In this episode of the Blind Spot podcast, TPT's Technology Manager, Darren Paskell and his guests, Philippa Brown from Smart Energy GB and  Dave Clark from RNIB, talk everything about smart accessible energy. 

Smart meters have been introduced to many households, and they are a great tool to help you manage your energy usage and cost. What are its benefits -escpecially for blind and partially sighted people and what do they need to know before ordering one? Have a listen to learn more!

You can download the transcript of the podcast here: http://bit.ly/3Ycg5oL

In this episode of The Blind Spot, Darren Paskell, TPT's Technology Manager, invited Laura Hughes, Director of MoorVision, and mother of a visually impaired child, to discuss ideas for Christmas presents for visually impaired young and older children.

Christmas is just around the corner, so you might want some inspiration, so go have a listen now!

Download the transcript here: http://bit.ly/3VasmrU

Stagecoach West has introduced audio-visual announcements across its Cheltenham Town Centre routes and worked with the Gloucestershire Sight Loss Council to ensure the new feature fully supports blind and partially sighted passengers so that they will never miss their stop.

In this episode, we hear from Julie Stephens, member of the Gloucester Sight Loss Council and Natasha Hall, Marketing and Communications Manager at Stagecoach West.

We are discussing the work Sight Loss Councils are doing to ensure blind and partially sighted passengers can use buses with confidence and how Stagecoach West is supporting their work in the local bus routes.

You can download the transcript of the podcast here.

In this episode, we're celebrating Volunteers' Week. Hear from Sight Loss Council members, Paul Hopkins, and Meena Rattu, talk about what volunteering means to them and about their involvement in the West Midlands VI forum.

Blind and partially sighted people should have access to facilities and activities in their local communities, just like anyone else. Our inclusive community's priority area is focused on improving access to hospitality, settings, arts and entertainment venues and improving the accessibility of train stations and the experience of blind and partially sighted.

This episode will give you a snapshot view of the activities Sight Loss Council members participate in to drive change in their local communities. We speak to Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council member, Hubert about Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council's recent evaluation and recommendations for a prototype tactile wayfinding system at Stevenage train station.

Download transcript here

With the upcoming elections in May, we caught up with Peter Stanyon, CEO of the Association of Electoral Administrators, to ask him what polling stations are legally required to provide to help blind and partially sighted people vote. 

Download the transcript here. 

In this episode of The Blind Spot, Young Voices members, Alex and Rainbow, talk about work experience. They share what they enjoyed most about their work experience placements, how it helped them realise what career pathway they wanted to follow and what advice they would give to other blind and partially sighted students who want to get work experience.

Download the transcript here. 

In this episode of The Blind Spot Martin Simcox, National Sport Development Lead at Thomas Pocklington trust chats to netball player Cathy Low and physical activity enthusiast, Paul Ryb, on playing sport with a visual impairment.  They share what sport means to them, particularly following sight loss and the advice they would give to sports and leisure providers to make their facilities more inclusive.

#MakeSportAccessible 

In this episode of the Blind Spot podcast, TPT's Head of Education Tara Chattaway is joined by Alex Henderson, TPT's Student Support Coordinator, and Ben Watson and George Rhodes from All Able. They discuss the research findings from our new report about accessibility and technology for blind and partially sighted people in mainstream colleges.

Download a copy of the transcript here. 

For National Braille Week 2021, TPT's Technology Manager Darren Paskell speaks to braille teacher Norma Williams about what it's like to learn braille later in life. 

What are the challenges and what are the benefits? and how can we help people embark on their journey to learning braille.