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On FOCAL POINT:

• Emma Bennison is the recipient of the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement.
• Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, wrapping up the year in arts and a preview into events for 2025. 
• Ella Edwards chatted about the personal support program. Ella can have up to 360 print pages transcribed into any preferred format - you can too.
• Victoria Hunt, Manager, Access Services Unit at SBS Technology, breaking the news about Audio description on SBS On Demand - now available at the time of audience’s choosing. 

Resources:

• Disability Leadership Institute Awards: https://disabilityleaders.com.au/disability-leaders/national-awards/award-categories/
• Access 2 Arts: Call 8463 1689 or go to: http://www.access2arts.org.au
• SBS Audio Description Feedback: Email: [email protected]
• SBS On Demand: http://www.SBS.com.au/ondemand

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On FOCAL POINT: 

• Dr Kate Dempsey, CEO for ANZACATA, is very concerned about the messaging from the NDIA regarding Arts Therapy. Australians with a disability who access Arts Therapy as a crucial therapeutic support have been left confused by an NDIS announcement last week regarding significant changes to the service. 
• Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, sharing important and timely information about scams - particularly targeting social media, as well as text messages and conventional phone calls.  
• Maureen O Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, with key dates for ordering braille books before Christmas, as well as some changes accessing books online,. Maureen also talks about a series of workshops for budding writers,
• Ned Brewer-Maiga, vice captain of the Australian Blind Cricket Team, wrapped up Australia's clean sweep of the Blind Ashes.  

Resources: 

• ANZACATA Website including Media relase concerning NDIA's decision regarding Arts Therapy: https://www.anzacata.org/ 
• Crime Stoppers Victoria: 1800 333 00 http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au 
• Vision Australia Libaray: 1300 654 656 http://www.visionaustralia.org/library

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On FOCAL POINT:

Steve Hurd recounts a most amusing incident: whilst wearing Ray-Ban Meta glasses in a St. Vincent de Paul's book shop, interested  bystanders had Steve's glasses read some rather graphic sex scenes out of a book - an accident? Steve also shares news about using the Omny Pod in a more accessible way to manage diabetes. Consult your GP and or Endocrinologist.

Adam Shearer, Manager Strategic Operations SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission, let us know about the updated and improved app along with some of the consulting that has gone into making it as accessible as possible.

Tony Doyle - poet; author; musician - invited all to the Launch of an AI-enhanced reading of Tony's poem "Vistas and Visions of a Blind Man: Adventures in AI"  2 30pm Saturday 7th December at The Wassail Wine Bar 95 Prospect Road Prospect.

Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, paid tribute to the Late Joan Richardson; shared thoughts about Phil's very recent purchase of the iPhone 16 and remembered 50 years since the then RIB/RSB moved from North Adelaide to Gilles Plains.

Resources:

Alert SA App: https://www.alert.sa.gov.au/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAo5u6BhDJARIsAAVoDWtf_m7OePZeyKpk1T6sKPrntJa4_2HvtJQFiDo0TUVQ1uyw2dh8-gkaAqo0EALw_wcB Email address: [email protected] 

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On FOCAL POINT:

• Chrissy Antonopoulos has  finished a PHD and published some research
  on implicit bias in hiring people with a disability.
• Rachel, from Marketing at Beyond Blindness, with updates on events and activities, including a group being set up in Mt. Gambier.
  8367 6088
• Colleen Lewis explained her and other's roles in a New consumer group recently appointed to shape the future of eye research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia and Cerulea Clinical Trials,
• Sally Raphael, Executive Manager Marketing & Fundraising at See Differently with the RSB, celebrating their 140 year anniversary; 50 years since moving to Gilles Plains and 10 years of their Operation K 9 program.  

Resources:

Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au or call 8367 6088 

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

See Differently/RSB: http://www.seedifferently.org.au or call 1300 944 306

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On FOCAL POINT:

• Penny Holmes-Brown is Service Area Manager from APM employment, the winner of this year's Link Vision Blind Australian of the year Employer of Choice Award.
• Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, wrapping up Vision Australia Radio Adelaide's audio description of the Christmas Pageant, as well as invitations to two audio described shows of the State Theatre Company's Jack Maggs - also an audio-described tour of the Chihuly in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. To find out more go to: https://access2arts.org.au/ 
• Sheryl Berry, on World Sight Day, is putting together an information pack supporting  people living with low vision or blindness. Your input is very welcome, call Vision Australia Radio Adelaide on, 8234 1197 or email Peter Greco: [email protected] 
• Jude Hines and Penni Hamiltoation-Smith, the director and star of the Adelaide Rep's season of "Mother and Son" at the Arts theatre from 21st November. You can get tickets here: https://artstheatresa.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/117484 

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On FOCAL POINT:

• Nathan Stock, from Seeing Hands (https://seeinghands.org/) with news on dictionaries that are accessible on braille displays and now available in a number of languages. You can access the : dictionaries here: https://projects.seeinghands.org/dictionary/
• Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, shared news on how bystanders can be alert to Elder Abuse - signs to look out for and more.  Call 1800 333 000
   or go to: https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/
• Anita Hancock, mother of 9-year-old Amelia, spoke about services available through Vision Australia; the journey to access them; advocacy and peer support.
• Graham Coulton invites all to a national blind cricket reunion in April 2025, at the Steve & Mark Waugh Pavilion in Bankstown Memorial Oval, Chapel Road, Bankstown, NSW. For more information call Graham on 0418 992 418 or email: [email protected]

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On FOCAL POINT:

• Courtney Webeck, Cricketer; Tennis Athlete and student is the 2024 Blind Australian of the year. 
• Mahesh Nath, from Pacific Vision, will be at Tech Fest - where, among other things, we will see the first showing of an electronic magnifier from HIMS.
• Nikki Brooke is about to Launch her first published book "Plagued Lands"
• Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, talks about the Christmas Pageant being audio described on Vision Australia Radio Adelaide, and a wrap of political events in the last week.

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On FOCAL POINT:

• Libby Henderson is the Co-Founder and Commercial Director for Big Purple Phone. Big Purple Phone is an accessible, user friendly, mobile phone. Learn more here: https://bigpurplephone.com.au/   Libby will be at Tech Fest 6th November 43 Franklin Street Adelaide.  You can book by calling 1300 944 306 or go to: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/techfest-see-differently-with-the-royal-society-for-the-blind-2024-tickets-1026616837597  
• Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, breaking the news that Vision Australia Radio will be audio describing this year's Christmas Pageant. Plus Rebeccas has more news on audio described shows. You can attend the pageant, to reserve your place call 8463 1689 or find out more here: http://www.access2arts.org.au
• Meredith Prain, from Able Australia, is just back from Spain. Meridith reports on  the first Core-Set for Deafblindness.  Find out more here: https://osf.io/a942k/ 
  or to find out more here about ICF Core-Sets: https://www.icf-research-branch.org/icf-core-sets 
• Maureen O'Reilley, from the Vision Australia Library, invited all to attend an online and also in-person event 6th November: a chance for you to discover the latest reading tools and technology.  To find out more call 1300 654 656
   or go to: http://www.visionaustralia.org/library

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On FOCAL POINT:

• Tobias Stuntebeck is an Industrial Designer from “White Cane” in Duderstadt Germany. The re-engineered cane its history and is looking for feedback from users.  which will be at Tech Fest 6th November at UCity, 43 Franklin Street Adelaide.  Tech Fest is put on by See Differently.  Find out more here:  https://whitecane.com/  You can book your tickets for Tech Fest by calling 1300 944 306 or book online here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/techfest-see-differently-with-the-royal-society-for-the-blind-2024-tickets-1026616837597
• Marian Phua, Member Engagement Officer from Beyond Blindness, with a huge range of activities that members can get involved with. This includes yoga; coffee groups; Swish; music quizzes; and more.  Beyond Blindness’s AGM will be held on Saturday 26th October 11am at the Southern office: 2/4 CLEMENT TCE, CHRISTIES BEACH call
   8367 6088 for more information or go to: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au
• Cassie Hames, award-winning app developer, chatted about the See Me Bus Signalling app, enabling people who are blind or low vision to use buses more safely, confidently and predictively. Cassie will also be at Tech Fest. To give feedback about the app email [email protected] or go to https://www.sageautomation.com/see-me-bus-signalling-app
• Brendon Donohue, with news on what's available for people who are blind or have low vision to vote at the Queensland State Election 26th October 26th. Brendon also shared his views on recent announcements about the NDIS. For more information about voting call 1300 881 665 or go to: http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au

Don’t forget to tune in to Leisure Link on Saturday.  One of Peter’s guests this week is Ita Butrose!

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