Talking Vision by Vision Australia Radio

This week features part two of Sam's conversation with optometrist, researcher and low vision pioneer Ian Bailey, featuring stories around his postgraduate studies in Indiana, returning to the school of optometry in Melbourne and starting up the low vision clinic at the Association for the Blind in Kooyong.

After we hear from Ian, Vision Australia volunteer partnerships coordinator Jordan Ashby is on the show to tell us about a fou...

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 Inform...

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.

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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 jo...

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 a...

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 n...

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 ...

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 Hea...

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 th...

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 P...

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, ...

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.

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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.

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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&ty...

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 fr...

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 though...

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 o...

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.

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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...