White Cane Day 2021 recap: Sponsored by Uber.

Published Oct 26, 2021, 2:26 AM

On October 15, 2021, Vision Australia Radio aired a 2 hour broadcast to celebrate White Cane Day. Here is the broadcast in podcast form. You can learn more about the broadcast by reading our article here.

White Cane Day on Vision Australia Radio, proudly sponsored by Uber. Uber's aim is to provide reliable transport to everyone to go anywhere. Download the Uber app today today.

Welcome to the Vision Australia Radio 2021 White Cane Day special broadcast. Across the next two hours, you'll hear incredible musical performances, interviews and more. In celebration of White Cane Day, a mission of white cane days to educate the world about the importance of mobility aids and to celebrate the successes achieved by blind and low vision people in the sighted world. For more information and special content for White Cane Day, head to our website WW Dot Vai Radio dot org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter, where you'll find a range of podcast highlights centred around White Cane Day. That's Facebook.com Slash V, a radio network and Twitter dot com slash v a radio network. Coming up, you'll be hearing from a range of talented folk, including a Vision Australia orientation and mobility specialist, and her client musicians, a television presenter, a gold medal winning Paralympic triathlete, a representative from our broadcast sponsor Uber, and a range of guests from blind and low vision organisations who are celebrating this special day with events. In 2020, Vision Australia Radio joined with Platinum Creative to host a three hour concert featuring local and international blind and low vision musicians. This year, the event has returned as an online virtual concert that you can watch at a time and place that suits you. Perhaps you'll watch it after this broadcast, or maybe it's one to enjoy as you settle in for the night regardless. All you need to do is visit WW Dot White Stick Fest dot org to watch the entire concert on demand to tell us more about hashtag white stick fest talking vision presenter Sam Colley with the event organiser

White Cane Day on Vision Australia Radio, proudly sponsored by Uber.

If you like music or you just like to be entertained, our next guest has been working hard behind the scenes to put together something exciting to celebrate. White Cane Day It's White Stick Fest and to tell us more about White Stick Fest, we have Duncan Stewart with us from Platinum Creative. Duncan, thanks so much for being here today. Welcome to the program.

Hi, Sam. Thanks so much for having me on the program.

Firstly, Duncan, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your involvement with platinum creative?

My background, actually, I've been involved in business and corporate organisations for 25 years, and back in 2015 I was sort of at a crossroads. I thought I had a passion for music. I am a pianist myself and I listen to music and played music since about the age of six. So music has always been a big passion of mine. In 2015, I went back to uni due to a degree in entertainment management, and I wanted to use my skills and experience to help other people in the music industry because it's it's tough enough to try and break in the music industry and get your music out there. That's how it started. I have lived experience. I was actually born blind with about half about a dozen eye operations by the time I was a teenager. Thankfully, I have some sight now, so I'm legally blind. But I saw that there were lots of artists sat there with disabilities that may perhaps find it more difficult than others to find their way in the music industry and as a natural progression. I started working with a couple of artists that had visual impairment and basically progressed from there, whereby the creative we look after artists, we do publicity, but we have a focus on those with a disability because I obviously have a natural connection with them and feel that I can actually help and make a difference.

Can you tell us a little bit more about White Stick Fest? What's the event all about?

So why Stick Fest? It was a natural progression from an event we held last year, which was we did a in conjunction with Vision Australia radio. We did a broadcast with music artists who were low vision and blind from actually from around the world, and we had some sighted artists as well. I thought it was a good idea to perhaps take that a big what bit wider and see what what we could actually do with it in terms of taking it to a bigger audience, wider audience, national and international audience. Obviously, our focus there is people with low vision and who are blind, but the audience out there want to see what these amazing artists can do. So by taking it from just an audio experience across to a video now. VIDEO experience, which is what white stick rest is all about. It's a video to our two and a half hour concert that we will be broadcasting from. Well, stick. First of all, it will show. The abilities of people with a with a low vision and that are blind. They're amazing voices, their amazing talent on instruments and take that to an international audience that then will allow them to be be front and center and to be to be seen how how good they are and across the world. So that's where it's naturally progressed to.

In your work with platinum creative and the involvement that you have had with musicians who are blind or have low vision. Do you believe they have been fairly represented in the media and the entertainment industry so far?

Look, a hard question. Yeah. Look, I look, I think at the end of the day, people with a disability aren't really represented well across most industries at the end of the day. It's improving, of course, as they. And I'll just digress. I work part time with another organization called AFTO, which represents people with disabilities across Australia, and our organization has people with disabilities at a staff and a board level quite considerably to the to the 80 per cent mark. And that, I think is important in that that kind of reflection, if that can be not only reflected across music and entertainment industries, but also the wider industry. So I think it's a good move in the long term. So of course, I'd like to see it improve. There are obviously organisations out there in in music and entertainment like Texas, Australia that has the same kind of philosophy and that it has people with a disability as part of its board and as part of its its staff, and it's one of their focuses as well. But to have that scenario across the mainstream media and organisations in music would be, would be would be great going forward.

Duncan, what else would you like to see change in the entertainment industry that you believe are blind and low vision musicians would benefit most from?

Well, I think I think they they have a lot of skills and experience that they can bring that they can bring to the industry. They're no different to anyone else, but they have this ability to be able to connect with others. Certainly with the artists that I work with, they have a natural connection with people. They're able to tell a story, they're able to bring their skills and experience to a performance. So for them to be able to be shown in mainstream media and across across TV and radio and other other mediums across the world, I think that's I think that's what we're trying to achieve.

Now, people may have heard last year's White Cane Day concert that we were referencing just a bit earlier, but how does White Stick Fest differ from that? What else can you tell the listeners about? Well, I

think the way it's different is that it? You get, as I said, both a visual and a an experience from an audio perspective, but it's going throughout the world. We are lucky that we are having some partners on board, not only Vision Australia but other other people across in America that will be helping us promote the event not only obviously as a local Australian event, but as an international event, as as can be seen, obviously by the the the list of people we have involved, which I'll digress to later. But I think it's it's great that we can get this out there, that there's nothing there's been nothing like this in that I know that's going to air certainly in Australia. And I mean, at the end of the day, I'd like to see it. We had obviously during lockdown, it's been really tough to Typekit to go out and do gigs and to be able to have this stuff online is great because then you get to see the the the artists get the opportunity to to be able to sing to an audience that they thought they can't do now because they obviously can't do any gigs. But in India last year we had music from the home front, which was put together. And obviously this has the same opportunity down the track to to to reach a similar audience. So we hope that it grows and grows. So I guess this is the first time we've gone to a video concert, so let's see where that goes.

What sort of apps can people look forward to if they tune in to the White Stick Fest concert? Sure.

Well, we have got artists from Australia and we have also have artists from around the world. So as part of the artists in Australia, we have five low vision and blind artists. We have Rachel your who you may know from the boys. Back in 2012, we have gallery Ned Kelly, who is on the 2017 series, got kind of wink from Newcastle. We have Sydney who's also is up in North Queensland, and Kirsten Busby, who is also from Newcastle. As part of that, we also have some sort of artists in Australia, including The Wiggles, Tate Sheridan and Rick Price. And then, of course, we've got an international cast who is? Actually, really rather amazing, headlined by the ex ambassadors, we have Magic Giant, we have Dion Sher, Kendra Begley and many others, so we've got a cast of Roundabout at the moment, around about twenty nine. So it's going to be a fool to link to two hour length concert, if not a few minutes more.

What is the best way for our listeners to tune in to the virtual concert if they're listening to this and thinking, Oh wow, that sounds amazing. What time should they put in the calendar to make sure they don't miss a moment?

So it goes lions? Yep. At midday, 12:00 noon in Australia, they have to go to W W W What Stick Fest dot org so they can tune in there. It will be at the very top of their website. The website is accessible, friendly and it will allow you to listen to the concert in whole life. Basically, you will just need to click on the link there that says that it's the concert and I can start watching it. Slash listening to it straight away.

Wonderful. Now finally, Duncan, what more can listeners find if they go to WW Dot White Stick Fest dot org? What else can they find out about? What Stick Fest?

So we've got lots of information up there at the moment. We actually we've been in the last few days or the last few weeks, actually each day releasing a new artist that is being confirmed as part of the lineup. We have a blog that runs there and they can click on the blog and look at the blog within the News tab that is also being set out through our social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And people are more than welcome to follow us on those three platforms as well. Make comments and follow us see who's been being who, who is new for the day? And then, of course, into next month, we will have some, some highlights and things like that. We may even have a couple of little videos and promotions from a couple of our artists that are in the wind. Certainly, it would be great to have everyone involved follow our socials, make sure that you're logged into our website and you can see changes as they happen.

Duncan Stewart of Platinum Creative, their organiser of this year's White Stick Fest. Duncan, thanks so much for your time today.

Thank you so much for having me. It's a wonderful event and look forward to seeing you all.

Thanks, Sam, and thank you, Duncan. Remember, you can catch Talking Vision Wednesdays 3:30pm in Perth and across Victoria, whilst Adelaide listeners can tune in 8pm on Saturdays. And speaking of Adelaide, we head there now to hear from presenter Peter Greco, who is this month celebrating 30 years as a volunteer, having joined the five RPA team back in 1991. He speaks to gold medal winning Paralympic triathlete Katie Kelly, who recently returned from Tokyo after another stellar performance at the 2020 Paralympic Games. Katie is one of Australia's most distinguished para triathletes, just weeks after she was declared legally blind. Katie made her international debut in Paratriathlon at the 2015 International Triathlon Union World Paratriathlon event on the Sunshine Coast and went on to winning gold in Rio 2016. Here she is now with Peter.

Katie Kelly is back from the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Katie, in Rio in 2016, won the first Olympic triathlon and it's right to welcome Katie back to the program. Katie, great to catch up with you again.

Hi Peter. It's great to chat.

You won gold in Rio. You're backed up in Tokyo. How are you feeling? Yeah, I'm feeling

quite relieved and happy. It was quite a challenge to get to Tokyo is, you know, five year campaign was massive for me and I was ready to finish up. You know, after Tokyo on a four year campaign. So I guess there was a lot of gratitude that our team got it done. We made it to Tokyo. You know, we were really in a good place, competitive. We ended up winning six and I was hoping for a podium. But the great thing was the talent that's coming through in the younger girls just really have stepped up another level. So overall, I'm really happy and grateful to my team and just had a fantastic time being part of the Australian Paralympic team. Such an honor to be back there. My second Paralympic something I never imagined.

Claudia, you won gold in Rio, where you're in the perfect position to compare the two in terms of, I guess, the atmosphere, the the whole sort of the kit and caboodle. A lot was made. The fact that, you know, Tokyo, there's going to be no crowds, no international visitors. What about comparing the two just as a games, if you like?

I like to look at it that every, every Olympic Games, Paralympic Games is unique and it's a stand alone on its own. You know, it's a different country, different set of circumstances. Obviously, the pandemic and cove is very unique. You know, I did hear some former athletes, they are just not going to be the same games experience. I was very mindful of not comparing it to Rio or just acknowledging that it is Tokyo 2020 and it was being held in the most extraordinary circumstances and it was fantastic like the atmosphere. Here in our Australian Billy Shane Paralympic team did a great job in keeping us all connected. We had some sort of virtual Zoom calls every morning with special guests coming on like per family or Brad Fittler and Cathy Freeman and then the organisation of the Games. And, you know, no crowds. It would have really impacted some of those sports that are used to those full stadiums, I guess for triathletes where you could see that a crowd spread across, but it was still people who are out there on the street, and we saw that in the marathon and the paratriathlon. You know, Rio had a lot of colour and being hosted in Brazil, you can imagine it was very different to the Japanese Paralympic Games, but I loved it. It was just such a thrill to be over there, to wear the green and gold and to be mingling and seeing all the international athletes from all around the world. I think we all knew we were part of something pretty special. In many ways, I go away with as many great memories, albeit less a bit of bling, but otherwise very happy athletes.

We've still got the first Paralympic Triathlon Gold Medal ever presented today. So down to Earth to take that away from you. You mentioned that five years later, you do have Usher syndrome. What about in terms of your sort in the hearing? Have that deteriorated to that five years?

Yeah. I mean, you and I, I've spoken a couple of times over that period and Usher syndrome did degenerative condition, so it's a slow deterioration, quite steady. I wouldn't know if it's consistent, but certainly, you know, I once was somebody with mild to moderate hearing loss, and now I'm severe to profound. Once was not legally blind and now I am, and I have less than 10 degrees vision. Five years ago, I didn't need to use a cane and I could still run around the park in the neighborhood by myself. But that's not possible anymore. I really need to stick to almost an oval or on the treadmill. So there's lots of those sorts of things that people who have degenerative eye conditions know that slowly circumstances change and your mobility and access changes as well.

Now we're international White Cane Day, October 15th. Obviously, a very, very important day. What about when you go to a place like Turkey, the first time in terms of, I guess, retiring yourself feeling comfortable with your surrounds? How do you go about doing that?

Yeah, and it's a good question. I guess in the past, I kind of manage Britain more so these days. I just don't have that ability to go outside the village and sort of find my way to the next athlete village building. That, for example, has the washing machine. And, you know, I needed someone to take me. I like to use my cane. I certainly struggle to embrace it three or four years ago when I started to have training and I still tried to get by without it. But increasingly, people bumping into me and made it into a challenge. You know, now I feel it empowers me, gives me independence, and I'm not worried about perception of other people seeing someone with a cane. I know that sounds a bit silly or shallow, but I guess it was just accepting that's what I needed to do. And so, yeah, every time I travel to a new place, I absolutely need someone to sort of guide me around to get familiar. And that's just all part of it.

Is that kind of impact upon your preparation and just your mental state. The new surrounds, I mean, I know I personally find that loud noise can be quite disorientating. Things like that take a bit of adjusting to, well, okay.

So but it's the reality of how we need to manage and prepare our triathletes, the scope of our writing so versatile and dynamic in the sense of swimming in water, which could be open water, it could be ocean, it could be a harbour, it could be a lake and then getting out of that water and running through that transition. Tokyo is about 500 meters. That's 300 meter run, and it was up and down this hard blue carpet and finding your feet and so on on that. So there's lots of little nuances that we need to do is vision impaired athletes to prepare ourselves for a race like that where it's not just the strike, you know, like a 100 metre sprint or the guys in the swimming pool is a bit more of a controlled environment, and life would be like that for our marathon runners. And so we try and spend as much time we can getting familiar with the course, but the time allocated is limited. I don't see that any more challenging than it would be for my fellow competitors. We're all in the same boat. It's just about managing it as best you can and getting all the information you need before the race and looking at the course maps and all that sort of thing.

I mean this respectfully, but it's that kind of almost part of the fun of it that it's not 100 metre track or a 50 metre pole, and you kind of know where everything starts and stops, you know, during the triathlon, it's kind of, you know, not much more. What's the word

fluid? Absolutely. I think that's why triathletes do what they do. They love the variety and, you know, the adrenaline of getting out of the water and running and getting on your bike. And the process involved with that on a tandem with two people trying to get their feet into the cycle, shoes that are clipped onto the bike and mount onto that bike and get your left foot in and tighten in your right foot, caught in your left foot and then get off that pole, I think. Grab each other and run not is so much going on in that race. Yeah. And then I guess in a training environment, you know, the beauty of triathlon is you're swimming at one swim venue, you ride any kind of course, any given day and you run around a track or do an open sort of run around the Iran part of the Gold Coast where I live. I admire the swimmers and what they do is pretty challenging being up and down a black line all day, but you feel like anything is what you get used to, isn't it?

What about as far as the trust in your guide? And I guess that they trust in you because I guess it's a two way street.

It is. You know, I had a wife, probably about six guys over this five years, and they've all been amazing and very generous in their time committed. And the partnership you develop with your guidance takes hours of training and you need that with triathlon. We do about 20 25 hours a week and then you try and do all your tandem ride with your guide and the occasional sort of run. The communication is something you work on through critical sessions where you talking about how are they going to communicate? You make meteorite less passing and then charge around while actually breathing, maintain good form and on the tandem of get out of the saddle back in the saddle attack. So the words are very concise, and we would talk about that because I don't wear my hearing aids in a race, so I need to make sure that it's very clear and it's not ambiguous what's been said. But yeah, the language and the partnership of God is absolutely paramount to getting the best performers.

So when you're on to your fifth or sixth guide, are you training them more than what have been the case with the first or second? Have you learnt a lot along the way that you can sort of almost carry that intellectual property along with you?

Yeah. And we always say that many guys, I guess. There were two main guys for the Rio and Tokyo campaign and the other guys were supporting in that campaign. I guess I spent a lot more time with two of those guys. Yeah, I mean, each time you wish someone, you kind of got to go through that process again. So it is an investment on your part and you need to be patient with that versus somebody learning to ride on a tandem for the first time or getting to know you. And but it's good to have, you know, a pool of people that you can rely on to help support you and Gerry Goffin up here in Brisbane. He's got a number of guides and, you know, I think that's the way to go for any vision impaired person to be able to call on a number of people or at any one time so that you don't always have to go through that process of educating somebody to be able to help you with your sport, for example.

So Katie, what might you do now? Have a bit of a rest, which I think we can all understand. Have you got some plans in the sort of short term and then more medium to long term?

Absolutely. I guess I'm always one to setting goals for one goal has ended, so I'm talking to a company at the moment. Looks like I might be working with them in the diversity inclusion space, which I'm really excited for. That's something I'm passionate about and a number of very strategic Queensland non-profit organisations that are invested in the disability sport sector, as well as innovation and technology to improve access for people with disabilities and in a lot of investment going on. And companies are kind of working out what their strategy is going to be for the next eight years towards 2032. So I'm really excited about living in south east Queensland. I feel like I'm in a good position to capitalize on my own life experience and my having worked in professional marketing roles for Paratriathlon and then having the Paralympic experience. Yeah, it's just really happy on this boat that my hard training days are behind me and I get to sort of do that off the paddock, so to speak, and to advocate and improve the dialogue and the language and the opportunities for all Australians with disabilities. The thing that

I've been impressed with over the last year or so that was spike is the way you've accepted the fact that the pandemic was here and the guys are going to be different. And the way you spoken about different people that you've met over the years, I wonder whether a calling in the diplomatic corps might be for you. I'm thinking maybe you could be helping Australia as far as mending our ties with the French or fixing things up with the Chinese because he speaks out eloquently. That sort of thing might. You won't be called upon

that to kind Peter. I feel I've got a lot of a lot of work and upskilling to do, and I'm looking forward to doing hoping to get into this course in my embrace. You know, I look at people like that per family and, you know, do any guitar and any Williams Paralympians around me, former Paralympians and what they do. And I think there's a real strong sense of all of us that we've had this opportunity to be part of the Australian Paralympic team and we're part of a movement. And it's a it's a responsibility for all of us to go out within our own communities and use our own platforms in different ways to improve lives and do indeed by personally call out. For all Australians to get vaccinated, to protect the vulnerable, to protect people with disabilities, and I think that's what it's all about, we could say it and I would say it. We're very privileged to have had this amazing opportunity. We've had the best support possible and we really need to do that in a way to continually grow and empower people with disability and people with vision impairment to to be able to work and be part of our economy and contributing in a positive way. And that's not because I don't want to. It's more about organisations being flexible and looking at their roles and how they can make them more inclusive.

I think it's a Paralympian, Katie Kelly Alam. Your record stands amongst all those that you've mentioned today. Certainly cut family down to two wonderful athletes in their own right, and you certainly are. Thank you for spending some time with us. We wish you well, and I'm sure we'll catch up. Maybe soon I talk about past triathlons. I'm sure there's plenty more that we can chat about, so I look forward to keeping in touch.

Thank you and wishing everyone well to great day to commemorate our wonderful community and I guess the contributions that we all make. We've all got that opportunity in our own lives and particularly what you do, Peter. I really appreciate it. You too

on. Thank God, you take care. Thank you. Katie Kelly, our AM Paralympic gold medallist from the triathlon in Rio and also competing very competitively at Tokyo.

White Cane Day on Vision Australia Radio, proudly sponsored by Uber. Uber's aim is to provide reliable transport to everyone to go anywhere. Download the Uber app today. Today. Thanks for joining us for our special Wine Cane Day broadcast. Soon, we'll meet another wide stick fest performer, Connor Wink. Now we hear from Mr. Tom Sullivan, described by Vision Australia Radio Studio one host Matthew Leighton as an American icon. As a byproduct of writing, starring in composing music for and even directing TV shows like Highway to Heaven, he became a familiar face on American television. In this interview, Matthew and Tom relived some of these special TV moments and what his appearances on primetime TV did to better represent the blind community.

Tom Sullivan is an American icon, a composer, a singer, an actor, a writer, and as a result of all these extraordinary talents, he began to become a regular face on American chat shows when they were really big thing back in the 70s and 80s. He's kind of like an American, Peter Ustinov, a raconteur, as part of his skill set. And while researching this interview, I found an interview with him and the king of all interviewers, Johnny Carson. So, Tom, first of all, I'd like to apologize. This is not going to be as good as when you were interviewed by Johnny Carson.

Oh, I don't know. I'm not that mad. I'll tell you that when I did, all I did. Jesus, 65, shows with Johnny in all 65. I never had the fun of talking to him off camera the way we did before we came to air here. Johnny was the shyest human being that I've ever known. And what was fascinating about him was when you do the show, the reason I was a constant guest was because what mattered to him was that you could tell a story and he could react to it rather than interviewing you. He really would just simply set up situations which would allow him to be reactive. And that's an interesting reversal on comedy. Most comics, you know, are forward. They step out. You'd see Johnny and his funny would come from what you fed him. He was a brilliant person,

but he was a shame in a way, isn't it? Because I think today the American style of interviewing is based on where people are forced. They make a list of the anecdotes that will be told before they die name rather than

I actually open. Yeah, I actually got to a point. There was a time when I sort of was, I don't know, significant enough in the states to to tell them I wouldn't do pre-interview and again, at least for a while. I got away with it because it ruins the spontaneity. Plus, you're talking to a talent coordinator, not to the person. You know, you can dry up just by that nature,

you know, I know it seems considering all the other things you've done to be, well, perhaps slightly shallow for me to be obsessed with your television work at the moment. But what you actually did there 65 times was normalize or indeed kind of improve the idea of what a blind person is in mad.

I can't. I can't. I'm interrupting you because you. That touches me deeply that if if you said to me, what has your life been most significant about or Ian, I tell you that in my own way. I think in the states and somewhat globally, I was lucky enough to be kind of the guy that changed the view of disability. And so if you said, how do you see yourself, Tom, I would say, you know, I was a singer and actor and author, a humanitarian, most importantly, a husband and father, athlete and blindness would be down the line. So when I die on the gravestone, I want him to say, here lies Tom Sullivan, and all those things would be listed. And then, by the way, he happened to be blind. But and we're getting there, Matt, around the world, we're getting there. It's it's improving. Well, we have

a kind of a motto or a leitmotif that runs through what we do on this show. And the way I put myself is, as you've just said, actually, no one is a father, an obedient husband and, you know, a loving son. And then number two is I'm a radio presenter. Number three is I'm in London and number four is you will not find me four o'clock on a Saturday, Saturday or Sunday morning because I'll be watching the Formula One. Then maybe when we get another

five,

maybe we get to number five. We can talk. Once we know each other a little better, we can talk about the ice, I think. But yeah, but ultimately, let me drive.

I can't. They don't let me drive Formula One, but I appreciate it.

But it is important and I don't please older, although it's a byproduct of what you've achieved. But what it did was, yeah, demystify is that is that the right words? Mystify the idea of disability, and again, it's something we say on the show. You know, this type of stuff happens to normal human beings.

Yeah, in all countries, worst thing that we do as a species without question, the worst thing we do and the most limiting thing we do. Matt, my new friend, is that we create a system of labels that allows us to live inside those labels. It also makes it convenient for us to categorize. So I'll give you an example I was working for years for Good Morning America, our Good Morning talk show, and they sent me to interview Bo Derek when they did the movie. 10 around the water cooler. The guys, the crew were saying, Geez, what are we doing? You know, she's a perfect 10 were sent on a blind date interview. What a stupid thing that is. So I thought, Okay, I've got to do something to change this. So when I camera roll, the first thing I said to her was Bo. They tell me, You're a perfect physical 10. I can't look at you. So why the hell should I like you? And she started to cry and said, That's the problem, isn't it? Because I've got a nice but and I look good in a bathing suit running along Bondi Beach? Maybe they don't know that I have a husband that I love, that I'm into saving animals, that I am very environmentally connected, but I own a ranch and try to do as much as I can for the immediate environment. So it was quite a it turned out to be a really wonderful moment, but it's because we live inside labels. So I'm not just the blind guy, right? I'd hate to think that that's the only way I've been thought of in the same sense, in the same sense, I've made a damn fortune being blind. So I don't know how to frame it for, you

know, fine. I make a modest wage out of being severely sight impaired. So so I know how you feel. But yes, I'm all of those other things first. So I understand. Growing up in the United Kingdom, American television was what I thought was cool as a kid, and I'm one of the programs I became obsessed with was Highway to Heaven. And oh, Michael Landon, who he was an angel on Earth, wasn't he? And boy, did he have the hair to match? I don't know if you ever go so many clues that we do know that you say, and this is somebody who occasionally writes a script. This is where you got to write. Does the really hard bit, isn't it?

Yeah. Matt, let me just say first before I tell you about the cycle of it. Michael Landon had more influence on me than any other producer, actor, director because he basically came to work every morning with one goal make the world a better place. And while you do it, have a hell of a good time doing it. Every television series I did and I did over whatever the hell it was, 90 episodes, the things I had to write them all because the only way that I'd get the job, nobody wanted to hire a blind guy. But if I wrote the script, I could hold the line and get the job. But Landon was altogether different land and wanted me to be great. He wanted it. He wanted he even I even he even had me direct, which was the most bizarre thing to have a blind guy directing. But I directed a number of episodes because he'd get me the best camera people in the world, and he would say, OK, Tom, you're the best listener. I know. And that's what I want from you in these scenes. And so he would leave the set. You just go. You wouldn't be there. He let me write a ton of music for both Little House on the prairie and highway. I was going to change my whole career because of Michael. He came to me at the end of highway and said, Would you be interested in being my partner? And then God took him and we lost him with cancer. But I loved him. A special, special special person.

It is the summer of 2021. Parts of your career that gets lost because of the sheer volume of stuff you've done since is your career as an athlete.

Well, first of all, sports and music and academics were my ticket out of darkness, right? And that's how I got there. And so I do anything I got involved in or I got involved in musical talent. I got involved academically because I loved learning, but athletically I got involved because I had enough anger inside, but also enough need to need to be good at it. I try everything in any sport that was obviously the one that I that you know about. It is I'm in the wrestling Hall of Fame and that's because of whatever it was hundred and thirty seven matches that I won and a lot of national championships and stuff. And then I got so in love with fitness that became the running in the marathons and the triathlons that I'm still doing now, although at 70. Or it's a little different. They actually started to. I started to train for the marathon and I went to the track to do intervals. And I and when I was 40, I used to do 400 meters, 400 intervals, 90 second 400s. And you do them repetition. So you run one and then you'd walk half a lap and run and I do 10 of them for speed work. So I went down to the track to do it again. This is about four months ago and I was with my friend and he said, OK, I've got the watch. Let's go. And I could feel the wind in my face and I'm thinking, Jeez, I'm flyin. Well, when the clock glided past two minutes, I thought,

No, you're not.

But the world had changed. You know, and I'm trying to accept age gracefully, although I'm going to play next month in the United States Blind Golf Championships. There were about 60 players, most of them, all of them actually had been sighted golfers who through accident or whatever lost their sight. I'm going to play in it and I love this game, and I did a TV special with Jack Nicklaus one time and we played nine holes together and the first five holes I played, I played as well as I was capable of. I had three pars and two bogeys and I'm thinking, Tom, you are rolling. Well, the world fell off on the sixth hole and I had a nine and then I had an eight. We get to the ninth hole and I said, Mr. Nicklaus Jack, I said, Do you have any thoughts about my golf swing? And honest to God, Matt, he looked straight at me, deadpan and said, Tom, the best thing I can say about your golf swing is that you'll never have to see it, but which was the absolute best summation of my golf right there.

Well, I'm sorry to end on such a serious note, but Mr Mr. Mr. Tom Sullivan, I cannot thank you enough for being so generous with your time and and your attention. I really, really, really appreciate it. Thank you very much for coming on board.

I've loved it, man.

And please, when your book is out, will there be an audiobook version? Oh yes.

And you know, it just so you know that quickly all of my books about, well, I think 13 of them are on audio for folks if they want them.

Excellent. Excellent. It's my favorite way to consume them. I have to say we do. We'd love to. I will meet you. I'm going to do. The proper thing is, I'm not going to be like those so-called greats of talk shows. I get my talent coordinator to read the book. I'm going to listen to it if you come back. Thank you. That can't thank you enough.

Matthew Leighton there with Mr. Tom Sullivan. Learn more about our Studio one program by heading to V. Radio dot org, where you'll find two years worth of podcasts and some incredible guests. The now is a musical performance from Conor Inc, a track called Magic Place on Vision Australia Radio White Cane Day 2021.

Hello everyone. My name is Conor Wink. I'm 22 years old. I'm a singer songwriter from Newcastle and I have Labor's congenital Amrozi's. Today, I'll be singing one of my original songs and this one is called Magic Place. Have you enjoy? It's like a film that's never seen a scripted moments. And everything seems real to me. Without a director, the scenes of this, while this can be. When I come here. That's how I like it to be. He's like a broken clock, there is no time. Stories with a beginning or new. So when I wake up, everything disappears. When I can't.

When I fall back asleep once again.

This house, a good night. Drifting deeper into slumber. She's alive with color. Fenton, even for. Going to magically. Created from within right before a brand new day, wash your worries away. A bird, I can see

everything from a bird.

Freedom to adventure with the wind ready to take off and come back down when I need.

Yes, and even I know what I am going to see.

Drifting deeper into slumber.

She's a lovely cook. Vegetarian for. Going to magically. Created from within. Ready for a new day. He was. Worries. Let's ask. For the real world. For a while.

Waking up. Up in the morning

with a smile.

Let's have a good night. Drifting deeper into slumber chiseler we've got. The head of engineering for

going to magically. Created from within. Before I bring you to.

Hey, you wash your worries away. He.

Who? On Vision Australia Radio, you're listening to our White Cane Day special, sponsored by Uber, celebrating the achievements of Australia's blind and low vision community. That was Connor Wink with his track Magic Place. A young man who's been keeping himself very busy during lockdown by entertaining his neighbours with driveway concerts, at least until he can get back to his usual gigs to tell us more. Connor speaks to Peter Greco.

What's been a little while since we caught up with Kahnawake, who of course, is a very talented artist? The pandemic has had a pretty bad effect on their artists. Let's find out how Connor's been dealing with it. Connor, hello. How's it going? Pretty good. Thanks. Well, as good as I can be with this second lockdown. Yeah, cause you're in Sydney for those Monday where on New South Newcastle? Well, yeah. So you've obviously been pretty badly affected over the last, what, 12 weeks or maybe longer? I've lost count. That's a good answer. Was the response to you a while ago and you and I were not there, just put out a tremendous version of that song by Ed Sheeran, and that was very, very popular. But I guess as far as, like performances go, that's will be people like. Yes, it has been over the past. Goodness knows how long it's been for. So in order to combat that, I've been putting on concerts in my driveway every Sunday. How did you come up with that idea? It was both mum and I's idea because we wanted to know get out of the house in lockdown. So we thought might as well put on the driveway concert so I can get out of the house and all the neighbours can enjoy music because they probably got nothing to do like, well, they probably do, but they probably don't have the opportunity to be entertained live. How challenging technically is it to do something like that? Because I think we'll come to this in a second, but I think you've also put some of your stuff up on YouTube, haven't you? Well, it's just like a normal gig, like setting up the P.A. and plugging everything in is just using the power outside. And mum was trying to do the livestream and testing out my new tripod that the neighbours got me and my phone was doing some weird stuff, so that kind of didn't work out. Other than that's not too difficult, really. So what about what you chose to perform? How did you go about choosing what to do with to choose to perform? Well, I treat it like a normal gig. I usually never have a setlist. I just wing it. Really? Yeah, you're comfortable doing it that way. Yeah, I've always been like, that is a basically a lucky dip for me. So but seriously, you don't sort of think this song is coming to my head. I'll do this one now and actually do it. You must have some kind of rough idea when songs do come to me. When I'm performing a song, a song does come to me. Yes, but sometimes I will have a mental blank and be like, Oh, what do I do now? So that's probably one of the downsides of not having a setlist. So obviously you rehearse or you, you know, the songs that you're going to do, so you don't do anything unrehearsed. Yeah, I'll have a rough idea is just what order? But one thing that keeps me kind of organized is I do a slow song and then a fast song and just repeat the cycle. That's probably a good way to make sure that everyone is happy. Most of the time, yeah. Well, I think what works? What about the the accompaniment then? Because obviously you do the singing. What else do you have as far as accompaniment goes? I just play my guitar as accompaniment. No sort of external accompaniment or no additional accompaniment. No, just me and my guitar. Yeah. Well, what's popular? The economy to do where requests or just a diverse from their a to call out do that one again? Or, you know. What about this song? Or I do get requested to do my original called Sunday Night a few times. And I guess, yeah, with social media, etc. Yeah. I mean, you probably got a few people that you know, are listening in at around around the neighbourhood. Yeah, there'd be a few like because we've had a group called Trend Street Tunes set up on Facebook Messenger. Also, my street can keep up with what's going on. What about performing like that compared to, you know, sort of a regulated situation where you might be in a hole or whatever on a conventional stage? Can you sort of sense the difference? Yes, a bit, because there's like less people and they're more further away from me because I spoke to other artists who are blind, have low vision, and you might not be able to see the audience. So they're at this particular convention sort of concert set up. But of course, you can feel their energy and you can feel their their presence got you, whereas I guess if you're outdoors, it's a lot, a lot different as well. Yeah. And your preference, I guess some tough times call for tough measures. You know, you've got to make the best of what you've got. So doing something like this is better than doing nothing. That's true. Now, of course, we got international, what came, guys? What about from your point of view, as far as orientation and mobility goes, what's what's your set up there? What do you use so overcame? Yes, I think it's one of the graphite ones. And well, I've always been using a cane since I was like preschool age, basically. And in terms of the technique that was there, I learned from a young age as well. I would like the technique to use to sort of scan the area ahead of you before you sort of footsteps there. Yeah, that was been developed over the years to, yeah, and you know, things like and navigating steps. Yeah, I've been navigating steps for a long time. So what I do is I put my cane on this like, hold it up vertically and then not sure how to describe it. So I like I put it on the step in front of me, like the edge. And so that's in front of me and goes up the step before I do or the step in front of me. I mean. So we kind of kind of contacting this step as you all going up and sort of putting the public kind of one step ahead of you? Yeah. And then what about going down stairs? Same thing to put the cane the tip on the step in front of me and just walk down them. But I still prefer to use a rail. Yeah. Well, I guess a bit of security isn't isn't a bad idea. I kind of got about as far as you know, obviously, it's been difficult to get out and about too much in the last few months, as you say, with lockdowns. But the leasebacks technology, your sort of other assistance as far as orientation and mobility, guys. I mean, there's a lot of apps around that can help as far as navigating goes to do until much, much that sort of stuff. I'm not using them yet, but I have downloaded a few for future use, like seeing I and IRA and all of that stuff. Chris has also got a media guide too, so I explain how the mini guidebooks so a God is a device that you hold in your hand and it vibrates when it senses something like in front of it and the the vibrations are slower. When things are further away and they get faster, the closer you get to them. So that's useful for like upper body scanning and stuff. When if McCain misses it, I can use it to scan like cars and walls and sometimes people. But sometimes the people kind of blend in with the wall a little bit. So that's kind of confusing. But what about, I guess, as far as the concentration goes, kind of because you've got this, you got your concentration on, you know, the area in front of you that you're kind of scanning, but then you've got your mini guide, assuming your other hand, to give you feedback as well. So sort of combining the concentration of both devices, how do you go about doing that? Well, when I started training, I went, okay, like, I think it was more because I was still focusing on the cane when I was training. So that was kind of had to get used to using both hands to use the the mini guide and the cane against the sensor. So the feedback that you're getting from the cane compared to the mini guide is is different, isn't it? So your sense, they're trying to combine the information that you're taking on border and also deal with it as far as what you do next with it? Yeah. What about as far as the future goes? I mean, I know you also got plans to slowly get out of lockdown. I guess it's going to be a pretty challenging time. You're telling about us. It's going to be a pretty challenging time to sort of get yourself reestablished as far as gigs and that sort of thing. I guess you kind of have prepared for that. Yeah, I've already got some gigs organized for when we come out of lockdown like a couch and bowling club and Adamstown Bowling Club. And so I've got a few regular places set up a format which are ready for entertainment when lockdown ends. So that's good. I tell you one thing that might happen. I reckon a lot with such pent up demand for people wanting to get out and about that there might be a lot of gigs on compared to quote unquote normal times that, as I say, there might be a lot of catching up to do so there could be a lot of demand for this. So hypothetically, hopefully so. And what about as far as anything recording wise or in that sort of area, anything that you're working on there? Yes, I've been working on like a covers EP, working on some cover songs with a guy named Luke Wheeldon. So that's been pretty fun stuff. We've been working on that for 10 months or something like that. Yeah, 10 months. Any idea of the release date, not a set date as of yet, because we're still working on refining stuff and whatnot. Are you a bit of a perfectionist, Connor? Well, it's kind of funny because I'm either a hardcore perfectionist or I'm quite. Easy to please, so if I know that something's right, I know straight away. OK. Let's begin. All right. So what we look for when it might come out. Follow you on Facebook or is there? Yes, I have a yes. I have a Facebook page called Wink. Singer. You can keep up to date with all my gigs and what's happening. And I've also got a YouTube channel just called a wink. I've got an app called Golden Coin, which is on Spotify, iTunes UK. Well, sounds like you've been pretty busy. Despite all the lockdowns and restrictions that have been on and well, like the rest of Australia, sounds like you're itching to get out there and perform again. Obviously, very important month coming up with International White Cane Day and well, it's like. Thanks for showing a little bit of your story with us again, and I'm sure it won't be too long before we speak again. Cool, you guys trying to wake.

White Cane Day on Vision Australia Radio, proudly sponsored by Uber. Uber's aim is to provide reliable transport to everyone to go anywhere. Download the Uber app today.

Today on Vision Australia radio, you're listening to our White Cane Day special. Still to come, we hear from a Vision Australia client who was at first reluctant to take on a white cane, but soon warmed to the idea. Right now, we speak to our broadcast partner, Uber, to learn why they are behind this year's broadcast and what they're doing to make the rider experience better for people who are blind or have low vision.

Rita, how the devil are you?

Oh, Matthew, I am very glad now that you've given me my brother full of love as requested. Thank you.

Yeah, I'd say that thing I'm reading in this high fashion meets classic elegance. That means you're wearing black, doesn't it?

Yes, black in odd lengths and chunky eyewear.

Very fashionable. So Uber have generously sponsored all of Vision Australia Radio's activities to mark International White Cane Day 2021. What was it that inspired you to do that? We're very grateful, Rita, but what was it that inspired you to do that? Yes.

So we're excited to be doing this. I'm not sure if you know Matthew, but one of our aims to do that is to provide reliable transport to everyone, no matter where they're going, no matter their age, their ability. And we thought that was a great fit for White Cane Day because from what we know is there is a clear and direct link between transport access and economic opportunities and social wellbeing that comes through the independence of travel. So obviously, when we heard that your mission is to educate the world on blindness and how people living with blindness and low vision can live and work in the lead while still getting back to the community, it just felt like a really great fit that really resonated with our mission and we wanted to be part of it.

Well, there are some that might say that there's an elephant in the room. Isn't that that perhaps Uber's relationships with the blind and low vision community haven't, shall we say, got to this? The dam kicked off the way both sides might have wanted a little clip here from a gentleman by the name of Mike May, who was on the show a couple of weeks ago. He is an accessibility nugget navigation technology pioneer, and we refer to him as the The Godfather accessible navigation. And this is what he had to say about Uber.

It's funny because you mentioned the Uber, and I think that's the best thing that's happened to us this century. If I had to pick a technology and say that it has changed my life, that would be it. And yet, when I'm on the Facebook groups for the ride share discussing Uber and Lyft, most of the conversation is around the frustration of not finding the Uber and getting rejected because you have a dog. And so I like to address those problems and see how to fix them.

So, yeah, he mentions the kerfuffle in the forums. There are a lot of people who make a lot of noise online about difficulties they've had, perhaps getting their guide dogs into an Uber. This is a problem you're aware of, isn't it?

It is. Look, it's not. It's not just the elephant in the room. We've taken a photo of it and we are really working on this because I mean, really, sadly, we do know that service animal refusal is an issue across society. The cafes happens, the businesses, and I would so love for rideshare to be an immune place to that. But it's not. We do know that service abuse will happen on our platform and at the moment, where with me really seriously to help reduce that, we have super serious policies already. So I'm not sure if anyone is aware of this, but if anyone does report a service refusal on our platform, that driver actually gets temporarily deactivated and they're not allowed back on the platform until they've done some more education. Of course, when they first joined and became a driver partner, this mandatory education at the start. But this is a bit of a refresher, and they can't get back on until they score 90 percent or higher on a test based on that education. And then if that driver partner were ever to receive a second service refusal compliance, then they're actually permanently deactivated from the platform. So we take it super seriously. It's one of the reasons we actually encourage folks to report because obviously that policy only works when we hear about it. You know, I've spoken to folks from the blind and vibration community, and it does make me really sad to hear that it happens so often that sometimes they don't bother recording it every time. So we certainly need that recording for our policies to work. But we have so many people working on this. Yeah, I can think of at least 10 names from different parts of the business that are volunteering time, effort, brains to address that. And actually, we've got a new program launching on Friday that will hopefully make this even better.

What are the details of that program? What are you? What are you aiming to do and how are you going about it?

We're actually launching not only Uber Australia first, but a process that Uber and we're calling it the service. Assistance programs. And essentially what we're doing, an initiative that invites rotted animals to voluntary opt in to a program that I some features that are hopefully designed to improve their experience on the platform and ultimately help us reduce service to people moving forward. So I must say that we do understand at the core of this is increase driver education, increase awareness of service animals and the legal obligation to provide support to anyone who has animals. But there are things that we can sort of do on the side to expedite that or at least make it better for right if you have this experience. So for folks who sign up through the services program, the first thing they're going to have is access to find support. We hear quite often that it is quite hard to report a service smile or, you know, our help center can be a little bit tricky to navigate if you're blind or have low vision. So what we're doing is giving participants an exclusive phone number only accessible to them. That essentially wraps the two agents to completely recognize that the caller has a service animal and then that person will be positioned to assist. So something that I've I've heard riders will do it, for instance, if they get in the car and perhaps the driver partner isn't aware that they thought they could give the phone number a call, put the phone on speaker and then someone from the official representative that the driver can remind them of the obligation.

Wow, that's that's quite powerful, actually, isn't it?

I really hope so. Yeah. Does that resonate with you?

It certainly does.

I mean, in a former life

of mine, I was actually an I.T. consultant, and one of the things that does dawn on me is that the service you provide anyway gives us a lot more access than we would have normally had. I'm just simply calling a taxi or having a taxi. You don't know who you're going to get. You don't have the drivers, whereas you've got this curb to curb service where it would be a lot easier to keep track of somebody. So this is where your service could and should be a lot different to other services around. That's the way I sort of see it anyway.

That actually led me to my second feature, so I should say we're launching with three features that be more refined. But that precisely is why we can do something called proactive service reviews and monitoring. So something that we will be able to do once you've registered for this program and our internal systems on the back end can tell that you have a service animal. Again, this is not something we published publicly that don't tell drivers before you request. It's just something we can do on our end. But that tag essentially allows us to monitor, and what we can do is if ever a rider who is listed as having a service animal through this program gets cancelled, cancelled on by a driver, we can actually proactively investigate that. And that should definitely help in terms of coverage. So we're not just relying on folks to report the refusal. Of course we still can, but we can act on our own. It'll be an agent investigating it. So we'll certainly look if it was a genuine cancellation or a instance of service refusal, and it takes the onus off

the rider, I think.

Thank you, Matthew, and thank you to Vision Australia radio sponsor Uber. Our sponsors and our donors help keep our essential service on air so we can keep being a support to Aussies living with a print disability. Learn more at WW. Be a radio talk and now Sam Colley, speaking with vice president of Blind Citizens Australia Fiona Woods to talk about their biannual David Blight award to be presented tonight as part of White Cane Day.

Today I'm here with Vice President of Blind Citizens Australia Fiona Woods to talk about their biennial David Blight award to be presented as part with White Cane Day celebrations. Fiona, thanks very much for joining me today.

Thanks for having me. It's always great to talk to listeners.

Firstly, Fiona, could you tell our listeners a bit more about the David Blight award in particular, what it looks to highlight and celebrate?

Well, the 10 Plus Award celebrates the contribution of an Australian to the lives of blind vision impaired Australians all around the country. So it's a national award and it looks at someone who's made a considerable contribution over a period of time to our lives. The person doesn't have to be blonde or vision impaired, but they have to work predominantly in that area.

How long has anyone been running for?

The first one was presented in 1991, and it usually has been presented in conjunction with Citizens Australia's national conventions, which were always held once a year. And then I think in the early 2000s, they became every two years as part of

the highlight of the convention. If you like

where people would gather from all around the country, there'd be the presentation of the David Glass award and is usually a couple of other awards or certificates of appreciation to bonuses as Australian members who make contributions and probably more state or local, including national level. And now we also present the Diana Room Aspirations Award on behalf of the National Women's Branch presents that to a woman. An Australian woman has made a significant contribution to the vision impaired women. Yeah, so it's been presented since 1990.

David naturally played a crucial founding role as inaugural president of Blind Citizens Australia. So what more could you tell us about David and perhaps the story behind his association with the award?

Well, David, as you said, was the first president of France is in Australia. But possibly more importantly, he was very instrumental in forming the association in the first place with other founding people, his own so very instrumental in building the world blind union out of a couple of other organizations that existed at the time, and he's also been the president of the World Blind Union. I think he still has a life of advocacy nationally and internationally for blind and visually impaired people, and I felt that it would be appropriate to name an award in his honour, recognizing the ongoing contribution that he's made a very long time and we want to celebrate for years to come. So it goes to people who who, I guess, follow in his footsteps. David's, a man who lives in Melbourne, is actually a podcast about David's very interesting history called Blindness of No Barrier, and you can access that on the Blind Citizens Australia website, and you will be on other podcast mediums. It's very interesting. It goes for about eight hours and it goes into a lot of the history of that disability and advocacy and the way blind people were treated in Australia and just David's life and work. So it's very interesting.

Fiona, you have gone into a bit about who is eligible to be nominated for the David Blight award, but how does the process work?

Usually, calls for nominations is intent on Citizens Australia communications to all members, so any member is entitled to nominate someone. You know, we obviously like to get lots of nominations because they're often there are many people who you could say would be eligible to have made a big contribution. And then a subcommittee of Bon Citizens Australia's board meets considers the nominations and then makes a recommendation to the board, and the board proves that. So I see the process as a bit and then the award is presented on the night. But it's obviously a big secret until it's actually presented this year with obviously because we haven't been able to have a national convention. So that's why this year will be presented separately from national conventions. And in some ways it's it's really good to have a separate event so we can completely focus on the honour of the award,

who have been some previous winners of the award. I know then Vision Australia's own Marianne Diamond won it in 2013, but what are some other names people out there may be familiar with?

Probably quite a few of the people who have won this thing joined vitamin C was a long time with Vision Australia and many other things, obviously. Steven Joly ilgili June Prime Minister Michael Simpson And as I said, people always love the vision impaired, so people might know that Bob Pro-settler, who started the hearable service down in Tasmania, she's she's been a winner a long time ago. But Raymond Hanna and I guess most recently, Ron McCallum won in 2017, who I'm sure a lot of people will have heard of his very many contributions. And the most recent winner was Martin Stewart, who is another very well known advocate for the vision impaired people all over Australia.

Fiona, what can you tell us about the upcoming event in conjunction with White Cane Day celebrations around the country?

If the event's going to be held over Zoom so it doesn't matter what your rules are, you can attend on the same basis as everyone else around the country. It will be at 5:30. It's a very appropriate day, and it's always good to have a reason to celebrate what can do. So, yes, at 4:30 p.m. till 7:30 pm.

Fiona, thank you so much for your time today. It's a pleasure chatting with you.

Thanks in saying

Fiona Woods, vice president of Blind Citizens Australia, talking to us about all things. David Blight Award for 2021

White Cane Day on Vision Australia Radio, proudly sponsored by Uber. Uber's aim is to provide reliable transport to everyone to go anywhere. Download the Uber app today.

Amy Scott on Ready Sam Case a year max ambassadors.

Happy International White Cane Day. I don't know how I can, but he does

on, although someone is sitting right there somewhere. This one's called renegades.

Away with me. Lost souls are three. Around and running for. He. I think. Let me get. Only 19. Rebel media. Go food.

They have no.

Anger. This. Let me read. You know, I'll be here all the time. Steve. Town to make them town to make a big. Typekit, three. Yes, it is. I think. In fact, it is. Let me get.

Thank you. Thank you. Oh, no, please, please, please leave, users. Thank you guys so much and happy international weekend.

Joining us now a genuine, no holds barred all American rock star. It's the keyboard player and I think the backbone of international stars ex ambassadors is Casey Harris. Casey, how are you, sir?

And how, I suppose to follow that. I'm pretty sure it's not going to be a backbone. I'm sorry, you know, and sometimes I know I'm a little slouch, but I do my best.

No, that's no slouching that you do on stage. I have seen you and and you're not afraid to move, are you?

Well, you know, I've got to do something up there to entertain myself.

I'm a question for you. Obviously, it sounds like you're in the the secure bosom of your family. Where exactly are

you? I'm actually in Ithaca, New York, right now. I'm I'm actually in my childhood home. Me and my wife bought a couple of years ago. It was one of those things where I, you know what? I always dreamed of buying it. You know, we did. And then, of course, you know, the band stuff kept on happening, so we were hardly able to spend any time here. But then, of course, everyone was suddenly on quarantine lockdown and L.A. was getting kind of scary. Honestly, at one point, the rate was through the roof and there's wildfires. So me and my wife packed up, you know, packed up our kid and our dog, and as much as we could transport and moved over here for the rest of the year. And it's really been it's been a godsend, man. It's really been kind of put me back in touch with why I love this place. You know, it's it's a small town. So there's sometimes there's a lot of things you miss from the big city. But man, there's this this sense of peace. Even when it's cold and there's three feet of snow on the ground, there is just this beauty about it. It's just it's hard to beat. And so I've been pretty happy here. Yeah, I love your work.

Features images of your child, doesn't it? And you work with your your brother. Of course.

We obviously we fought like demons when we were kids, and I think we probably got a lot of that out of our system that way. And then Williams like starting in high school when I was in the end of high school and he was in the first year of high school and we started really playing music together that really sort of I kind of brought us back together. And then, of course, you know, we formed a band and then the plan was to move to New York City. And since we knew the band there, so we've been like, we've been basically living together as roommates for four years up until about what, five years ago now. So we finally each got our own place. We were we were roommates for like nine plus years. So yeah, we, you know, we've learned to put up with each other. Yeah, it's it's really it's pretty amazing, honestly, especially when I take a step back and, you know, take a second to think about it. And just like how much we've gone through together and how, you know, obviously we've had our ups and downs and we know how to drive each other crazy. But really, like, you know, he's my main dude and, you know, we'd do anything for each other, I think at this point.

Well, you have to be more flexible than anybody else, don't you, really? So in many ways, you're living the dream, but I should imagine it's harder for you than it is for other people. It very takes even more energy to be able to orientate yourself in in new towns and deal with all that nonsense, basically.

I mean, it's it's funny too, because a lot of times, you know, being a rock star in air quotes is is a little less glamorous than people. People think it's like, you know, everyone assumes you're partying every night and, you know, going out on the town every day. And a lot of it honestly is just a shame to admit this, but it's like work. It's you have to go do the promo and you know, you have to, you know, at least for us, we have to try to be writing a lot of songs for the next project while we're on tour. And it's yeah, it's it's it's intense and obviously not being able to see a lot of cases. You know, I've learned how to adapt to the point where it's not a bonus, but it's, you know, there's there's a new hotel room or a new area. And you know, a lot of the times I find that I tend to turn a little inwards on tour, which sounds kind of odd, but it's, you know, I'll I'll I'll stay on the bus a lot or stay in the green room of the venue, that kind of thing. Just because there's, you know, it's it's it can be really hectic and really overwhelming trying to move around, especially when everyone's all sort of doing their own thing in a new city. And a lot of times, you know, there's there gets to a point, especially after the first week or two of tours where it really becomes kind of almost an every man for himself kind of atmosphere because everyone's on different sleeping schedules, everyone's off trying to find food on their own. You know, everyone googles or whatever the interesting things are to do in the town and are off on their own too. And yeah, so a lot of times, you know, it's it's it takes some serious effort and planning to be like, OK, I'm going to go do this today, who am I going to find? Who wants to go with me to do this? Or, you know, even something as simple as getting food sometimes can be, you know, a lot of time. No, we've been working with amazing tour managers, and I'll end up just asking the tour manager, Hey, can you just go out and get me something to eat real quick? I haven't eaten yet today. You know, everyone else is I don't know where anyone else is right now in the band or the crew. They're all off doing their own thing. So yeah, I mean, there's there's a lot of challenges like that. I think mobility is probably the number one job, and I got a lot of other people would agree that mobility and particularly mobility in an unknown environment, which I'm sure is pretty much always is the biggest challenge. You know, it's rarely is it people not being accommodated because people are usually really nice and really, you know, Will will do their best to help out. But it's challenging when when you don't even know when you step off the bus or not stepping out into traffic or in a, you know, in a parking lot? Or are we in an area that even has restaurants and is the old challenged, even if you use your phone and use the navigation is the yes, that will bring you to places, but it won't show you where the door is or layout of the inside or anything like that. So particularly when traveling somewhere where, you know, English isn't the primary language and can be a real trial just to get some food?

Yeah, my mom was quite a strong influence in my life, and she didn't. She didn't ask to have a kids who who couldn't see very well and was the kid who got picked last at school and all sports. The kid who we had to make a decision, is it mainstream or is it special education? You know, she was just a normal human being. I think your mum sounds the same.

Oh, man, I mean, you really you kind of hit the nail on the head. I can't say enough amazing things about my mom. You know, she really. She also put up with me when I was a complete I don't know how much we're allowed to swear on the radio, so I'll try to avoid that. But I wasn't the most. I was kind of a little shit for a while, you know, honestly, it was I was not there. In retrospect, I, you know, I had a lot to be angsty about, but I was, Boy, did I make it hard for my parents? And it's a shame she works with me, man. She really, I mean, to the point where I decided I didn't want to go to college and instead of freaking out and having a conniption like a lot of parents did, she said, OK, what do you want to do? And together we discovered this school out in Vancouver, Washington, where I learned how to tune and repair and basically rebuild pianos. And that's I went and did that program for two years instead of college and then went off straight off to New York City was doing that as my day job while struggling with the band for years and years. So it was full credit to her. I honestly, I can't think of someone who carried with more patience and flexibility and tolerance and just working with me being blind and also working with me, just being a troublesome youth, you know? And just, yeah, she she really just made it possible for me to live this life that I'm now living like.

I'm really pushed my luck. You've been very generous with your time, but I have two questions for you, and I have to say I started really looking forward to this interview when I found out you weren't just the guy who plays the keyboards, you're the guy who knows how to take apart a brilliant piano. And I knew in another interview I heard you refer, and there you are. You're 20 years old, everyone's got a piano and you've got a client base. This is interesting, and I always, I always. I've interviewed two proper musician producers before I spoke to Nile Rodgers, and I spoken to Ben Folds, both of whom run their own stuff. Basically in both cases when I turn the microphone off. They both said, and it's a thing I didn't talk about in my book or in the interview I hardly ever talk about is being part of a being a musician. You have to be a businessman as well. Do you have that in your role? Was actually ambassadors? Do you think about the business end of things?

It's funny. I think I used to. Not so much anymore, honestly, now that we have such a solid team that we've built around us, but definitely back in the early days and things like that. Basically, we so we moved to New York City in 2007 and started playing as a band pretty much right away for the next, I would say, like, probably eight years. It was just, you know, the grind we would were playing in New York City wherever we could, and we would had broken down asshole and poor wherever we could. And you know, at the same time, I was still trying to, you know, obviously trying to pay the bills. So I was a piano tuner. So it was very much in those days. And, you know, we all were we, you know, all three of us, all four of us at the time were very much part of the business. But really, it was it was a balancing act between a lot of it was between a real desire and the need play music and be a musician man. And also the real need pills and especially New York City. A concert were easy. So it was a it was a balancing act. I think it's where I really learned how to make the one thing to. My case, which was a really important thing back then, and there's a distinct time to where we were starting to get a lot of gigs and a lot of things that are touring and John was very, you know, I worked at a piano store for most of the time and were very tolerant of going off for a while. But it was finally said, Hey, you know, you can work for a couple of months straight, you know, I'm going to have to let you go and hire someone who's more steadily. And so I had to make fun of saying, OK, I've built up a little bit of a saving for myself. We're making at least a few bucks off of each gig. And it was, you know, it was a solid year where I can get a dozen eggs from the corner store for a fifth week and you get it rolling packets of ramen noodle packets for I think, 30 cents each and supplemented with the 99 cent waste chips bags. And you know, was what I hate honestly, for a least a year, probably more.

It's amazing to torture. And what can we expect from you guys in the next

little while if I can get my shit together, we're going to be we're going to be going on tour later and what do you want to in America? And then when Sue is really where we're going to be doing our best to go international again on Foley, that stuff, getting our armor on and we're going to just going to start the grind again. I mean, it really in some ways, it does feel like going from zero to 100 because we've had this past year of just sort of usually writing music. And I've been really just getting so much joy out of spending time, being domestic and playing with my dad. And now it's like, OK, so now we have about 40 songs that I need to relearned, make brand new sounds for all my keyboards, you know, in order to play the set. Because the old, the old way we were playing live was obviously kind of janky. And so we're trying to revamp the whole live readings so that it's less buggy. There's less chance that if some piece of equipment breaks down, we can't play the show at all. So we're we're getting all that technical shit together. And yeah, I mean, every night, basically, my routine these days is every night after the kids go to bed or, you know, my kid and my wife go to bed, you know, it's it's it's just it's sound making sense. I'll go down here to this little makeshift studio I have and start turning knobs and cutting up samples and all that to get the live set ready. And then but we do have a whole new album, so that's, you know, we can't do it without a new album. So we got this, this thing we've been sitting on for a year, you know, just tweaking and perfecting a lot of other stuff, too. It's not just an album, it's a whole slew of things that I'm probably not allowed to talk about because of the dramatic release thing and all that. But yeah, we got we had a whole time coming, man. But now hopefully, honestly, we will almost certainly going to come back to Australia, for one thing, because we, you know, we had this international tour at the very end. It was cut short at the very beginning of the whole pandemic. And so we really, you know, we barely scratched the surface. It's all up in the air. But I have a very distinct feeling that we'll be we'll be back flying overseas a whole bunch.

Well, I hope that means that you and I get to sit down and have a pint because I can't tell you how much I've joined your company. Casey Harris X Ambassadors Thank you so much for your time.

My pleasure, man. Honestly, thanks so much for talking to me. That's been great.

White Cane Day on Vision Australia Radio, proudly sponsored by Uber, Hoover's aim is to provide reliable transport to everyone to go anywhere. Download the Uber app today.

Today on Vision Australia radio, you're listening to our White Cane Day special. Just before the break, we heard from Casey of ex-Ambassador was the headline act of this year's hashtag White Stick Fest to enjoy this year's free virtual event. Head to White's Tech Fest Dawg anytime today to enjoy the full concert on demand. Now to another community event taking place this weekend in celebration of White Cane Day, a chance for people in Perth to boost their step count. To tell us more, Peter Greco is back with us and speaking with Peter Cliff of Deafblind in W.A..

Why kind guys? If blonde in w.y? I've got a big event coming up on October 16th to tell us a bit more about We've got the man who's putting it together, Peter Cliff there. Tell us a bit about it. It's full day after deafblind and we had quite a few bids for different awareness and this is just one of them. The challenge is to walk 10000 steps, if you can. We believe that it's a way of getting people out, particularly the deaf blind who have been isolated at times and need to be out there and doing things. And it's also going to be a sponsorship for fundraising, for our cause. What we what we do now, we're speaking here in Western Australia. I guess a few of our colleagues and friends, they're listening in these states. We're saying, Gee, you know, lucky you that you're have to do this to have an outdoor event face to face that that's a fantastic thing for both sites and particularly the mop in lockdown. That's right. He makes it feel with freedom. And of course, we've had to pay the price a little bit for freedom. But but that's what we do. So. So it's a good feeling to know that we can still be out there and seeing people and catching up and especially for people who are deaf, blind. I mean, you know, obviously the technology can be pretty good, but it's not like being able to, you know, physically be with people, particularly with things like, you know, lip reading and sort of body language, that sort of stuff. That's right. There's a lot of signing going on, and I'm one of those who who is only deaf and blind, so I don't really know many learning about the signing aspect of it all. It's really challenging, but interesting. Now you're encouraging people, if possible, to maybe do 10000 steps on the day. Yes, indeed. And so it doesn't matter how old we've got it. From 10 o'clock, it starts. The book starts and we can go through to about three o'clock and we stop for lunch. So it's about 12:30. We stop, never break for lunch, but people can continue on walking if they feel up to it. It's a good way of making people aware of what's going on, and obviously it's not a competition or a race, so you can come to do it at their leisure. That's right. Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, people, people can come whoever they are with. We've got people in wheelchairs as well. So that's that's good as you could be able to do that. And the thing is, with the deaf blind, there is a lot of support people. We call them comm guides and they they come out and help us people in the walk. And so we have this much participation and help which we can get sounds very inclusive event. And obviously, you know, people getting the sponsor themselves off, they'll get some money, get someone to sponsor them and help as, say, a few much needed funds. That's right, sector persons with about your involvement. You said you're fairly new to sign language. Tell us how it's come about that you've joined up. I've always been blind, totally blind, but I have a slight hearing impairment, age related hearing impairment now. So I was finding that I needed some sort of assistance to get around with with noisy environments and things like that. So I felt the the deaf blind really are very much a grassroots organization. There's only been pretty much available support for about 20 30 years. And so I felt that the people that there was, there was a need and I really got involved with the on the committee with the deployed Western Australians TBWA. And I'm finding that that's give me a new outlet. Mostly I was in the past I was with the blind, but now with the deaf buyer that do sensory ability that has to be used by the deaf blind is is a challenge in itself. So as Sunni eyes my eyes to a lot of a lot of different things that go on amongst the blind community, and I'm imagining obviously the peer support or speaking to people who are going. Very similar challenges. You know, the Jewish sensory loss, as you touched on, that would be very, very important as well. Well, it is. It is because people tend communicate, particularly when you when you're deployed is there's a lot of hard work because if you're already deaf, you're going to be able to hear and you if you have a severe hearing loss and vision, you've got to be able to. The signing is so important and sometimes you need a code guide as well as a an interpreter. Interpreters are very much involved with the deaf, blind with the signing, and it's a job in itself. It's very hard work for the interpreters to do these things. But so that's that's really where it's most important that people get a lot of assistance. And obviously things like the interpreters in the comm guides important, they be well trained in that area as well, rather than so in the mind of the best of intentions. But they've got to get that training to be able to deliver that service to the person's ability, but also to the people they're working with as well as the consumers you want to call them that. That's right. Yes. I know the interpreters do Auslan, which is the which is a deaf blind language that has done quite a bit with them now with students. It does take about three or four years, three or four years. I think it is to really come up to speed with that. So it's it's hard work. Well, it's like learning another language in many respects, isn't it? I mean, you know, it's easier to use slang for people who can speak English, for example, but you still have to learn the mechanics of the Auslan to to be able to deliver it in a way that people are going to be able to understand and comprehend. That's right. Exactly, exactly. The diploid have always been put into two boxes, one in either the deaf or blind. Nobody's put them both together as a people, as a separate disability. And that can be so isolating itself. Kind of, in a sense, you kind of don't fit in with hearing that fit in with their brain anywhere, and that can be very, very isolated. Absolutely. This does. But what about as far as technology goes? So obviously we're speaking to you on Zoom, but coming through loud and clear? Well, so what technology do you use the person I say point. I use both audio, which I've used all but pretty much all my life. And also I do more. Using more braille displays now must have made since the braille displays have become more accessible and cheaper. Hmm. I'm phoning. I've got about two or three braille displays, actually, so I know what you're thinking about, but your brow display of choice, but what do you prefer? What do you use them at the moment? I'm using the mantis. Yes, that's the way being repaired at the moment. Keypad at the keyboard. But but I also use the little one I've got here to go, but all but Rita. That's a good way of say, if you want to just send messages by text is your way of doing it. So. And that is one of the less expensive ones too, isn't it? Well, for one, we try to determine where you want to turn, but yes, 700 or something is good, but they are coming to an approach. And you like the the braille keyboard? I do. I do. I like, but I do tend to with the mantis. Now I'm usually a keyboard because it is easier to feel the the ordinary per console keyboard. Now, there's certainly been a great boon for people, as you say, because you can use the technology and you've got the pro display. So for example, where you can see how words might be spelt or name, some particular might be spelt or to modulate might be spelt. So it's a very, very hopeful thing. Yeah. And also, there's a lot of young people particularly amusing using Facebook, and I know a couple of people who have got no site or hearing they can still keep in touch. We do know pretty great to talk to you if you go to the website. If people want to find out more about this event coming up the deaf blind eye on the 16th of October sort of is that sure I can do a little bit longer, which is a good thing to do because it's the Sun, which is great. Okay, so it's it's do BWI dot org dot are. That's Peter Clifford. They're from Deafblind, which was about their event, and it sounds like it's a great event to get involved with.

As a Vision Australia client, you can request up to 360 print pages in your preferred alternative format each financial year, from personalities to recipes, music, magazines and more. This service covers braille audio, large print, tactile graphics and text conversions from print materials for a client's own personal use. For more information on this free service that's funded by the federal government's print disability grant, Female Print Access at Vision Australia dot org or call one 800 eight four seven four six

Wade Kane Day on Vision Australia Radio Radio.

In celebration of White Cane Day, it's my pleasure to have with me a couple of people on the Lawn Vision Australia orientation and mobility specialist Caroline A Can of Etsy and one of her clients, ATAP Carolina. Ed, thanks so much for being on the show. Firstly, Carolina Willow, we'll start with you. Could you give an overview of what an orientation and mobility specialist does

an orientation

and mobility specialist? We teach a set of skills for a person who are blind or have low vision, so those skills will allow them to navigate independently and safely through their environment and orientation in the mobility. Especially so we also work with the client to find the right mobility aids for them and to provide the training where the bed with being guided or locating a drop in the item or safely navigating their way across a street or down a busy road. People of all ages can participate in orientation in mobility training, but of course the focus of the training will differ based on the age and Carolina.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself now? For instance, how long have you been working as an owner and how did you get into orientation and mobility?

I firstly completed our degree in physiotherapy ended. Then I started work with people who are blind or have low vision. It was a small seed in my mother country in Brazil. I have more than 18 years of experience working with people who are blind or have low vision, working as an orientation and mobility specialist. I came to Australia in 2016 and it was when I started working with Vision Australia.

Edwin, good, are you now? Could you tell us a bit about yourself, for instance, how much vision to have?

My vision is blessed. I is an ornament. I have no peripheral vision. I only have some central vision in my right eye. The vision I have is quite good with glasses. I can see quite well distance or depth of field. Is that an issue? Because if only having one eye working. But as long as the scenery around me is stationary, I can orient side myself quite well. I have a lot of trouble with mobile, has it as in children and people moving about. Recently, after having been in denial for a while, I started using my white cane, which made Carolina quite happy. But it is also, I think, using my cane. I have a lot less issues with negative interactions with people.

Have you always had a vision condition ET or did you experience vision loss later in life?

I've always had a vision condition, as in I have glaucoma. When my partner passed away, I didn't handle that very well and went through a period of abuse and as a result neglected myself and my medication, developing or increasing the reduction of my eyesight.

It's good to have you here and it's good to hear your story and all the positives that are coming out of it. Like I'm using the white cane and connecting up with with Carol later. So, Carolina, how did you and Ed come to be connected and how long have you been working with each other?

I don't remember exactly when, but I think was in 2017, I was the first one to provide services to you. And am I right? Yeah, yeah. And I remember on that day that we had a very challenging conversation about starting using the long cane.

Yeah, I turned I Carolina was quite instructive in as much as how to use the cane. I have since developed a slightly different way of using my cane. When last in Sydney, I misplaced my cane and ordered a new one. It's slightly longer than what was the first recommended, but it helps it works better for. Because I don't use the cane the same way I was originally instructed.

And so that that bit of extra length has helped you sort of find your way a bit better. It's given you a bit more detail that's come through to you.

Well, not so much that in fact, when I was originally instructed, I was so annoyed the idea that I hold my hand out in front of me and then the length of the cane. But I walk quite quickly and I stab myself a lot by walking into my team.

Oh, you no,

no, no. So I tend to hold the pain in my side rather than in front, because when I'm using my time, I'm walking quite some distance system for quite some time. So it's more I'm more relaxed. This became by my side. So now having a longer time has allowed me to maintain that sort of front on distance and still have a relaxed way of walking.

OK, and how much did you know about orientation of mobility before you connected up with Carolina in 2017?

None at all.

So all of a really illuminating experience and really opened up some possibilities for you after you sort of, I guess, connected up with the sort of things that you realized you could do with some with the training. Because I know you're saying just before you've come, you're quite active. You like to get out and go walking quite a bit. And so what are some of the things on top of that that you've been able to do that you sort of you didn't think were possible before you worked with Carolina?

Well, I'm a lot more comfortable with the cane. I'm a lot more comfortable amongst people. Pretty cozy. I was doing approximately 3000 kilometres a month. Oh, wow, traveling. And that included buses, trains, ferries, taking people and friends. The 70s. But with this cove, it is now less than 300 a month.

And Carolina, what of what have been some of the things you've observed and the really rewarding experiences such you've had working with with ED over the past four years with the sort of progress that is made and the sort of things you've noticed?

I'm so proud of Ed because when we met in 2017, he was a bit hesitant about the cane. He didn't want to use it, but I think is slowly, slowly. I convinced him that he could do whatever he wants to. If he is, start using their long cane because he would be more independent, more confident and safe as well. Because in my opinion, safety comes first.

Oh, it absolutely has to. That's paramount for sure.

Yes. So I'm I'm really proud of him. I'm really proud to see him when he comes to my walking group and carrying bags, so he travels all the way from Burma Dairy to carrying Bob to join in the walking group. And I think he's a good example for other people from other clients that if they can do whatever they want, they just need to take that first step.

Speaking of that first step, Carolyn, what would you say to someone who might be unsure about how to take that first step or ask for help with their orientation and mobility?

Yeah, I would say don't think twice and take that first step. It isn't easy. I understand how hard it is, and I think the first step is the hardest step. But it will open so many doors. You have so many opportunities, so don't hesitate to have your child be simmering and then the mobility specialist. We are nice. We don't bite. Listen what we have to say. There are so many options available in that. Yeah, we'll be more than happy to help you to achieve your goals,

and we'll pay some final words for you. What would your thoughts be on that?

The first thing you have to do is accept the fact that you have a disability, that you have a visual problem, and that in itself is a big step. And then definitely there are companies that, you know, like Vision Australia. I'm very grateful. That I came across this in Australia. The stuff that I deal with are all extremely pleasant, amiable, competent and pleasant to deal with.

Yes, so thank you very much to Carolina and Ed there. That was Carolyn a can of at Sea Island Nation and mobility specialist firm Vision Australia and one of her clients, Ed Top. Caroline, thank you so much for being on the show today.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Thanks for having us. Sam Kiley there with Vision Australia, orientation and mobility specialist Carolyn kind of Itzik and Vision Australia client Ed Tech, who was won over by the white cane in the long run. Great to hear Ed's experiences there and how he grew to prefer the use of the cane over the past two hours. We've brought you incredible music performances, interviews and more, celebrating the achievements of people who are blind or have low vision. We'd like to thank Duncan Stuart from Platinum Creative and remind you to head to W WW Dot White Stick Fest dot org to enjoy their concert on demand. Big thanks to Jason Gibbs, producer of today's broadcast presenters Peter Greco, Sam Colley, Matthew Leighton, Sam Rickard and a heap of people behind the scenes, including Marilyn, Mark, Nick, Conrad, Dale, Bridget, Amber, Helen, Lou. Yours, truly, Pam and our comms and web teams. Estella, Matt, Jamilla and thank you all for your part in today's broadcast and thank you to whoever our broadcast sponsor. We are incredibly grateful for your support of our essential service for people with print disability, and we appreciate the lengths you have gone to in bettering the rider experience for our community. And thank you for being a part of our special presentation. We can't do it without you for resources and information about support services for our community. Check out Vision Australia and Vision Australia radio on Facebook and Twitter and visit V.A. Radio dot org. Happy White Cane Day, everyone. Bye for now.

White canes on Vision Australia Radio, proudly sponsored by Uber, Uber's aim is to provide reliable transport to everyone to go anywhere. Download the Uber app today.

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