From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Collins.

From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Collins.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

We all know, you know, education is a great enabler. It's a great enabler in a whole range of things in life. And so having access to that and being on, you know, equal footing or on par with your peers in terms of being able to study and access that education, I think is so important. And one of the best ways to move those barriers is through accessibility.

We all know, you know, education is a great enabler. It's a great enabler in a whole range of things in life. And so having access to that and being on, you know, equal footing or on par with your peers in terms of being able to study and access that education, I think is so important. And one of the best ways to move those barriers is through accessibility.

Welcome to the program. That voice you just heard there was Darren from the Australian Disability Clearing House on education and training, otherwise known as a headset for short. Talking all about why accessibility in education is so important for students with disabilities. With this mission forefront in their mind and they have created a new pair of resources designed to improve the lives of students who are blind or have low vision. And you'll hear from Darren very shortly to talk about them in greater detail. Then later on in the show, Stella Gloria catches up with Penny, Melville Brown, 2017 Holman prize winner and author of a Cook's Tour. Biking Blind Goes Global. Penny is experienced at all over the past five years, from world cooking tours to death defying experiences and everything in between. So if you'd like to hear from Penny and find out more about the book, make sure to stay tuned. I hope you enjoyed this week's episode of Talking Vision. I'm here today with Darren Britton from the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training. Her voice, cently launched a pair of resources to improve the lives of tertiary students who are blind or have low vision. Darren, thank you so much for your time today. Welcome to Talking Vision.

Welcome to the program. That voice you just heard there was Darren from the Australian Disability Clearing House on education and training, otherwise known as a headset for short. Talking all about why accessibility in education is so important for students with disabilities. With this mission forefront in their mind and they have created a new pair of resources designed to improve the lives of students who are blind or have low vision. And you'll hear from Darren very shortly to talk about them in greater detail. Then later on in the show, Stella Gloria catches up with Penny, Melville Brown, 2017 Holman prize winner and author of a Cook's Tour. Biking Blind Goes Global. Penny is experienced at all over the past five years, from world cooking tours to death defying experiences and everything in between. So if you'd like to hear from Penny and find out more about the book, make sure to stay tuned. I hope you enjoyed this week's episode of Talking Vision. I'm here today with Darren Britton from the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training. Her voice, cently launched a pair of resources to improve the lives of tertiary students who are blind or have low vision. Darren, thank you so much for your time today. Welcome to Talking Vision.

Thank you very much, Sam. Thanks for having me.

Thank you very much, Sam. Thanks for having me.

No. Firstly, Darren, could we go into a bit of detail about the disability clearinghouse itself?

No. Firstly, Darren, could we go into a bit of detail about the disability clearinghouse itself?

I think you see the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training provides resources, information guides to the tertiary sector, so that's to the vocational education training and to the higher ed, you know, university sector with information for disability practitioners, information for students and information for teaching and development staff that are designing curriculum. So it's a whole swag of things from, you know, the latest information that's out there, some, you know, resourced evidence based practices through to, you know, series of webinars which are regularly run through headset. And that could be anything from, you know, the latest bit of tech that's out there or a vendor or something coming to, you know, tell us all about the latest updates with their bit of software through to, you know, some of the latest research and people presenting on their findings of work with students with disability and, you know, some of the best practices and things that are out there. So it's an always moving and shifting thing and there's lots of information at the headset website.

I think you see the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training provides resources, information guides to the tertiary sector, so that's to the vocational education training and to the higher ed, you know, university sector with information for disability practitioners, information for students and information for teaching and development staff that are designing curriculum. So it's a whole swag of things from, you know, the latest information that's out there, some, you know, resourced evidence based practices through to, you know, series of webinars which are regularly run through headset. And that could be anything from, you know, the latest bit of tech that's out there or a vendor or something coming to, you know, tell us all about the latest updates with their bit of software through to, you know, some of the latest research and people presenting on their findings of work with students with disability and, you know, some of the best practices and things that are out there. So it's an always moving and shifting thing and there's lots of information at the headset website.

Understand there's a pair of resources that have recently launched. So why don't we start off with the guidelines.

Understand there's a pair of resources that have recently launched. So why don't we start off with the guidelines.

Certainly the blind and visually impaired guidelines, as we call them, I suppose, for short, but they're largely the online access for tertiary students who are blind or visually impaired. These came about because of the pandemic of COVID 19 coming online and the rapid transition and shift to online education, which kind of took everybody by surprise and left a lot of people out of the system, so to speak, and it excluded a lot of users. We developed some guidelines for deaf and hard of hearing at the start of early on in the pandemic and said receive some funding to get some guidelines made up of that. So we put that out to the sector and got some of the best minds and practitioners, etc., to write some, you know, some practical how to guides for teaching staff to incorporate that for deaf and hard of hearing students. And then this was the next the next obvious response will go in and look at the blind and low vision and look at some practical guidelines with there. So this work started with again some advisory groups, people with lived experience, some academics and some academics with a disability in this area as well. And then we came together and moulded those, those into a, you know, a bit of a practical guide, not a theoretical guide, but a here's some direct response and things you can do and a bit of knowledge that academics and I suppose some disability practitioners need to support students that, you know, blind or low vision.

Certainly the blind and visually impaired guidelines, as we call them, I suppose, for short, but they're largely the online access for tertiary students who are blind or visually impaired. These came about because of the pandemic of COVID 19 coming online and the rapid transition and shift to online education, which kind of took everybody by surprise and left a lot of people out of the system, so to speak, and it excluded a lot of users. We developed some guidelines for deaf and hard of hearing at the start of early on in the pandemic and said receive some funding to get some guidelines made up of that. So we put that out to the sector and got some of the best minds and practitioners, etc., to write some, you know, some practical how to guides for teaching staff to incorporate that for deaf and hard of hearing students. And then this was the next the next obvious response will go in and look at the blind and low vision and look at some practical guidelines with there. So this work started with again some advisory groups, people with lived experience, some academics and some academics with a disability in this area as well. And then we came together and moulded those, those into a, you know, a bit of a practical guide, not a theoretical guide, but a here's some direct response and things you can do and a bit of knowledge that academics and I suppose some disability practitioners need to support students that, you know, blind or low vision.

And that's just one side of the coin with the new resources will go to the other half now. Darren Let's have a chat about the eLearning training.

And that's just one side of the coin with the new resources will go to the other half now. Darren Let's have a chat about the eLearning training.

The e-learning is a, you know, kind of a condensed version of the guidelines. The guidelines are like 37 pages in themselves, broken across a whole range of topics for online delivery of education. And so the the e-learning, I suppose, is more is more simplified. It's really about the principles of things that you can do and what you should be aware of so that people can go through, do the e-learning thing, get a certificate at the end of it to give them a, you know, a good grounding and basic understanding of, you know, why it's important, some of the basic things you should be looking for, not necessarily everything you need to be able to and can do, because again, that's always shifting, but it gives you a good grounding in that and gives you a certificate of saying to say, look, you know, I've done a more or less a short kind of course on this, and I'm much more aware than I may have been before.

The e-learning is a, you know, kind of a condensed version of the guidelines. The guidelines are like 37 pages in themselves, broken across a whole range of topics for online delivery of education. And so the the e-learning, I suppose, is more is more simplified. It's really about the principles of things that you can do and what you should be aware of so that people can go through, do the e-learning thing, get a certificate at the end of it to give them a, you know, a good grounding and basic understanding of, you know, why it's important, some of the basic things you should be looking for, not necessarily everything you need to be able to and can do, because again, that's always shifting, but it gives you a good grounding in that and gives you a certificate of saying to say, look, you know, I've done a more or less a short kind of course on this, and I'm much more aware than I may have been before.

Now, a lot of people out there understand why accessible education is so important. But why do you believe accessible education does matter so much?

Now, a lot of people out there understand why accessible education is so important. But why do you believe accessible education does matter so much?

That's a really good question. Well, accessible education matters. And we ask that as part of the the campaign, I suppose, towards the launch of the of these guidelines, you know, we went to some students with lived experience and access and, you know, everybody's got a different kind of opinion or viewpoint as to why it matters. But we all know, you know, education is a great enabler. It's a great enabler in a whole range of things in life. And so having access to that and being on equal footing or on par with your peers in terms of being able to study and access that education, I think is so important and. One of the best ways to move those barriers is through accessibility, you know, making the curriculum accessible, making sure that it operates with screen readers, making sure that it meets, you know, where it can, you know, web compliant standards, where, you know, you actually include and think about, you know, all of the students that you're doing in in most cases. Making things accessible makes it better for everybody, not just, you know, some students that may have disability. So it matters for a whole range of different reasons. And I also like to push, you know, towards educators. It makes your education more sustainable. It means you don't have to reinvent things as much next time. You don't have to make it fit another mold because you're building things to standards and you're already trying to incorporate, you know, as many uses as possible. So it makes you a better communicator.

That's a really good question. Well, accessible education matters. And we ask that as part of the the campaign, I suppose, towards the launch of the of these guidelines, you know, we went to some students with lived experience and access and, you know, everybody's got a different kind of opinion or viewpoint as to why it matters. But we all know, you know, education is a great enabler. It's a great enabler in a whole range of things in life. And so having access to that and being on equal footing or on par with your peers in terms of being able to study and access that education, I think is so important and. One of the best ways to move those barriers is through accessibility, you know, making the curriculum accessible, making sure that it operates with screen readers, making sure that it meets, you know, where it can, you know, web compliant standards, where, you know, you actually include and think about, you know, all of the students that you're doing in in most cases. Making things accessible makes it better for everybody, not just, you know, some students that may have disability. So it matters for a whole range of different reasons. And I also like to push, you know, towards educators. It makes your education more sustainable. It means you don't have to reinvent things as much next time. You don't have to make it fit another mold because you're building things to standards and you're already trying to incorporate, you know, as many uses as possible. So it makes you a better communicator.

So who's the sort of target? When I was putting these resources together.

So who's the sort of target? When I was putting these resources together.

It was primarily aimed towards the education, I suppose developers and those that are doing the delivery, you know, and in some cases they may be the same or they may be, you know, different people, of course, courses developed but delivered by somebody else, you know, because both parts of that equation are important and the actual development of the content to make sure it's as successful as it can be, and then it needs to be delivered in a way that is you don't want, you know, say, an online module or a session that's been built to, you know, to be inclusive. It's got, for instance, image description. It's got all of these things. And then somebody goes and puts, you know, delivers it but doesn't enable or doesn't turn on or know that any of those features are there and it doesn't deliver the content in the way that it was necessarily intended or doesn't turn, you know, closed captioning on or doesn't enable, etc., etc.. So there's the two parts of the equation. So primarily we're looking at that, those educators that are delivering the content, but it's also applicable really to, you know, professional staff as well that are offline because a lot of the things like how to, you know, make your word document more accessible, things you can do during an online session of as we're all used to now, you know, whether that Zoom or teams or an online video conferencing platform, those things are applicable to everybody, you know, saying people's names, doing a bit of a roll call, you know, vocalizing, you know, a graphic that you've got on screen for the benefit of everybody that's in the room virtually. So there's lots of little tips and bits that are in there that can be useful. But for anybody.

It was primarily aimed towards the education, I suppose developers and those that are doing the delivery, you know, and in some cases they may be the same or they may be, you know, different people, of course, courses developed but delivered by somebody else, you know, because both parts of that equation are important and the actual development of the content to make sure it's as successful as it can be, and then it needs to be delivered in a way that is you don't want, you know, say, an online module or a session that's been built to, you know, to be inclusive. It's got, for instance, image description. It's got all of these things. And then somebody goes and puts, you know, delivers it but doesn't enable or doesn't turn on or know that any of those features are there and it doesn't deliver the content in the way that it was necessarily intended or doesn't turn, you know, closed captioning on or doesn't enable, etc., etc.. So there's the two parts of the equation. So primarily we're looking at that, those educators that are delivering the content, but it's also applicable really to, you know, professional staff as well that are offline because a lot of the things like how to, you know, make your word document more accessible, things you can do during an online session of as we're all used to now, you know, whether that Zoom or teams or an online video conferencing platform, those things are applicable to everybody, you know, saying people's names, doing a bit of a roll call, you know, vocalizing, you know, a graphic that you've got on screen for the benefit of everybody that's in the room virtually. So there's lots of little tips and bits that are in there that can be useful. But for anybody.

And if you or someone you know would like to access either the guidelines or the e-learning resources on that website, you can head to that website at etc. edu aq that's ADC 8.8 EU dot AQ. I've been speaking today with Darren Britton from at set about the new resources to improve accessibility and education for students who are blind or have low vision. And now here's Stella Glory with Penny Melville Brown.

And if you or someone you know would like to access either the guidelines or the e-learning resources on that website, you can head to that website at etc. edu aq that's ADC 8.8 EU dot AQ. I've been speaking today with Darren Britton from at set about the new resources to improve accessibility and education for students who are blind or have low vision. And now here's Stella Glory with Penny Melville Brown.

And I'm absolutely delighted to be speaking with the. I don't think she'd be cross with me if I called her the blind cook. I am speaking with Penny Melville Brown. A very good morning to you. You're in Hampshire. In England. It looks like a sunny morning where you are. We're speaking on Zoom and you may or may not have COVID. So you've got a very husky voice Diam on your website and it says that you're a challenging and courageous equality crusader with years of practical knowledge to share. Funny, eccentric and exciting. Penny is a survivor with compelling tales and huge experiences that dispel the myths around disability. She inspires challenges, perceptions and even cooks, too. Now, if I heard about a person like that, I'd say, Why don't they write a book?

And I'm absolutely delighted to be speaking with the. I don't think she'd be cross with me if I called her the blind cook. I am speaking with Penny Melville Brown. A very good morning to you. You're in Hampshire. In England. It looks like a sunny morning where you are. We're speaking on Zoom and you may or may not have COVID. So you've got a very husky voice Diam on your website and it says that you're a challenging and courageous equality crusader with years of practical knowledge to share. Funny, eccentric and exciting. Penny is a survivor with compelling tales and huge experiences that dispel the myths around disability. She inspires challenges, perceptions and even cooks, too. Now, if I heard about a person like that, I'd say, Why don't they write a book?

Well, those words are really compelling, aren't they, Stella? Gosh, I couldn't have written them better myself.

Well, those words are really compelling, aren't they, Stella? Gosh, I couldn't have written them better myself.

So you actually have written a book, a Cook's Tour Baking Blind Goes Global Blind Cook Says Death Defying Experience, prize winning world tour recipes and much more in her triumph and near tragedy. Life Story. So where shall we start with this? Set the scene about this book.

So you actually have written a book, a Cook's Tour Baking Blind Goes Global Blind Cook Says Death Defying Experience, prize winning world tour recipes and much more in her triumph and near tragedy. Life Story. So where shall we start with this? Set the scene about this book.

Yeah. Well, let me start with the book, which I was really amazed because it's taken me five years to write it as I recovered from a major accident, and it's come out really much bigger than I thought. I've actually hold your copy here, and of course I haven't seen it, but it feels quite chunky and I'm really pleased with it. It's not some little scrappy paperback, but it all started years and years ago when I was wanting to showcase people with disabilities, including blindness like me, in a different context, a different way that we are capable and we are ambitious and we are successful, often with just a bit of hope, with a bit of kindness, and we can do virtually anything. And it was so difficult to find a medium to do that, that, you know, if I said non-disabled people could relate to and understand because far too often they see us as either wretched disabled people who ought to sit at home and be miserable, or we have to be Paralympians and, you know, Sprint round the world or something. And I was definitely and I cannot reassure your listeners enough that I am definitely not a sprinter or an athlete or anything. So I looked for something else that was going to be attractive and meaningful to other people, and I thought food might do it and I've always cooked. So I decided I would do biking blind and that's me starting off doing videos about me cooking at home and just showcasing that, gosh, even a blind person.

Yeah. Well, let me start with the book, which I was really amazed because it's taken me five years to write it as I recovered from a major accident, and it's come out really much bigger than I thought. I've actually hold your copy here, and of course I haven't seen it, but it feels quite chunky and I'm really pleased with it. It's not some little scrappy paperback, but it all started years and years ago when I was wanting to showcase people with disabilities, including blindness like me, in a different context, a different way that we are capable and we are ambitious and we are successful, often with just a bit of hope, with a bit of kindness, and we can do virtually anything. And it was so difficult to find a medium to do that, that, you know, if I said non-disabled people could relate to and understand because far too often they see us as either wretched disabled people who ought to sit at home and be miserable, or we have to be Paralympians and, you know, Sprint round the world or something. And I was definitely and I cannot reassure your listeners enough that I am definitely not a sprinter or an athlete or anything. So I looked for something else that was going to be attractive and meaningful to other people, and I thought food might do it and I've always cooked. So I decided I would do biking blind and that's me starting off doing videos about me cooking at home and just showcasing that, gosh, even a blind person.

Now, beyond this, though, you're very inclusive about the way you were doing this because you invited people into your kitchen or you invited yourself into their kitchens.

Now, beyond this, though, you're very inclusive about the way you were doing this because you invited people into your kitchen or you invited yourself into their kitchens.

Mainly the latter. My world tours were literally went across six continents America, Costa Rica, Australia, China, Africa and of course in Europe. And I've probably forgotten somewhere, and I managed to persuade professional chefs to take me into their kitchens. And you are often spend a day a week with me there. And they were terrified. He was this, you know, blind person who they madly said, oh, yes, come over and do something with us. And then I arrived and they had to actually, you know, come up with the goods and accept me in their kitchen. And they were quite fearful. They were very polite. But you could feel from their body language their way. They were speaking that they were very nervous about having this unknown quantity wielding a knife, good lord, in their kitchen. And they were going to be visible. And I think one of the main learning things was how good having a shared passion was, breaking down those barriers. And I was using cooking and once I was in their kitchen and talking to them and saying, Oh, is that how you do that? Well, I'd do it like this. And had you thought about this and oh gosh, my recipe says this does yours do that? And they could hear that. I had a bit of knowledge, loads of enthusiasm, and I wanted to relate to them as a person, not just as a wretched blind person, and all their fears disappeared. And I think it is that whole ability to share an enthusiasm, share some knowledge, and get on with people that stopped blindness or any other disability getting between us. And suddenly we were two people who could do a good job together, and I think that works in any walk of life.

Mainly the latter. My world tours were literally went across six continents America, Costa Rica, Australia, China, Africa and of course in Europe. And I've probably forgotten somewhere, and I managed to persuade professional chefs to take me into their kitchens. And you are often spend a day a week with me there. And they were terrified. He was this, you know, blind person who they madly said, oh, yes, come over and do something with us. And then I arrived and they had to actually, you know, come up with the goods and accept me in their kitchen. And they were quite fearful. They were very polite. But you could feel from their body language their way. They were speaking that they were very nervous about having this unknown quantity wielding a knife, good lord, in their kitchen. And they were going to be visible. And I think one of the main learning things was how good having a shared passion was, breaking down those barriers. And I was using cooking and once I was in their kitchen and talking to them and saying, Oh, is that how you do that? Well, I'd do it like this. And had you thought about this and oh gosh, my recipe says this does yours do that? And they could hear that. I had a bit of knowledge, loads of enthusiasm, and I wanted to relate to them as a person, not just as a wretched blind person, and all their fears disappeared. And I think it is that whole ability to share an enthusiasm, share some knowledge, and get on with people that stopped blindness or any other disability getting between us. And suddenly we were two people who could do a good job together, and I think that works in any walk of life.

What is it about food that is so transformative and the action of cooking? Because there is something special about it. It's like music, you know, people talk about the speciality of music, but, you know, maybe I could be wrong, but I don't think that lion carpet, for example, has that same. You can bond with someone in that same way. What is it about food?

What is it about food that is so transformative and the action of cooking? Because there is something special about it. It's like music, you know, people talk about the speciality of music, but, you know, maybe I could be wrong, but I don't think that lion carpet, for example, has that same. You can bond with someone in that same way. What is it about food?

Well, I think food has its own sharing culture behind it, and it touches all our heritages, memories, our families, our social relationships, and we all use it. And it's very familiar, so we're very comfortable with it. But actually, I think if you're a blind cop at nature and you're good at it, another another carpet, they will accept you just as well.

Well, I think food has its own sharing culture behind it, and it touches all our heritages, memories, our families, our social relationships, and we all use it. And it's very familiar, so we're very comfortable with it. But actually, I think if you're a blind cop at nature and you're good at it, another another carpet, they will accept you just as well.

So tell us exactly what is in the book. Are they conversations that you had with people in the book? Are they photographs in the book? Will it be included?

So tell us exactly what is in the book. Are they conversations that you had with people in the book? Are they photographs in the book? Will it be included?

The book actually starts with me waking up in a hospital after this very serious car accident I had in France and trying to explain to people what it's like when you're blind and you can't move because you're tied to the hospital bed and you don't understand what's happening. And nobody can really explain it to you very well because they're talking French and you're speaking English, but actually you can't speak to it because you're so constrained and you've got up to your nose and you're just, just surviving. But so part of it is about managing a major life changing incident on top of an existing disability. And that's quite challenging.

The book actually starts with me waking up in a hospital after this very serious car accident I had in France and trying to explain to people what it's like when you're blind and you can't move because you're tied to the hospital bed and you don't understand what's happening. And nobody can really explain it to you very well because they're talking French and you're speaking English, but actually you can't speak to it because you're so constrained and you've got up to your nose and you're just, just surviving. But so part of it is about managing a major life changing incident on top of an existing disability. And that's quite challenging.

Curious. Thought about. Yeah. About how the blindness, how being blind might have impacted whether then the nursing staff or the medical staff have to learn a different way of doing something because she couldn't speak. And yes, I have another question about the way you were treated, because it sounds like you were treated with enormous respect in belief. So I do often. Yeah, I'm curious about that as well, because you hear from people who already have a disability, the way that the medical they're treated by the medical establishment isn't always as respectful. And I think you know yourself that often people with the disability cleaning people blind or have low vision kind of treated like children sometimes.

Curious. Thought about. Yeah. About how the blindness, how being blind might have impacted whether then the nursing staff or the medical staff have to learn a different way of doing something because she couldn't speak. And yes, I have another question about the way you were treated, because it sounds like you were treated with enormous respect in belief. So I do often. Yeah, I'm curious about that as well, because you hear from people who already have a disability, the way that the medical they're treated by the medical establishment isn't always as respectful. And I think you know yourself that often people with the disability cleaning people blind or have low vision kind of treated like children sometimes.

Oh yeah. I've had some medical interventions in the. With a very prestigious eye hospital where they were shockingly awful. But in France, they put up a notice on the door so that which I understood later and said, when you come in, announce yourself, introduce yourself so that anyone knows you're in there and to knows who you are. And they were they were fabulous.

Oh yeah. I've had some medical interventions in the. With a very prestigious eye hospital where they were shockingly awful. But in France, they put up a notice on the door so that which I understood later and said, when you come in, announce yourself, introduce yourself so that anyone knows you're in there and to knows who you are. And they were they were fabulous.

It doesn't take much, does it?

It doesn't take much, does it?

No, no, no, no. And I felt duty bound to go and do my very best and justify all the care and the faith of these medical people and the auxiliary staff and show that with their help, they could succeed. And I was so determined to do my best. And actually, I went back about a year later. When I could walk by then, and I went back to the accident emergency. So I went back to the intensive care unit and they were so thrilled to see me and the doctors in charge had all the staff come out. We just wandered in to say hello and thank you. And they insisted that all the staff came out because they had so few success stories. But to have one was really important for them. And I thought, if I could just do that and show them that all their efforts and care could come to a positive result, in some instances it was worth it. I'd say that the rehabilitation was they were just thrilled and it was lovely. And that's what I've been writing about in the book. And writing in the book has been is taken much, much longer because I have is is five years later. It's taken much, much longer because I have needed all this time to get through the mental damage that I've suffered. I've had all sorts of neuro damage, my cognitive skills, my memory of being a bit shot to hell physically. I am still, still trying to be better walking and standing, standing for more than about 20 minutes now. It gives me lots of pain. So the book has been really slow, but I've tried to write in there about all my adventures around the world, which were outstanding. And I think you asked me ages ago, and this has been a really long subject, whether it's got conversations and yes, of course it has. I've been able to capture the words of the people I've met, and some of them coped with much more serious situations than I've ever had. Their words, their recipes, authentic recipes, and lots of people with blindness and other disabilities and how they cope with life. But also, for me, the main, main driver of the book is not just talking to other people with disabilities or blindness. It's all the rest of them. The other. The other. 80% of the population who haven't got a disability yet, but jolly well might get one someday. Who have a family member who might get a disability. And they need their minds changing to understand that just because you can't see doesn't mean life has come to a grinding halt. You could do all sorts of other stuff, but you need to understand that we can work, we can love, we can have families, we can do fabulous things in life. And disability is just, oh, you know, it's just like wearing the wrong coat on the day you get round it.

No, no, no, no. And I felt duty bound to go and do my very best and justify all the care and the faith of these medical people and the auxiliary staff and show that with their help, they could succeed. And I was so determined to do my best. And actually, I went back about a year later. When I could walk by then, and I went back to the accident emergency. So I went back to the intensive care unit and they were so thrilled to see me and the doctors in charge had all the staff come out. We just wandered in to say hello and thank you. And they insisted that all the staff came out because they had so few success stories. But to have one was really important for them. And I thought, if I could just do that and show them that all their efforts and care could come to a positive result, in some instances it was worth it. I'd say that the rehabilitation was they were just thrilled and it was lovely. And that's what I've been writing about in the book. And writing in the book has been is taken much, much longer because I have is is five years later. It's taken much, much longer because I have needed all this time to get through the mental damage that I've suffered. I've had all sorts of neuro damage, my cognitive skills, my memory of being a bit shot to hell physically. I am still, still trying to be better walking and standing, standing for more than about 20 minutes now. It gives me lots of pain. So the book has been really slow, but I've tried to write in there about all my adventures around the world, which were outstanding. And I think you asked me ages ago, and this has been a really long subject, whether it's got conversations and yes, of course it has. I've been able to capture the words of the people I've met, and some of them coped with much more serious situations than I've ever had. Their words, their recipes, authentic recipes, and lots of people with blindness and other disabilities and how they cope with life. But also, for me, the main, main driver of the book is not just talking to other people with disabilities or blindness. It's all the rest of them. The other. The other. 80% of the population who haven't got a disability yet, but jolly well might get one someday. Who have a family member who might get a disability. And they need their minds changing to understand that just because you can't see doesn't mean life has come to a grinding halt. You could do all sorts of other stuff, but you need to understand that we can work, we can love, we can have families, we can do fabulous things in life. And disability is just, oh, you know, it's just like wearing the wrong coat on the day you get round it.

This is just fantastic. And if you're enjoying this conversation to the people who are listening, you are absolutely going to love the book. I could talk to all day, Penny, but I can't. A Cook's Tour Baking Blind Goes Global. It's available at Amazon on Kindle. If you would like more information about the fantastic Penny Melville Brown, you can go to her website. Penny Melville Brown dot com. That's Penny Melville Brown with no a at the end and there you can find links to her book and also her blog. Some of her speaking to us that she's done watch talks about disability and a little bit more about Penny. I always love talking to Penny and I'd love to catch up with you again at some point before the end of the year as well. And thank you so much for your generosity and your time today. And congratulations on your book.

This is just fantastic. And if you're enjoying this conversation to the people who are listening, you are absolutely going to love the book. I could talk to all day, Penny, but I can't. A Cook's Tour Baking Blind Goes Global. It's available at Amazon on Kindle. If you would like more information about the fantastic Penny Melville Brown, you can go to her website. Penny Melville Brown dot com. That's Penny Melville Brown with no a at the end and there you can find links to her book and also her blog. Some of her speaking to us that she's done watch talks about disability and a little bit more about Penny. I always love talking to Penny and I'd love to catch up with you again at some point before the end of the year as well. And thank you so much for your generosity and your time today. And congratulations on your book.

Thank you, Stella.

Thank you, Stella.

Thanks very much to Stella. Gloria there with Penny Melville Brown. And if you'd love to hear more from Penny and Stella, the full interview is also available as an interview highlight. Simply head to V radio dot org. That's via radio dot org. Or head to your favourite podcast platform and Search Vision Australia Radio. Interview Highlights. And finally before we go, here's a bit of news and information. Bill House is proud to announce that the Dickinson Memorial literary competition is now open for 2022. For entries from all Australian residents and the theme for the 101st year is time. The Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition is a national competition for children and adults who are blind or have low vision. There's also a Special People's Choice Award that will be open to anyone, and all entries in this category will be published on the Braille House website, and the audience will get to choose the winner. Entry is only $10 per category, and there are six categories for all ages to enter. And prize money is awarded in every category. $350 for first prize per category and $150 for second prize per category. Manuscripts must be an unpublished work not on offer for publication before the announcement of awards and not have been recognized in any other competition. Entries close Friday, September 16th at 4 p.m.. The winners will be announced on Friday, October the seventh at 4 p.m., and then the winners and runners up will be published in a special anthology. And to find out more about the competition, you can head to the Braille House website at Boyle House dot org dot eu on spiral house all one word dot org dot EU. And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to Talking Pigeon. Talking Vision is a production of Vision Australia Radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org. That's Talking Vision or one word at vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's five for now.

Thanks very much to Stella. Gloria there with Penny Melville Brown. And if you'd love to hear more from Penny and Stella, the full interview is also available as an interview highlight. Simply head to V radio dot org. That's via radio dot org. Or head to your favourite podcast platform and Search Vision Australia Radio. Interview Highlights. And finally before we go, here's a bit of news and information. Bill House is proud to announce that the Dickinson Memorial literary competition is now open for 2022. For entries from all Australian residents and the theme for the 101st year is time. The Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition is a national competition for children and adults who are blind or have low vision. There's also a Special People's Choice Award that will be open to anyone, and all entries in this category will be published on the Braille House website, and the audience will get to choose the winner. Entry is only $10 per category, and there are six categories for all ages to enter. And prize money is awarded in every category. $350 for first prize per category and $150 for second prize per category. Manuscripts must be an unpublished work not on offer for publication before the announcement of awards and not have been recognized in any other competition. Entries close Friday, September 16th at 4 p.m.. The winners will be announced on Friday, October the seventh at 4 p.m., and then the winners and runners up will be published in a special anthology. And to find out more about the competition, you can head to the Braille House website at Boyle House dot org dot eu on spiral house all one word dot org dot EU. And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to Talking Pigeon. Talking Vision is a production of Vision Australia Radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org. That's Talking Vision or one word at vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's five for now.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on one 300 847466. That's one 300 847466 or by visiting vision Australia dot org that's mission Australia dot hall.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on one 300 847466. That's one 300 847466 or by visiting vision Australia dot org that's mission Australia dot hall.