13 May 2026

13 May 2026

From Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio by Peter Greco

May 13, 2026 · 1h 0m

About this episode

Demelza Werly discusses innovations for enabling independence for the blind, alongside updates on audio description and mobility aids.

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 the Pilgari 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…

People in this episode

Host: Peter Greco

Guests: Demelza Werly, Jude Gafney, Christo Sarantakis, Peter Rickards, Brent Franklin

Topics covered

  • blindness
  • technology
  • audio description
  • mobility aids
  • independent living

Keywords

  • blind driving
  • AI solutions
  • audio description
  • mobility cane
  • Sensaball

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: JCU Ideas lab James Cook University, Pilgari Systems, Access 2 Arts, South Australian Museum, State Theatre Company

Products: Sensaball

Books & works: The Importance of Being Earnest

Places: U-City, 43 Franklin Street

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