Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

On FOCAL POINT: Roslyn Sackley (Aunty Ros) has received an honorary doctorate for her lifelong contribution and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and disability rights. Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about their current campaign to raise awareness and help stop wildlife crime. Jordie Howell is this year's winner of the Diana Braun Aspirations Award from B...

On FOCAL POINT: Edward Delgado lost his sight aged 60 and started learning technology for the first time in his life.  86 years young Eddie is a tremendous inspiration and role model to many others. Justine Crawford has brought Achilles Runners Club to Adelaide. Achilles member,  Cassie Hames, is enjoying the benefits, namely the freedom, and is setting new goals. Dr Moira Junge, CEO for...

On FOCAL POINT: John Machin is the winner of the David Blythe OAM award at Blind Citizens Australia 50th Anniversary Convention.  John was on the first board of BCA. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, invited all to a number of events and activities, especially in the southern area of Adelaide. Dr Annmaree Watharow, and Moira Dunsmore, previewed some activities coming up for Deafblin...

On FOCAL POINT: Bill Dengler, working for Microsoft, chatted about his journey to this point as well as Microsoft’s commitment to accessibility. Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, with an employment opportunity as Operations Manager at A2A, and a number of generous funding opportunities as well as audio described events coming up. Rebecca Chen, from Zoomax, and Peter Cracknell, from Quant...

On FOCAL POINT: Linni Oliver, Communications Guide from Deafblind WA, with an invitation to DeafBlind Awareness Week 2025. Hear inspiring stories; enjoy tactile art; and connect with the community.   Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about some of the things to be on the lookout for if you; your children; grandchildren or anyone you know is into gaming. Andrew Arch and Sarah P...

On FOCAL POINT: Jennifer Parry leads Blind Citizens Australia Music Peer Group. Jennifer spoke about the group's preparation and having their works showcased at the 50th Anniversary Convention, from 13th June Danica Gates is the winner of the Joy Noble Medal - the highest honour for South Australia's Volunteer of the year.  Danica set up Beacon of Hope in Tumby Bay, a suicide prevention netwo...

On FOCAL POINT: Mark Trompp, winner of a Silver Medal in the blind division at the Asia and Oceania Championships for Sambo - a form of martial arts grappling. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, has news on activities and events: including a history tour of Adelaide and some of its crime spots. Dr Annmaree Watharow and Dr Moira Dunsmore, from Sydney University, share news on their researc...

On FOCAL POINT: Aasha Rose is a PhD Student at the University of Southern Queensland.  Aasha warmly invited anyone to participate  in  research studying the relationship between braille literacy and the quality of life for people with blindness or low vision, contact ASHA AT Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, had news on celebrity impersonation scams and tips to best avoid...

Podcast Notes available Tomorrow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT: John Paul Cruz, PHD Candidate at the University of Melbourne, is researching  Making Accessible and Usable Digital Health Platforms.  John Paul is keen to hear from you.  (Details under "Resources") Rex Patrick is a Senate Candidate for the Jacqui Lambie Network for South Australia at the Federal Election.  Rex spent some time last week in the South-East of Sout...

On FOCAL POINT: Ben Rowe, musician; singer and recording artist, is about to release a new song "Feeling Like Home" Frank Cirillo, Member Engagement Officer at Beyond Blindness, with an update on events and activities from Whyalla and Port Augusta, to the western suburbs of Adelaide; Adelaide Hills and the South-East.  Milly Hart is a member of the Australian Women's Blind Cricket Team. ...

On FOCAL POINT: Alex Morris, from the Australian Electoral Commission, with news on the options available for people who are blind or vision impaired to vote at the May 3rd Federal Election - including important dates and phone numbers. Barry Clark, Chair of See Differently (The Royal Society for the Blind) paid tribute to the late Peter Hetherington OAM, Advocate; champion blind cricketer; employ...

On FOCAL POINT:   Steph Travers, Board Director at People With Disabilities Australia, reflecting on the Federal Budget; the Budget in Reply; and thoughts about the upcoming Federal Election.   Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, with valuable information regarding romance scams.    Annette Leishman is going on the 5-day Trek to New Zealand for Vision Australia's Q...

On FOCAL POINT: Andrew Davies, Team Manager at See Differently, is just back from the CSUN assistive Technology event in Anaheim in the US. Andrew shared his observations and interactions.  Jane McNamara, Consumer spokesperson at NBN, had news about faster internet may be needed to keep up surging demand for new technology and shared tips to access the best solution for you. Howard Dickinson,...

On FOCAL POINT: Carlie Towns shared some memories of her Dad, the Late and Great Ched Towns - Paralympian, Adventurer, trail blazer.  Carlie spoke openly about the challenges of being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa as an adult. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, with news of another group starting - this time at Riverton. Rachel is also encouraging members to share their stories...

On FOCAL POINT: Selena McMurray is an Occupational Therapist with Live Big and a mother of two children who are neuro-divergent. Selena spoke about  the role of women in the disability sector deserving attention beyond International Women's Day.  Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, with news on audio described performances during the Fringe and Adelaide Festival. Jonathan Ramsden is a...

On FOCAL POINT: Nadia Mattiazzo is a first-class advocate; leader; and articulate spokesperson. Nadia  chatted about advocacy, leadership and International Women's Day. David Woodbridge "Mr. Technology" introduced us to the Braille Doodle, helping people new to braille of all ages, and enabling their families; friends; and educators to be involved with the learning experience in a fun way, Ci...

On FOCAL POINT:  Guide Dogs Queensland CEO, Jock Beveridge, sharing exciting news about a group of low security prisoners from the Helena Jones Centre who have been given the opportunity to volunteer at Guide Dogs Queensland as part of their rehabilitation, - this includes including working with pups, Grace Hobbs is a dual gold-medallists singles and doubles from the IBTA World Championships...

On FOCAL POINT: Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos, sharing some of the findings from her PHD - Implicit bias toward people with disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Rachel, from Beyond Blindness, with updates of events and activities, in particular a disability and aging Expo and Information Day at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Mt. Gambier.  Julee-Anne Bell, inviting you to...

On FOCAL POINT: Amanda Heal, Author; Advocate and public speaker, has an offer to support professional women in shifting from feeling unfulfilled; unmotivated; and unappreciated to living a life of purpose and passion that makes a real difference.   Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, with news on many audio described and accessible shows and events during the Adelaide Fringe and Festi...

On FOCAL POINT Dr Abby Jayasuriah has completed a PHD dissertation on a Sri Lankan musician,  Pandith W. D. Amradeva. This was an ethnomusicological study that looked at the relationship between his music; other genres of music; and nationalism. Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, shared tips to keep our homes more secure  and us safer. Tony Doyle invited all to a one-off Fringe...

On FOCAL POINT: Darryl Davenport was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division For Services To Dance Sports (including blind and deaf dancing) Phia Damsma, Creative Director for Sonokids (celebrating 25 years of Ballyland)  Sonokids have just released Song Book 1 by The Ballylanders - now available on all streaming platforms.  Find out more here: http://ww...

On FOCAL POINT: Alan Thorpe, the UK's only registered repairer of Perkins Braillers, and has the largest collection of braille writing machines in the UK.  Jo McClure, Entrepreneur; business owner and service provider, shared her life experiences of living with hearing loss and encouraged all to take advantage of free hearing tests. Jo talked about the many options out there to help, and impr...

In this, the first Focal Point for 2025 Peter and Phil usher in the new year with yet more great interviews from the previous year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special Christmas Edition of Focal Point Peter Greco is joined by Phil Vandepeeer to look back at the highlights of 2024, and recover from a large Christmas Lunch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.