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

18 Dec 2024

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/a9d70936-21fd-48a5-9369-b24a003539eb/transcript

On FOCAL POINT: 
Aasha Rose is a PHD student at the University of Southern Queensland doing research into braille literacy and people's quality of life.  Aasha would love you to take part in the survey. (Available under "Resources" in the podcast notes.
Jude Gafney, Audio Description Co-ordinator from Access 2 Arts, with news on the tactile tour and audio description of RBG of Many - about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  Jude gave fabulous insights into tactile tours before audio described shows; their  benefits adding so much to the full experience of performances.
Professor Connie Katelaris, Professor of Immunology and Allergy at the University of Sydney , let us know about an Australian-discovered Breakthrough therapy for hereditary angioedema,  Andembry? (AN-dem-bree), now available on the PBS. Connie also spoke about ocular disorders including allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Bec Golding, Sales Manager for Brooks, shared a timely message to check or have someone check our smoke alarms. 

Resources

Braille Literacy and Satisfaction Survey: https://surveys.unisq.edu.au/index.php/147465?lang=en 

Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au

HAE Australasia: https://haeaustralasia.org.au

Brooks Australia: https://www.brooks.com.au/ 

On FOCAL POINT:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Aasha Rose is a PHD student at the University of Southern Queensland doing research into braille literacy and people's quality of life.&nbsp; Aasha would love you to take part in the survey. (Available under "Resources" in the podcast notes.</li>
<li>Jude Gafney, Audio Description Co-ordinator from Access 2 Arts, with news on the tactile tour and audio description of RBG of Many - about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.&nbsp; Jude gave fabulous insights into tactile tours before audio described shows; their&nbsp; benefits adding so much to the full experience of performances.</li>
<li>Professor Connie Katelaris, Professor of Immunology and Allergy at the University of Sydney , let us know about an Australian-discovered Breakthrough therapy for hereditary angioedema,&nbsp; Andembry? (AN-dem-bree), now available on the PBS. Connie also spoke about ocular disorders including allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.</li>
<li>Bec Golding, Sales Manager for Brooks, shared a timely message to check or have someone check our smoke alarms.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources
Braille Literacy and Satisfaction Survey: <a href="https://surveys.unisq.edu.au/index.php/147465?lang=en">https://surveys.unisq.edu.au/index.php/147465?lang=en</a>&nbsp;
Access 2 Arts: <a href="http://www.access2arts.org.au">http://www.access2arts.org.au</a>
HAE Australasia: <a href="https://haeaustralasia.org.au">https://haeaustralasia.org.au</a>
Brooks Australia: <a href="https://www.brooks.com.au/">https://www.brooks.com.au/</a>&nbsp;

08 Apr 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/392ee51a-768a-4f6e-9e4b-b426004aeba9/transcript

On Focal Point:
Susan Harris,  was legally blind until 6 years ago with Multiple Sclerosis, then Susan's sight returned, shared Susan's lived experiences, Susan works with TwinView Health, providing support services to individuals with  vision impairment, those on the NDIS, My aged Care and veterans, 08 8166 2686 https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.twinviewhealth.com__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE-pBiF0Jw$
Andrew Davies, Team Manager Assistive Technology, at See Differently, has just returned from the 41st CSUN, 1300 944 306
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.seedifferently.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE9Cs0hW_w$
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://conference.csun.at/event/2026/summary__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8OmZat5A$
Freek van Welsenis,  Co-Founder of Hable,  Launched Speechlabel, a simple, affordable system that "voice tag"  using your smart phone and their smart labels, contact Vision Australia, 1300 84 74 66 http://www.visionaustralia.org https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/pages/speechlabel__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8p1frFRw$
Mia Gardiner, from Crimestoppers Victoria raised awareness about  Why viral quizzes and AI selfie trends are actually risky?
1800 333 000
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE_13k8dUQ$  

On Focal Point:
<ul>
<li>Susan Harris, &nbsp;was legally blind until 6 years ago with Multiple Sclerosis, then Susan's sight returned, shared Susan's lived experiences, Susan works with TwinView Health, providing support services to individuals with &nbsp;vision impairment, those on the NDIS, My aged Care and veterans, 08 8166 2686 <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.twinviewhealth.com__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE-pBiF0Jw$">https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.twinviewhealth.com__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE-pBiF0Jw$</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Andrew Davies, Team Manager Assistive Technology, at See Differently, has just returned from the 41st CSUN, 1300 944 306 <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.seedifferently.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE9Cs0hW_w$">https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.seedifferently.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE9Cs0hW_w$</a> <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://conference.csun.at/event/2026/summary__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8OmZat5A$">https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://conference.csun.at/event/2026/summary__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8OmZat5A$</a></li>
<li>Freek van Welsenis, &nbsp;Co-Founder of Hable, &nbsp;Launched Speechlabel, a simple, affordable system that "voice tag" &nbsp;using your smart phone and their smart labels, contact Vision Australia, 1300 84 74 66 <a href="http://www.visionaustralia.org/">http://www.visionaustralia.org</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/pages/speechlabel__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8p1frFRw$">https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/pages/speechlabel__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE8p1frFRw$</a></li>
<li>Mia Gardiner, from Crimestoppers Victoria raised awareness about &nbsp;Why viral quizzes and AI selfie trends are actually risky? 1800 333 000 <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE_13k8dUQ$">https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GLaEHonikK8-G56gxA1nPfTwiQXX0uK8nawbT79m-k8VyN_K_Z_ByTN2OnovL7Md1XAXUiPwrSej7-ooZOm_FwhUJE_13k8dUQ$</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

01 Apr 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/1d5b57ee-2800-4cf1-bc09-b41f0056e4b7/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
Dr James Daley, Medical Director Pathology Services
 from the Redcross Blood Bank, had news on new eye drops developed from donated blood,  AlloSED, with incredible results.
Bradley Brider, Australian Blind cricketer, is off to New Zealand with the South Australian team and friends to play and help the game thrive,
Erin Mortimer performed on the ABC's show "The Piano".  Erin spoke about the story behind "Lullaby for the Old Man" about Erin's dad, Canterbury Bulldogs  and State of Origen Champion Steve Mortimer, and the very public and personal challenges the family is experiencing living with Steve being diagnosed with dementia, and the research going on with head injuries,
Phil Vandeepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, shared Phil's experience of telephone assisted voting at last weekend's state election, and Phil reflected on the election results,

AlloSED Information: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/australian-blood-donors-deliver-new-hope-those-battling-debilitating 

Sports Brain Bank: https://www.brainbank.org.au/ 

 

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Dr James Daley, Medical Director Pathology Services &nbsp;from the Redcross Blood Bank, had news on new eye drops developed from donated blood,&nbsp; AlloSED, with incredible results.</li>
<li>Bradley Brider, Australian Blind cricketer, is off to New Zealand with the South Australian team and friends to play and help the game thrive,</li>
<li>Erin Mortimer performed on the ABC's show "The Piano".&nbsp; Erin spoke about the story behind "Lullaby for the Old Man" about Erin's dad, Canterbury Bulldogs&nbsp; and State of Origen Champion Steve Mortimer, and the very public and personal challenges the family is experiencing living with Steve being diagnosed with dementia, and the research going on with head injuries,</li>
<li>Phil Vandeepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, shared Phil's experience of telephone assisted voting at last weekend's state election, and Phil reflected on the election results,</li>
</ul>
<hr>
AlloSED Information: <a href="https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/australian-blood-donors-deliver-new-hope-those-battling-debilitating">https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/media-centre/media-releases/australian-blood-donors-deliver-new-hope-those-battling-debilitating</a>&nbsp;
Sports Brain Bank: <a href="https://www.brainbank.org.au/">https://www.brainbank.org.au/</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

25 Mar 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/6422e9df-1df8-4377-9bb4-b4180042a1a8/transcript

18 Dec 2024

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