Now, our David Hogg finds out about a talking newspaper service in East Kilbride…

Jennifer Murray catches up with Pam Downing to learn all about Reading Talking News.

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Tales from the 15th Floor by blind composer Micheal Stimpson reflects on his time in intensive care at Charing Cross Hospital after a life-changing illness that left him blind will have it’s UK premier during a concert celebrating Creativity in Hospitals to thank the NHS in aid of Horatio’s Garden on Friday 2 May 2025 at Sinfonia Smith Square in London.

Michael talks to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey about his time in hospital, waking up after the life changing illness that left him unconscious and paralysed in intensive care at Charring Cross hospital for about four and a half months, how he turned those experiences in hospital into the 3 movements of Tales from the 15th Floor and why he is putting on the concert featuring it’s UK premier on Friday 2 May 2025 at Sinfonia Smith Square, London ‘Celebrating Creativity in Hospitals’, thanking the NHS and in aid of Horatio’s Garden an organisation and place that is close to his heart.

To find out more about the concert Celebrating Creativity in Hospitals featuring the UK premier of Tales from the 15th Floor at Sinfonia Smith Square, London, Friday 2 May 2025 do visit - https://www.sinfoniasmithsq.org.uk/event/celebrating-creativity-in-hospitals/

For more about Michael Simpson and his work including Tales from the 15th Floor do visit his website - https://www.michaelstimpson.co.uk

And to find out more about Horatio’s Garden do visit their website - https://www.horatiosgarden.org.uk

(Image shows Michael sat at a desk in front of a large book with a pen in his hand and looking towards the camera)

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NTatHome.com.

Audio described performances included: 

Here We Are - Saturday 31 May, 2.15pm, touch tour 12.15pm and Thursday 26 June, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre

London Road - Friday 20 June, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre

Nye - Saturday 26 July, 2pm, touch tour 12noon and Friday 8 August, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre

From NTAtHome.com with audio description David recommended ‘Life of Pi’ and ‘The Other Place’.

To find out more about the National Theatre’s audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website - https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

And for more about NTatHome.com and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com

(Image shows National Theatre logo, A capital N and T in black against a white background)

UK sight loss charity RNIB, runs monthly Campaigns Groups to help inform and carry out their campaigning strategies.

They’re looking for more blind and partially sighted people to get involved and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Clay Nash, from RNIB, to find out more…

If you’d like to get involved, email [email protected] or call 0303 123 9999

#RNIBConnect

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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 of his regular audio described theatre reviews for 2025.

This week we have the smash-hit musical that is ‘Only Fools and Horses The Musical’ as the current tour visited the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Ellie Packer. 

About ‘Only Fools and Horses The Musical’

The smash hit show ‘Only Fools and Horses the Musical- is on a UK tour direct from a record-breaking four-year sold-out run-in London’s West End – featuring Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil, Mickey Pearce.

Starring comedy legend Paul Whitehouse reprising his role as Grandad and based on John Sullivan’s legendary television show, this critically acclaimed home-grown musical spectacular features cherished material from Britain’s best loved TV series. 

With a script and original score written by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, and comedy giant Paul Whitehouse, prepare to get reacquainted with Britain’s most lovable rogues and experience the classic comedy brought to life on stage through an ingenious script and 20 hilarious songs.

So take a trip back in time, where it’s all kicking off in Peckham. While the yuppie invasion of London is in full swing, love is in the air as Del Boy sets out on the rocky road to find his soul mate, Rodney and Cassandra prepares to say ‘I do’, and even Trigger is gearing up for a date (with a person!). Meanwhile, Boycie and Marlene give parenthood one final shot and Grandad takes stock of his life and decides the time has finally arrived to get his piles sorted.

With musical contributions from the iconic Chas & Dave, the beloved theme tune as you have never heard it before, and an array of brand-new songs full of character and cockney charm, you’re guaranteed to have a right ol’ knees-up!  

For more about ‘Only Fools and Horses The Musical’ along with details of venues, dates and times of performances do visit - https://onlyfoolsonstage.com

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Josh Loebner, PhD, has 20 years of experience in advertising and inclusive design. 

He is partially sighted and supports global brand initiatives centring on inclusive design, disability, and accessibility. He also does research focused on greater disability inclusion within integrated marketing campaigns, and the advertising creative process.

Here he is talking to Amelia about his career so far and the changes he's experienced in the industry.

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Would you like to learn all about Sound Around Ards Talking Newspaper? Well Jennifer Murray chats to Alison Coyle to find out more.

If you would like to contact Sound Around Ards Talking Newspaper, you can do so in the following ways:

Sound Arounds Ards Email Address:

[email protected] 

Mobile:

07977473080

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With the up-coming local elections in England on 1 May 2025 RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Tom Skelton, RNIB policy Officer and lead on accessible voting to explain all about how to request reasonable adjustments at the polling station to make the experience as accessible as possible for blind and partially sighted people.

Tom outlines the types of accessible voting that you can request to have at the polling station, the forms  of ID that you now need to show when turning up to cast your vote and how the RNIB would like to hear about your experiences of voting in the England local elections on 1 May 2025 as a blind or partially sighted person. 

You will find out more about how to request reasonable adjustments when voting, the types of accessible voting and much more by visiting the following pages of the RNIB website: Voting and elections: what you need to know | RNIB | RNIB

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Ramadan is traditionally observed through visual cues like moon sightings and printed prayer timetables.

Bank Al Etihad and VML Jordan have created a wearable tactile calendar to support blind and partially sighted Muslims engage in traditions independently.

Amelia spoke to Basel Jumaa, Executive Creative Director, and Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design, to learn more.

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