This week Sam speaks with Ian Bailey, optometrist lecturer and low vision pioneer still currently working in the school of optometry at University of California in Berkeley. You'll hear part one of their conversation this week from Ian's early life up until leaving London for postgraduate studies in Indiana. Then later on in the show, Liz joins us for the latest updates from Vision Australia's fortnightly newsletter For Your Information, or FYI. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https...
Jul 02, 2025•29 min
Sam speaks to Intopia digital accessibility consultant Andrew Arch about a new series of guidelines Intopia have been working on together with the Australian Human Rights Commission. Then after we hear from Andrew, Sam speaks to optometrist Greeshma Patel from Specsavers about some new findings around presbyopia, an eye condition affecting many Australians over 40. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.4619191...
Jun 26, 2025•27 min
Sam is joined by David Davenport, accessible formats production manager at Blind Vision NZ, who visited Australia recently to take part in a round table conference with a special interest in print disability and accessible printing for clients in New Zealand. You'll also hear from Dr Jenny Crosbie, interim director of the Centre for Inclusive Employment, run through Swinburne University to drive better outcomes for employees and job seekers with disabilities in Australia. Support this Vision Aus...
Jun 18, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks with Vision Australia national employment manager Vildana Praljak as part of season 2 of the Career Path podcast, where she speaks about ways we can bust some common employment myths faced by people who are blind or low vision. You'll also hear from Umberine Williams, business development manager from the allied health department of Personnel Group, who are running a pair of information sessions in Perth and Wollongong around services available to people with disabilities in their loc...
Jun 11, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks to Kris Rallah-Baker, Australia's first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ophthalmologist based on the Sunshine Coast, who has also done work with the Deadly Vision Clinic in Darwin as well as clinical community outreach in remote communities of the Northern Territory. He is part of a new series on SBS and NITV called Our Medicine, which follows the stories of First Nations medical professionals and patients as they navigate the Australian medical system, and the challenges and ach...
Jun 04, 2025•28 min
Sam is joined by Jeanna Manifold and Kate Gooden from Amazon's Alexa department to give us some updates on what Amazon is up to in the accessibility space with regards to their Alexa speakers, and what they got up to at the recent Round Table Conference covering topics related to blindness, low vision and print disability. You'll also hear from small business owner and university student Sammy McCombe, who took part in season 2 of The Career Path, our podcast series tackling a bunch of situation...
May 28, 2025•28 min
Sam catches up this week with Jonathan Craig from Vision 2020 and Brandon Ah Tong from Fred Hollows Foundation, who have both recently returned from the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness' conference in Nepal. Among other things Brandon speaks about his new role as the chair of the IAPB's West Pacific region, and Jonathan speaks about his first IAPB conference, as they put things in place for a Global Eye Health Summit in 2026 or 2027. Support this Vision Australia Radio p...
May 21, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks to Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner Dan Stubbs about a campaign the VDWC is currently running to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are upheld, and inform them of what they or those around them can do if they have a concern. You'll also hear from writer, producer and actor Tsu Shan Chambers, who caught up with Sam to talk about her new movie, My Eyes, releasing on 28 May. You can find out more about the movie and book a ticket by heading to their web page . Finally ...
May 14, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks with Cr Anthony Aitken, access and inclusion committee chair from the City of Greater Geelong, about the council's call for community feedback to make parks, streets and public spaces safer and more accessible for residents with disabilities. You'll also hear from CEO of Assistive Technology Services Australia, Serena Ovens. She's here to tell us about a pair of expos ATSA will be running in the next couple of weeks in Perth and Melbourne. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: ...
May 07, 2025•29 min
It's a bit of an election special on Talking Vision as Peter Greco catches up with Rex Patrick, a senate candidate in South Australia campaigning as part of the Jacqui Lambie Network. You'll also hear from Powerd Media's Emma Myers, who hosted a panel discussion with four advocates from the disability sector, and last but not least Sam catches up with Sam Barrett from Melbourne City Mission to talk about their upcoming fundraiser, Sleep at the G, taking place at the MCG on May 15. Support this V...
Apr 30, 2025•29 min
This week Sam speaks with Maureen O'Reilly from the Vision Australia Library about some events the library will be hosting in conjunction with Melbourne Writers Festival on the evening of May 9. You'll also hear from CEO of Blind Citizens Australia Deb Deshayes, who joins the show to tell us about the upcoming BCA conference in June, and some of the initiatives BCA will be offering members in the coming weeks and months. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.or...
Apr 28, 2025•29 min
Sam catches up with Elphie Coyle, founder and creative director of Lightmare Games, a games studio and digital training organisation with a focus on disability. This week Elphie tells us about a new initiative, Vibe Coding, which will be launching in the coming weeks. Then later in the show we share some Easter news and information, and Frances wraps things up with a Reader Recommended. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_...
Apr 16, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks with Alex Morris from the Australian Electoral Commission, here to tell us about a range of accessibility measures available to voters who are blind or have low vision casting their votes at the Australian federal election on May 3. We also feature some news and information, and Frances joins the show for a Reader Recommended. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627...
Apr 09, 2025•27 min
Sam is joined by Vision Australia Radio's Jason Gipps to chat about 100K Your Way, a fitness challenge taking place over the month of April to raise vital funds for Vision Australia Radio, you can join the challenge or donate here . You'll also hear from Liz Dalakouras, editor of For Your Information, she's here to tell us about what's in store for readers in the latest issue of FYI. Then to wrap up the show, we hear a small clip from the upcoming Career Path podcast with Fiona Herron from Commo...
Apr 02, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks to Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby, senior lecturer in linguistics at Monash University, about tactile Auslan and a series of workshops run by Monash through a short course for practitioners of Auslan looking to better serve the needs of the deafblind community. We also hear from Powerd Media's Emma Myers, who catches up with CEO of Children and Young People with Disability, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, to give her thoughts on what she hopes to see in this week's federal budget regardi...
Mar 26, 2025•27 min
Sam speaks to comedian and slam poet Jeremy Moses, who returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2025 with his show 157 Years of Bad Slam Poetry. Naturally it features his poems but also a light hearted discussion around serious topics in his life related to his disability, experiencing vision loss, and advocating for yourself when life throws its share of challenges in your way. You'll also hear a small clip from our upcoming podcast The Career Path, this week featuring Professo...
Mar 20, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks to Camuran Albanoi, adult community mental health team leader at Goulburn Valley Health and organiser of a Harmony Day event on March 21. They'll discuss mental health in Australia, and how to better involve and include voices from the wider community including people with disabilities. Then later in the show we hear from Liz Dalakouras the editor of FYI, and Frances is back with a Reader Recommended. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?...
Mar 12, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks to Fraser Coast blindness and low vision advocate and fundraising superwoman Joanne Cabot who has, among other things, recently set up the Fraser Coast Blindness and Low Vision Hardship Fund, hosted a screening of the Blind Sea alongside a mini disability expo in the region. Then later in the show, we hear from Paralympian and Vision Australia ambassador Jess Gallagher, who's here to tell us all about the upcoming annual 100K Your Way challenge taking place across the month of April t...
Mar 05, 2025•28 min
Sam catches up with Vision 2020 policy and advocacy manager Jonathan Craig to speak about the body's priorities for an incoming federal government following this year's election, regarding the health and wellbeing of the blind and low vision community. We also hear a sneak peek of an interview from an upcoming podcast, this week featuring blindness and low vision advocate and influencer Karan Nagrani, who talks about impostor syndrome and managing expectations at work as an employee who is blind...
Feb 26, 2025•28 min
This week there's a few things happening around Vision Australia as the Vision Australia Graduate Program is now open for applications until March 31, Sam speaks to equity and inclusion advisor Rachael Ramsdale to find out more. Then we hear from Vision Australia Library manager Sarah Bloedorn, who's back with us to chat about some upcoming events at the library plus some new releases members can look forward to. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate...
Feb 19, 2025•29 min
It's World Radio Day this week on February 13 and to celebrate Sam is catching up with a couple of guests to speak about this year's theme, Radio and Climate Change: A Powerful Tool for Climate Action. Kicking off the show we hear from ABC radio emergency broadcast lead Theresa Rockley-Hogan, who speaks about why radio is so important to keep people informed about their environment and how they keep their messaging accessible. You'll also hear from Vision Australia lead policy advisor Bruce Magu...
Feb 12, 2025•27 min
This week Sam speaks to Port Campbell resident Brendan Hyland, member of the Port Campbell Accessible Beaches Project providing equipment and accessible pathways to and from Port Campbell Beach for people with disabilities. After our chat with Brendan, you'll hear from Joseph Friedman who catches up with Sam to speak about his involvement with Inside Voice, a new reading program on Vision Australia Radio featuring content by and for incarcerated persons in Australia. Support this Vision Australi...
Feb 05, 2025•28 min
This week we highlight All Abilities Day at the Australian Open which took place on 21 January at Melbourne Park, featuring world #1s Grace Hobbs and Ross Patterson, who caught up with Sam to chat about their experiences. Then after Grace and Ross we hear from Liz Dalakouras, the editor of Vision Australia's fortnightly newsletter For Your Information (FYI), and Frances joins the show for a Reader Recommended. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?sr...
Jan 29, 2025•28 min
It's a Midsumma special episode of Talking Vision as we feature two interviews from the live outside broadcast which took place as part of Midsumma Carnival Day on 19 January at the Alexandra Gardens. You'll hear from Sam Colley and Karan Nagrani as they interview trans disabled theatre all rounder Oliver Ayres, then later on Conrad Browne and Tess Herbert catch up with Anastasia Lee, board member at the Victorian Pride Centre. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustr...
Jan 22, 2025•28 min
Sam catches up with Ben Harrington from Travellers' Aid, offering accessibility and mobility services for passengers with disabilities at major stations but also events such as the Australian Open. And speaking of the Open, Action Audio is back for the 5th year in a row to provide an auditory companion for tennis fans who are blind or have low vision, Sam chats with Tennis Australia's Gerard Mason all about it to find out more. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustr...
Jan 15, 2025•28 min
Sam speaks with music therapist Emily Shanahan following the recent developments around NDIS funding for music and art therapies, and the positive impact it has had and continues to have for people of all ages with disabilities such as blindness or low vision. Then after we hear from Emily, Maureen from the library is back on the show with a preview of all the exciting things going on in the library for 2025, and Frances wraps up the program with a Reader Recommended. Support this Vision Austral...
Jan 09, 2025•29 min
We celebrate World Braille Day on the show this week, with an extra special anniversary in 2025 as this year marks the 200th birthday of braille since Louis Braille innovated the writing system in 1825. Sam kicks off the show speaking to Tristan Clare, chair of the Australian Braille Authority as well as publications officer at Next Sense to talk about why braille plays such a vital role for people who are blind or have very low vision. Later in the program you'll also hear from braille music sp...
Jan 09, 2025•29 min
This week we feature the best of Talking Vision in 2024, with some of Sam's favourite interviews from the year as you sit back on Christmas Day for a holiday special episode of Talking Vision. Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 09, 2025•29 min
Sam speaks with Associate Professor Matthew Butler from Monash University's Faculty of Information Technology and president of Round Table , Sonali Marathe, who tell us about a new series of 3D printing guidelines for educational materials designed to be tactile and accessible to students who are blind or have low vision. We also catch up with editor of For Your Information, Liz Dalakouras, to get an update on the final issue of FYI for 2024, and Frances is back with a Reader Recommended. Suppor...
Dec 18, 2024•29 min
This week Sam speaks with Dale Pierce and Sharon Taylor, two participants heading along to take part in the Vision Australia Trek for Vision. The trek takes place over five days from April 29 to May 3 2025 on the Abel Tasman track on the South Island of New Zealand, to raise vital funds for Vision Australia client services such as the quality living groups helping people navigate life with vision loss. To donate to Dale and Sharon's trek you can visit this link to Dale's fundraising page or this...
Dec 11, 2024•28 min
