Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

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A weekly program presented by Peter Greco, Focal Point covers services from blindness organisations and other providers, technology, current affairs, breakthroughs in advocacy campaigns about all manner of challenges and promoting activities and events for people who are blind or vision impaired.

  1. 17h ago

    19 Aug 2026

    On FOCAL POINT:  01:50 – Robert Altman - Advocate and proponent of Braille. Shares his experience completing the Australian Census in Braille using a Perkins Brailler, discusses the independence Braille provides over digital options, and highlights the importance of advocating for Braille literacy alongside modern assistive tech. 15:32 – Rachel (Beyond Blindness) - Marketing representative at Beyond Blindness. Discusses upcoming Apple accessibility workshops in Adelaide, Android support sessions, local "pocket group" social meetups, expansion plans into Port Augusta, and the $2,000 Trevor Frost Award scholarship for young artists with vision impairments. 29:50 – Rebecca Young - CEO of Access2Arts. Discusses audio-described local theater performances (e.g., State Theatre Company's Chalk / Commentary), inclusive programs at festivals like Illuminate Adelaide and SALA, and shares insights on proposed federal audio description legislation and the drawbacks of using AI voices over professional human describers. 42:01 – Maureen O'Reilly - Representative from the Vision Australia Library. Highlights upcoming virtual events including the "Meet the Narrator" Q&A session with guest Paul Winford, archived technology webinars, and a 5-week course on how to write compelling news stories. Resources Blind Citizens Australia (SA Branch Catch-up) Phone: 1800 033 660   Website: Blind Citizens Australia   Beyond Blindness Phone: (08) 8367 6088   Port Augusta Group Contact (Jen): 0403 451 817 Website: Beyond Blindness   Access2Arts Phone: (08) 8463 1689   Website: Access2Arts   Vision Australia Library Phone: 1300 654 656   Website: Vision Australia Library See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 Aug 2026

  2. Aug 12

    12 Aug 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Kerryn Harvey is an Author and Para Tri-athlete who has just launched her new book "Mostly Ups."  Kerryn contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating infection, after falling off a bike.  She chatted about her life and resilience. Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer, invited all to SALA - Live Audio Description Tour.  Saturday 15th August 2pm, and an Ekphrastic poetry event -Saturday 22nd August 2026 Time: 2.30pm - 5pm  Where? Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre - 17 Moore Street, Tranmere, SA, bookings are essential. email: elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au Fiona Hodson, senior pain management clinician with Chronic Pain Australia, spoke about the Launch of Strong Australia 14th August 14th - inaugural National Strength Day - and how being a bit stronger can help with falls prevention; balance independence and a better quality of life. Fiona also talked about a petition on change.org to have chronic pain "coded" for Medicare purposes.  Jeramy Hope, CEO for Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance, shared his experience appearing at the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee hearing into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment.  Resources:  Keryn Harvey: https://www.kerrynharvey.com Painlink: https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painlink/ Pain Changer: https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painchanger/ Live-Up: https://www.liveup.org.au/ SDA Alliance: http://www.sdaalliance.org.au    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    12 Aug 2026

  3. Aug 5

    05 Aug 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Andrew Webster, Chair, and Robyn McKenzie, Board Member of Blind Citizens Australia talking about the NDIS legislation campaign; and Senate hearing - encouraged members to contact their local federal members and Senators. Karina Morata, Team Leader Employment Services at See Differently, spoke about her role and how you may be supported to find and stay in employment. Romina Cavallo, GHD Associate BGL Engagement; Communication and Change, from 10th August feedback will be taken regarding the noise sharing plan for the works at Melbourne Airport. This includes in-person; webinars; via email. Contact details available in the podcast notes under "Resources: Gaurav (Gary) Hairiya and John Leone invited all to come'n'try Swish, a form of table tennis for people who are blind or have low vision. The come'n'try day will be Geelong, Friday from 1 pm, and also other days at Kooyong, Keilor.  Resources: Blind Citizens Australia: https://www.bca.org.au How to contact your Local Senator: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contacting_Senators_and_Members  See Differently Employment Services: https://seedifferently.org.au/low-vision-services/employment-services/  Feedback on Melbourne Noise-Sharing Plan: email: engagement@ghd.com  Web: https://www.melbourneairportprojectshub.com.au/  Swish Com'n'try day: call Gary on  0466 190 333  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    05 Aug 2026

  4. Jul 29

    29 Jul 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Gabrielle Skrekovski is the newest Quality Living Graduate at Vision Australia,. Gabrielle spoke about her career so far and the role of Quality Living Facilitator.  Rossie Offord, Head of Planning for Melbourne Airport, shared news about the new Pick Up and Drop Off zone - commencing in October - and Melbourne Airport's Master Plan 2027.  The plan is available for public viewing and comment and feedback from 10th August view it at Anushka Singh, Coordinator VA Radio Speak My Language Project,was  looking for participants from culturally and linguistically diverse groups for an upcoming podcast series "See Hear Me" Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, chatted about AusAlert; the census coming up; and the volatility in Australian political leadership roles.  Resources:  Melbourne Airport Major Projects: https://www.melbourneairportprojectshub.com.au/ You can make a submission via the website or email Masterplan2027@melair.com.au  "See Hear Me": radio@visionaustralia.org    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 Jul 2026

  5. Jul 22

    22 Jul 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Dean Calder is one of the first people in Australia to have the Braille Note Evolve - the Windows-based braille computer from Humanware. Catch Dean's internet radio show, Thursday evenings on Super Stream on line. Rebecca Redman-Walsh, Disability Advocate/Intake officer for the Speak Out Association of Tasmania, shared news of recent meetings with local members of parliament - responding to SOA's concerns regarding cuts for clients on the NDIS. Meghan Hibbert, from AusAlert, "alerted" us to what will be happening around Australia 2pm AEST; 1:30pm Central and 12 Noon in Western Australia, Monday 247th July. Gerard Rennick, former Senator now President of the new "People First Party" running candidates at the 2028 federal election.  Resources:  Superstream Listen and Downloads: https://www.bchapman.id.au/  Speak Out Advocacy: https://www.speakoutadvocacy.org/  AusAlert: https://www.ausalert.gov.au/ Gerard Rennick's People First Party: https://peoplefirstparty.au/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 Jul 2026

  6. Jul 15

    15 Jul 2026

    On FOCAL POINT:  Angela Sosnowski, Low Vision Consultant (SA/WA/NT) for Quantum RLV, introduced the - just  released - MirrorPad Pro.  This is anew addition to the range of desktop magnifiers, combining powerful magnification with the ability to mirror your phone and control your Android smartphone, directly onscreen. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, updated events; activities - including walking groups; pub lunches; tandem cycling; and a social group at Glenelg; as well as an invitation for young people studying music or art to apply for the Trevor Frost Award, with a $3,000 reward, Maureen O'Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, spoke about hearing highly acclaimed playwright Jane Harrison, who has written "Rainbow's End" great for those year 12 students in Vic. NSW, and Qld studying the play.  Maureen also invited all to come along to "Meet the Librarian" and access to some excellent guests from Melbourne Writers Week.  Professor Paul Griffin, Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services and from the University of Qld, has concerns that many older people in particular may be underestimating the seriousness of RSV, Respiratory syncytial virus.  Resources:  Quantum RLV:  http://www.quantumrlv.com.au Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au  Vision Australia Library: https://visionaustralia.org/services/library RSV Wise: http://www.rsvwise.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 Jul 2026

  7. Jul 8

    08 Jul 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Emily Walter, National Spokesperson for the 2026 Census - 11th August, had all the relevant  news on the census including it being available   in large print, braille, just request it, you can do the census in braille, Hen Vaughan has just taken the role of audio description coordinator at Access 2 Arts. Hen invited all to the free audio-described City Lights Tour 14th July. Amelia Aberasturi and Eloy Mason are excited about The Open Curtain Presents - part of the Darwin Fringe Festival - an inclusive; accessible and amazing community project that was just an idea in November.  24th and 25th July at the Browns Mart Studio, Nicholas Gleeson, author, adventurer, athlete has just Launched a podcast, with some creative friends, Nick is just back from reconnecting with nature, Humaning with a Difference, inspiring and heartfelt, focusing on living life with a vision impairment while exploring the broader message that "difference" is a strength, Resources: Census: http://www.census.gov.au Illuminate Adelaide: https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/  Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au The Open Curtain: https://darwinfringe.org.au/organiser/the-open-curtain   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    08 Jul 2026

  8. Jul 1

    01 Jul 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Carlie Towns is just back from making it to the Everest base camp - a physical, emotional and spiritual experience, connecting with her late father Ched. Alex Marcocci, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, alerted us to their current campaign,  'Illegal Firewood, The Cost is Wild' encouraging all to check that their firewood has beenlegally sourced and report suspicious activity.  Jacky Hudson has been selected for Australia to go to Glasgow playing lawn bowls at the Commonwealth Games.  Ben Harrington (Training officer from Traveller's Aid) and Ethan Ward (industrial Design Student at Monash University) sharing their partnership, making travel even more accessible, and enjoyable with innovative and imaginative ideas and initiatives.  Resources: Carlie's Fundraising page: https://chuffed.org/project/carliedoeseverest  Crimestoppers Vic: http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    01 Jul 2026
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A weekly program presented by Peter Greco, Focal Point covers services from blindness organisations and other providers, technology, current affairs, breakthroughs in advocacy campaigns about all manner of challenges and promoting activities and events for people who are blind or vision impaired.

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