1 Ep1073: Vidar Hjarding MBE - The Magician's Elephant, Audio Described Theatre Review
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjarding MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews. This time Vidar was reviewing the RSC's new musical production for all the family, 'The Magician's Elephant' which was audio described at ...
9m Jan 14, 2022
9m
S1 Ep1072: How accessible are entertainment spaces post Covid?
Ellie has been finding out about how the Sight Loss Council and entertainment venues in the West Midlands are working together to create more accessible spaces as we continue to open back up from the pandemic. If you would like to find out more about the Sight Loss Council or get involved in your local branch, you can visit their website here: Sight Loss Councils - Influencing positive change ...
9m Jan 14, 2022
9m
S1 Ep1076: Charity Chief Exec's Weekly Update 15/01/2022
Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Matt Stringer, CEO of the UK sight loss charity RNIB. They talk about some of the latest news and projects around the organisation. This week Matt talks about New Year's Honours, accessible grocery packaging, services changes and fund raising. Oh yes, and some book tips for reading fans. If you'd like more info, or support, from RNIB,...
9m Jan 14, 2022
9m
S1 Ep1071: Kicking Off 2022 With Some Audio Described, Touring, Musicals
Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell chats with Anne Hornsby, from MindsEye Description, about some of the latest touring theatre productions and arts events which use audio description. This month, we're off to the musicals with shows like Les Mis, Dreamgirls and Six. If you'd like to learn more about audio description, or get details on lots of audio described events and shows, go...
9m Jan 13, 2022
9m
S1 Ep1070: Shape and Shares first event of 2022!
The Shape and Share team at RNIB had a great year in 2021, and 2022 is going to be bigger and better! Ellie's been finding about the first RNIB Shape and Share Event of 2022, leaning all about the Lunar New Year.  The deadline for registering for the Lunar New Year Event is Friday, 14th so head over to the RNIB website www.rnib.org.uk (http://www.rnib.org.uk/) or call the helpline on 0303 123 ...
5m Jan 12, 2022
5m
S1 Ep1069: A Day Out in Shakespeare's Theatre - An Interactive Online Accessible Event
Your chance to go on an accessible two-hour interactive journey into the theatre of Shakespeare's era with all kinds of unusual facts and findings along the way by A Bit Lit this Saturday 15 January 2022 from 4pm  to 6pm.    A Bit Lit is a new interactive platform which will bring together talents from the world of academia and theatre, broadening access to cutting edge research in the area -...
6m Jan 12, 2022
6m
S1 Ep1068: Connect Voices Round Up 12 January 2022
Charlotte Jones, RNIB's National Involvement Coordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in. Opportunities highlighted this week included: Your chance to help RNIB to develop mental health training for staff  At RNIB, our staff spend time and build relationships with blind and partially sighted people and are well placed to help identify...
8m Jan 12, 2022
8m
S1 Ep1067: UK Charity Offering Grants To Struggling Families
The Family Fund Trust is a UK wide charity which supports low income families with disabled, or seriously ill  children. Families can get grant support for a wide range of items, or things like travel expenses for hospitals etc, but they are also looking for families in Scotland who can benefit from some additional Winter Funding from the Scottish Government. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russel...
5m Jan 11, 2022
5m
S1 Ep1066: Inside Yellow Sound
Ellie has been finding out about a new art installation in Leeds, created with blind and partially sighted people in mind. If you'd like to find out more about Inside Yellow Sound you can visit their website here: Inside Yellow Sound : stage@leeds (https://stage.leeds.ac.uk/events/inside-yellow-sound/#:~:text=Inside%20Yellow%20Sound%20invites%20one,will%20make%20in%20the%20space.)   Image sho...
9m Jan 10, 2022
9m
S1 Ep1065: Celebrating World Braille Day 2022 with Stuart Lawler
In celebration of all things Braille for World Braille Day today (Tuesday 4 January 2022) Connect Radio's Toby Davey chats with Stuart Lawler, Head of Content Creation and Business Development Manager for Sight and Sound Technology Ireland to find out what Braille means to him and how he might be celebrating the life of Louis Braille on World Braille Day. Stuart began by telling Toby how he wa...
6m Jan 04, 2022
6m
S1 Ep1065: Celebrating World Braille Day 2022 with Victoria Oruwari
In celebration of all things Braille for World Braille Day 2022 (Tuesday 4 January 2022) Connect Radio's Toby Davey chats with blind singer Victoria Oruwari to find out what Braille means to her and how Victoria might be celebrating the life of Louis Braille on World Braille Day. Victoria is a blind singer who has performed on stage with many orchestras including the Paraorchestra, and the Inn...
5m Jan 04, 2022
5m
S1 Ep1063: Keeping your carbon footprint down at Christmas!
Ellie is joined by Laura Young, a scientist and echo activist to discuss how we can all keep our enviromental impact to a minimum this Christmas. They also discuss how you can have your thought heard in an open consulation about banning single use plastics. To find out more about the consoltation, please visit the website here: To find out more about Laura, please visit her website here: LESS...
10m Dec 23, 2021
10m
S1 Ep1064: Eve Bunting’s Night Tree Comes to Life Through Dance With Audio Description
Disabled-led dance company Second Hand Dance brings Eve Bunting’s book ‘Night Tree’ to life through a wonderful dance film with audio description for ages 3 - 7 (and adults) via Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage until 4 January 2022. Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Rosie Heafford, Artistic Director of Second Hand Dance to find out more about the story behind ‘Night Tree Films’ and why the...
7m Dec 22, 2021
7m
S1 Ep1064: National Federation Of the Blind USA Review Of 2021
Each year, at this time, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with the Chief Executives of some of the UK's, and world's, leading sight loss charities. Today, we hear from Chris Danielsen who is the PR Director for the National Federation of the Blind in the USA. Chris looks back at the highlights and challenges of 2021 and ahead to 2022. If you' d like to learn more about the NFB, U...
6m Dec 22, 2021
6m
S1 Ep1059: Connect Voices Round Up 22 December 2021
Max Conway, RNIB's National Involvement Coordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in. Opportunities highlighted this week included: Your chance to take part in paid face-to-face research about UK retailers with Procter and Gamble (P&G) On the 13th January - P&G are looking for the expertise of blind and low vision consumers to help with...
4m Dec 22, 2021
4m
S1 Ep1060: CEO Matt Stringer's Books of 2021
Our CEO Matt Stringer discusses some of the books that he enjoyed during 2021 with Read On’s Red Szell. 
10m Dec 22, 2021
10m
S1 Ep1062: Christmas Cooking Tips with Kim Jay!
There really isn't long till the big day now! But if you're looking for some last minuet tips on keeping that Turkey moist, pleasing all your guests, no matter their culinary requirements and finishing off the meal with a no bake sweet treat that is sure to bring a smile to the biggest Grinch then you've come to the right place. Ellie chats to blind chef Kim Jay about all this and more. To fin...
13m Dec 21, 2021
13m
S1 Ep1061: Sina Bahram, First Blind Person to Experience Weightlessness and Zero Gravity
For many blind and partially sighted people becoming an astronaut and going into space might be an impossible dream but for one blind man, Sina Bahram President of Prime Access Consulting, this has come one step closer. As a member of the Mission Astro Access team he recently experienced weightlessness and zero gravity in a Parabolic flight. Sina joined Connect Radio’s Toby Davey all the way f...
17m Dec 21, 2021
17m
S1 Ep1026: British Blind Sport's Chief Exec's Review Of 2021
Each year, at this time, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with the Chief Executives of some of the UK's, and world's, leading sight loss charities. Today, we hear from Alaina MacGregor who is the CEO of British Blind Sport. Alaina looks back at the highlights and challenges of 2021 and ahead to 2022. If you'd like to learn more about BBS, go to http://www.britishblindsport.org.uk...
8m Dec 21, 2021
8m
S1 Ep1057: Canadian Chief Exec of Sight Loss Charity, CNIB, Reviews 2021
Each year, at this time, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with the Chief Executives of some of the UK's, and world's, leading sight loss charities. Today, we hear from John Rafferty who is the CEO of Canada's largest sight loss charity, CNIB. He looks back at the highlights and challenges of 2021 and ahead to 2022. If you'd like to learn more about the organisation, or join in on...
9m Dec 20, 2021
9m
S1 Ep1058: RNIB Chief Exec's Review Of 2021
Each year, at this time, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with the Chief Executives of some of the UK's, and world's, leading sight loss charities. Today, we hear from Matt Stringer who is the CEO of UK sight loss charity, RNIB. He looks back at the highlights and challenges of 2021 and ahead to 2022. If you'd like more info on the charity, or would like to use some of their serv...
9m Dec 18, 2021
9m
S1 Ep1056: Vidar Hjarding MBE - What’s New Pussycat, Audio Described Theatre Review
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey welcomes back Vidar Hjarding MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands to re-start his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews with his first visit back to a live theatre performance in almost 2 years. Vidar’s first trip back to the theatre was to see the audio described per...
9m Dec 17, 2021
9m
S1 Ep1057: Guide Dogs UK Chief Exec's Review of 2021
Each year, at this time, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with the Chief Executives of some of the UK's, and world's, leading sight loss charities. Today, we hear from Tom Wright who is the CEO of Guide Dogs UK. He looks back at the highlights and challenges of 2021 and ahead to 2022. If you'd like more information about Guide Dogs, go to http://www.guidedogs.org.uk #RNIBConnect...
10m Dec 17, 2021
10m
S1 Ep1055: The Macular Society Virtual Clinic 2021 Round Up!
Every month Ellie has been catching up with Colin Daniels to find out about their new virtual clinic webinars. Well seen as it's the end of the year, she's been looking back on some of the highlights and finding out the plans for 2022...  To find out more about the Macular Society and watch the collection of virtual clinics please visit their website: https://www.macularsociety.org (https://ww...
9m Dec 17, 2021
9m
S1 Ep1055: SYMP Kerry Burk contributes to new UN manifesto for disabled children.
Kerry Burk recently became the Haggeye member for the Scottish Youth Parliament, education is something she is very passionate about, Ellie's been finding out how her passion for education has led to addressing the UN Image shows: Kerry Burk. 
8m Dec 17, 2021
8m
S1 Ep1054: Braille for Beginners Course from the Braille Foundation!
We're celebrating World Braille Day on RNIB Connect Radio and Ellie has been catching up with the Founder of the Braillist Foundation to find out what Braille means to him and how you can get started learning Braille.  To find out more information about the Braillist Foundation please visit their website here: The Braillists Foundation – Our Mission: More Braille! (https://www.braillists.org/)...
8m Dec 15, 2021
8m
S1 Ep1053: Lynne Livingstone from the RNIB Library
Lynne Livingstone from the RNIB Library gives us her favourite books of 2021. 
10m Dec 15, 2021
10m
S1 Ep1052: Music’s Inner Vision with Victoria Oruwari
Victoria Oruwari is a blind singer who has performed on stage with many orchestras including the Paraorchestra, and the Inner Vision Orchestra just to name a couple. During the Covid lockdown Victoria was invited to sing at the famous BBC Maida Vale Studios for a Radio 3 concert during Disability Week and in-between the two songs she sang Victoria was also interviewed for Radio 3 time. The Pro...
8m Dec 13, 2021
8m
S1 Ep1051: Global Collaboration Sees Launch Of Accessible Bank Cards
With more and more of our bank cards becoming flat, with no tactile letters or numbers, it's getting harder for blind and partially sighted people to differentiate between debit and credit cards. A new collaboration between Master Card and UK sight loss charity RNIB, has created accessible versions which will launch in early 2022. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Raja Mannar, from ...
10m Dec 13, 2021
10m
S1 Ep1051: Charity Chief Exec's Weekly Update 11/12/2021
Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to discuss some of the latest news coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Matt talks about a tactile addition to the Metro newspaper, voting in the See Differently Awards and a 250 fund raising challenge. If you'd like more information on RNIB's services, or you'd like to get involved in our fun...
7m Dec 10, 2021
7m
S1 Ep1051: Audio Described Festive Ballet Goes On The Road
Scottish Ballet is taking it's festive favourite, The Nutcracker, on tour to venues around the UK. Included on the tour will be dates that will include audio described performances, and touch tours, for blind and partially sighted patrons. RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Emma-Jane McHenry, from Scottish Ballet, to learn more about describing a very visual performance. If you'd li...
8m Dec 10, 2021
8m
S1 Ep1050: Making sure disabled people have a seat at the table for the Covid 19 inquiry.
Ellie is finding out how Sense, a charity helping people with complex disabilities are campaigning to ensure that disabled people will be involved in next years Covid 19 inquiry. If you'd like to sign the petition or find out more about sense, you can visit their website here: Disabled people must be part of the Covid-19 inquiry | Sense (https://www.sense.org.uk/support-us/campaigns/covid-inqu...
6m Dec 10, 2021
6m
S1 Ep1049: The Unwritten, disabled stories. Not inspiration.
Ellie has been catching up with editor in chief of the Unwritten, on their one year anniversary to find out what it's all about...   To find out more about the Unwritten you can visit their website here: The Unwritten are creating a space for disabled people's own stories, not just inspiration | Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/theunwritten)   If you'd like to contact Rachel and the Unwritten...
11m Dec 09, 2021
11m
S1 Ep1048: Connect Voices Round Up 8 December 2021
Max Conway, RNIB's National Involvement Coordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in. Opportunities highlighted this week included: An invitation to join the RNIB customer Involvement Advisory Group and you could help Joe a final year product design student at Bournemouth University who wants to make a more inclusive way of making a cup...
6m Dec 08, 2021
6m
S1 Ep1046: RNIB See Differently Awards - Catching Up with the 2019 Employer of the Year Award Winner
With the deadline for nominations for the RNIB 2022 See Differently Awards on Friday 31 December, Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Jacqui Dobson, Diversity and Inclusion Partner from the Financial Times, winner of the RNIB 2019 See Differently Employer of the Year Award to find out what winning the award meant to the FT and why people should hurry to get their nominations in before the...
9m Dec 06, 2021
9m
S1 Ep1047: Are further education colleges doing enough to support students with sight loss?
Research conducted by All Able Ltd on behalf of Thomas Pocklington Trust, looked at blind and partially sighted students access to information and assistive technology (AT) in mainstream FE. It found eight out of ten colleges in the UK do not provide the legally required accessibility information on their websites. Ellie has been finding out more, and speaking to a recent college graduate about...
11m Dec 06, 2021
11m
S1 Ep1050: Top 5 gifts from the RNIB Shop this Christmas!
Ellie has been chatting to Louise Kenny from the RNIB shop in Belfast, to find out about the top 5 Christmas gift available at the RNIB shop this Christmas. If you'd like to have a look at our online RNIB shop, you can visit the website here: RNIB Online Shop (https://shop.rnib.org.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAiA78aNBhAlEiwA7B76pyjJ-PXDPScyiF_IPvjXtNQyPxlU6j8FdnauEUsXgc7_ddk4aWXC3BoCE6gQAvD_BwE) (Image sh...
4m Dec 05, 2021
4m
S1 Ep1043: Charity Chief Exec's Weekly Update 04/12/2021
Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week, Matt talks about the new HQ in London, some great news on accessible voting in Northern Ireland and the festive treats and gifts on the RNIB website. If you'd like to find out more about the Elf Academy or virtual gifts, ...
9m Dec 04, 2021
9m
S1 Ep1046: How the RNIB Employment Service is Here to Support You and Your Employer
In the next feature of our new series of interviews looking at how the RNIB is working in partnership with sight loss sector partners and other organisations to make a more inclusive and accessible society for blind and partially sighted people Connect Radio’s Toby Davey checks in with members of the Strategic Engagement Lead - Third Sector Team here at the RNIB this time to focus on the RNIB E...
7m Dec 03, 2021
7m