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. 20 May 2026

    11H AGO

    20 May 2026

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 3m
  2. 13 May 2026

    MAY 13

    13 May 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Demelza Werly shared news about work she is doing to one day enable a person who is blind or vision impaired to drive a car independently.  Demelza is working with Dr Samantha Horseman at the JCU Ideas lab James Cook University with thePilgari Systems - an AI solution and hardware that can be installed into any vehicle. Jude Gafney, Audio Description Coordinator for Access 2 Arts, had news on audio-described events at the South Australian Museum; ILLUMINATE Adelaide having audio description; and the State Theatre Company putting on "The Importance of Being Earnest" Christo Sarantakis has  mild hearing loss and is using hearing aids which have made an enormously positive difference to his quality of life.  Christo encouraged others to explore such an opportunity, Peter Rickards is the inventor of the Sensaball - a unique tip for mobility canes.  Brent Franklin has been involved with testing the product for over 5 years.  Peter and Brent will be at Tech Fest 17th June 17th at U-City, 43 Franklin Street. Resources: Pilgari: http://www.pilgarisystems.com.au/ Pilgari Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6ydtYcIwJw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7HfkXcARzM  Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au  Sensaball: https://www.sensaball.com.au/  Techfest 2026: https://seedifferently.org.au/support-us-and-donate/events/techfest2026/      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr
  3. 06 May 2026

    MAY 6

    06 May 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Alex Sar shared highlights of the recent Deafblind Camp in Victoria -  attended by campers from all around Australia. Alex Marcocci, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, had information regarding Bystanders playing a vital role in preventing elder abuse. Sarah Richardson, CEO for Health-Bright, spoke about many phobias affecting Australians every day. Emma Lawrence, Operations Director for Kids Alive, launched free CPR training to equip parents for life-or-death emergencies in and out of the water.  Free training is available throughout May in Australia.  Resources: Able Australia: http://www.ableaustralia.org.au Crimestoppers Australia: https://crimestoppers.com.au/  Online Psychologists: https://www.onlinepsychologist.com.au/  Phobias Online Quiz: https://www.onlinepsychologist.com.au/post/phobia-quiz  Kids Alive: https://kidsalive.com.au/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    59 min
  4. 29 Apr 2026

    APR 29

    29 Apr 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Jarrod Sandell-Hay, Vice President for People with Disabilities Australia, sharing his concerns; insights and observations from the recently announced planned cuts to the NDIS.  Tony Scott, previewing the Australian Nationawn Bowls Championships from 13th May at Club Tweed.  Tony has an invitation to a come n try day 24th May 24th at the Kensington Bowling Club, Kensington Gardens, from 10am. , all welcome,  Maureen O'Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, chatted about the Library being an access and inclusion Partner with the Melbourne Writers Festival and a number of opportunities to attend In Conversations with some highly regarded and respected authors.  Phil Vandepeer, Co-Founder and Co-Presenter for Focal Point, responding with some frank and forthright thoughts about the NDIS proposed cuts.  Resources: People with Disability Australia: http://www.pwd.org.au Blind Bowles Australia: Email: abbaenquiries@gmail.com Internet: https://blindbowls.bowls.com.au Vision Australia Library: http://www.visionaustralia.org/library  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 2m
  5. 22 Apr 2026

    APR 22

    22 Apr 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Iconyx, a proud Indigenous award-winning singer/song writer, chatted about an illustrious career so far and the recently released album Black on Track - as well as being on the ABC's The piano. Sophie Slattery, assistance dog Instructor at See Differently, spoke about the 12 years of Operation K-9 - a program making huge difference to our returned service people better manage PTSAID. The program is funded by DVA, you can also be involved as a volunteer, helping the puppies prepare for their roles. Nathan Johnson, ultra distance athlete; motivational speaker and fund raiser, launched Nathan's website - supported by Cinta Graves from My Designer. Bev Walker lost sight later in life.  She has shown great determination; resilience; and persistence -  taking on assistive technology; using the Envoy for reading; the Ray-Ban meta glasses enabling independence; and  sharing peer support with the "check in and chat" program from Vision Australia Resournves:  See Differently: http://www.seedifferently.org.au Inspire and Empower: Email: info@inspireandempower.com.au or go to:  https://www.inspireandempower.com.au/  My Designer: http://www.mydesigner.com.au    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 2m
  6. 15 Apr 2026

    APR 15

    15 Apr 2026

    On FOCAL POINT: Molly Smith, has returned with the Aussie Belles Goalball team from Europe.  Molly was equal highest goal scorer in the tournament, and the team placed 3rd, Rachel, from Beyond Blindness marketing, had news on events and activities, including, volunteering opportunities; walking groups; 10 pin bowling; "moving into dance" can do from a chair and a sausage sizzle at the Windsore Gardens Bunnings. Kristy Stichter shared doing the survey on braille literacy and quality of life using NVDA and Windows. Kristy also spoke about her love of music, braille music, book clubs and using the Meta glasses.  Hannah Illingworth, Director for the Darwin Fringe Festival, previewed the event. Tickets on sale in May, commencing in July - inclusive, accessible, all are invited, Resources: Beyond Blindness: www.beyondblindess.org.au Braille Literacy Survey: https://surveys.unisq.edu.au/index.php/147465?lang=en Darwin Fringes Tickets; www.darwinfringe.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 2m
  7. 08 Apr 2026

    APR 8

    08 Apr 2026

    On FOCAL POINT:  Aasha Rose is a PHD student at the University of Southern Queensland doing research into braille literacy and people's quality of life.  Aasha would love you to take part in the survey. (Available under "Resources" in the podcast notes. Jude Gafney, Audio Description Co-ordinator from Access 2 Arts, with news on the tactile tour and audio description of RBG of Many - about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  Jude gave fabulous insights into tactile tours before audio described shows; their  benefits adding so much to the full experience of performances. Professor Connie Katelaris, Professor of Immunology and Allergy at the University of Sydney , let us know about an Australian-discovered Breakthrough therapy for hereditary angioedema,  Andembry? (AN-dem-bree), now available on the PBS. Connie also spoke about ocular disorders including allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Bec Golding, Sales Manager for Brooks, shared a timely message to check or have someone check our smoke alarms.  Resources Braille Literacy and Satisfaction Survey: https://surveys.unisq.edu.au/index.php/147465?lang=en  Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au HAE Australasia: https://haeaustralasia.org.au Brooks Australia: https://www.brooks.com.au/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr
  8. 01 Apr 2026

    APR 1

    01 Apr 2026

    On Focal Point: Susan Harris,  was legally blind until 6 years ago with Multiple Sclerosis, then Susan's sight returned, shared Susan's lived experiences, Susan works with TwinView Health, providing support services to individuals with  vision impairment, those on the NDIS, My aged Care and veterans, 08 8166 2686 https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.twinviewhealth.com__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE-pBiF0Jw$ Andrew Davies, Team Manager Assistive Technology, at See Differently, has just returned from the 41st CSUN, 1300 944 306https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.seedifferently.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE9Cs0hW_w$https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://conference.csun.at/event/2026/summary__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8OmZat5A$ Freek van Welsenis,  Co-Founder of Hable,  Launched Speechlabel, a simple, affordable system that "voice tag"  using your smart phone and their smart labels, contact Vision Australia, 1300 84 74 66 http://www.visionaustralia.org https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/pages/speechlabel__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8p1frFRw$ Mia Gardiner, from Crimestoppers Victoria raised awareness about  Why viral quizzes and AI selfie trends are actually risky?1800 333 000https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE_13k8dUQ$   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
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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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