On FOCAL POINT:
Linni Oliver, Communications Guide from Deafblind WA, with an invitation to DeafBlind Awareness Week 2025. Hear inspiring stories; enjoy tactile art; and connect with the community.  
Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about some of the things to be on the lookout for if you; your children; grandchildren or anyone you know is into gaming.
Andrew Arch and Sarah Pulis, from Intopia, spoke about Intopia's recent work with the new 'Guidelines on Equal Access to Digital Goods and Services' which they developed with the  Australian Human Rights Commission. You are able  to upskill in digital accessibility and equitable design, through online Training Courses.
We paid tribute to the late and wonderful Wendy McDougall. For over 25 years Wendy produced for Focal Point and we heard Wendy's 2014 interview, reliving 50 years since the Beatles came to Adelaide.

Resources:
Deafblind Awareness Week: Tuesday 24 June 2025, 9:00am, Perth City Farm, 1 City Farm Place, East Perth WA. For more information email: oliver@senses.org.au on the net: 
http://www.senses.org.au
Crimestoppers Vic: http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Intopia: http://www.intopia.digital

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Linni Oliver, Communications Guide from Deafblind WA, with an invitation to DeafBlind Awareness Week 2025. Hear inspiring stories; enjoy tactile art; and connect with the community. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about some of the things to be on the lookout for if you; your children; grandchildren or anyone you know is into gaming.</li>
<li>Andrew Arch and Sarah Pulis, from Intopia, spoke about Intopia's recent work with the new 'Guidelines on Equal Access to Digital Goods and Services' which they developed with the&nbsp; Australian Human Rights Commission. You are able&nbsp; to upskill in digital accessibility and equitable design, through online Training Courses.</li>
<li>We paid tribute to the late and wonderful Wendy McDougall. For over 25 years Wendy produced for Focal Point and we heard Wendy's 2014 interview, reliving 50 years since the Beatles came to Adelaide.</li>
</ul>
Resources:
<ul>
<li>Deafblind Awareness Week: Tuesday 24 June 2025, 9:00am, Perth City Farm, 1 City Farm Place, East Perth WA. For more information email: <a href="mailto:linni.oliver@senses.org.au">oliver@senses.org.au</a> on the net: <a href="http://www.senses.org.au">http://www.senses.org.au</a></li>
<li>Crimestoppers Vic: <a href="http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au">http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au</a></li>
<li>Intopia: <a href="http://www.intopia.digital">http://www.intopia.digital</a></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

04 Jun 2025 - Includes a tribute to Wendy McDougall

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/80397877-261d-4cd1-9c2f-b2f200599710/transcript

  On FOCAL POINT:
Scott Dixon Smith took part in Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Scot was accompanied by his guide dog Pretzel, from Guide Dogs NSW & ACT - Guide with Pride.
Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer from the City of Campbelltown invited all to a free audio-described Fringe Festival Event, Connection a visual art exhibition that looks at how we relate to each other, to the places we live, and to ourselves. Sunday 8th March 2pm, at the 
Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre, 17 Moore St, Tranmere SA.  More information email: elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au
Kathryn O'Toole, a client of Seeing Eye Dogs and Katie Farrell, SED Mobility Instructor, encouraged all to take part in the Trek for Vision Great Ocean walk, in May
Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about financial abuse; signs to look out for; and ways to keep you and your loved ones safer.

Resources:

Trek for Vision: https://hs.inspiredadventures.com.au/visionaustralia-greatoceanwalk-2026-reg 

Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers.com.au/ 

&nbsp; On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Scott Dixon Smith took part in Sydney's Gay &amp; Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Scot was accompanied by his guide dog Pretzel, from Guide Dogs NSW &amp; ACT - Guide with Pride.</li>
<li>Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer from the City of Campbelltown invited all to a free audio-described Fringe Festival Event, Connection a visual art exhibition that looks at how we relate to each other, to the places we live, and to ourselves. Sunday 8th March 2pm, at the&nbsp; Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre, 17 Moore St, Tranmere SA.&nbsp; More information email: <a href="mailto:elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au">elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au</a></li>
<li>Kathryn O'Toole, a client of Seeing Eye Dogs and Katie Farrell, SED Mobility Instructor, encouraged all to take part in the Trek for Vision Great Ocean walk, in May</li>
<li>Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about financial abuse; signs to look out for; and ways to keep you and your loved ones safer.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources:
Trek for Vision: <a href="https://hs.inspiredadventures.com.au/visionaustralia-greatoceanwalk-2026-reg">https://hs.inspiredadventures.com.au/visionaustralia-greatoceanwalk-2026-reg</a>&nbsp;
Crimestoppers: <a href="https://crimestoppers.com.au/">https://crimestoppers.com.au/</a>&nbsp;

04 Mar 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/18c9e7ab-da27-4e89-9708-b40300493ef2/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
Nicola Ettridge is a highly respected and accomplished advocate. Nicola talked about losing her hearing at 21 and then becoming the advocate; support; role model and leader. Nicole also reflected on International Women's Day, and work finding employment opportunities for people of all abilities, especially in non metropolitan Australia.
Dr Frances Gentle, chatted about the joint ICEVI and WBU global braille literacy campaign launched on World Braille Day 4th January 2026.
Carlie Towns is days away from leaving for Base Camp Everest. Carlie is also fundraising for the Look for Life Foundation.
Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, encouraging people who are blind or have low vision to use telephone voting at the 21st March SA State Election. Phil also offered his thoughts about the election campaign and more. 


Resources:

Inclusive Employment Australia: https://www.dss.gov.au/inclusive-employment-australia 

ICEVI-WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/ 

Carlie Townes: https://www.instagram.com/true_vision_towns/ 

South Australian State Elections 2026: https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/ 

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Nicola Ettridge is a highly respected and accomplished advocate. Nicola talked about losing her hearing at 21 and then becoming the advocate; support; role model and leader. Nicole also reflected on International Women's Day, and work finding employment opportunities for people of all abilities, especially in non metropolitan Australia.</li>
<li>Dr Frances Gentle, chatted about the joint ICEVI and WBU global braille literacy campaign launched on World Braille Day 4th January 2026.</li>
<li>Carlie Towns is days away from leaving for Base Camp Everest. Carlie is also fundraising for the Look for Life Foundation.</li>
<li>Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, encouraging people who are blind or have low vision to use telephone voting at the 21st March SA State Election. Phil also offered his thoughts about the election campaign and more.&nbsp; <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GqhoVIutoHKc2I0sP7yPrZO38PgEfFvPbYLLckhGQC4bZ2MIdB6el-6LHrPrYaN1CWJbfO9UVuDcoY5jOi4x3Mnrnn-Xk1TKqR0$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources:
Inclusive Employment Australia: <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/inclusive-employment-australia">https://www.dss.gov.au/inclusive-employment-australia</a>&nbsp;
ICEVI-WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: <a href="https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/">https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/</a>&nbsp;
Carlie Townes: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/true_vision_towns/">https://www.instagram.com/true_vision_towns/</a>&nbsp;
South Australian State Elections 2026: <a href="https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/">https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/</a>&nbsp;

25 Feb 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/41521432-a65f-40cd-8366-b3fc005e0d3b/transcript

 On FOCAL POINT:
Dr Kari Seeley is a researcher from Curtin University who  invited all Audio Description users & creators in Australia to share their experiences and thoughts about AD -  in March, in person and also online if you choose. (Details under Resources in the Podcast Notes)
Rachel from Marketing, at Beyond Blindness, had news on a Wills and Estates information session; the travel club; news from their newsletter - including a story about Jobie (winner of the Trevor Frost Scholarship) and more.
David Woodbridge, Blindness Product Specialist from Humanware, has been test-driving the Braille Note Evolve - a soon to be released 32 braille cell; fully functioning Windows laptop, based computer. Other versions coming out soon. 
Kelly Schultz, Chief Curiosity Officer at Knowable Me, sharing research that 70& of the ASX top 200 listed companies, and how they make no public reference to disability, raising questions about productivity, workforce participation and organisational risk. 

Resources:

Audio Descritpio
Sessions in Adelaide. 
In-person on Saturday 14th March, 2-3:30pm, in Stepney
Online on Tuesday 17th March, 6-8:30pm
In-person on Wednesday 18th March, 10-11:30am, in Stepney
Contact: AudioDescription@curtin.edu
Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au
Braille Note Evolve Information: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fe4NoiICWUy1IPoiD9brFNqOyd2kKmBLnucxKK0Xv6lUM1RBWFhIRkc5NTJGR0JETVUyV042SEpNUS4u&route=shorturl 
Knowable Me Insights: https://www.knowable.me/insights

&nbsp;On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Dr Kari Seeley is a researcher from Curtin University who&nbsp; invited all Audio Description users &amp; creators in Australia to share their experiences and thoughts about AD -&nbsp; in March, in person and also online if you choose. (Details under Resources in the Podcast Notes)</li>
<li>Rachel from Marketing, at Beyond Blindness, had news on a Wills and Estates information session; the travel club; news from their newsletter - including a story about Jobie (winner of the Trevor Frost Scholarship) and more.</li>
<li>David Woodbridge, Blindness Product Specialist from Humanware, has been test-driving the Braille Note Evolve - a soon to be released 32 braille cell; fully functioning Windows laptop, based computer. Other versions coming out soon.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Kelly Schultz, Chief Curiosity Officer at Knowable Me, sharing research that 70&amp; of the ASX top 200 listed companies, and how they make no public reference to disability, raising questions about productivity, workforce participation and organisational risk.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources:
Audio Descritpio
<ul>
<li>Sessions in Adelaide.&nbsp; In-person on Saturday 14th March, 2-3:30pm, in Stepney Online on Tuesday 17th March, 6-8:30pm In-person on Wednesday 18th March, 10-11:30am, in Stepney Contact: <a href="mailto:AudioDescription@curtin.edu">AudioDescription@curtin.edu</a></li>
<li>Beyond Blindness: <a href="http://www.beyondblindness.org.au">http://www.beyondblindness.org.au</a></li>
<li>Braille Note Evolve Information: <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fe4NoiICWUy1IPoiD9brFNqOyd2kKmBLnucxKK0Xv6lUM1RBWFhIRkc5NTJGR0JETVUyV042SEpNUS4u&amp;route=shorturl">https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fe4NoiICWUy1IPoiD9brFNqOyd2kKmBLnucxKK0Xv6lUM1RBWFhIRkc5NTJGR0JETVUyV042SEpNUS4u&amp;route=shorturl</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Knowable Me Insights: <a href="https://www.knowable.me/insights">https://www.knowable.me/insights</a></li>
</ul>

18 Feb 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/8d0a99e0-7889-482c-852a-b3f50043ffef/transcript

04 Jun 2025 - Includes a tribute to Wendy McDougall

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