RNIB Connect

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by Paula Beattie, from RNIB Northern Ireland’s campaigns team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on. This month’s topics include prep for next year’s elections and an important part in the future of neighbourhood health care. If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email campaignsni@rnib.org.uk #RNIBC...

With the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in full swing at the moment RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with RNIB Scotland Volunteer Sighted Guide Jessica and visually impaired festival goer Bilal to find out how the sighted guiding service has been working for them both as Jessica has helped Bilal get to see a couple of great shows during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026. More details about th...

The VocalEyes Describing Heritage: Co-creating Access Project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with the input of blind and partially sighted people from a number of Thomas Pocklington Trust Sight Loss Councils explores, through the co-creation of audio description in 10 heritage hubs across the country, ways of improving access to museums, galleries and heritage sites for visually i...

The Collective Gallery in Edinburgh is running a free audio described tour on Sunday 30 August from 2pm of both ‘Afterlife’ by Katie Paterson and ‘There Is No Beginning, As There Is No End’ by Richard Maguire lead by Artist Juliana Capes. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Juliana and Claire Craig, Collective Gallery’s Programme Manager and Curator, to find out more about both Artist’s...

Despite her sight loss condition, Debbie Miller has climbed the career ladder from online sales, through customer service leadership positions and is now the Chief Operations Officer for the UK sight loss charity RNIB. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Debbie to learn more about her career ladder, coming to terms with a sight loss condition and what advice she has for blind and partially...

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some forthcoming events with Audio Description. AD makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts events more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people. This month they’re looking at a couple of outdoor festivals, a thought provoking play in Keswick and...

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Simon talks about two positive NHS stories, importance of eye checks, and free sighted guides for the Edinburgh Festival. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go...

Are you a film fan and looking for a place to chat ideas? Amelia spoke to Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) founder Richard Amm and horror film club programmer and host Aaliyah Bates about disability representation in horror. To join the club email darkhorrorfilm@gmail.com Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital lette...

Ihsane is one of several audio described shows at this year's Edinburgh International Festival. David Hogg speaks with audio describer Emma-Jane McHenry to find out more.  Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

The Knockhill Racing Circuit in Scotland, is an all year round attraction with events taking place almost everyday. Did you know that you can get out on the track, even if you have accessibility requirements? RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell went along to find out what’s on offer… If you’d like more info, go to www.knockhill.com You can also call 01383723337 #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect...

The Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) is a multidisciplinary group of disabled researchers who write short, free, accessible publications aimed at the general public. They're seeking volunteer writers for their deafblind history zine, Amelia spoke to founder Richard Amm to learn more... Contact richardamm@gmail.com to share your submission Learn more about DARK via their linktree - DARK...

Devon In Sight hosted their very own version of 'Race Across The World' with a visually impaired person in each team. Amelia spoke to some of the organisers and competitors to learn about the highlights, hijinks and cream-tea challenges. She's joined by Mandy Darling and Keith Brokenshire from the Devon In Sight along with Geoff from the winning team 'Eyeconic', and Beatrix and Jahred from highest...

This time for our regular browse through the RNIB online shop with Charlee Jarvis, RNIB Shop’s Buying Coordinator, we have the launch of the 2027 large print and Braille stationery which includes; diaries, calendars and note binders plus news that the LED light and fan that we highlighted last time is now back in stock after a bit of a rush on the product. To find out more about the 2027 large pri...

Edinburgh International Festival is on at the moment, bringing best artists from opera, music, theatre and dance to the city. And today we’re looking at an upcoming audio described performance of EXXY, Dan Daw’s dance-theatre work exploring the artist’s relationship with Imposter Syndrome and Working Classness through the lens of his disability.  Let’s learn more about the show and how to catch it...

Clown Show is one of several audio described shows at this year's Edinburgh International Festival.  Part-clown, part-magician, Geoff Sobelle is joined by an army of clowns holding it together as best they can, performing the original score on questionable instruments.   David Hogg speaks with audio describer Amanda Drollinger to find out more. For more information about the Audio Described perfor...

Which animals can you listen out for this month? Amelia discusses the harvest moon, swifts and more of August's nature. Learn more on the RSPB website -  The year in nature: August Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a sm...

What does it feel like to disclose your vision impairment? Visionary have a new podcast episode where blind and partially sighted people talk about their experiences. Amelia spoke to Raquel Garrido-Soriano from Visionary and Podcast Host and Producer Fern Lulham to learn more... Listen to the podcast by searching for 'A Space Of our Own' wherever you get your podcast. New! "A Space of Our Own" Pod...

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Simon looks at Commonwealth Games success for blind and partially sighted athletes. 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 call our He...

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for another audio described theatre review. This week we are off to London’s Fleet Street for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece ‘Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Flee...

If you're planning a holiday and want to take your Guide Dog, or your pet dog, abroad, there are some very important steps that you need to consider and pay for. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke with Dr Caroline Goulton and Chris Theobald from Guide Dogs to find out more. If you’d like more details on taking your Guide Dog abroad, go to www.guidedogs.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Co...

Nick Coupe and Claire Broughton have a successful track record, creating great comedy and viewer favourites. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to the Hat Trick producers to hear about the creation of a hilarious new serial comedy podcast. Just search for You’ve Got Braille from your favourite podcast provider and enjoy Paddy’s antics. Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, R...

If you love a good comedy podcast with real life situations that you can relate to, why not try out You’ve Got Braille? RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to actor and co-writer Reece Finnegan to find out more… Just search for You’ve Got Braille from your favourite podcast provider and enjoy Paddy’s antics. Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A...

Palestinian theatre company Khashabi Theatre reimagines an epic poem with physical theatre and live music as part of this year's Edinburgh International Festival (EIF). David Hogg speaks with audio describer Christopher McKiddie to learn more... The AD performance of Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah takes place at 7.30pm on Fri 28 August. Learn more about the performance here - Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah | Edin...

The Galloping Cure is a visually stunning, emotionally gripping and darkly funny opera about the global opiod crisis. Making its world premiere at this year's Edinburgh Interational Festival, Amelia speaks to Audio Describer Veronica Kinahan to learn more... The AD performance of The Galloping Cure takes place at 7 pm on Wednesday the 12th August. Learn more about the performance here - The Gallop...