On FOCAL POINT:
Nadia Mattiazzo is a first-class advocate; leader; and articulate spokesperson. Nadia  chatted about advocacy, leadership and International Women's Day.
David Woodbridge "Mr. Technology" introduced us to the Braille Doodle, helping people new to braille of all ages, and enabling their families; friends; and educators to be involved with the learning experience in a fun way,
Cindy Dabrowski is taking part in Vision Australia's Graduate Program, and is about to start an internship at Bupa. Cindy encouraged others to strongly consider applying.
Dr Richard Symes, ophthalmologist specialising in glaucoma, shared news on World Glaucoma week and the latest news in treatments and research for the condition. 

Resources: 
Braille Doodle: https://www.touchpadprofoundation.org/
Careers Graduate Program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/about-us/careers/graduate-program 
World Glaucoma Week: https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/
Glaucoma Australia: https://glaucoma.org.au/ 

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Nadia Mattiazzo is a first-class advocate; leader; and articulate spokesperson. Nadia&nbsp; chatted about advocacy, leadership and International Women's Day.</li>
<li>David Woodbridge "Mr. Technology" introduced us to the Braille Doodle, helping people new to braille of all ages, and enabling their families; friends; and educators to be involved with the learning experience in a fun way,</li>
<li>Cindy Dabrowski is taking part in Vision Australia's Graduate Program, and is about to start an internship at Bupa. Cindy encouraged others to strongly consider applying.</li>
<li>Dr Richard Symes, ophthalmologist specialising in glaucoma, shared news on World Glaucoma week and the latest news in treatments and research for the condition.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Resources:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Braille Doodle:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.touchpadprofoundation.org/">https://www.touchpadprofoundation.org/</a></li>
<li>Careers Graduate Program: <a href="https://www.visionaustralia.org/about-us/careers/graduate-program">https://www.visionaustralia.org/about-us/careers/graduate-program</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>World Glaucoma Week: <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GC44YpdOkj-j76ErJY0T2ZyQrRo-98thpOlOu5A-yBlWAdI37G4t5ARLyQgFmgBnLh5VOxdHrITm2xK_ZLDGwTO_yj9hasydUZI$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/</a></li>
<li>Glaucoma Australia: <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au/">https://glaucoma.org.au/</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

05 Mar 2025

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/5e269e25-14b3-4d63-9558-b2970045db53/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
John Paul Cruz, PHD Candidate at the University of Melbourne, is researching  Making Accessible and Usable Digital Health Platforms.  John Paul is keen to hear from you.  (Details under "Resources")
Rex Patrick is a Senate Candidate for the Jacqui Lambie Network for South Australia at the Federal Election.  Rex spent some time last week in the South-East of South Australia meeting with NDIS participants and their families.
Sophie Slattery, Assistance Dog Instructor, spoke about See Differently's Operation K9 - providing assistance dogs to support for members of our returned services; helping better manage PTSAID. and other benefits. Volunteers are welcomed to express their interest to be part of the training.  Sophie also previewed International Guide Dog Day  30th April,
Mahesh Nath, from Pacific Vision, Launched their new website.  Mahesh is keen to receive feedback on the site and shared news about a special offer of 10% off any products purchased from the site - just use the code "welcome 10"

Resources: 

John Paul Cruz: johnpaul.cruz@student.unimelb.edu.au expressions of interest: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_bKqqvJCcbAyfvVQ 

See Differently: http://www.seedifferently.org.au

Pacific Vision: http://www.pacificvisionaus.com.au (To get the Discount use the code "welcome 10")

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>John Paul Cruz, PHD Candidate at the University of Melbourne, is researching&nbsp; Making Accessible and Usable Digital Health Platforms.&nbsp; John Paul is keen to hear from you.&nbsp; (Details under "Resources")</li>
<li>Rex Patrick is a Senate Candidate for the Jacqui Lambie Network for South Australia at the Federal Election.&nbsp; Rex spent some time last week in the South-East of South Australia meeting with NDIS participants and their families.</li>
<li>Sophie Slattery, Assistance Dog Instructor, spoke about See Differently's Operation K9 - providing assistance dogs to support for members of our returned services; helping better manage PTSAID. and other benefits. Volunteers are welcomed to express their interest to be part of the training.&nbsp; Sophie also previewed International Guide Dog Day&nbsp; 30th April,</li>
<li>Mahesh Nath, from Pacific Vision, Launched their new website.&nbsp; Mahesh is keen to receive feedback on the site and shared news about a special offer of 10% off any products purchased from the site - just use the code "welcome 10"</li>
</ul>
Resources:&nbsp;
John Paul Cruz: <a href="mailto:johnpaul.cruz@student.unimelb.edu.au">johnpaul.cruz@student.unimelb.edu.au</a> expressions of interest: <a href="https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_bKqqvJCcbAyfvVQ">https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_bKqqvJCcbAyfvVQ</a>&nbsp;
See Differently:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.seedifferently.org.au">http://www.seedifferently.org.au</a>
Pacific Vision: <a href="http://www.pacificvisionaus.com.au">http://www.pacificvisionaus.com.au</a> (To get the Discount use the code "welcome 10")

23 Apr 2025

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/32975341-75d2-4788-a24f-b2c8005faa1c/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
Ben Rowe, musician; singer and recording artist, is about to release a new song "Feeling Like Home"
Frank Cirillo, Member Engagement Officer at Beyond Blindness, with an update on events and activities from Whyalla and Port Augusta, to the western suburbs of Adelaide; Adelaide Hills and the South-East. 
Milly Hart is a member of the Australian Women's Blind Cricket Team.  The Team is  about to host their first ever international series in Australia against Pakistan in Qld, from April 20th
Maureen O Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, with invitations to participate, either in person or online, in the Melbourne Writers Festival events and the National Simultaneous Story Time, 21st May, everyone will be reading The Truck Cat, and  and more

Resources:

Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.au

Vision Australia Library: https://visionaustralia.org/services/library

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Ben Rowe, musician; singer and recording artist, is about to release a new song "Feeling Like Home"</li>
<li>Frank Cirillo, Member Engagement Officer at Beyond Blindness, with an update on events and activities from Whyalla and Port Augusta, to the western suburbs of Adelaide; Adelaide Hills and the South-East.&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.beyondblindness.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!CN48LIAjoq1R2upiQ-TLUTvpcpc_fca8NQz29Qsz0w1BRjV3ULfAZRkvl2wbQPMW8gdK4LlujGlbUm3hehEPGAkFhAf9Mz-_Oeo$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0"></a>Milly Hart is a member of the Australian Women's Blind Cricket Team.&nbsp; The Team is&nbsp; about to host their first ever international series in Australia against Pakistan in Qld, from April 20th</li>
<li>Maureen O Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library, with invitations to participate, either in person or online, in the Melbourne Writers Festival events and the National Simultaneous Story Time, 21st May, everyone will be reading The Truck Cat, and&nbsp; and more</li>
</ul>
Resources:
Beyond Blindness: <a href="http://www.beyondblindness.org.au">http://www.beyondblindness.org.au</a>
Vision Australia Library: <a href="https://visionaustralia.org/services/library">https://visionaustralia.org/services/library</a>

16 Apr 2025

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/99fc2d1f-df7d-4fe2-8ab6-b2c10066592f/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
Alex Morris, from the Australian Electoral Commission, with news on the options available for people who are blind or vision impaired to vote at the May 3rd Federal Election - including important dates and phone numbers.
Barry Clark, Chair of See Differently (The Royal Society for the Blind) paid tribute to the late Peter Hetherington OAM, Advocate; champion blind cricketer; employee; board member and client for close to 60 years. 
Dr Jo Kaeding and Agata Mrva-Montoya, from Uni SA and Sydney University respectively, shared their research showing public libraries are failing readers with a print disability. 
Deb Deshayes, CEO for Blind Citizens Australia, invited all to the 50th anniversary Convention at the Novatel from Friday the 13th June in Melbourne and updated us on a number of exciting projects BCA are undertaking. 

Resources:

Australian Electoral Commission: Call 13 23 26 or go to: https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BECz3XpaVJZO2mEvuCI6j3lu3O1wF8s1WQgemBgA5CMoRAv8hxfTrBoCdOYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds 

Research Findings (Libraries and Accessibility): https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2025/australian-public-libraries-failing-readers-with-print-disabilities/ 

Blind Citizens Australia: Call 1800 033 660 or go to http://www.bca.org.au 

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Alex Morris, from the Australian Electoral Commission, with news on the options available for people who are blind or vision impaired to vote at the May 3rd Federal Election - including important dates and phone numbers.</li>
<li><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.aec.gov.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!ErmCCW6R0AAuUtb2EFaeouas4NV7A_IxXf82I6s-g5c34GRRMrCLTiWQucQO0VGHdGuBOfIgulIsPge-OKePzo-BIarmkUvrNFY$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0"></a>Barry Clark, Chair of See Differently (The Royal Society for the Blind) paid tribute to the late Peter Hetherington OAM, Advocate; champion blind cricketer; employee; board member and client for close to 60 years.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Dr Jo Kaeding and Agata Mrva-Montoya, from Uni SA and Sydney University respectively, shared their research showing public libraries are failing readers with a print disability.&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2025/australian-public-libraries-failing-readers-with-print-disabilities/__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!ErmCCW6R0AAuUtb2EFaeouas4NV7A_IxXf82I6s-g5c34GRRMrCLTiWQucQO0VGHdGuBOfIgulIsPge-OKePzo-BIarm6rK0RWQ$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3"></a>Deb Deshayes, CEO for Blind Citizens Australia, invited all to the 50th anniversary Convention at the Novatel from Friday the 13th June in Melbourne and updated us on a number of exciting projects BCA are undertaking.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Resources:
Australian Electoral Commission: Call 13 23 26 or go to: <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BECz3XpaVJZO2mEvuCI6j3lu3O1wF8s1WQgemBgA5CMoRAv8hxfTrBoCdOYQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwtdi_BhACEiwA97y8BECz3XpaVJZO2mEvuCI6j3lu3O1wF8s1WQgemBgA5CMoRAv8hxfTrBoCdOYQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds</a>&nbsp;
Research Findings (Libraries and Accessibility): <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2025/australian-public-libraries-failing-readers-with-print-disabilities/">https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2025/australian-public-libraries-failing-readers-with-print-disabilities/</a>&nbsp;
Blind Citizens Australia: Call 1800 033 660 or go to <a href="http://www.bca.org.au">http://www.bca.org.au</a>&nbsp;

09 Apr 2025

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/c6e5a4b2-4493-4978-b2f2-b2ba005921e6/transcript

05 Mar 2025

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