In this episode, we talk to two of NZ’s foremost authors. Renee and Lynley talk about the intersection between writing and low vision and how writing is still fundamental to how they live, even as they adapt to living with low vision. Renee (b. 1929) is a trailblazing Māori dramatist and fiction writer, whose plays are totally relevant today. And Lynley Hood (b. 1942) is an award-winning author and independent researcher, whose non-fiction and activism has touched on some of the most pivotal issues in New Zealand. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

Carolyn Tregea - Bringing Visual Impairment to the Conversation - This week Professor Mary Butler interviews Carolyn Tregea from Otago Polytechnic. Carolyn explains about the many adaptations that she has integrated into her work situations. She is also training to be a spiritual director, which gives a whole other perspective on what can be learned from bringing visual impairment to the conversation.

This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

Peter Eyley - In this show Lynley Hood talks with Peter Eyley about living with macular degeneration as a very practical and positive person. After a lifetime of being a motor mechanic, Peter is highly organised and competent. He puts his continued quality of life down to patience. He continues to do repair jobs, goes on bike rides and enjoys trips in his campervan.

This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

This week we talk about what can be achieved by low vision groups running radio shows on Access radio. Lynley Hood and Mary Butler review what has been achieved by Sight Unseen Aotearoa during this year. We include Julie Woods (“That Blind Woman”) in the conversation about her experience with Access radio, including the show ‘Cooking without Looking’ and ‘The Braille Biscuit show’.

This week Dr Lynley Hood talks with retired optometrist Denise Preston. Denise describes how being an optometrist does not prepare you for losing your vision to glaucoma, and she also describes how she learned to read music – using braille!

In the show this week Dr Lynley Hood (author and independent researcher, who happens to have a visual impairment) interviews the wonderful Trevor Plumbly (convenor of Focus Auckland and editor of Kaleidoscope).

In this episode, Prof Mary Butler talks with Karley Parker about tactile art, trees, the leadership course that she has been doing (https://www.belab.co.nz/) and about the importance of diversity.

In this episode Prof Butler interviews Ravi Dass (Mr Four Eyes) who is an optometrist with a mission to ensure that children who need glasses do not fall through the cracks. He describes here how he set up the foundation that has been responsible for providing free screening to children in over 35 schools.

Kapo Maori Aotearoa - This week Prof Mary Butler talks with Chrissie Cowan, CE of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa, which is the oldest national indigenous consumer group founded as a peer support network in the 1980’s by blind, low vision, vision impaired, deaf blind Māori and their whānau. The organisation was established and continues to be governed and managed in accordance with Māori values, principles and practices. Kāpō Māori Aotearoa supports its members to strive for whānau ora (wellbeing), become strong self-advocates and leaders in their whānau and communities.

This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

Eye Health Aotearoa -

In this episode we have a conversation about the new coalition: Eye Health Aotearoa, which brings together key stakeholders about vision in New Zealand. This coalition has got behind a positive seven-point plan, which you can find here: https://www.eyehealthaotearoa.org.nz/

Mary Butler interviews Dr Lynley Hood of the Visual Impairment Charitable Trust Aotearoa and Professor Stephen Dakin, Head of School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Auckland.

This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz