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

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

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.

When my vision deteriorated to the point where I needed some mobility training to use the long white cane, the first day I was in my having a lesson and I caught the tip of the cane on a raised part of the pavement, and the cane jabbed me in the stomach, and I thought to myself, well, could it be a better tip than this around? And so I asked if it was, and the answer was no. So I went to Rohan and said, how about we work on this project together? And it's been a five year project that we've finally got to the point where we're ready to go and launch onto the worldwide market.

When my vision deteriorated to the point where I needed some mobility training to use the long white cane, the first day I was in my having a lesson and I caught the tip of the cane on a raised part of the pavement, and the cane jabbed me in the stomach, and I thought to myself, well, could it be a better tip than this around? And so I asked if it was, and the answer was no. So I went to Rohan and said, how about we work on this project together? And it's been a five year project that we've finally got to the point where we're ready to go and launch onto the worldwide market.

Welcome to the show. This week we've got a very exciting invention to tell you all about. It's a mobile cane tip which has been invented by a father and son by the name of Peter and Rowan Rickards. They joined me alongside Vision Australia's Cathy Leech to tell us all about their invention. Sensible. And you'll hear from them very shortly, so make sure to stick around. Then after you hear from Pete, Rowan and Cathy, you'll hear from Karen Nagrani again. He was joined at the Blind Australian of the year awards by a volunteer of ours in Brisbane, who headed along to the night to have a chat with him. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. Today we've got a really cool invention to share. It's still in the Kickstarter stage, but there's been already some quite exciting developments relating to a new and improved white cane tip for cane users around the world. It's called sensible and to have a chat with us about sensible. I'm here with the inventors Peter and Rowan Rickards, along with Kathy Leach from Vision Australia, to have a chat with us all about it. Peter Rowan, Kathy, thank you all for joining me today. Very excited to have you.

Welcome to the show. This week we've got a very exciting invention to tell you all about. It's a mobile cane tip which has been invented by a father and son by the name of Peter and Rowan Rickards. They joined me alongside Vision Australia's Cathy Leech to tell us all about their invention. Sensible. And you'll hear from them very shortly, so make sure to stick around. Then after you hear from Pete, Rowan and Cathy, you'll hear from Karen Nagrani again. He was joined at the Blind Australian of the year awards by a volunteer of ours in Brisbane, who headed along to the night to have a chat with him. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. Today we've got a really cool invention to share. It's still in the Kickstarter stage, but there's been already some quite exciting developments relating to a new and improved white cane tip for cane users around the world. It's called sensible and to have a chat with us about sensible. I'm here with the inventors Peter and Rowan Rickards, along with Kathy Leach from Vision Australia, to have a chat with us all about it. Peter Rowan, Kathy, thank you all for joining me today. Very excited to have you.

Hi. Thanks for being here. Yeah. Hi.

Hi. Thanks for being here. Yeah. Hi.

Peter. I'm going to start with you today. We're talking about sensible, of course, this amazing invention that you and Rowan have worked so hard to put together. So could you tell us a little bit about sensible?

Peter. I'm going to start with you today. We're talking about sensible, of course, this amazing invention that you and Rowan have worked so hard to put together. So could you tell us a little bit about sensible?

Well, how it all started was that when my vision deteriorated to the point where I needed some mobility training to use the long white cane? The first day I was in my having a lesson, and I caught the tip of the cane on a raised part of the pavement, and the cane jabbed me in the stomach, and I thought to myself, well, could it be a better tip than this around? And so I asked if it was, and the answer was no. So I went to Rohan and said, how about we work on this project together? And it's been a five year project that we've finally got to the point where we're ready to to go and and launch onto the worldwide market the new sensible universal tip for the white mobility cane.

Well, how it all started was that when my vision deteriorated to the point where I needed some mobility training to use the long white cane? The first day I was in my having a lesson, and I caught the tip of the cane on a raised part of the pavement, and the cane jabbed me in the stomach, and I thought to myself, well, could it be a better tip than this around? And so I asked if it was, and the answer was no. So I went to Rohan and said, how about we work on this project together? And it's been a five year project that we've finally got to the point where we're ready to to go and and launch onto the worldwide market the new sensible universal tip for the white mobility cane.

Okay. And Rohan, I'll get your background in this and what you've been involved with. You've been quite central to the manufacturing side of everything. So tell us a bit about the process there and what you've been up to?

Okay. And Rohan, I'll get your background in this and what you've been involved with. You've been quite central to the manufacturing side of everything. So tell us a bit about the process there and what you've been up to?

Yeah, absolutely. So I studied industrial design at Swinburne and graduated in 2023. But since then I've been working in other industries. So I've had the odd project and done a little bit of freelancing, but my skills were sort of idle. So look, my dad was a keen entrepreneur and he's always thinking of business ideas. So he came to me with this idea and from my perspective it looked like a good product. It was a small product. So it's not something that is going to take up a lot of material. And it also has worldwide demand. 2% of people all around the world have some kind of vision impairment. So it's something where I thought that we could actually make a big difference to people all around the world. And yeah, we just sort of started throwing around some ideas and seeing what worked and what didn't. I'd build a prototype and give it to Pete, and he'd go out and test it to destruction, and then he'd come back with some feedback, and we'd try again and see which bits broke and what we needed to improve to make it suitable, and something that actually achieved the purpose of, you know, helping people who need assistance to have the best experience possible.

Yeah, absolutely. So I studied industrial design at Swinburne and graduated in 2023. But since then I've been working in other industries. So I've had the odd project and done a little bit of freelancing, but my skills were sort of idle. So look, my dad was a keen entrepreneur and he's always thinking of business ideas. So he came to me with this idea and from my perspective it looked like a good product. It was a small product. So it's not something that is going to take up a lot of material. And it also has worldwide demand. 2% of people all around the world have some kind of vision impairment. So it's something where I thought that we could actually make a big difference to people all around the world. And yeah, we just sort of started throwing around some ideas and seeing what worked and what didn't. I'd build a prototype and give it to Pete, and he'd go out and test it to destruction, and then he'd come back with some feedback, and we'd try again and see which bits broke and what we needed to improve to make it suitable, and something that actually achieved the purpose of, you know, helping people who need assistance to have the best experience possible.

And Kathy, this is where I want to come to you and get your perspective on things from an orientation and mobility and sighted guide side of things. What sort of really jumping out for you as the really exciting possibilities for something like sensible to be available to so many white cane users out there?

And Kathy, this is where I want to come to you and get your perspective on things from an orientation and mobility and sighted guide side of things. What sort of really jumping out for you as the really exciting possibilities for something like sensible to be available to so many white cane users out there?

Well, just from Peter's experience, he was never a cane user. Or if he did use one, it was just an ID cane. But as he's got older, his vision has got worse, as it does for all of us as we get older. But in his case, he didn't have much vision to lose, and he went from the ID cane Came to using the traditional white cane with the traditional side to side tip. Rollerball tip. And when he had that experience where his stomach got bruised and I could see the potential for having to replace quite a few white canes because the cane got bent as well. When he came up with this idea of getting Rowan to design a better tip, I thought, yes, that sounds like a great idea. If it means we're not going to have to keep on replacing your white canes and you getting a bruised stomach. So that was where it all started. And it's been fantastic from my point of view, because I can now go walking with Pete and we do a lot of walking with a lot less stress because the cane is giving him the feedback and the information that he needs to be able to navigate without me constantly saying, there's a, you know, all, all the little hazards that are there on the footpaths and so forth. It also means that we can go into out in the bush, we can go to the beach. He uses it at the beach, on the sand. He uses it on rough tracks. He uses it in so many places that he wouldn't have been able to with a lesser cane tip.

Well, just from Peter's experience, he was never a cane user. Or if he did use one, it was just an ID cane. But as he's got older, his vision has got worse, as it does for all of us as we get older. But in his case, he didn't have much vision to lose, and he went from the ID cane Came to using the traditional white cane with the traditional side to side tip. Rollerball tip. And when he had that experience where his stomach got bruised and I could see the potential for having to replace quite a few white canes because the cane got bent as well. When he came up with this idea of getting Rowan to design a better tip, I thought, yes, that sounds like a great idea. If it means we're not going to have to keep on replacing your white canes and you getting a bruised stomach. So that was where it all started. And it's been fantastic from my point of view, because I can now go walking with Pete and we do a lot of walking with a lot less stress because the cane is giving him the feedback and the information that he needs to be able to navigate without me constantly saying, there's a, you know, all, all the little hazards that are there on the footpaths and so forth. It also means that we can go into out in the bush, we can go to the beach. He uses it at the beach, on the sand. He uses it on rough tracks. He uses it in so many places that he wouldn't have been able to with a lesser cane tip.

Okay, now I'd love to go into the advantages and features of the sensor ball. In particular. We've spoken a bit about what it can do, but I'm really keen to hear about how it works when it does encounter different surfaces, such as, you know, gravel and grass and loose surfaces and all those bits and pieces that can cause issues. Well, and I'll come to you. Yeah.

Okay, now I'd love to go into the advantages and features of the sensor ball. In particular. We've spoken a bit about what it can do, but I'm really keen to hear about how it works when it does encounter different surfaces, such as, you know, gravel and grass and loose surfaces and all those bits and pieces that can cause issues. Well, and I'll come to you. Yeah.

For sure, for sure. One of the earliest prototypes or the earliest ideas was a robot wheel. So we were always going for something that would roll forwards. I guess the typical white tip cane is sort of a rotating ball or it's a nylon marshmallow, I guess would be the standard tip. And I suppose people who use them would know that they have a bearing in them, and they'll rotate left and right, but the forwards one is not there, so you'll end up hitting into things. And after, you know, a little bit of time, the wear of the ground, which can be quite an abrasive surface, will wear it into a point pretty quickly. And that, you know, reduces the ability for it to bounce over things. So that was sort of the first idea, getting something that would roll forwards and when it came to a crack or a rock, momentum would carry it and it would sort of bounce up and keep moving forward. And then, you know, incorporating that into something that was able to also go sideways. So not all not not always going forward. Sometimes you want to sweep left and right. Um, so integrating those two features and initially I didn't think it would work having two axes at right angles. And I was trying to restrain that so that it would turn 90 degrees and then stop. But I was having a little bit of difficulty trying to get it to stop, and I was running out of time. So I was like, well, let's just try this anyway. And it seemed to work. The momentum of the ball moving forwards means that you can sort of weave an S-shaped path and, um, it's actually quite an organic motion that you can get from having a round ball that's, you know, able to to contact the ground at sort of a wide range of angles. Um, and yeah, it makes a huge difference on gravel, you know, cracks in the footpath. Um, we've done a compilation video of a standard tip compared, you know, on the same cracks as a, as a ball, you know, a sensor ball tip. And, um, in one of them, I'd get Pete to go towards the crack and the cane would get stuck. And then we'd do one with the sensible and like, where did the crack go? So that's the kind of difference that it makes, that it really makes those little cracks that you wouldn't really notice when you're walking along. Um, you can.

For sure, for sure. One of the earliest prototypes or the earliest ideas was a robot wheel. So we were always going for something that would roll forwards. I guess the typical white tip cane is sort of a rotating ball or it's a nylon marshmallow, I guess would be the standard tip. And I suppose people who use them would know that they have a bearing in them, and they'll rotate left and right, but the forwards one is not there, so you'll end up hitting into things. And after, you know, a little bit of time, the wear of the ground, which can be quite an abrasive surface, will wear it into a point pretty quickly. And that, you know, reduces the ability for it to bounce over things. So that was sort of the first idea, getting something that would roll forwards and when it came to a crack or a rock, momentum would carry it and it would sort of bounce up and keep moving forward. And then, you know, incorporating that into something that was able to also go sideways. So not all not not always going forward. Sometimes you want to sweep left and right. Um, so integrating those two features and initially I didn't think it would work having two axes at right angles. And I was trying to restrain that so that it would turn 90 degrees and then stop. But I was having a little bit of difficulty trying to get it to stop, and I was running out of time. So I was like, well, let's just try this anyway. And it seemed to work. The momentum of the ball moving forwards means that you can sort of weave an S-shaped path and, um, it's actually quite an organic motion that you can get from having a round ball that's, you know, able to to contact the ground at sort of a wide range of angles. Um, and yeah, it makes a huge difference on gravel, you know, cracks in the footpath. Um, we've done a compilation video of a standard tip compared, you know, on the same cracks as a, as a ball, you know, a sensor ball tip. And, um, in one of them, I'd get Pete to go towards the crack and the cane would get stuck. And then we'd do one with the sensible and like, where did the crack go? So that's the kind of difference that it makes, that it really makes those little cracks that you wouldn't really notice when you're walking along. Um, you can.

Still tell, though, by the sound that it makes if you're on a grade metal grade or other surfaces. The big advantage is going down steps and things, because you're much more safe with the sensor ball, because you can tell edge of each step, rather than just have to tap your cane on onto the step and hope you're finding the edge. So safety is a big factor in terms of going down steps and other rough surfaces and also RSI problems. A lot of people who use canes a lot over many years get RSI from the jolting that the shocks come through the cane into your arms and so forth. But with sensible you don't have all that issues and are much safer and more body friendly, shall we say. And also, as Rohan said, it's much safer because you're going along. Instead of tapping left and right in the middle of the bit, in the middle of the footpath or wherever is un frisked the cane you you know exactly where you're going to walk. The whole of that area is covered by your white cane going constant contact with the ground. Yeah.

Still tell, though, by the sound that it makes if you're on a grade metal grade or other surfaces. The big advantage is going down steps and things, because you're much more safe with the sensor ball, because you can tell edge of each step, rather than just have to tap your cane on onto the step and hope you're finding the edge. So safety is a big factor in terms of going down steps and other rough surfaces and also RSI problems. A lot of people who use canes a lot over many years get RSI from the jolting that the shocks come through the cane into your arms and so forth. But with sensible you don't have all that issues and are much safer and more body friendly, shall we say. And also, as Rohan said, it's much safer because you're going along. Instead of tapping left and right in the middle of the bit, in the middle of the footpath or wherever is un frisked the cane you you know exactly where you're going to walk. The whole of that area is covered by your white cane going constant contact with the ground. Yeah.

So I mean, you've addressed sort of three issues. that the auditory feedback. So we've actually had quite a lot of research and testing. This is one of the biggest challenges deciding what to make the ball out of the typical nylon. Nylon was too heavy and too hard, and we had one that was too soft and one that was too big or too small, but being able to rest it on the ground constantly and then just do the sideways movements, means that you don't have to carry the weight of the cane in your hand, and it's supported at both ends and the constant contact, so you can keep the safety all the time. Yeah, it supports the weight. And yeah, we've done a lot of research into making sure that it produces an audible sound. Some people refer to it as, um, echolocation, echolocation. But the term I prefer to use is audible feedback. So the sounds that the tip produces is different on different surfaces. So it'll make a different sound on bitumen. It'll different sound on a, on a boardwalk, different sound on gravel. So the acid test is running it along a drain or a manhole. And that sort of seems to be a way that he uses to navigate. He'll sort of go from checkpoint to checkpoint. Tapping this, he goes, right, I've checked off this one. Um, and that's how he can navigate sometimes is by using those audible cues on his travelling.

So I mean, you've addressed sort of three issues. that the auditory feedback. So we've actually had quite a lot of research and testing. This is one of the biggest challenges deciding what to make the ball out of the typical nylon. Nylon was too heavy and too hard, and we had one that was too soft and one that was too big or too small, but being able to rest it on the ground constantly and then just do the sideways movements, means that you don't have to carry the weight of the cane in your hand, and it's supported at both ends and the constant contact, so you can keep the safety all the time. Yeah, it supports the weight. And yeah, we've done a lot of research into making sure that it produces an audible sound. Some people refer to it as, um, echolocation, echolocation. But the term I prefer to use is audible feedback. So the sounds that the tip produces is different on different surfaces. So it'll make a different sound on bitumen. It'll different sound on a, on a boardwalk, different sound on gravel. So the acid test is running it along a drain or a manhole. And that sort of seems to be a way that he uses to navigate. He'll sort of go from checkpoint to checkpoint. Tapping this, he goes, right, I've checked off this one. Um, and that's how he can navigate sometimes is by using those audible cues on his travelling.

I'd love to go back into that discussion you were having about the impact on the muscles and the bones that irregular white cane can have over the years in comparison to the sensible. And Peter, I think this is especially, you know, a topic that I'm sure is very close to your heart as both a cane user and somebody who's been involved in, you know, sport and recreation for the best part of three decades. So tell us a bit about how sensible does cut down on that wear and tear on the body?

I'd love to go back into that discussion you were having about the impact on the muscles and the bones that irregular white cane can have over the years in comparison to the sensible. And Peter, I think this is especially, you know, a topic that I'm sure is very close to your heart as both a cane user and somebody who's been involved in, you know, sport and recreation for the best part of three decades. So tell us a bit about how sensible does cut down on that wear and tear on the body?

Well, because the as Rohan said, because when you're going forward there's no friction on the ground. Basically you don't have the jolting and jarring and shocks through the cane. Which other tips give you. The smaller the tip, the more catches on things, the more it would jolt through your arm. So that's a big difference. You don't come back from a cane journey feeling like you've had a lot of, um, jolts and jags on your system. So, you know, people are interested in helping being either getting a sensible and a discount rate or, uh, donating equivalent amount to sensible as being donated to charities, uh, all around the world. In fact, we'd like each mobility instructor to have one eventually in Vision Australia and Guide Dogs and so forth, so they can show it direct to their clients, or they can go to our website. And also if they want to make a donation just to help support the cost of our tooling and manufacture, they can go to our website w-w-w dot sensible.com.au. That's sensible l.com.au you just.

Well, because the as Rohan said, because when you're going forward there's no friction on the ground. Basically you don't have the jolting and jarring and shocks through the cane. Which other tips give you. The smaller the tip, the more catches on things, the more it would jolt through your arm. So that's a big difference. You don't come back from a cane journey feeling like you've had a lot of, um, jolts and jags on your system. So, you know, people are interested in helping being either getting a sensible and a discount rate or, uh, donating equivalent amount to sensible as being donated to charities, uh, all around the world. In fact, we'd like each mobility instructor to have one eventually in Vision Australia and Guide Dogs and so forth, so they can show it direct to their clients, or they can go to our website. And also if they want to make a donation just to help support the cost of our tooling and manufacture, they can go to our website w-w-w dot sensible.com.au. That's sensible l.com.au you just.

Before Peter mentioned the information about the Kickstarter campaign. We've still got a tester who's had very severe arthritis in her wrists, and she's been using the sensible for probably at least 12 months now. And she said the change to the pain she was experiencing is quite dramatic. And now that she's using a sensible. So that was fantastic news for us in terms of how it reduces the wear and tear on the body.

Before Peter mentioned the information about the Kickstarter campaign. We've still got a tester who's had very severe arthritis in her wrists, and she's been using the sensible for probably at least 12 months now. And she said the change to the pain she was experiencing is quite dramatic. And now that she's using a sensible. So that was fantastic news for us in terms of how it reduces the wear and tear on the body.

Okay.

Okay.

Even got one user who's in a wheelchair, who's blind, who uses the cane to get around with one hand on the, on the on the button to propel the wheelchair and the other one on the cane to tell where she's going. And believe it or not, that's amazing.

Even got one user who's in a wheelchair, who's blind, who uses the cane to get around with one hand on the, on the on the button to propel the wheelchair and the other one on the cane to tell where she's going. And believe it or not, that's amazing.

Oh, that's very innovative. I love that. Now, Kathy, I'd love to stay with you. Just on the point of safety. Now, we've talked a little bit about this already. But as somebody who's been involved in the O&M space and sighted guiding people from point A to point B, what are some really positive outcomes that you're anticipating in terms of the safety there and working with people on that side of things?

Oh, that's very innovative. I love that. Now, Kathy, I'd love to stay with you. Just on the point of safety. Now, we've talked a little bit about this already. But as somebody who's been involved in the O&M space and sighted guiding people from point A to point B, what are some really positive outcomes that you're anticipating in terms of the safety there and working with people on that side of things?

Definitely, the fact that the improvement in confidence of the cane user is just fantastic, but with that confidence, it's not a foolish confidence. It's actually a real confidence that ensures that you're doing the walking safely. But because you get such good feedback of the area in front of you, it means that you can actually enjoy a nice brisk walk instead of a slow walk.

Definitely, the fact that the improvement in confidence of the cane user is just fantastic, but with that confidence, it's not a foolish confidence. It's actually a real confidence that ensures that you're doing the walking safely. But because you get such good feedback of the area in front of you, it means that you can actually enjoy a nice brisk walk instead of a slow walk.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Yeah, that sounds fantastic.

Yeah, that sounds fantastic.

So that's a double benefit from having this sensible cane tip.

So that's a double benefit from having this sensible cane tip.

Do you need to tell me about his dog poo and so forth.

Do you need to tell me about his dog poo and so forth.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

I'm gonna avoid that. Yeah. For sure.

I'm gonna avoid that. Yeah. For sure.

I definitely I definitely told Peter about that sort of thing. But, uh, Peter has a pretty open approach, and he doesn't mind if I tell him things that he already knows are there, so I just make up my own mind. Um, depending on the circumstances as to whether I tell him some of the things I will tell him he may not know about in particular, like street furniture that's coming up. But often what happens in situations like that is that when he gets closer to something, to an to an object, like a street furniture or a seat or hard rubbish on the nature strip that's gone over onto the footpath, I have to decide when will I tell him? And sometimes I don't decide until we're closer and I can see he's already discovered it with the sensible, and he's started to move away from it.

I definitely I definitely told Peter about that sort of thing. But, uh, Peter has a pretty open approach, and he doesn't mind if I tell him things that he already knows are there, so I just make up my own mind. Um, depending on the circumstances as to whether I tell him some of the things I will tell him he may not know about in particular, like street furniture that's coming up. But often what happens in situations like that is that when he gets closer to something, to an to an object, like a street furniture or a seat or hard rubbish on the nature strip that's gone over onto the footpath, I have to decide when will I tell him? And sometimes I don't decide until we're closer and I can see he's already discovered it with the sensible, and he's started to move away from it.

Mhm. There you.

Mhm. There you.

Go. So it is. It's one of those things you have to decide. What will I tell him and what won't I? But I generally take the approach to tell him, even if I think he knows, I still just mention it. But in saying that, I feel a lot more relaxed when I'm walking with Peter than what I did before he started using the sensible.

Go. So it is. It's one of those things you have to decide. What will I tell him and what won't I? But I generally take the approach to tell him, even if I think he knows, I still just mention it. But in saying that, I feel a lot more relaxed when I'm walking with Peter than what I did before he started using the sensible.

And Rohan, I'll come to you. And this is in regards to adaptability, and there are quite a few different canes out there on the market. So tell us a bit about how the sensible has adapted to all these different shapes and sizes.

And Rohan, I'll come to you. And this is in regards to adaptability, and there are quite a few different canes out there on the market. So tell us a bit about how the sensible has adapted to all these different shapes and sizes.

Yeah for sure. So look it was a learning process for both of us actually. Um, initially being Australian, the only two canes that I was aware of and given to to start with was ambush and BVR. So, you know, I tried to make something that would fit onto them, and we sent one to a guy in Europe and he said, well, this doesn't fit my cane. And we're like, well, what sort of cane do you have? And they had, again, they've got a different brand called a comme des day, Dorinda. But since then, we've discovered there's canes manufactured in Czechoslovakia, Korea, India. So there's a huge variety. So we've got about 10 or 12 different canes, and I've been working to make sure that we can fit it onto as broad a selection of canes as possible without the user having to get a new cane. If they've got one that they like, they can be confident that if they get one off the shelf, it'll fit and replace their existing canes without the need for a new cane.

Yeah for sure. So look it was a learning process for both of us actually. Um, initially being Australian, the only two canes that I was aware of and given to to start with was ambush and BVR. So, you know, I tried to make something that would fit onto them, and we sent one to a guy in Europe and he said, well, this doesn't fit my cane. And we're like, well, what sort of cane do you have? And they had, again, they've got a different brand called a comme des day, Dorinda. But since then, we've discovered there's canes manufactured in Czechoslovakia, Korea, India. So there's a huge variety. So we've got about 10 or 12 different canes, and I've been working to make sure that we can fit it onto as broad a selection of canes as possible without the user having to get a new cane. If they've got one that they like, they can be confident that if they get one off the shelf, it'll fit and replace their existing canes without the need for a new cane.

That's great news, Rohan. And as Peter mentioned, you can find out a lot more about the sensible at their website. sensible.com.au. That's s e n s a b a double l.com.edu. And if you get in quick. Their Kickstarter campaign is still up and running. So if you get in touch and donate to the Kickstarter, you can also receive a discount when the white cane tips do go live. I've been speaking today with Peter and Rohan Rickards and Cathy Leech about the sensible white cane technology, which is still undergoing a Kickstarter campaign to get off the ground and provide sensible tips to white cane users all around the world. On Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio and the Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there with Peter Rowan and Cathy about the sensible technology for white cane users around the world. If you missed any part of that conversation or you'd love to hear it again, you can find each episode of Talking Vision on the Vision Australia Radio website at VA radio.org. That's VA radio all one word.org. You can also find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia library. Our next guest is a voice familiar to a lot of you out there. I'm sure if you've been a regular listener to Talking Vision or to Vision Australia Radio for that matter. His name is Karen Nagrani and he was recently the emcee of the Blind Australian of the Year Awards on the 26th of October up in Brisbane. Here he chats with one of our Brisbane based volunteers, Mary, who chatted to him at the awards about his role as the emcee and what it means to him to be involved in such a fantastic event. So let's hear from Karen and Marie right now.

That's great news, Rohan. And as Peter mentioned, you can find out a lot more about the sensible at their website. sensible.com.au. That's s e n s a b a double l.com.edu. And if you get in quick. Their Kickstarter campaign is still up and running. So if you get in touch and donate to the Kickstarter, you can also receive a discount when the white cane tips do go live. I've been speaking today with Peter and Rohan Rickards and Cathy Leech about the sensible white cane technology, which is still undergoing a Kickstarter campaign to get off the ground and provide sensible tips to white cane users all around the world. On Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio and the Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there with Peter Rowan and Cathy about the sensible technology for white cane users around the world. If you missed any part of that conversation or you'd love to hear it again, you can find each episode of Talking Vision on the Vision Australia Radio website at VA radio.org. That's VA radio all one word.org. You can also find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia library. Our next guest is a voice familiar to a lot of you out there. I'm sure if you've been a regular listener to Talking Vision or to Vision Australia Radio for that matter. His name is Karen Nagrani and he was recently the emcee of the Blind Australian of the Year Awards on the 26th of October up in Brisbane. Here he chats with one of our Brisbane based volunteers, Mary, who chatted to him at the awards about his role as the emcee and what it means to him to be involved in such a fantastic event. So let's hear from Karen and Marie right now.

Uh, my name is Karen Nagrani. I'm a proud disability advocate who is also the emcee at the Blind Man of the Year awards this year, and it's just the best feeling ever.

Uh, my name is Karen Nagrani. I'm a proud disability advocate who is also the emcee at the Blind Man of the Year awards this year, and it's just the best feeling ever.

So how did you how did it come about that you are the emcee?

So how did you how did it come about that you are the emcee?

So these guys I was actually nominated in 2022, I think. And then that's how the connection formed. And because I'm a, I guess, quite an out there advocate and I do a lot of stuff on social media, I think they followed my journey and they were like, hey, he's a little crazy. Let's get him in, shake things up. So I think that's that's how I sort of, you know, uh, yeah. And the rest is history. And this is, uh, just like a, I like I'm not just saying this for the sake of it, but as a blind person, to be in a room with like so many cool blind people, this I never in my life thought this would happen because growing up I didn't really see any blind people, you know? So now suddenly, to be here and not just be here, be the emcee. And it's just like, I don't say this often, but I feel proud of myself tonight.

So these guys I was actually nominated in 2022, I think. And then that's how the connection formed. And because I'm a, I guess, quite an out there advocate and I do a lot of stuff on social media, I think they followed my journey and they were like, hey, he's a little crazy. Let's get him in, shake things up. So I think that's that's how I sort of, you know, uh, yeah. And the rest is history. And this is, uh, just like a, I like I'm not just saying this for the sake of it, but as a blind person, to be in a room with like so many cool blind people, this I never in my life thought this would happen because growing up I didn't really see any blind people, you know? So now suddenly, to be here and not just be here, be the emcee. And it's just like, I don't say this often, but I feel proud of myself tonight.

And what does this event bring to the the blind community?

And what does this event bring to the the blind community?

It what it brings to the blind community is that you are not unseen. You are not ignored. You know, you may not fit into the sighted community, but we have our own community and this is where we shine and this is where we love and support each other. I think this is a phenomenal event. If I was a child and I knew everyone knows there's Australian of the year, but like if you are blind and you know there's blind Australian of the year, you just suddenly feel like, hey, I exist too. People recognize what I'm doing, you know? And what I love about this award is like, it's so unpredictable. Like, every year the winner has been different. They've had some different skills or they've had some different experience. And that's what I love about it the most, is just seeing. There's no like it's not like a formula where like every year the person has the same attributes. Every year someone's different.

It what it brings to the blind community is that you are not unseen. You are not ignored. You know, you may not fit into the sighted community, but we have our own community and this is where we shine and this is where we love and support each other. I think this is a phenomenal event. If I was a child and I knew everyone knows there's Australian of the year, but like if you are blind and you know there's blind Australian of the year, you just suddenly feel like, hey, I exist too. People recognize what I'm doing, you know? And what I love about this award is like, it's so unpredictable. Like, every year the winner has been different. They've had some different skills or they've had some different experience. And that's what I love about it the most, is just seeing. There's no like it's not like a formula where like every year the person has the same attributes. Every year someone's different.

So in this year nominees you've seen them. What skills and strengths do you see. Yeah.

So in this year nominees you've seen them. What skills and strengths do you see. Yeah.

So we've got three finalists. We've got Matt Formston who's a blind surfer. We've got Janelle who is a blind archer, and we've got Courtney who's the blind tennis and cricket champion, and she's just 20 years old. At just 20. She's doing everything that she's done.

So we've got three finalists. We've got Matt Formston who's a blind surfer. We've got Janelle who is a blind archer, and we've got Courtney who's the blind tennis and cricket champion, and she's just 20 years old. At just 20. She's doing everything that she's done.

They all have so many different skills though. Yeah, the three of them have different.

They all have so many different skills though. Yeah, the three of them have different.

I honestly don't know how the judges are going to pick who's going to win, because the three of them are like, it's I'm just glad I'm not in that position where I've got to decide.

I honestly don't know how the judges are going to pick who's going to win, because the three of them are like, it's I'm just glad I'm not in that position where I've got to decide.

And I heard your interview on Virgin Australia. So how was your trip in a plane this time? Was it.

And I heard your interview on Virgin Australia. So how was your trip in a plane this time? Was it.

Good? It was really nice, you know, like, it's so funny because after I heard that interview, I was like, oh my God, it sounds like I'm being sponsored by Qantas, but I'm not. It was. It's just been it's been lovely. I always I travel a lot for work when I travel alone. It's quite stressful because even though I use my cane, I still have this stupid mindset where I want to be as independent as I can be. So when they offer help, I say, no, no, no, it's okay, I've got my cane. But I put so much pressure on my eyes and it really tires me out. But this time I came with David, who's my husband, and it was a breeze because when we're together, I just grab onto his arm and, you know, I can actually look around and enjoy what's around me instead of, ooh, try not die by falling over.

Good? It was really nice, you know, like, it's so funny because after I heard that interview, I was like, oh my God, it sounds like I'm being sponsored by Qantas, but I'm not. It was. It's just been it's been lovely. I always I travel a lot for work when I travel alone. It's quite stressful because even though I use my cane, I still have this stupid mindset where I want to be as independent as I can be. So when they offer help, I say, no, no, no, it's okay, I've got my cane. But I put so much pressure on my eyes and it really tires me out. But this time I came with David, who's my husband, and it was a breeze because when we're together, I just grab onto his arm and, you know, I can actually look around and enjoy what's around me instead of, ooh, try not die by falling over.

And can you tell us one blind joke for the radio? I'll tell you a blind joke because I heard you were preparing.

And can you tell us one blind joke for the radio? I'll tell you a blind joke because I heard you were preparing.

Oh, my God, I am preparing some blind jokes. Okay, these are really bad. Why can't blind people eat fish? Why can't blind people eat fish? Because it's seafood.

Oh, my God, I am preparing some blind jokes. Okay, these are really bad. Why can't blind people eat fish? Why can't blind people eat fish? Because it's seafood.

They're a dish.

They're a dish.

Very nice. And one last thing. You live in Melbourne. Is that right? In Melbourne? Yes. So is there a difference in the terms of accessibility and between Brisbane and Melbourne?

Very nice. And one last thing. You live in Melbourne. Is that right? In Melbourne? Yes. So is there a difference in the terms of accessibility and between Brisbane and Melbourne?

To be honest with you, it's going to be hard for me to judge that because I've come with my husband this time. So he's like my he's my human guide dog. So with him like I'm sorted. I haven't um, I think it's hard to say. I haven't explored Brisbane by myself, you know, as such, like, I haven't been out and about in the streets here to sort of judge the accessibility side of things, but I'm sure, you know, it's a beautiful city. I would come back any time.

To be honest with you, it's going to be hard for me to judge that because I've come with my husband this time. So he's like my he's my human guide dog. So with him like I'm sorted. I haven't um, I think it's hard to say. I haven't explored Brisbane by myself, you know, as such, like, I haven't been out and about in the streets here to sort of judge the accessibility side of things, but I'm sure, you know, it's a beautiful city. I would come back any time.

And one message for the listeners.

And one message for the listeners.

One message for the listeners. If you're blind, you're not alone. We are stronger together. You're not you're not transparent in this society. You know, if you're if you need a bit of support, reach out to organizations that are supporting people like us. I had a lot of pride when I was coming out of the blind closet. That's what I call the blind closet, because it took me a lot of time to accept the fact that I'm going blind. And when I finally surrendered to the cane, I started contacting organizations like Vision Australia and, you know, and that's when I realized you should have done this so long ago, because it's only going to make you stronger, and it's only going to make you feel less alone. So by all means, reach out to any organization. And another thing, the blind community is really close. And that's what I'm loving about tonight as well. There are so many people that are here. They actually follow me and they're like, oh, we're coming. So it's I'm just I guess what I'm saying is the community is very small. So if you're not a part of it, join the community.

One message for the listeners. If you're blind, you're not alone. We are stronger together. You're not you're not transparent in this society. You know, if you're if you need a bit of support, reach out to organizations that are supporting people like us. I had a lot of pride when I was coming out of the blind closet. That's what I call the blind closet, because it took me a lot of time to accept the fact that I'm going blind. And when I finally surrendered to the cane, I started contacting organizations like Vision Australia and, you know, and that's when I realized you should have done this so long ago, because it's only going to make you stronger, and it's only going to make you feel less alone. So by all means, reach out to any organization. And another thing, the blind community is really close. And that's what I'm loving about tonight as well. There are so many people that are here. They actually follow me and they're like, oh, we're coming. So it's I'm just I guess what I'm saying is the community is very small. So if you're not a part of it, join the community.

And that's all the time we have for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. So please get in touch any time on our email at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision or one word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's Sam Collins saying bye for now.

And that's all the time we have for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. So please get in touch any time on our email at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision or one word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's Sam Collins saying bye for now.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 1300 847 406. That's 1300 847 406 or by visiting Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 1300 847 406. That's 1300 847 406 or by visiting Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.