On FOCAL POINT:

• Andrew Flatres, Braille Product Manager for Humanware, has news on the Monarch: multi-line braille display device. Tthe Monarch is a joint venture between Humanware and the American Printing House for the Blind, and has been named as one of Time's inventions of 2025 in the accessibility category.
• Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about how important it is to speak up about sexism. 
• Isaac McInness is the inaugural Young Blind Australian of the year, excelling at education; sport; advocacy and more. 
• Tim Dehn is a narrator with Vision Australia's personal support service. Vision Australia clients can have up to 360 print pages put into their preferred format. Tim also spoke about his career in radio

Resources:

Humanware: http://www.humanware.com

American Printing House: http://www.aph.org 

Crimestoppers Australia: https://crimestoppers.com.au/ 

Vison Australia Print Accessibility Services: https://visionaustralia.org/business-consulting/print-accessibility 

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 On FOCAL POINT: 

• Ryan Hotchooten, Youth Support Officer, at VisAbility, went on a guided tour of Optus Stadium - marking International White Cane Day - exploring its accessibility features and more
• Dr Annmaree Watharow invited all to the "Filling in the gaps and joining the dots" Conference on the 27th and 28th November at Sydney University. This event is for everyone, 6 flavours of ice cream and pop corn after each day!
• Neal Robertson spoke about losing his sight, and the different services accessed at Vision Australia - including the woodwork group; technology; quality living group and more. Neal also spoke about therole the right attitude can play to get the most out of life
• Phil Vandepeer, co-funder and co-presenter for Focal Point, spoke about how fundraising has changed for organisations and the impact on their viability. Phil also spoke about the federal political scene and the audio description of the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant on Vision Australia Radio. There are premium spots at the pageant available to attend on the day
  contact Access 2 Arts on 8463 1689 (Web site available in the podcast notes under "Resources")

Resources:

VisAbiloity: http://www.visability.com.au

Filling in the Gaps and Joining the Dots - Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/filling-in-the-gaps-and-joining-the-dots-tickets-1459528391709 

Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT:

• Kelly Vincent, Adelaide Airport's Access and Inclusion Specialist, was delighted that on World Sight Day, her employer received the Access Advocate Award from Guide Dogs SA/NT,
• Ben Hood, SA Shadow Minister for Transport; Infrastructure; Hospitality and Government Accountability, spoke  about Access Cabs; the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, assistance animals being refused by cabs and ride share and Bedfords.
• Shannon Jones is the  Education Inclusion Coordinator at St Kilda Football Club, as well as the Captain of their AFL Blind team.  This years St Kilda FC was was the Winner of the Employer of Choice award - part of the 2025 Blind Australian of the year,
• Amanda Trist, Occupational Therapist with Live Big, shared thoughts about "School Can't" or School refusals: especially how it impacts on children with disabilities and some tips to help cope with it.  Find out more here: http://www.livebig.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT: 

• Maurice Gleeson OAM is the 2025 Blind Australian of the year sponsored by Link Visions.  Maurice chatted about growing up; a sense of fairness and social justice; influences on Maurice's stella career; advocating; promoting inclusion and the benefits of activity, and more. 
• Rachel from marketing at Beyond Blindness, spoke about term 4 activities; a Coffee Social Group in Blackwood; and a tour of crime spots in Port Adelaide.  
• Karyn Honsch-Wilson, Orientation and Mobility Instructor and Founder of My Mobility Matters,, offering services to people who are blind or have low vision in South Australia.
• Maureen O'Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, invited all to an event at Warrnambool and online 22nd October; a discussion about dyslexia and a chance to take part in a crime fiction writing workshop as well as an In Conversation with blind poet Dave Steele

Resources: 

Beyond Blindness: https://beyondblindness.org.au/ (facebook) https://www.facebook.com/beyondblindnessSA 

My Mobility Matters: https://www.mymobilitymatters.com.au/ 

Vision Australia Library: http://www.visionaustralia.org/library 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT:

• Professor Lauren Ayton, from the Centre for Eye Research Australia, highlighting World Sight Day and their focus on Ushers Syndrome for their  Giving Day. 
• Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, with news about many exciting events, and broke the news that  this year's National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant will be audio described on Vision Australia Radio 1197 am. You can book a spot Pageant side, in front of the MFS, by calling 8463 1689 or go to the Access 2 Arts Website (under Resources in the Podcast Notes) 
• Charlie-Helen Robinson, Founder of Grey Matter, excited about Active aging Well and celebrating all that's good about being over 50.
• Jeremy Muir, CEO, for the Physical Disability Council Australia, was deeply concerned with recent changes made by South Australia's Access Taxis and their new policy to remove customers' abilities to request specific drivers. 

Resources: 

Centre for Eye Research Australia: http://www.cera.org.au

Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au

Grey Matter: https://greymatter.gallery/

Physical Disability Council Australia: http://www.pda.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT: 

Dr Moira Dunsmore, advocate and co-leader for projects for people with dual sensory impairment, Moira has just returned from attending a conference in Italy.

Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stopper Victoria, shared news on  scammers targeting personality traits, and the psychology behind it.

Eliza Grogan, State Lead from Vision Store Services in Brisbane, invited all to Vision Australia  Community Inclusion Expo, 11th October, 2 to 5 pm at the Amora Hotel 200 Creek Street Brisbane,  just before the Blind Australian of the Year Gala event.

Ross Duncan, Executive Manager Member Services at Spinal Life Australia, is very concerned about  the federal government's legal spending on NDIS participant appeals.  

Resources: 

SKERI at Vision 2025: https://www.ski.org/news/skeri-at-vision-2025-florence-advancing-low-vision-science/ 

Crimestoppers Australia: https://crimestoppers.com.au/ 

Community Inclusion Expo: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/community-inclusion-expo/ 

Blind Australian of the Year Tickets: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/tickets/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Week on FOCAL POINT:

• Matt Lee, sports reporter and host of Vision Sports on Vision Australia Radio, spoke about an AFL after-match press conference incident.  Matt was an innocent participant and was somewhat "rattled" regarding the aftermath. 
• Justine Crawford and Cassie Hames, from the Achilles Runners Club in Adelaide, took part - very successfully - in the City To Bay event. Cassie has also been recognised with  the ITS, (Intelligent Transport Systems) World Congress Hall of Fame Industry Award for the "See Me" bus signalling app.
• Sadam Ahmed, shared his experiences with dating apps. He chatted about their accessibility, and how Sadam has gone finding that "Special" Someone.
• Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, spoke about state and federal politics, and another disability service provider seemingly in financial difficulties.  Phil has a tip for the AFL grand final.  

Resources: 

ITS Award, See Me App: https://news.gotosage.com/sage-group-and-see-me-app-awarded-at-its-world-congress 

Achilles Australia: https://www.achillesaustralia.org.au/ 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT

• Christofer Casswall, from LVI Global in Sweden, spoke about the company's low vision and text to speech products.  Christofer will be showing at Tech Fest, 9th October at U City, Franklin Street in Adelaide.
• Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, with opportunities in the Gawler area - including a presence outside Coles at the Gawler Central Shopping Complex on the Tuesdays during school holidays; the infoodle app; and the travel  Club
• Tony Wu is bringing the Braille Doodle; as well as the Kiddi Kutter and Kando Kutter to Tech Fest. 
• Peter Haskell, Principal for SASSVI, has an invitation to the Garden Party Sunday 21st September  celebrating 20 years since the school and Kilparrin moved to their current location. (Details available in podcast notes under "Resources")

Resources: 

LVI Global: https://lviglobal.se/ 

TechFEST: https://allevents.in/adelaide/techfest-2025-%7C-see-whats-possible/200028808313028 

Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au 

Braille Doodle: https://www.touchpadprofoundation.org/ 

Kiddicutter and Kandokutter: https://kiddikutter.com.au/

SASVI and Kilparrin Garden Party: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM; 1/Can Duncan Avenue, Park Holme Call 8277 5255 or email [email protected]

SASSVI: https://sassvi.sa.edu.au/

Kilparrin: https://kilparrin.sa.edu.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT:

• Alex Andre chatted about fencing, a sport - martial arts, now being made accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.  Details under Resources in Podcast Notes.
• Rebecca Young, CEO for access 2 Arts, spoke about  audio described shows coming up, live and online. Rebecca also responded to the  Artists at Work Taskforce report. 
• Justine Crawford and Cassie Hames, from the Achilles runners club in Adelaide, shared news on their preparation along - with a number of other athletes - for taking part in the City to Bay event, 21st September.
• Jeremy Moses invited all to his show at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival - with audio description; tactile tour; and there is a  relaxed show.  More details under Resources in podcast Notes.  

Resources: 

• Blind Fencing Come'n'try event/Open Day: Sunday 28 September, 10:00am to 11:30am Sydney Academy of Fencing; Building 2, Level 1; 190 Bourke Road; Alexandria NSW 2015 For more information/RSVP email: [email protected]
• Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au
• Achilles Australia: https://www.achillesaustralia.org.au/
• "Jeremy Moses is HARD TO WORK WITH" October 8-12, Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room.   Call 03 9660 9666 or go to: https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/jeremy-moses-is-hard-to-work-with 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On FOCAL POINT:

• Assunta Fogliari is this year's  DSRV sports awards winner in the Masters category for outstanding achievements in the sport of climbing,
• Mia Gardiner, from Crimestoppers Victoria, shared tips to help if you have been financially abused, and/or maybe minimise your chances of being a victim.
• Cathy Roche-Wells, Principal for Kilparrin, invited all to a garden Party to celebrate 20 years of Kilparrin and SASSVI, moving to their current address. 
• Annette Ferguson, from Dog Guide Handlers Australia, shared the news of their next meeting, Monday evening September 8th by Zoom.  The meeting features Lee Kumatat, who has travelled internationally with dog guides and members can hear about the assistance animals importation team, and give feedback about the review of the Disability Discrimination Act,

Resources

Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers.com.au/ 

Kilparin and SASVI Garden Party: Sunday 21st September; 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM; 1/Can Duncan Avenue, Park Holme.  Call 8277 5999 email [email protected].  Web: https://kilparrin.sa.edu.au or https://sassvi.sa.edu.au/ 

Dog Guide Handlers Australia: http://www.dgha.org.au

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87673389587#success 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.