Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

On FOCAL POINT: Clayton Pereira – Australian youth team Goalball player debuting at the IBSA Youth World Championships in Kazakhstan. Dhruv Sharma – Ambassador for the upcoming Outlook AI event. David Woodbridge – Technology expert from Humanware; presenting updates on the BrailleNote Touch/Evolve devices (specifically the new QWERTY keyboard version). Adam Bloomfield – Rep...

On FOCAL POINT:  Tori Bemold – App developer who created  Crumbcade , an accessible match-three game designed for both blind/visually impaired and sighted players using AI. Kristy Stichter  – Musician who shares her experience starting out with tap dancing as a person with low vision/blindness, along with her thoughts on tools like the Mountbatten Tutor and Meta glasses....

On FOCAL POINT:  Professor Peter McCluskey AO – Ophthalmologist from Sydney University (speaking about juvenile idiopathic arthritis and its impact on vision/eye inflammation). Rachael – Marketing representative from Beyond Blindness (discussing upcoming combined tours, events, and activities). Sven Bluemell  – Commissioner for the Victorian Electoral Commission (s...

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On FOCAL POINT:  Casey Hyde : Author of The Naughtiest Guide Dog: The Hungriest Guide Dog , sharing the story behind her book, using AI for accessibility, and launching a charity for retired guide dogs. Robert Simms : Leader of the Greens in the South Australian Upper House, discussing proposed legislation around smart glasses and changes to the NDIS. Mira Kim (CEO of the Béla Music Fo...

On FOCAL POINT: Mark Gardiner (Founder & CEO, MPC Markets): Automated driving technology is rapidly evolving with extensive data collection from providers like Waymo, Tesla, and Uber..  Philip Martin (Adelaide City Councillor) Acknowledges privacy and misuse concerns raised nationally (e.g., eSafety Commissioner reports), while emphasizing that smart glasses remain a vital tool for v...

On FOCAL POINT: 01:55 – Dr. Anne-Marie Witherow Medical doctor, researcher, and advocate for dual-sensory impairment. She discusses co-authoring a new Usher syndrome textbook designed for healthcare and social care professionals alongside Emma Boswell and Emily Shepherd, as well as recent NDIS town hall discussions regarding deafblindness. 16:25 – Rachael (Marketing Dept, Beyond Blindn...

On FOCAL POINT: Nicole Holmes (Blindness Products Consultant, Pacific Vision Australia) Discusses her role providing product support and training for assistive technology, upcoming devices like the BrailleSense 7 (running Android 15 with integrated Google Gemini access and a magnetic QWERTY keyboard option) Hen Vaughn (Access2Arts) Previews upcoming audio-described arts and cultural events, includ...

On FOCAL POINT:  02:48 - Daniel Mew – Developer of the Tag Everything app 16:16 - Zoe Kong, Gabby Campbell, and Dean Caccamo (Master’s Students in Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney)  The team shares details about their project with Dr. Anne-Marie and the Centre for Disability Research and Policy, developing a practical home modification guide designed for people livi...

On FOCAL POINT:  02:13 – Cameron Algie | Author & Facilitator Cameron discusses the updated release of his comprehensive resource guide, "I can See Clearly Now: Understanding and Managing Blindness and Low Vision."  He explores how screen readers (like JAWS), mobile apps (like Be My Eyes), and emerging AI models (such as ChatGPT and Gemini) are changing accessibility and i...

On FOCAL POINT:  01:50 – Robert Altamore - Advocate and proponent of Braille. Shares his experience completing the Australian Census in Braille using a Perkins Brailler, discusses the independence Braille provides over digital options, and highlights the importance of advocating for Braille literacy alongside modern assistive tech. 15:32 – Rachel (Beyond Blindness) - Marketing rep...

On FOCAL POINT: Kerryn Harvey is an Author and Para Tri-athlete who has just launched her new book "Mostly Ups."  Kerryn contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating infection, after falling off a bike.  She chatted about her life and resilience. Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer, invited all to SALA - Live Audio Description Tour.  Saturday 15th August 2pm, and a...

On FOCAL POINT: Andrew Webster, Chair, and Robyn McKenzie, Board Member of Blind Citizens Australia talking about the NDIS legislation campaign; and Senate hearing - encouraged members to contact their local federal members and Senators. Karina Morata, Team Leader Employment Services at See Differently, spoke about her role and how you may be supported to find and stay in employment. Romina Cavall...

On FOCAL POINT: Gabrielle Skrekovski is the newest Quality Living Graduate at Vision Australia,. Gabrielle spoke about her career so far and the role of Quality Living Facilitator.  Rossie Offord, Head of Planning for Melbourne Airport, shared news about the new Pick Up and Drop Off zone - commencing in October - and Melbourne Airport's Master Plan 2027.  The plan is available for public...

On FOCAL POINT: Dean Calder is one of the first people in Australia to have the Braille Note Evolve - the Windows-based braille computer from Humanware. Catch Dean's internet radio show, Thursday evenings on Super Stream on line. Rebecca Redman-Walsh, Disability Advocate/Intake officer for the Speak Out Association of Tasmania, shared news of recent meetings with local members of parliament - resp...

On FOCAL POINT:  Angela Sosnowski, Low Vision Consultant (SA/WA/NT) for Quantum RLV, introduced the - just  released - MirrorPad Pro.  This is anew addition to the range of desktop magnifiers, combining powerful magnification with the ability to mirror your phone and control your Android smartphone, directly onscreen. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, updated events; activ...

On FOCAL POINT: Emily Walter, National Spokesperson for the 2026 Census - 11th August, had all the relevant  news on the census including it being available   in large print, braille, just request it, you can do the census in braille, Hen Vaughan has just taken the role of audio description coordinator at Access 2 Arts. Hen invited all to the free audio-described City Lights Tour 14...

On FOCAL POINT: Carlie Towns is just back from making it to the Everest base camp - a physical, emotional and spiritual experience, connecting with her late father Ched. Alex Marcocci, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, alerted us to their current campaign,  'Illegal Firewood, The Cost is Wild' encouraging all to check that their firewood has been legally sourced and report suspicious activity.&nb...

On FOCAL POINT: David Dinte AM was recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours for his work in the not-for-profit sector, including over two decades with a variety of roles on the board of Next Sense, and other contributions to education. Stacie Ashlet "Hyper the Clown" invited all to Club Krok, and other events during the Darwin Fringe Festival in July.  Betty McGuire OAM's work for ov...

On FOCAL POINT: Elizabeth Beales, President of the Albinism Fellowship of Australia, reflecting on International Albinism Awareness Day 13th June. The theme was "Proud In  My Skin".  Elizabeth also previewed their National Conference coming up in September in Adelaide. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, chatted about a number of upcoming events, including changes in the northern...

On FOCAL POINT: Rachael Leahcar, Advocate and singer/song-writer, is inviting all to the Workability Expo in Adelaide - Wayville Showgrounds 26th and 27th June 26th and 27th.  Jude Gaffney, Audio Description Coordinator at Access 2 Arts, with audio described opportunities; live shows; Illuminate and a chance to experience AD at home. Linni Oliver, from Deafblind WA: an exciting Awareness week...

On FOCAL POINT: Anne-Marie Banfield, First Nations Partnership Specialist at Hearing Australia,  wrapped up The Vision 2020/Guide Dogs Victoria,  National Reconciliation Week "All In as Allies, From Good Intentions to Meaningful Action" Alex Marcocci, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about retail crime - the impact on those working in the industry; owners; those people shopping, and h...

On FOCAL POINT: Annette Sutherland is this year's very worthy recipient of the Tammy Axelsen's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Round Table on information Access for People with a Print Disability.  Annette's vast array of contributions include guidelines for producing accessible graphics and being part of the Sydney Braille Forum - enabling students who are blind or have low vision access...

On FOCAL POINT: Francois Jacobs is so excited and looking forward to his new role at Blind Citizens Australia. Francois is Systemic Advocacy Lead. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, has news on member benefits; volunteer celebrations; a visit to a minature horse therapy farm at Lenswood; and more Ranjit Jacob, owner of Visitech Magnifiers and Andrew White, Managing Director, let us know w...