Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT: Emma Bennison is the recipient of the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement. Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, wrapping up the year in arts and a preview into events for 2025.  Ella Edwards chatted about the personal support program. Ella can have up to 360 print pages transcribed into any preferred format - you can too. Victoria Hunt, Manager, Access Services Unit at...

On FOCAL POINT:  Dr Kate Dempsey, CEO for ANZACATA, is very concerned about the messaging from the NDIA regarding Arts Therapy. Australians with a disability who access Arts Therapy as a crucial therapeutic support have been left confused by an NDIS announcement last week regarding significant changes to the service.  Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, sharing important and timely informa...

On FOCAL POINT: Steve Hurd recounts a most amusing incident: whilst wearing Ray-Ban Meta glasses in a St. Vincent de Paul's book shop, interested  bystanders had Steve's glasses read some rather graphic sex scenes out of a book - an accident? Steve also shares news about using the Omny Pod in a more accessible way to manage diabetes. Consult your GP and or Endocrinologist. Adam Shearer, Manager St...

On FOCAL POINT: Chrissy Antonopoulos has  finished a PHD and published some research on implicit bias in hiring people with a disability. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, with updates on events and activities, including a group being set up in Mt. Gambier. 8367 6088 Colleen Lewis explained her and other's roles in a New consumer group recently appointed to shape the future of eye resear...

On FOCAL POINT: Penny Holmes-Brown is Service Area Manager from APM employment, the winner of this year's Link Vision Blind Australian of the year Employer of Choice Award. Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, wrapping up Vision Australia Radio Adelaide's audio description of the Christmas Pageant, as well as invitations to two audio described shows of the State Theatre Company's Jack Maggs - als...

On FOCAL POINT: Nathan Stock, from Seeing Hands ( https://seeinghands.org/ ) with news on dictionaries that are accessible on braille displays and now available in a number of languages. You can access the : dictionaries here: https://projects.seeinghands.org/dictionary/ Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, shared news on how bystanders can be alert to Elder Abuse - signs to look out for an...

On FOCAL POINT: Courtney Webeck, Cricketer; Tennis Athlete and student is the 2024 Blind Australian of the year.  Mahesh Nath, from Pacific Vision, will be at Tech Fest - where, among other things, we will see the first showing of an electronic magnifier from HIMS. Nikki Brooke is about to Launch her first published book "Plagued Lands" Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point,...