We're kicking off the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of Braille with insights from Tristan Clare, chair of the Australian Braille Authority. Louis Braille’s invention in 1824 revolutionised accessibility, and today, technology makes Braille more portable and accessible than ever.

Tristan shared how modern Braille displays, like his Mantis Q40, allow him to carry hundreds of books and access Braille on-the-go. Braille is still crucial for literacy and education, ensuring blind children have the same opportunities as their sighted peers.

Join us for a Braille awareness event in Brisbane on January 16 at Post Office Square from 8-11 a.m. 🎉

Let’s celebrate Braille’s incredible journey! #WorldBrailleDay #Braille200 #AccessibleReading

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We’re honoured to welcome Jordie Howell back on podcast as we celebrate a remarkable milestone – the 200th anniversary of Braille! 🥳 Geordie is joined in the studio by Talkign Vison's Sam Colley. 
In this insightful chat, Geordie shares the fascinating history of Braille music, the legacy of Louis Braille, and how Braille is used in music to bring the joy of song and instruments to those who are blind or have low vision. 🎹🎻🎶
From the mechanics of reading Braille music to the incredible Braille music camps that have been empowering young musicians for decades, Geordie dives into it all. Plus, we discuss the exciting technological advancements making Braille music more accessible than ever. 🌐✨
🎧 Listen now: https://omny.fm/shows/interview-highlights/celebrating-200-years-of-braille-jordie-howell
#WorldBrailleDay #BrailleMusic #InclusiveMusic #Braille #VisionAustralia #AccessibleMusic #BrailleForAll

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Haben Girma, was the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. Named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and honored as a White House Champion of Change by President Barack Obama, Haben is a trailblazer for accessibility and inclusion.

This interview was recorded on September 24, 2024 and shared now in celebration of the upcoming World Braille Day, January 4, 2025. 

Discover her remarkable journey and advocacy by visiting her website: habengirma.com. 

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Sam is joined by Dale Pierce and Sharon Taylor, two participants in the upcoming Trek for Vision, a five day trek across the Abel Tasman Track on New Zealand's South Island from April 29 to May 3, 2025.

The Trek aims to raise funds which enable Vision Australia to provide important services for the blind and low vision community, such as the quality living groups which provide emotional, educational and support services for people experiencing vision loss.

To donate to Dale and Sharon's trek you can visit this link to Dale's fundraising page or this link to Sharon's fundraising page

If you would like to join Dale and Sharon or find out more about Trek for Vision you can visit visionaustralia.org/trekforvision

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In this Interview Highlight, Peter Greco hears all about Australia's clean sweep of the Blind Ashes from Ned Brewer-Maiga, vice captain of the Australian Blind Cricket Team. Together they discuss some of the various rules and strategies involved in playing the game.

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Fiona Donaldson, Advocate and specialist in the accessible travel sphere, called for the Federal Government to make 2025 the year of accessible travel. Peter Greco discusses some of the the reasons with Fiona in this interview highlight.

More info: Supported Travel Experiences

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With key dates for ordering braille books before Christmas coming up, Maureen O Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, fills in Peter Greco with the details. Also new information regarding accessing books online and news about a series of workshops for budding writers.

More info: Vision Australia Library

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In this podcast, Peter Greco speaks to Nathan Stocking, 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/.

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Get ready to unleash your creativity! In this episode, Vision Australia Radio’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Jason Gipps, chats with Scott Steensma from the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival 2025. They delve into the festival’s highlights, including the much-anticipated Microfiction Competition.

Are you part of the Brimbank community or a Vision Australia Radio listener? This is your chance to shine! Submit a microfiction story (up to 200 words) inspired by the phrase “No-one chooses for us” and compete for incredible prizes, including book vouchers from The Sun Bookshop in Yarraville. Entry is free, as are all events at the year's festival.

Award-winning author T.R. Napper will judge the entries, with categories for youth (10-18) and adults (19+). Entries close at midnight on February 2, 2025, so don’t wait! Tune in to learn more about this exciting opportunity to celebrate local talent and storytelling.

Key Dates:

• Competition Opens: January 1, 2025
• Entries Close: February 2, 2025
• Winners Announced: March 21, 2025 (with readings on Vision Australia Radio!)

Ready to write your story? Dive in now!

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Peter Greco catches up with Tony Doyle who has recently published his collection of poems, Vistas and Visions of a Blind Man. These poems will entertain, challenge, amuse and perhaps even shock you. Some of them take a critical look at modern life, recent cultural changes and possible future scenarios. Tony also had his voice generated via Artificial Intelligence to read a few of his poems as part of an International Day for People With Disabilities celebration.

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