Rnib Connect

Let's shine a spotlight on an organisation in Nigeria which strives to help people living with disabilities unlock their full potential. They’re called Hope Builders for the Physically Challenged Foundation and Paulina Kuchorew finds out more about their work from founder and the driving force behind the Foundation, Dr Christiana Kehinde Akinrinmade. More about their work: Hope Builders for the Physically Challenged Foundation | Image: the foundation's logo. Three simple figures drawn in three colours: blue, grey and green. With outstretched arms they reach towards each other almost in the shape of a gentle circle.

Jessica Pita is Padi’s first South African blind scuba diver. Our David Hogg spoke to her about her sight loss, her love of scuba diving and her motivational speaking…

NaviLens codes will now be on a range of products from SMA Nutrition. Aiming to make life easier for blind and partially sighted parents and carers. Dave Williams found out more. You can find more information on NaviLens technology on the RNIB website - How NaviLens helps people with sight loss | RNIB | RNIB

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio sit down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This time around they discuss RNIB's work with the new Labour government, the launch of the Blind Barbie Doll from Mattel and RNIB's on-going partnership with Arsenal football club. 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 a new production of Sheridan’s ‘The School for Scandal’ Directed by Tinuke Craig at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon with description by Professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Ellie Packer. About The School for Scandal bY Richard Brinkley Sheridan: Brilliant biting comedy styled to the nines with period flair and promising an exuberant feast of big wigs and even bigger laughs. ‘There’s no possibility of being witty without a little ill nature.’ 1770s London, where the aristocracy’s morals have plunged lower than the necklines on the women’s gowns. The vicious Lady Sneerwell enjoys ruining reputations for pleasure, and her latest target is the young bachelor Charles Surface  — why should this pretentious little ra

Tyntesfield House is an ornate Victorian gothic revival house with extensive gardens and parkland just outside Bristol which has been part of the National Trust’s portfolio since 2002. Following on from help from the RNIB National Trust Volunteers and staff at Tyntesfield House are now able to offer sensory walks of the estates extensive gardens and parkland for blind and partially sighted people. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey recently visited Tyntesfield House to experience one of their sensory walks, a tour of the house which included a visit to the kitchen and the beautiful chapel.   The feature begins with Toby chatting with Simon Lawrence OBE, General Manager, Bristol Portfolio, National Trust who is responsible for the running of Tyntesfield House, then off on a tour of the house with Katie Jeffries visiting the kitchen and chapel with the feature ending with the sensory walk lead by National Trust Volunteer Nick Deering. To find out more about Tyntesfield House, The National Trust and the sensory

The UK General Election not only saw a change of government, it also saw a huge change in MPs from right across the UK.  RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Steve Darling MP about his new role in the Commons, his career in politics and if his Guide Dog, Jennie, is settling in.  #RNIBConnect  Image Shows Steve Darling MP and Guide Dog Jennie in London standing by Themes River. It's a sunny day with blue skies and the London Eye behind them, on the other side of Themes. 

VI Stand-up Comedian Jake Donaldson is taking his show to the Edinburgh Fringe.   His show 'Spectacle' uses comedy, theatre and lighting to make audiences laugh and dispel sight loss myths in a truly spectac-ular way. He talked to Amelia about his career so far and shared tips for fringe goers. Spectacle is at Just the Tonic - The Mash House (Venue 288) at 6.40pm from 1-11 and 13-25 August 2024. Learn more about Jake on Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok @DonaldsonComedy Image shows Jake, a white man with short brown hair and a moustache and beard, standing against a dark background. He's wearing a suit with a black blazer and grey tie, and holding pink Dame Edna glasses up next to him. 

The National Galleries of Scotland host free art sessions on the third Wednesday of every month as part of their Visually Impaired Programme.   This month at the ‘Modern One’ they hosted AD Tour and Workshop of the Tracing time exhibition by contemporary artist Do Ho Suh. Art-lover, Reader and Whistler Cleodie told Amelia about attending the VI Programme for 20 years and the VI community in Edinburgh. Learn more about the National Galleries of Scotland visually impaired programme on their website www.nationalgalleries.org/learn/visual-impairment The next event in the Visually Impaired Programme is Online and Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from Scotland’s Mining Communities Hosted online via Zoom on Wednesday 21 August from 2-3.30pm.   Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'Connect Radio' underneath.

The National Galleries of Scotland host free art sessions on the third Wednesday of every month as part of their Visually Impaired Programme.   This month at the ‘Modern One’ they hosted AD Tour and Workshop of the Tracing time exhibition by contemporary artist Do Ho Suh. Artist, Poet, Campaigner and Storyteller Anne Dignan told Amelia about her work and experiences of Dual Sensory Loss. Learn more about Anne’s fringe performance on the Scottish Storytelling Website www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com   Learn more about the National Galleries of Scotland visually impaired programme on their website www.nationalgalleries.org/learn/visual-impairment The next event in the Visually Impaired Programme is Online and Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from Scotland’s Mining Communities Hosted online via Zoom on Wednesday 21 August from 2-3.30pm  Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'Connec

There’s rare chance to go behind the scenes at one of the oldest theatres in Wales this summer, as Hywel Davies has been finding out. You can book tickets and find more information about the tour here - Book Theatre Tour tickets | New Theatre Cardiff (trafalgartickets.com)

The first blind Barbie was just released by Mattel and created in partnership with American Foundation for the Blind to allow even more children to find a doll that represents them. For its UK release, the company partnered up with RTS 2024 award winning presenter, content creator and author, Lucy Edwards. Hubert Pawelkiewicz spoke with Lucy to find out what it feels like to be an ambassador for the Blind Barbie. Image: Lucy holds up Blind Barbie, to show her in all of her pink and purple glory. Lucy has shiny long ginger hair which cascades in waves over her shoulders and is waring a peachy-pink dress with short flowy sleeves. Blind Barbie has shiny long brown hair, thick glasses perched on top of her head and is holding a white cane. She's wearing a pink fitted top and a frilly purple mini skirt with light purple high heels. 

Our David Hogg speaks to Retina UK’s Yvette Chivers about her employment journey and how an RNIB ‘See Work Differently’ internship kicked off a new chapter in her career… 

Alice Findlay, RNIB Customer Voice Insight Co-ordinator shares the latest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get involved in with RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey. Opportunities highlighted this week included: Tell us about your voting experience  A few weeks ago we all went to the polls and every time we have an election we ask you to tell us about your voter experience, good or bad. The information you provide will be used to track what it is like for blind or partially sighted voters to cast their ballots.  Your experiences form the basis for our “Turned Out” reports, which we share with the UK Government and the Electoral Commission to keep the pressure up for improvements in the accessibility of voting.   This evidence is hugely important if we are to bring about change. Our past reports have contributed to improved Electoral Commission guidance and an increase in the provision of audio solutions in some polling stations but there’s a long way to go if all blind and partially sighte

Our weekly social media round up returns as Hubert Pawelkiewicz speaks to Holly Tuke from our social media team about the latest trends in the blind and partially sighted community and in general. Plus what exactly are stickers? How do they work? And how accessible really are they?

The National Galleries of Scotland host free art sessions on the third Wednesday of every month as part of their Visually Impaired Programme.   This month at the ‘Modern One’ they hosted AD Tour and Workshop of the Tracing time exhibition by contemporary artist Do Ho Suh. Amelia spoke to attendee Cat about the exhibition, experiencing live AD and technology   Learn more about the National Galleries of Scotland visually impaired programme on their website www.nationalgalleries.org/learn/visual-impairment The next event in the Visually Impaired Programme is Online and Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from Scotland’s Mining Communities  Hosted online via Zoom on Wednesday 21 August from 2-3.30pm   Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'Connect Radio' underneath.

Today, Tuesday 23 July 2024, Mattel have launched the first ever Blind Barbie Doll with dark glasses and carrying a white cane for young blind and partially sighted girls to empower them to be whatever they want to be in life. Mattel worked with the American Federation of the Blind on the development of Blind Barbie and the RNIB will be helping to promote and role out the Blind Barbie doll to visually impaired girls and their parents here in the UK.  RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Debbie Miller, RNIB Director of Advice and Support to find out more about the development of Blind Barbie and the role that the RNIB will be playing in promoting Blind Barbie as well as what it means to blind and partially sighted girls and their parents regarding inclusive role models now that there is a Blind Barbie. Blind Barbie will be available in all the usual online toy stores and shops from today Tuesday 23 July 2024 and more about Barbie can be found on the Mattel website - https://shopping.mattel.com/en-g

The National Galleries of Scotland host free art sessions on the third Wednesday of every month as part of their Visually Impaired Programme.    This month at the ‘Modern One’ they hosted AD Tour and Workshop of the Tracing time exhibition by contemporary artist Do Ho Suh. Actor, Playwright, Disability Consultant and Visually Impaired Creators Scotland (VICS) Founder Kirin Saeed helped to develop and deliver the AD for the event. She told Amelia about her process and VICS in the Edinburgh Fringe. Learn more about VICS on their website www.visuallyimpairedcreatorsscotland.co.uk/ Learn more about the National Galleries of Scotland visually impaired programme on their website www.nationalgalleries.org/learn/visual-impairment The next event in the Visually Impaired Programme is Online and Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from Scotland’s Mining Communities  Hosted online via Zoom on Wednesday 21 August from 2-3.30pm   Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a

Bérénice Magistretti is a writer and disability activist with Retinitis Pigmentosa. She talked to Amelia about embracing her sight loss, building up to using a cane, and finding canes that makes her feel confident. Follow Bérénice on Instagram @berenicebagistretti . Image shows a black and white picture of Bérénice, who is a young white woman with mid-length black hair. She is sitting on a stool with her right leg propped up, her right elbow resting on it and her face resting on her knuckles. She is looking into the camera smiling, wearing a black top and white trousers. The background behind her is white.

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 time around they discuss the King's Speech, accessible information as part of Covid-19 enquiry, audio described TV coverage of live events, and making #WorldEmojiDay accessible. 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