Rnib Connect

RNIB Cymru are holding an event in Cardiff this week to find out more about the accessibility of the city centre. Hywel Davies has been hearing more about plans for the upcoming ‘Street Survey’.

As the inquiry into the impact of the pandemic continues, Hywel Davies spoke to RNIB’s Head of Policy and Campaigns to hear about the progress of the inquiry so far.

Our team went over to Paris to cover the Paralympic Games, but whilst there, Toby and Paulina decided to step away from sport for a moment and immerse themselves in a bit of modern art. Image shows Toby posing in front of Chopin's Waterloo, a sculpture from 1962 made by artist Arman. Described the Pompidou Centre as "destruction-dislocation" of an upright piano. The scattered pieces of the musical instrument were then reassembled on a panel in a Cubist collage fashion. The panel beneath is a stark red colour and the pieces of the piano are scattered around and out of order, including broken off pieces of wood and strings hanging down.

What is it like travelling around Paris if you’re blind or partially sighted?  Let’s find out with Toby and Allan, who are reporting from this year’s Paralympics Games. Image shows Allan and Toby standing in front of a protective metal net with a view over Paris far off in the distance. They're on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. Allan is on the left and wearing a pink RNIB t-shirt, with Toby to his right in a white t-shirt and a blue sport jacket. 

What is it like to visit the famous French tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris? Join Toby, Allan, John and Paulina to find out. Image shows Toby and John posing in front of The Eiffel Tower. They're both smiling as the wrought-iron lattice tower stands magnificently behind them. With lush green trees near the tower's legs, you can also spot the famous Olympic logo (5 interlaced rings of: blue, yellow, black, green, and red) above the base of the structure.

Our team is in Paris right now reporting from the Paralympic Games, and whilst there they checked out one of the most famous landmarks in the city, Arc de Triomphe. Listen to find out how Allan, Jane and Paulina got on. Image shows Allan and Jane pose by a ornate lamp post with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance behind them. Allan has his left hand on the lamp post and holds his white cane in the other, Jane is leaning against the post with one arm and leg stretched out playfully. They're both laughing.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio is joined by some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re involved in and ask for your input to bring positive change to the lives of blind and partially sighted people, throughout the UK. This month’s topics includes the right to vote in secret, working with e-scooter companies and upcoming party conferences. If you’d like more information on campaigns or want to get involved, email campaigns@rnib.org.uk Visit rnib.org.uk/news or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 If you like your socials, follow @RNIB_Campaigns on Twitter for campaign specific updates. #RNIBConnect Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. 

Graeae are taking on a Shakespearean classic with an all D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent cast. How are they making the play accessible for disabled audience members and Shakespeare beginners? Amelia spoke to Graeae's Artistic Director, Jenny Sealey OBE, to learn more. You can watch the production at Shakespeare North Playhouse on 13 Sept – 5 Oct and Theatre by the Lake on 12 – 26 Oct. Learn more about the production and Graeae on their website - https://graeae.org/event/romeo-and-juliet/ Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. 

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Matt talks about Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and rail accessibility, the start of the Paralympics and  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 also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image Shows Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB.

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 the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar is reviewing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi award-winning cultural phenomenon that is Hamilton as the 2023/2024 touring production visited the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Jonathan Nash. About Hamilton: Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now. Hamilton has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler a

Hubert returns with our weekly chat with the RNIB social media team as he looks to get the latest trends, gossip and find out how RNIB are championing accessibility this week.

Join Jonathan on his boat journey to the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of 378 islands in the Caribbean Sea. Tune in to 'The Lunch Break' on RNIB Connect Radio every weekday from 12 noon to 1pm for more Travelogues. Image shows Jonathan Abro, a white middle-aged man holding a white cane, sat on some jagged grey rocks with two small, pink-faced monkeys close to him. One monkey is licking Jonathan's bright orange jacket and the other is perched further along on the rocks.

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Matt talks about accessible finance with Capital One, talking to Optometry Today, a new leadership programme and the Paralympics.. 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 also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image Shows Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB

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 the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. This week Vidar was reviewing a stirring tale of love, hope and miracles with the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Pericles at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon with description by Professional Audio Describers Ellie Packer and Carolyn Smith.  About the RSC production of Pericles: Swept away on an epic voyage of storms and shipwrecks, abduction and devastating loss, Pericles is adrift in an ocean of grief. Will he ever see his family again? ‘O you gods! Why do you make us love your goodly gifts, And snatch them straight away?’ When Prince Pericles solves a riddle set by the King, he knows the answer could get him killed. Fleeing for safety, he finds himself swept away on an epic voyage that will see him battle princes, marry his true love and become a

Now time to head to the ballet as our David Hogg is put through his paces by Scottish Ballet’s Matthew Broadbent in the return of Blind Leading. Image: David stands with his arms outstretched and his back straight as he looks over to his side at Matthew. Matthew is to his right, holding a similar pose, his right hand pointing at David's elbow. David is wearing a pink t-shirt with raspberry pink joggers. Matthew has a blue 'Scottish Ballet' t-shirt on and dark trousers.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like for a blind or partially sighted person to visualise art? Hubert has been speaking to Millie, a graphics student about her sight loss journey, and how she makes art accessible for her.

The charity SeeAbility celebrates its 225th anniversary this year. Hywel Davies has been hearing about a very special physical challenge taking place to mark the occasion. You can find out more about the challenge and donate at the SeeAbility website - 24 Peaks. 24 Hours. | SeeAbility Image: Jack and Michael on a training run together, they hold a tether as they jog along.

How does Visionary work with their membership organisations? Amelia spoke to Amy Pearman from Visionary, Deirdre Aitken from Highland BlindCraft and Laura Lindsay from Dundee Blind And Partially Sighted Society. Learn more about Visionary here - Welcome to Visionary - Visionary Learn more about Highland BlindCraft here - Home - Highland Blindcraft Learn more about Dundee Blind And Partially Sighted Society here - Home | Dundee Blind & Partially Sighted Society (dundeeblindsociety.org.uk) Image shows Visionary Logo of a pink and green circle eye shape forming the image of an eye which Visionary in white text below on a dark grey background.

Let's journey to the iconic Moai heads of Easter Island with Blind Adventurer Jonathan Abro. Tune in to 'The Lunch Break' on RNIB Connect Radio every weekday from 12 noon to 1pm for more Travelogues. Image shows Jonathan Abro, a white middle-aged man holding a white cane, sat on some jagged grey rocks with two small, pink-faced monkeys close to him. One monkey is licking Jonathan's bright orange jacket and the other is perched further along on the rocks.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description.  Audio Description makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts venues accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people. AD is a narration describing what is physically happening, say on stage, TV or the big screen. It can also describe works of art, places of interest or exhibits. This month they discuss some amazing outdoor events and a mythical monster. If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk #RNIBConnect Image shows Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description In The Studio