Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

On FOCAL POINT: Elizabeth Beales, President of the Albinism Fellowship of Australia, reflecting on International Albinism Awareness Day 13th June. The theme was "Proud In  My Skin".  Elizabeth also previewed their National Conference coming up in September in Adelaide. Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, chatted about a number of upcoming events, including changes in the northern suburbs; introduced us to "pocket" groups starting at Glenelg; groups that are a little more tailor-made depending on demographics and geographics. Tony Scott, Coach and Promoter of lawn bowls in Australia for people who are blind or have low vision, wrapping up recent national training camp for Australian representation; naming athletes chosen for the Commonwealth Games; and a free come n try day 21st June at the Playford bowling Club - Goodman Road Elizabeth, next door to the Central Districts Football Club and a day in Hobart in July. Ben Tullipan, from Empower golf, invited all to a free come n try Golf Clinic Friday19th June  Geelong Curlews; and a number of free days this month in Victoria.  people of all abilities are most welcome.  Resources:  International Albinism Awareness Day: https://www.un.org/en/observances/albinism-day  Albinism Fellowship of Australia: http://www.albinismaustralia.org Access 2 Arts: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au Blind Bowls Australia: Enquiries email: abbaenquiries@gmail.com  Web:  https://blindbowls.bowls.com.au/ Empower Golf: http://www.empowergolf.com.aSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT: Dr James Daley, Medical Director Pathology Services from the Redcross Blood Bank, had news on new eye drops developed from donated blood,  AlloSED, with incredible results. Bradley Brider, Australian Blind cricketer, is off to New Zealand with the South Australian team and friends to play and help the game thrive, Erin Mortimer performed on the ABC's show "The Piano".  Erin spoke about the story behind "Lullaby for the Old Man" about Erin's dad, Canterbury Bulldogs  and State of Origen Champion Steve Mortimer, and the very public and personal challenges the family is experiencing living with Steve being diagnosed with dementia, and the research going on with head injuries, Phil Vandeepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, shared Phil's experience of telephone assisted voting at last weekend's state election, and Phil reflected on the election results, AlloSED Information: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/australian-blood-donors-deliver-new-hope-those-battling-debilitating  Sports Brain Bank: https://www.brainbank.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT: Tony Clark, Mayor of the Hepburn Shire Council, spoke about the challenges; lessons learnt and  achievements to attain this Role as well as a number of portfolio positions Tony holds. Rachel, from marketing at Beyond Blindness, paid tribute to 4 volunteers recently recognised for over 89 years combiner valued service - other volunteer roles available. Mona Hemsley, Head of Audiology at Audika, shared research for World Hearing Day that revealed concerning findings showing too many people are neglecting having a hearing test, tell-tale signs to listen - look out for in family and  friends, John Duncan, Chief Operating Officer for Brake Driver Awareness, spoke about  Australia's first national school-based e-mobility program addressing rising e-scooter accidents, and the positive impact their training may have on pedestrian safety, Resources: Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.a Audikia: http://www.audika.com.au Brake Driver Awareness: https://www.brake.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  On FOCAL POINT: Scott Dixon Smith took part in Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Scot was accompanied by his guide dog Pretzel, from Guide Dogs NSW & ACT - Guide with Pride. Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer from the City of Campbelltown invited all to a free audio-described Fringe Festival Event, Connection a visual art exhibition that looks at how we relate to each other, to the places we live, and to ourselves. Sunday 8th March 2pm, at the Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre, 17 Moore St, Tranmere SA.  More information email: elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au Kathryn O'Toole, a client of Seeing Eye Dogs and Katie Farrell, SED Mobility Instructor, encouraged all to take part in the Trek for Vision Great Ocean walk, in May Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about financial abuse; signs to look out for; and ways to keep you and your loved ones safer. Resources: Trek for Vision: https://hs.inspiredadventures.com.au/visionaustralia-greatoceanwalk-2026-reg  Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 On FOCAL POINT: Dr Kari Seeley is a researcher from Curtin University who  invited all Audio Description users & creators in Australia to share their experiences and thoughts about AD -  in March, in person and also online if you choose. (Details under Resources in the Podcast Notes) Rachel from Marketing, at Beyond Blindness, had news on a Wills and Estates information session; the travel club; news from their newsletter - including a story about Jobie (winner of the Trevor Frost Scholarship) and more. David Woodbridge, Blindness Product Specialist from Humanware, has been test-driving the Braille Note Evolve - a soon to be released 32 braille cell; fully functioning Windows laptop, based computer. Other versions coming out soon.  Kelly Schultz, Chief Curiosity Officer at Knowable Me, sharing research that 70& of the ASX top 200 listed companies, and how they make no public reference to disability, raising questions about productivity, workforce participation and organisational risk.  Resources: Audio Descritpio Sessions in Adelaide. In-person on Saturday 14th March, 2-3:30pm, in StepneyOnline on Tuesday 17th March, 6-8:30pmIn-person on Wednesday 18th March, 10-11:30am, in StepneyContact: AudioDescription@curtin.edu Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au Braille Note Evolve Information: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fe4NoiICWUy1IPoiD9brFNqOyd2kKmBLnucxKK0Xv6lUM1RBWFhIRkc5NTJGR0JETVUyV042SEpNUS4u&route=shorturl  Knowable Me Insights: https://www.knowable.me/insights See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT: David Rice OAM, recognised in this year's Australia Day Honours for his  roles as  voluntary Treasurer for ICEVI Pacific, SPEVI; and Round Table On Information Access For People With Print Disabilities. Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, shared information to help children be safe  -especially as they return to school. Jeremy Moses, comedian, invited all to his season during the Adelaide Fringe of "Jeremy Moses is Hard to Work With" 5th, 6th March and a matinee on holiday Monday 9th March, at Plant 4 Bowden.  David Tredinnick is finishing his time as Co-ordinator for audio production at Vision Australia. David reflected on his time and how technology has changed how clients can receive their material in their preferred format.  SPEVI - South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment: https://www.spevi.net/ Round Table On Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.: https://printdisability.org/ ICEVI: https://icevi.org/ Crime Stopeeers Australia: https://crimestoppers.com.au/  Jeremy Moses is Hard to Work With: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/jeremy-moses-is-hard-to-work-with-af2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   On Focal Point: Venkatesh Chari, President and CEO Orbit Research and co-Founder for Access Mind, updated us on the progress of the Optima - a modular Windows 11 computer with 40 cell braille display and so many other features.  Reuben Fairbank, Australian Blind Cricketer, spoke about South Australia's making the final at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships for Athletes who are Blind or have Low Vision. Reuben scored centuries in the semi and grand final. Jason Stubbs, coach of the NSW blind Cricket, chatted about the team taking out their 7th national championships in succession,  Maureen O'Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, shared up coming events including hearing from authors; narrators; writing workshops; and VCE students can access English Literature books from the library, as well as the 360 print pages you can have put into your preferred format.  Resources: Access Mind LLC: https://www.accessmind.io/  Orbit Research: https://www.orbitresearch.com/  Blind Cricket Australia: http://www.blindcricket.com Vision Australia Library: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/library See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.