RNIB Connect

Yes, our alternative music show is celebrating 10 years!

Find out how host David Hogg got involved in hosting A Little Alternative on RNIB Connect Radio in the first place, hear about his favourite memory from the years of making it, and let David recommend an alternative album that he thinks everyone should hear.

Image: David pondering how in the world is the show already 10 years old. He's sitting with a party hat, which has a pattern of colourful balloons, and is holding his chin in deep thought as he glances at the big studio microphone, an eyebrow raised questioningly. 

Turn2us are a national charity providing practical financial support and they’ve launched a free tool to help people applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). 

Amelia spoke to Welfare Benefits Specialist, Conor Lawlor, to learn more about the tool. 

Learn more about the tool and Turn2Us on their website - Turn2us PIP Helper

Strap in because we're boarding some of the world's biggest rollercoasters with Jonathan this week.

Tune in to 'The Lunch Break' on RNIB Connect Radio every weekday from 12 noon to 1pm for more Travelogues.

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.  

Online communities are a great way of feeling supported, all whilst sharing your experiences with like-minded people. Hywel Davies has been hearing about new ‘Virtual Hubs’ from Sight Support West of England.

For more information, visit the Sight Support West Of England website - Join Our New Virtual Hubs for Peer Support and Connection - Sight Support West of England

In the UK, we’re seeing more programmes on tv incorporating audio description for blind and partially sighted viewers but what about adverts?

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Sonali Rai, from RNIB and June Johnson, from AD Text, about the increase in AD adverts and why some advertisers could be missing out on income by not including audio description.

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Image Shows RNIB Logo, 

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Matt talks about the Eyes Have It group, Trustees, and a new RNIB Ambassador.

If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk

You can also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call RNIB's Helpline.

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Image of Matt smiling in grey jacket and wearing glasses. 

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews. 

This week Vidar was reviewing the Lawrence Olivier award winning comedy musical Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) as the current touring production visited the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre with description by Professional audio describer Remy Lloyd.

About Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, this is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story. Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. 

This multi-award-winning production features a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain. It’s the 1800s. It’s Party Time. Let The Ruthless Matchmaking Begin.

For more about the current tour of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) do visit the production website - https://prideandprejudicesortof.com

And for more about access at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre including details of audio described performances do visit - https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/access/ 

(Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

Each year we highlight Purple Tuesday and encourage business owners and service providers to make their services fully accessible for people with disabilities.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Gavin Neate, from NeateBox, to find out why the world of commerce needs to embrace accessibility and why the Welcome web based app can help business owners and disabled people create the best possible customer experience.

If you’d like to learn more about Purple Tuesday, go to https://purpletuesday.co/

For more on the Welcome web app, go to www.wel-co.me

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell has put on his winter jacket and made his way to Santa’s Grotto at the North Pole.

He’s chatting with Titch The Elf to find out what the big people need to do to get accessible letters, from Santa, for blind and partially sighted children. We even get to drop in on a call from Santa with two lucky, well behaved, believers.

If you’d like more info on Letters From Santa, go to www.rnib.org.uk/santa

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Image shows Keira, a young girl in a red Christmas jumper, who smiles while holding up a braille letter from Santa.

In this series, archaeologist Simon Tinsley guides us through one of the most dominant, but least understood powers in ancient Greece, the Spartans. In this episode, he looks at the evidence that historians use to study the Spartans.