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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 the reimagining for the stage of Mark Ravenhill’s 2013 radio play’ Ben and Imo’ at the Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon with description by Professional Audio Describers Emily Magdij and Carolyn Smith.

About Ben and Imo:

This is the true story of the passionate partnership between Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst. The 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is fast approaching. To mark the occasion, Benjamin Britten has just nine months to write a new opera about her predecessor Elizabeth I. Into the world of the disheartened composer enters the exuberant and passionate Imogen Holst, daughter of Gustav and an accomplished musician in her own right. Her candid and can-do attitude proves to be the perfect foil for the capricious and often maddening Britten, and what begins as an arrangement of practical support turns into a bond that not only sees Gloriana to its premiere but endures throughout the rest of their lives.

Originally written to mark the centenary of Britten’s birth and performed on BBC Radio 3 in 2013, Mark Ravenhill’s Ben and Imo is a powerful new play, reimagined for 2024 that explores the brilliant yet often turbulent working relationship of two of the 20th Century’s greatest musical minds.

For more about access at the Royal Shakespeare Company including details of audio described performances of their productions do visit the access pages of their website - https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/access


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New research has shown that a vast number of blind and partially sighted people, in the UK, are missing out on vital benefit payments, that they may be entitled to.

RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Dominic Milne, from RNIB's Legal Rights Service, to find out why this is and how people can get what they're entitled to.

If you would like help from the charity's legal rights team, call 0303 123 9999.

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Blind and partially sighted people in Castle Donnington are dressing to the nines to raise money for their local sight loss charity. 

Tilly Dowler, the partially-sighted co-owner of Wanted Wardrobe, and model Sam Ball, told Amelia about their fashion show this Friday. 

You can learn more about Wanted Wardrobe by following them on Instagram and TikTok, and can visit their store on Vinted by searching 'Wanted Wardrobe'.

Image shows Tilly, a white woman with mid-length blond hair, wearing a snakeskin printed jumpsuit and holding a white symbol cane in her left hand. Her right hand rests on a bright green clothing rail holding different printed clothing items . She stands in the Wanted Wardrobe shop which has hard wood floors, brick outer walls and a bright yellow dividing wall with clothes and accessories hung up.

If you’re looking for new ways to access printed text, then Tech Talk’s Dave Williams has been hearing about some of the latest items available from RNIB’s Products For Life Store.

More information on each of the products discussed can be found here:
Hark Reader - Hark Reader | RNIB
RNIB Communiplayer - RNIB Communiplayer USB Player | RNIB
RNIB Accord - RNIB Accord USB Player | RNIB

Jemma Davison, RNIB Customer 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:

Help Shape the Future of Inclusive Employment with Your Insights! 
Student Shiyi is working to improve employment opportunities for blind and partially sighted individuals through the Thomas Pocklington Trust's Get Set Progress internship program. Just 5-10 minutes of your time is required to provide feedback on a survey that will help illuminate the path to creating a more inclusive workforce. Your voice will directly influence the internship program to better serve both employers and visually impaired job seekers. To be emailed the survey linked or find out more information, you can reach Shiyi at shiyi.wang-2@student.manchester.ac.uk

Are You Visually impaired, aged 18-65 and live in London or the South East?
If so then you are invited to join the RNIB London & South East Connect telephone group. There will be 4 sessions with Dates and Times confirmed with individuals (weekday evening 6:30-7:30pm). The purpose of the sessions are for blind and partially sighted people of working age who live in London and the South East, to connect informally over a range of topics that are important to them. From challenges of living with a sight loss, to exchanging motivational tips and tricks. Common topics on these calls often include hobbies, interests, employment, social lives, education and much more.
To sign up or for more. information, please contact Hazel Cross by email - hazel.cross@rnib.org.uk

To find out more about these and other Connect Voices opportunities along with how you can get involved with RNIB Connect Voices do visit - https://www.rnib.org.uk/connect-community/connect-voices-network/connect-voices-current-opportunities


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What’s your best play-time memory? TourettesHero are gathering positive play memories from disabled children, adults, parents and care-givers to inspire inclusive play events. 

Amelia talked to co-founder and co-artistic director Jess Thom about the project.

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