On FOCAL POINT:

• Alan Thorpe, the UK's only registered repairer of Perkins Braillers, and has the largest collection of braille writing machines in the UK. 
• Jo McClure, Entrepreneur; business owner and service provider, shared her life experiences of living with hearing loss and encouraged all to take advantage of free hearing tests. Jo talked about the many options out there to help, and improve one's quality of life. 
• Ben Clare, Chair of the Organising Committee, wrapped up a most successful SPEVI Conference (South Pacific Educators in Vision Impaired) including a day sponsored by Brisbane City Council raising awareness about braille, in its 200th year.
• Michelle Phan, Optometrist from Spec Savers, spoke about myopia, (short sightedness) and some simple and effective tips that may help minimise its impact. 

Resources:

• Audika: https://www.audika.com.au/  
• JM Virtual Business Solutions: https://www.jmvbs.au/
• South Pacific Educators in Vision Impaired: https://www.spevi.net/
• Spec Savers Australia: https://www.specsavers.com.au/ 

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In this, the first Focal Point for 2025 Peter and Phil usher in the new year with yet more great interviews from the previous year.

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On this special Christmas Edition of Focal Point Peter Greco is joined by Phil Vandepeeer to look back at the highlights of 2024, and recover from a large Christmas Lunch.

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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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