RNIB Connect

The Barbican Centre’s new immersive exhibition ‘in Other Worlds’ invites visitors to step into the future as Liam Young’s imaginary worlds take over various locations at the Barbican inviting us to imagine the future of humanity and the challenges and adventures to come. 

This is the first major UK solo exhibition of the filmmaker and speculative architect Liam Young who operates in the spaces between design, fiction and futures. The works in the exhibition will immerse us in the consequences and opportunities of the decisions we make today. It is about stepping away from dystopia, asking: what if the future could actually be... hopeful?

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Luke Kemp, Head of Creative Programming for Barbican Immersive to find out more about the ‘In Other Worlds’ exhibition and the audio described tour on Thursday 23 July 2026 at 10am lead by Marcus Dickey Horley who will describe some of the key works that feature in the exhibition.

To find out more about the audio described tour of the “in Other Worlds’ exhibition and to book your place do visit - https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/in-other-worlds-audio-described-led-tour

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Based in Devon and fancy an adventure? Devon In Sight are hosting their own one-day version of the hit competition.

Amelia spoke to Sarah Small, Head Office and Marketing Manager, and Keith Brokenshire, Access to Work – Access Assistant, to learn more.

Learn more on the Devon in Sight website - Race Across Devon - Devon in Sight

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Summer is in full swing in this months Almanac, Amelia is here to share how July got it’s name and some of the birds you can listen out for this month.

Learn more on the RSPB website - The year in nature: July

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Extant the UK’s leading professional performing arts company of blind and visually impaired artists is continuing to lead the conversation around accessibility in the arts, returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer in partnership with Underbelly as principal venue partner which will include three enhance shows alongside a new visually impaired-led showcase on 18 August 2026 spanning theatre, dance and comedy .

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Dr Maria Oshodi, Artistic Director and CEO of Extant, for a look back on access at the Edinburgh Festival fringe from taking the ‘Effing and Blinding’ Cabaret too the Fringe in 2007, celebrating Extant’s 25 anniversary in 2022 by helping Tom Skelton and Amy Bethan Evans to take their shows to the Festival Fringe and following on from the great success of their 2025 programme a look forward to this year’s programme including the three enhance shows, the showcase on 18 August at Underbelly and much more besides. 

To find out more about Extant and their programme of performances and events for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 do visit their website - https://extant.org.uk

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We find out how both bespoke audio description and sound scapes can create a multi-sensory way into works of art for blind and partially sighted people as RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey chats with Glenn Harvey, Sound Designer who is also the Founder and creator of the ‘This Sound is Purple’ exhibition that was on at the SQFT Space Gallery in Marylebone, London.

Glenn explains to Toby about how the idea for the exhibition came about blending soundscapes and audio description together to bring works of art to life for blind and partially sighted people. The role many visually impaired people played with helping Glenn with the set up of the exhibition as well as reflecting on the comments and feedback he received from visually impaired visitors to the exhibition.  

Glenn also shares his thoughts on how the technique of using both soundscapes and audio description could work in other galleries and museums to make their collections more accessible to blind and partially sighted people. 

The interview included part of the descriptive sound scape for ‘Last I heard’ and ‘Dawn Chorus’ by Bianca Raffaella. 

For more about ‘This Sound is Purple’ do visit - https://thissoundispurple.com

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Giants, monsters and dragons come to life as Amelia explores RNIB Talking book titles on UK Myths and legends.

Find 'Strong Female Character' by Fern Brady, 'Mabinogi: lost legends and dark magic : a BBC Radio full-cast fantasy adventure' and 'The Loch Story' by Nicholas Witchell in the RNIB Talking Books Library.

Learn more on the RNIIB Website - Talking books service I Books in accessible formats | RNIB

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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 networking and a nod to some accessibility work in Northern Ireland.

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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The Royal National College for the Blind is holding regular ballroom dancing workshops for its students. David Hogg learns more.

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Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on.
This month’s topics include a UK Parliamentary event and more discussions around driverless taxis.
If you’d like more information on campaigns or want to get involved , email [email protected]
You can visit rnib.org.uk/news
or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999
Follow on your socials by searching for RNIB Campaigns

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Join Jonathan as an amazing feat of engineering takes his train up into the swiss alps.

Listen to Travelogues every Wednesday on The Lunch Break from 12 noon to 1 pm.

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