New Horizons

In this week's episode, we revisit an episode from 2022 when we spoke with BCA's Tasmania Branch President, Duncan Meerding. At that time, Duncan explained arrangements the Tasmanian Electoral Commission had put in place to assist Blind and Vision Impaired voters to vote at the Local Government election. In March this year, Tasmania held an election for members in its lower house of Government and...

Recently, we learned of the passing of founding BCA member, Alan Bates. John Simpson speaks with Bill Jolley about Alan's work with Blind and Vision Impaired people, including his representation to the ROund Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities, sport and recreation activities, switchboard training and BCA itself. Our best wishes go out to Alan's family and friends at thi...

This week, we go back to 2016. We hear from Phia Damsma, in an interview recorded at the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities. Phia describes her background and we demonstrate the Ballyland Magic App, which is designed to teach children concepts of Voiceover on the iPhone and iPad. Please note, as this is a repeat, some information might be out of date, and Phia now...

Owing to circumstances beyond our control, this episode is a repeat of episode 640, from January 2020. We hear an extract from an extended conversation with John Simpson AM, about his life and background. please E-mail me if you cannot find the extended interview and we can republish. Find out more at https://new-horizons.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Natasha Brake has been with BCA for about six months, as the Business Support Officer. Find out about what that means, her background, and involvement with the Community Broadcasting sector.

Lynne Davis is our returning guest this week. She joins us to discuss celebrations of Blind Citizens Australia's 50th birthday. If you would like to provide your ideas for consideration, you may do so here. Find out more at https://new-horizons.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Cassie Hames is our guest on this week's New Horizons. Cassie has developed the "See Me, Bus Signalling" app which helps Blind or Vision Impaired people to access public transport. Find out more at https://new-horizons.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Stefan Slucki is the secretary of the Queensland branch of Blind Citizens Australia. He joins us to discuss communication options with the branch and more. Also, a demo of obtaining information from BCA's telephone system. Find out more at https://new-horizons.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Katrina Taylor is the current president of the National Womens' Branch of Blind Citizens Australia. She joins us to discuss the history and current activities of the branch, recent changes to the branch bylaws and the impacts of those changes. Find out more at https://new-horizons.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

Madi Braim joins us on this week's episode, to discuss the upcoming Job Ready Workshops. Madi is a Project Officer with the "An Eye To The Future of Employment" project. She discusses the project, how job-seekers are supported and how you can become involved, as well as the upcoming workshops. Find out more from the Eye To The Future website, eyetothefuture.com.au.

In this week's program we speak with Vice President of Blind Citizens Australia, Helen Frerris. Helen describes some of the opportunities for members to connect and gain peer support, some of the activities with which BCA is involved and we discuss some of the portfolios held by Board members.

Jonathan Craig is the policy advisor with Vision 2020 Australia. He provides us with an excellent overview of the recently released NDIS Review Report, and some essential information for people over 65, and those outside the NDIS.

In this slightly extended episode, we note the passing of Dr. Kevin Murfitt AM, who died earlier this month. John Simpson speaks with Kevin's husband, Francois Jacobs, as well as Bill Jolley and Graeme Innes, about many aspects of Kevin, his work and life. Thanks to John Simpson for putting this program together, and to Francois, Bill and Graeme.

This week we're joined by Fiona Woods, president of Blind Citizens Australia. Fiona takes us through some of her highlights for the year, and outlines the results of the Annual General Meeting held on the 14th of December.

This week we speak with Santiago Velasquez about Hailo, an interesting new way to access public transport. Imagine if you could not only identify your correct bus, but know when the bus is coming, easily identify where you want to get off and more. Hailo could well be the answer. For more information, see https://hailo.co

This week, we bring you an edited version of this year's Sue Salthouse Memorial Lecture, given by Emma Bennison, Chief Innovation Officer at Life Without Barriers and former CEO of Blind Citizens Australia. Emma discusses the times when she's almost given up disability advocacy and what kept her going. For the full version of this lecture, please see the Australian Communications Consumer Action N...

We go way back in the archives this week, to 2015, and episode 434. Jenny Dawson from WA presented this session at the BCA convention in Perth.

This week we speak with two new directors on the Board of Blind Citizens Australia, Neale Huth and Robyn McKenzie. Both will take up their positions following the Annual General Meeting of BCA, coming up in December. They discuss their backgrounds and what they bring to the table in terms of skills, experience and hopes for our organisation.

Shaun Scott discovered the Ketogenic diet in an effort to improve muscular-skeletal pain he was experiencing. After a month or so, he started to realise some additional and rather surprising benefits. If you would like more information about Shaun's story, his YouTube video can be found here. Find out more at https://new-horizons.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

# This week we bring you part two of the interview with Gillian Gale AM. This is a repeat program from 2018.

This week we go back to February 2018, bringing you the first in a two-part interview with Gillian Gale, who was honoured in the Australia Day Honours list for her services to Blind and Vision Impaired people that year.

Carly Iles is the CEO of Vision 2020 Australia. Find out more about tVision 2020 and an interesting report and guide designed to assist people who are Blind or Vision Impaired, as well as their friends and families, to access appropriate mental health assistance when needed.

Leisa Proud was recently awarded a residency under the Warehouse Residency for disabled artists and is currently performing her work at the Arts House in Melbourne. I Am (Not) This Body is Leisa's autobiographical work which explores coming to terms with her body and becoming comfortable in her skin. The performance is audio-described both live, and the online version, and runs until the 15th of O...

This week we follow up with BCA President, Fiona Woods. As well, along with a big announcement, a special guest. Hear about changes to the BCA constitution and how they will affect the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Blind Citizens Australia; as well as positions on the board and sub-committees becoming vacant, but arguably most importantly, we congratulate Deb Deshayes on becoming BCA's next C...

Helen Frerris is our guest this week on New Horizons. Helen describes her role as a delegate to the World Blind Union and discusses an upcoming conference to be held in Thailand. This interview was recorded some time ago and unfortunately the registration date for attending the conference has closed but please check the World Blind Union website for more information. Thanks to John Simpson for bri...