On FOCAL POINT: 


02:48 - Daniel Mew – Developer of the Tag Everything app


16:16 - Zoe Kong, Gabby Campbell, and Dean Caccamo (Master’s Students in Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney)  The team shares details about their project with Dr. Anne-Marie and the Centre for Disability Research and Policy, developing a practical home modification guide designed for people living with combined hearing and vision loss.


29:18 - Lesley Heagney (Braille House) - Lesley outlines two major September events: the annual Braille Literacy Challenge hosted at the Queensland Tennis Centre (September 11) and the 105th Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition (closing September 18)


41:04 - William O'Neill (Rider & Advocate) William shares his story about participating in a 700 km tandem recumbent cycle journey (on Hase Pino bikes) from Germany to Amsterdam for the World Cycle Summit to champion cycling inclusivity for people with vision impairment.

Resources

Blind Citizens Australia (SA Catch-Up Event)


Phone: 1800 033 660 (Ask for Kerry Skipworth)

Tag Everything App


Website:https://tageverything.app/ 

Braille House & Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition


Website:https://www.braillehouse.org.au/ 


Phone: 07 3848 5257

Riding Together Charity


Website:https://ridingtogether.org/netherlands-2026 

On FOCAL POINT:&nbsp;
<ul data-path-to-node="7">
<li>
02:48 - Daniel Mew &ndash; Developer of the Tag Everything app
</li>
<li>
16:16 - Zoe Kong, Gabby Campbell, and Dean Caccamo (Master&rsquo;s Students in Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney)&nbsp; The team shares details about their project with Dr. Anne-Marie and the Centre for Disability Research and Policy, developing a practical home modification guide designed for people living with combined hearing and vision loss.
</li>
<li>
29:18 - Lesley Heagney (Braille House) - Lesley outlines two major September events: the annual Braille Literacy Challenge hosted at the Queensland Tennis Centre (September 11) and the 105th Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition (closing September 18)
</li>
<li>
41:04 - William O'Neill (Rider &amp; Advocate) William shares his story about participating in a 700 km tandem recumbent cycle journey (on Hase Pino bikes) from Germany to Amsterdam for the World Cycle Summit to champion cycling inclusivity for people with vision impairment.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources
Blind Citizens Australia (SA Catch-Up Event)
<ul data-path-to-node="11">
<li>
Phone: 1800 033 660 (Ask for Kerry Skipworth)
</li>
</ul>
Tag Everything App
<ul data-path-to-node="13">
<li>
Website: <a href="https://tageverything.app/">https://tageverything.app/</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Braille House &amp; Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition
<ul data-path-to-node="15">
<li>
Website: <a href="https://www.braillehouse.org.au/">https://www.braillehouse.org.au/</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Phone: 07 3848 5257
</li>
</ul>
Riding Together Charity
<ul data-path-to-node="17">
<li>
Website: <a href="https://ridingtogether.org/netherlands-2026">https://ridingtogether.org/netherlands-2026</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

A weekly program presented by Peter Greco, Focal Point covers services from blindness organisations and other providers, technology, current affairs, breakthroughs in advocacy campaigns about all manner of challenges and promoting activities and events for people who are blind or vision impaired.

A weekly program presented by Peter Greco,&nbsp;Focal Point&nbsp;covers services from blindness organisations and other providers, technology, current affairs, breakthroughs in advocacy campaigns about all manner of challenges and promoting activities and events for people who are blind or vision impaired.

Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

Visit <a href="http://www.varadio.org">www.varadio.org</a> for more.

Focal Point on Vision Australia Radio

02 Sep 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/79786bf6-5f2d-49b1-bdc3-b4b900596bf0/transcript

On FOCAL POINT: 


02:13 – Cameron Algie | Author & Facilitator

Cameron discusses the updated release of his comprehensive resource guide, "I can See Clearly Now: Understanding and Managing Blindness and Low Vision."  He explores how screen readers (like JAWS), mobile apps (like Be My Eyes), and emerging AI models (such as ChatGPT and Gemini) are changing accessibility and independence for people navigating vision loss.


17:23 – Suzy Hudson | Community Advocate

Suzy relives her landmark legal fight (Along with Blind Citizens Australia) that went to the High Court over a decade ago to secure audio description on Australian free-to-air television. She shares her thoughts on recent legislative efforts to make audio description a permanent requirement across mainstream broadcast media.


30:28 – Emma Bennison | CEO & Advocate, Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)

Emma breaks down the passed NDIS legislative reform package, focusing on its potential impacts on vision-impaired participants. She addresses functional capacity assessments, upcoming trial processes, appeal mechanisms, and cuts to social and community participation funding.


45:49 – Phil Vanderpeer | Co-Founder & Co-Presenter, Focal Point

Phil takes a walk down memory lane, discussing the 50th anniversary of independent living units built by Blind Welfare at Cameron Avenue, Gillies Plains, in 1976. He and Peter also commemorate the origins of South Australian blind cricket and reflect on how community support structures have evolved over the decades.

Resources

Cameron Algie's official book site: https://icanseeclearlybooks.com/why-this-book-is-special/ 

Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA): https://dana.org.au/contact/
DANA General Inquiries: info@dana.org.au


DANA Member Engagement: members@dana.org.au


DANA General Line: 1300 186 453  


Disability Advocacy Support Helpline: 1800 643 787   

 

On FOCAL POINT:&nbsp;
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
02:13 &ndash; Cameron Algie | Author &amp; Facilitator
Cameron discusses the updated release of his comprehensive resource guide, "I can See Clearly Now: Understanding and Managing Blindness and Low Vision."&nbsp;&nbsp;He explores how screen readers (like JAWS), mobile apps (like Be My Eyes), and emerging AI models (such as ChatGPT and Gemini) are changing accessibility and independence for people navigating vision loss.
</li>
<li>
17:23 &ndash; Suzy Hudson | Community Advocate
Suzy relives her landmark legal fight (Along with Blind Citizens Australia) that went to the High Court over a decade ago to secure audio description on Australian free-to-air television. She shares her thoughts on recent legislative efforts to make audio description a permanent requirement across mainstream broadcast media.
</li>
<li>
30:28 &ndash; Emma Bennison | CEO &amp; Advocate, Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)
Emma breaks down the passed NDIS legislative reform package, focusing on its potential impacts on vision-impaired participants. She addresses functional capacity assessments, upcoming trial processes, appeal mechanisms, and cuts to social and community participation funding.
</li>
<li>
45:49 &ndash; Phil Vanderpeer | Co-Founder &amp; Co-Presenter, Focal Point
Phil takes a walk down memory lane, discussing the 50th anniversary of independent living units built by Blind Welfare at Cameron Avenue, Gillies Plains, in 1976. He and Peter also commemorate the origins of South Australian blind cricket and reflect on how community support structures have evolved over the decades.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-path-to-node="9">
Resources
Cameron Algie's official book site: <a href="https://icanseeclearlybooks.com/why-this-book-is-special/">https://icanseeclearlybooks.com/why-this-book-is-special/</a>&nbsp;
Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA):&nbsp;<a href="https://dana.org.au/contact/">https://dana.org.au/contact/</a>
<ul data-path-to-node="12">
<li>DANA General Inquiries: info@dana.org.au</li>
<li>
DANA Member Engagement: members@dana.org.au
</li>
<li>
DANA General Line: 1300 186 453 &nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Disability Advocacy Support Helpline: 1800 643 787 &nbsp; 

&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

26 Aug 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/1d05ec91-0151-4692-a28f-b4b200468f3c/transcript

On FOCAL POINT: 


01:50 – Robert Altamore - Advocate and proponent of Braille. Shares his experience completing the Australian Census in Braille using a Perkins Brailler, discusses the independence Braille provides over digital options, and highlights the importance of advocating for Braille literacy alongside modern assistive tech.


15:32 – Rachel (Beyond Blindness) - Marketing representative at Beyond Blindness. Discusses upcoming Apple accessibility workshops in Adelaide, Android support sessions, local "pocket group" social meetups, expansion plans into Port Augusta, and the $2,000 Trevor Frost Award scholarship for young artists with vision impairments.


29:50 – Rebecca Young - CEO of Access2Arts. Discusses audio-described local theater performances (e.g., State Theatre Company's Chalk / Commentary), inclusive programs at festivals like Illuminate Adelaide and SALA, and shares insights on proposed federal audio description legislation and the drawbacks of using AI voices over professional human describers.


42:01 – Maureen O'Reilly - Representative from the Vision Australia Library. Highlights upcoming virtual events including the "Meet the Narrator" Q&A session with guest Paul Wentford, archived technology webinars, and a 5-week course on how to write compelling news stories.

Resources


Blind Citizens Australia (SA Branch Catch-up)


Phone: 1800 033 660  


Website:https://www.bca.org.au/ 


Beyond Blindness


Phone: (08) 8367 6088  


Port Augusta Group Contact (Jen): 0403 451 817


Website:https://beyondblindness.org.au/ 


Access2Arts


Phone: (08) 8463 1689  

Website:https://access2arts.org.au/ 


Vision Australia Library


Phone: 1300 654 656  


Website:https://visionaustralia.org/services/library 

 

On FOCAL POINT:&nbsp;
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
01:50 &ndash; Robert Altamore - Advocate and proponent of Braille. Shares his experience completing the Australian Census in Braille using a Perkins Brailler, discusses the independence Braille provides over digital options, and highlights the importance of advocating for Braille literacy alongside modern assistive tech.
</li>
<li>
15:32 &ndash; Rachel (Beyond Blindness) - Marketing representative at Beyond Blindness. Discusses upcoming Apple accessibility workshops in Adelaide, Android support sessions, local "pocket group" social meetups, expansion plans into Port Augusta, and the $2,000 Trevor Frost Award scholarship for young artists with vision impairments.
</li>
<li>
29:50 &ndash; Rebecca Young - CEO of Access2Arts. Discusses audio-described local theater performances (e.g., State Theatre Company's Chalk / Commentary), inclusive programs at festivals like Illuminate Adelaide and SALA, and shares insights on proposed federal audio description legislation and the drawbacks of using AI voices over professional human describers.
</li>
<li>
42:01 &ndash; Maureen O'Reilly - Representative from the Vision Australia Library. Highlights upcoming virtual events including the "Meet the Narrator" Q&amp;A session with guest Paul Wentford, archived technology webinars, and a 5-week course on how to write compelling news stories.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-path-to-node="5">
Resources
<ul data-path-to-node="10">
<li>
Blind Citizens Australia (SA Branch Catch-up)
<ul data-path-to-node="10,0,1">
<li>
Phone: 1800 033 660 &nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Website: <a href="https://www.bca.org.au/">https://www.bca.org.au/</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Beyond Blindness
<ul data-path-to-node="10,1,1">
<li>
Phone: (08) 8367 6088 &nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Port Augusta Group Contact (Jen): 0403 451 817
</li>
<li>
Website: <a href="https://beyondblindness.org.au/">https://beyondblindness.org.au/</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Access2Arts
<ul data-path-to-node="10,2,1">
<li>
Phone: (08) 8463 1689 &nbsp;
Website: <a href="https://access2arts.org.au/">https://access2arts.org.au/</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Vision Australia Library
<ul data-path-to-node="10,3,1">
<li>
Phone: 1300 654 656 &nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Website: <a href="https://visionaustralia.org/services/library">https://visionaustralia.org/services/library</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

19 Aug 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/79073858-6f3f-4f73-9ed5-b4ab0064cb42/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
Kerryn Harvey is an Author and Para Tri-athlete who has just launched her new book "Mostly Ups."  Kerryn contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating infection, after falling off a bike.  She chatted about her life and resilience.
Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer, invited all to SALA - Live Audio Description Tour.  Saturday 15th August 2pm, and an Ekphrastic poetry event -
Saturday 22nd August 2026 Time: 2.30pm - 5pm  Where? Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre - 17 Moore Street, Tranmere, SA, bookings are essential. email: elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au
Fiona Hodson, senior pain management clinician with Chronic Pain Australia, spoke about the Launch of Strong Australia 14th August 14th - inaugural National Strength Day - and how being a bit stronger can help with falls prevention; balance independence and a better quality of life. Fiona also talked about a petition on change.org to have chronic pain "coded" for Medicare purposes. 
Jeramy Hope, CEO for Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance, shared his experience appearing at the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee hearing into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment. 

Resources: 

Keryn Harvey: https://www.kerrynharvey.com

Painlink: https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painlink/

Pain Changer: https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painchanger/

Live-Up: https://www.liveup.org.au/

SDA Alliance: http://www.sdaalliance.org.au 

 

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Kerryn Harvey is an Author and Para Tri-athlete who has just launched her new book "Mostly Ups."&nbsp; Kerryn contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating infection, after falling off a bike.&nbsp; She chatted about her life and resilience.</li>
<li>Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer, invited all to&nbsp;SALA - Live Audio Description Tour.&nbsp; Saturday 15th August 2pm, and an Ekphrastic poetry event - Saturday 22nd August 2026 Time: 2.30pm - 5pm&nbsp; Where? Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre - 17 Moore Street, Tranmere, SA, bookings are essential. email: <a href="mailto:elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au">elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au</a></li>
<li>Fiona Hodson, senior pain management clinician with Chronic Pain Australia, spoke about the Launch of Strong Australia 14th August 14th - inaugural National Strength Day - and how being a bit stronger can help with falls prevention; balance independence and a better quality of life. Fiona also talked about a petition on change.org to have chronic pain "coded" for Medicare purposes.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Jeramy Hope, CEO for Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance, shared his experience appearing at the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee hearing into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources:&nbsp;
Keryn Harvey:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kerrynharvey.com">https://www.kerrynharvey.com</a>
Painlink: <a href="https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painlink/">https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painlink/</a>
Pain Changer: <a href="https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painchanger/">https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painchanger/</a>
Live-Up: <a href="https://www.liveup.org.au/">https://www.liveup.org.au/</a>
SDA Alliance: <a href="http://www.sdaalliance.org.au">http://www.sdaalliance.org.au</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

12 Aug 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/87d1363c-2ec2-438c-a1f0-b4a40066716a/transcript

02 Sep 2026

Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

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Focal Point on Vision Australia Radio

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