In Touch

In Touch

By BBC Radio 4Society & Culture
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In Touch episodes

  • Freeview Play's New Accessible TV Guide; Calls to Save the RNIB's Giant Print Library

    We hear about the newly launched Freeview Play Accessible TV Guide which you can find on channel 555. We hear from Gavin Ellis who led the development of it.

    And calls to save the RNIB's giant print library which is due to shut in January. Are the alternatives to a borrowed large print book, particularly for younger readers, going to be as good?

    PRESENTER: Peter White

    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • Covid Restrictions: Care Homes And London Underground

    Peter Wilkins tells us about the loss of his wife who died in a care home he was barely allowed to visit due to Covid restrictions. He says the isolation felt by those with sight loss in care homes is unbearable.

    And London Underground changes its policy for blind and visually impaired users. Physically assisted guidance is resuming after it was stopped for eight months due to Covid.
    PRESENTER: Peter White
    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • The RNIB Closes Its Giant Print Library; The Disordered Eye On The BBC iPlayer

    The RNIB says its closing its giant print lending library in January next year. We hear from the RNIB's Director of Services David Clarke.

    The disabled artist and film-maker Richard Butchins will be telling us about his latest TV programme. It challenges the importance of good vision in making great art.
    The Disordered Eye is on the BBC iPlayer now and is available with audio description.
    PRESENTER: Peter White
    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • Voting In Elections

    Cabinet Office Minister Chloe Smith and RNIB Chair Eleanor Southwood discuss the technological changes being introduced to help blind and visually impaired people vote independently and in secret.

    We also look at the situation in the US and hear how technology is helping voters cast their votes in the race to the White House.
    PRESENTER: Peter White
    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • Futsal Star Steve Daley; Blind Actors in TV Ads

    Peter White chats with Steve Daley who, at the age of 43, retired as captain of England's partially sighted, 5-a-side "Futsal" team after last year's World Cup final.

    Futsal is FIFA's recognised version of small-sided football.
    In total he represented England at nine World Cups and nine European Championships, winning Silver and Bronze medals along the way.
    The FA has now offered him the Head Coach role which Steve has accepted.
    And, with a new TV advert featuring a blind actress, we'll hear from the people who made the ad. Are opportunities growing on the small screen for blind and visually impaired actors?

    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • Dry AMD; Mona Minkara On Her Global Public Transport Experiences

    News of a global study into dry age-related macular degeneration. Its aiming to help experts understand the role genetics may play in the disease. Professor Paulo Stanga from the London Vision Clinic talks us though what the study involves and how you can take part.

    There is a number to call if you want more information about this trial. It's 01438 532 142. The link for more details is also on our website.
    Also in this programme, the public transport challenges we face as we travel around the world's big cities. We'll hear from globe trotter, Mona Minkara, about her best and worst experiences.
    PRESENTER: Peter White.
    PRODUCER: Mike Young.

    19 min
  • Audio Described Theatre Performances; World Record Runner Sinead Kane

    Fern Lulham sits in for Peter White (you can see a picture of Fern, with her guide dog Nancy, on this programme's page on our website).

    The Audio Description Association will be telling us about the falling numbers of theatres offering audio described performances in recent years. They're hoping there'll be a reversal of that trend once the theatres start to reopen after lockdown.
    And Fern chats with Sinead Kane. Sinead was the first registered blind solictor in Ireland. And, three years ago, she was the first blind woman to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days.
    Sinead is now calling for for more people with visual impairments to get involved in sport of any kind. She says she's frustrated at not being encouraged to participate in sport when she was younger.
    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • How The Biggest Blind Charities Should Focus Their Efforts; Baluji Shrivastav At 70

    Guide Dogs, the RNIB and the Thomas Pocklington Trust have joined forces to launch a research project on the needs of blind and partially sighted people. Keith Valentine from the RNIB tells us why they're doing it and how you can take part.

    The survey link is on our website. Or you can call 0161 507 7360. Or you can email: [email protected]
    Also on the programme, blind Indian music legend Baluji Shrivastav chats to Peter about plans for his 70th birthday. We'll hear just how tough 2020 has been for musicians like him.
    PRESENTER: Peter White
    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • University Special

    We hear from a blind student who's facing the start of his first year at university during the pandemic.

    We also meet a student who's taken a year out rather than return to university when social distancing and other restrictions are in place.
    Among our expert guests offering advice and support are Elin Williams from Look-UK. We also hear from Rachel Hewett who is from the Vision Impairment Centre For Teaching and Research at the University of Birmingham.
    PRESENTER: Peter White
    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min
  • Glaucoma Treatments; Driverless Cars

    A programme responding to your emails on a range of subjects.

    Talking about the latest glaucoma treatments, our guests include Karen Osborn who's the Chief Executive of Glaucoma UK. Also joining us is Gus Gazzard from Moorfields Eye Hospital.
    And with the latest on the pros and cons of driverless cars, we hear from a leading designer in the industry.
    PRESENTER: Peter White
    PRODUCER: Mike Young

    19 min

About In Touch

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News, views and information for people who are blind or partially sighted