Sam speaks with founder and creative director of Lightmare Studios, Elphie Coyle, about Lightmare's work over the past 25 years and their initiatives, including a social gaming group and newly-inaugurated coding initiative aimed at technology-minded individuals with disabilities to share common interests, join together and learn new skills in a fun, relaxed environment.

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Veronica Sullivan is the Festival Director of the Melbourne Writers Festival she speaks to Vision Australia Radio presenter Chris Thompson, of Behind the Scenes in this podcast. 

The Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) is an annual literary celebration held in Melbourne, Australia, recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature. The festival brings together writers, thinkers, and readers for a series of events, including readings, discussions, and workshops, aiming to inspire and engage audiences with the power of storytelling.

In 2025, the festival runs from May 8 to May 11, featuring a diverse lineup of local and international literary figures.

Vision Australia's Participation in MWF 2025:

As a proud sponsor of MWF 2025, Vision Australia is hosting two significant events at its Kooyong head office, both designed to be accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

1. In Conversation with Kate Grenville

• Date & Time: Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM AEST

• Location: Vision Australia, 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong VIC 3144

• Details: Award-winning author Kate Grenville discusses her latest novel, Unsettled: A Journey Through Time and Place, a memoir intertwining her family's history with the broader story of First Nations peoples' dispossession and displacement. The conversation will be facilitated by Daniel James, a Yorta Yorta writer and broadcaster. 

2. In Conversation with Nardi Simpson

• Date & Time: Friday, May 9, 2025, from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM AEST

• Location: Vision Australia, 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong VIC 3144

• Details: Author Nardi Simpson discusses her newly released novel, The Belburd, exploring themes of motherhood, creation, belonging, and connection to Country. 

Both events are free to attend, with options for in-person attendance and live streaming. The venue is wheelchair accessible and equipped with facilities to accommodate guests with disabilities.

For more information and to register for these events, please visit Vision Australia's events page: Vision Australia

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Sam speaks with Cr Anthony Aitken, chair of the portfolio and advisory committee for access and inclusion at the City of Greater Geelong. 

He tells us about a range of community engagement initiatives for residents in the region to have their say to help shape their parks, streets and public places, especially in regards to accessibility and how best to meet the needs of residents with disabilities.

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Sam speaks with Vision Australia Library community engagement coordinator, Maureen O'Reilly, about a pair of events the library will be hosting both in person and online on the evening of Friday May 9 at the library's headquarters in Kooyong.

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Sam speaks with CEO of Blind Citizens Australia, Deb Deshayes, about BCA's upcoming national convention taking place in June, where they'll also be celebrating 50 years of the organisation.

You'll also hear about what BCA has planned for its members in the coming weeks and months, including other programs and events.

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Sam catches up with Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby, senior lecturer in linguistics at Monash University, who is here to tell us about a series of workshops taking place later in the year for practitioners of Auslan to skill up in tactile Auslan for the deafblind community.

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Sam chats with Alex Morris from the Australian Electoral Commission in the lead up to the Australian federal election, taking place on May 3.

Alex tells us about all the measures the AEC is putting in place to make voting accessible, safe and confidential for all voters with disabilities.

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Sam chats to Vision Australia Radio's Jason Gipps about 100K Your Way, a month long challenge taking place in April to raise funds for Vision Australia Radio.

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Peter Greco chats with Kelly Schulz Founder and Director of Knowable Me, who is running a research project in regards to election accessibility for people with disabilities. You may be able to earn a small fee for your participation.

More info: Knowable Me

Or call: 0435 18 55 77

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Annette Leishman is going on the 5-day Trek to New Zealand for Vision Australia's Quality Living Program and Peter greco hears all about it. Annette invites anyone to attend her Easter fund-raising concert on 15th April.

Email: [email protected]  or go to: Trek For vision 2025

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