RNIB Connect

Every year, the top under-18 Braille readers and writers from across the English-speaking world gather in Los Angeles to compete in the Braille Challenge. 

In a new feature film BRAILLED IT, blind and low-vision young people document their experience of the competition using go-pro cameras.

Designed with integrated audio description and accessibility at its core, the film lets young people tell their story.

Amelia spoke to Executive Producer David Grabias from Production Company Artifact to learn more.

Learn more on the BRAILLED IT Website - BRAILLED IT—A Documentary Filmed by the Blind, for the Blind

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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 another audio described theatre review.

This time we have Birmingham Royal Ballet’s revival of a true ballet classic with ‘Swan Lake’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describers Julia Grundy and Jonathan Nash.

About ‘Swan Lake’

Birmingham Royal Ballet revives Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova's glorious journey into Swan Lake – with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia performing Tchaikovsky’s superb music live alongside BRB’s spectacular dancers.

Prince Siegfried is out hunting one night when he happens upon a flock of graceful swans. When one of them turns into a beautiful woman, the Prince is utterly smitten – but Odette explains that she has fallen under an evil spell cast by Baron von Rothbart, which keeps her in swan form from dawn to dusk. Can Siegfried’s love break the spell?

Find out in this exquisite production of a true ballet classic.

There is another audio described performance of ‘Swan Lake’ at Sadler’s Wells in London on Saturday 31 October at 2pm with the touch tour at 11.15am. and to find out more about Birmingham Royal Ballet’s access programme including described performances of their productions do visit - https://www.brb.org.uk/whats-on/access

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Toby Davey can be heard on RNIB Connect Radio, keeping listeners up to date on what’s going on in the world of accessible arts.
He’s also an accomplished, award winning, blind sailor, competing for GB around the globe.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Toby ahead of his latest European Championship competition in Portugal.

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What does the UK's tiniest bird sound like? Amelia is back for the October almanac.

Learn more about bird song and the nature you can enjoy each month on the RPSB website - www.rspb.org.uk

The UK Government is looking to make changes to the welfare system, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Although changes are still under discussion, there are some suggestions to make PIP fit for purpose.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Ross Megan, from RNIB, to look at what we know so far.
If you’d like more info on welfare payments for blind and partially sighted people, go to www.rnib.org.uk
You can also call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
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Ivan Rodriguez Deb is a Visually Impaired Tennis player, concert Pianist and organist who after winning every match in his category (B4) was crowned World Champion at the VI Tennis tournament in Vilnius, Lithuania earlier this summer and as well as starting his 3rd year at the guildhall School of Music and Drama has already performed on stage at many prestigious places including The Royal Albert Hall, Downing Street and St. George’s Hanover Square in London.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Ivan to find out how he got into playing VI tennis and getting into music at the same time, how his Mum, Brother and Tennis Coach helped him to succeed in the sport and be crowned World Champion in the B4 VI Tennis category this summer, how he has become an accomplished pianist at such an early age and his advice for other visually impaired people on getting into sport and music.

There is more about Ivan and his music career on his website via the following link and to keep up to date with his continued success on the tennis court do follow him on Instagram @IvanRDeb - https://www.ivanrdeb.com

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Do you use smart glasses in your everyday life? Maybe you have concerns about the technology and the way it’s being used. No matter your position, RNIB wants to hear your thoughts. Hywel Davies has been hearing about a new survey that’s gathering public opinion.

You can find out more information on the survey here, Take part in our survey on AI smart glasses | RNIB

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Ross Meegan, RNIB Policy Lead shares some of the findings of the RNIB Cost of Living survey report, launched today (Monday 28 September 2026) showing the impact the increases in food prices and energy costs are having on the lives of blind and partially sighted people. 

All the comments and feedback from visually impaired people who took part in the Cost of Living Survey will help to form RNIB policy and campaigning work over the next few months and into 2027. 

The RNIB Cost of Living report can be found by clicking on to the following link and if you would like to find out more about other RNIB campaigning work and how to get involved do either email [email protected] or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/

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

This week Simon talks about The Scottish Vision Strategy Conference, Invictus Spirit Awards and some great news for RNIB Connect Radio.

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 call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.

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See Work Differently Placements can be a great way for blind and partially sighted people to get into employment, but what’s a placement actually like? David Hogg spoke to Devin Adams and Campbell Chalmers from Stirling District Citizen Advice Bureau to find out

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