RNIB Connect

Looking for a new book to enjoy?

Amelia is here with a debut novel by Caro Claire Burke where a tradwife influencer gets more than she bargained for…

Our RNIB Talking Books service is absolutely free. Giving you access to over 40,000 fiction and non fiction books for adults and children in accessible formats that suits you.

For more information or to sign up to the RNIB Library get in touch. Call our Helpline on 0303 123 999 or Email helpline@rnib.org.uk.

Sight Village exhibitions are a great way to learn more about products and services designed for blind and partially sighted people in your area. Hywel Davies has been hearing all about plans for the first Sight Village North Wales.

Poppy Levinson is a designer, researcher and disability activist working across the creative industries. She applies her lives experience as a blind woman to the world of architecture and design.

She recently completed her masters in Architecture at the Royal College of Art and became Co-director at the DisOrdinary Architecture Project.

She told Amelia about her career challenges and highlights so far, and how she applies her lived experience to design.

Learn more about Poppy on her website - Poppy Levison | Blind Architecture, Designer and Activist

Learn more about DisOrdinary on...

Quick-steps, spins and sparkles now as Vocaleyes and Step Change Studios are developing live AD for dance competitions.

Amelia spoke to audio describer Willie Elliott to learn more about his research and recommendations to bring blind and partially sighted into the action.

Step Change Studios have space in their blind ballroom classes starting on the 12th September.

Learn more on the Step Change Studios website - Step Change Studios | inclusive dance | London, UK and email contact@stepchangestudios.com to register.

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If you’re looking for new ways to get involved in the community and make new friends, then a social club might be just up your street. Hywel Davies has been finding out the only social club in mid-Wales for blind and partially sighted people.

Mirrorbox is an interactive social art installation by I Would Be Here if I Could, co-created by people living with ME or Long Covid, carrying messages from people living with one of these conditions to places around the UK they love but can no longer visit due to their illness.

Mirrorbox will be touring a number of locations around the UK starting with the Royal Opera House in London (13-14 September 2026). Visitors are invited to listen, reflect, and write a postcard to the message sender in return.  All the audio messages are also available to listen to o...

See Work Differently Placements can be a great way for blind and partially sighted people to get into employment but what’s a placement actually like? David Hogg spoke to Michael Kear and Kate Charles from Vision PK to find out.

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Following on from releasing his first solo track, blind musician and producer Marshall Fairbrother has been working with the band Little Trees who hail from Nottinghamshire representing Neurodivergent and disabled communities with songs reflecting the band members own experiences of life 

Little Trees' music has been described as pop/rock that comes from the heart, full of energy and joy which can be heard in ‘Stronger’, their first single release.

RNIB connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Marshall to find out more about how Little Trees came about, the make up of the band, h...

Autumn is coming and brings with is changing leaves and beatiful birdsong.

Amelia is back with another monthly almanac to celebrate all things September.

Learn more about the birdsong and nature you can enjoy this month on the RSPB website -RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity

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Are you one of the many people in the UK who doesn't have a will? David Hogg finds out why some people are put off writing them, why you should really have one and how will writing has become easier in Scotland

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Remember A Charity Week takes place from September 7 to September 13, encouraging people to leave a gift in their Will to causes they care about.

For charity RNIB, gifts in Wills are truly life changing. They help the charity to be there for people with sight loss not just today, but long into the future.  

Here's our Paulina Kuchorew speaking with RNIB's Head of Supporter Experience, Helen Smith. 

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Writing a will can sound daunting, but the process is often much simpler than expected. Hywel Davies has been finding out how the National Free Wills Network can help to get your affairs in order.

For more information on the National Free Wills Network, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 99 99. giftsinwills@rnib.org.uk

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Leaving a gift in your will is a powerful way to make sure the causes you care about continue to thrive for years to come. Hywel Davies has been finding out how straightforward the process is and how even a small gift can make a lasting difference.

For more information on the National Free Wills Network, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 99 99. giftsinwills@rnib.org.uk

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Barry Snell chats to RNIB’s Legacy Management Lead, Daniel Pepper to find out about the importance of creating a will and leaving a will & about some of the more unusual gifts people have left to RNIB over the years.

For more information on the National Free Wills Network, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 99 99. giftsinwills@rnib.org.uk

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For this week’s CEO update on RNIB Connect Radio as Chief Executive Simon Antrobus is on annual leave RNIB’s Interim Chief Operations Officer Debbie Miller sits in for Simon to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

Debbie began by talking about the Synapptic Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses that are now available in the RNIB online shop which Debbie also has on order too. Then to some great topics and themes that came out of the recent BBC Access All interview with TV Producer, Presenter and best-selling Author Rich...

How can we have better disabled characters in film?

Psychology Researcher and DARK (Disability Action Research Kollective) founder Richard Amm has created a tool for writers to improve disability representation.

He tells Amelia about 'People Or Props'

Read Richard's dissertation for free here - Development of the People or Props Tool: Integrating Prejudice Reduction Psychology Insights to Improve Representations of Disability on Screen – ScienceOpen

Learn more about DARK on their website - The Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) - Disabled Leaders Network

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Guide Dog owner Jason Beal who lives in South East London has freed up the pavements of discarded unauthorised Lime bikes for him, his wife Jessica and other visually impaired people.  

When the discarded Lime bikes were blocking the pavements Jason and his Guide Dog Cain would have to nervously step into the busy London streets to get past the bikes. Following on from raising the issue with their local MP Liam Conlon who took up the matter with Bromley Council and Lime who have now apologised to Jason and Jessica as well as changing their app t...

Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Simon looks back on his first six months or so as RNIB CEO, noting a few highlights both internally and externally as well as a few RNIB projects that he is looking forward to seeing develop over the next six months that will help to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

If you, or someone you know, would like information...

In Mere Mortals, San Francisco Ballet takes on the story of Pandora’s Box through the contemporary lens of artificial intelligence.

Composer and electronic musician Floating Points (Sam Shepherd) performs his original score live with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as 40 dancers perform.

Amelia spoke to Audio Describer Emma-Jane Mchenry to learn more.

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Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter.

Audio described shows and events included:

Audio Descriptions - Milestones Living History Museum, Basingstoke, Hampshire,

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London -

Love’s Labours Lost, Sunday 6 September, 1pm, touch tour 11am,,

Much Ado About Nothing, Tuesday 8 September, 2pm...

Join RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey for a tour of one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

English Heritage guides, Stonehenge Deputy Operations Manager Scarlott Rolfe and site Supervisor and Historian Liz Purves give Toby an insight into the history of this world heritage site.

During the tour with Scarlot and Liz, Toby found out how the site had developed and evolved over the years through exploring some of the tactile models of Stonehenge that can be found in the visitor centre exhibition, touching the replica stones gave him a re...

Berthed in Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the world’s top tourist attractions and is a must visit for anyone coming to the Scottish capital.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell stepped aboard for a look around and hear about the accessible guides available for blind and partially sighted visitors.

For more info about visiting, go to www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Email enquiries@tryb.co.uk or call 01315555566.

#RNIBConnect

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Walking In The Light short documentary follows yoga teacher Dawn Blezard's journey as she takes on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge with failing vision due to her Stargardt's Disease.

Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Dawn and filmmaker and journalist Anne Goulde about the documentary being selected for the Women Over 50 Film Festival 2026.

Image shows a poster for the movie. Dawn in a rain walking jacket and dark glasses stands with a beautiful landscape opening up behind her from atop of one of the peaks.

This summer, RNIB Scotland partnered with Glasgow Speakers Club to deliver a course for five blind and partially sighted participants who indicated their interest in building this skill.

Following weeks of lessons, they delivered their speeches to a captive audience, including The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Dr Jacqueline McLaren and sponsor of this event, Councillor Robert Mooney.

RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew reports.

00:00 - 06:20 Jenn Worral and Robert H. King
06:20 - 13:15 Claire Forde and members of Glasgow Speakers Club
13:15 - 18:45 Luke Teasdale and Morag Wilson
18:45 - 21:40 Councillor Robert Mooney<...

Following on from the Government’s recent announcement that from 1 April 2027 disabled people in England which includes visually impaired people will be able to travel for free by bus at any time of the day lifting the current restriction of not being able to travel for free before 9.30am apart from at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Erik Matthies, RNIB Policy Lead to find out more about this landmark change in bus travel in England for blind and partially sighted people.

To find out more about some...

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NTatHome.com.

Audio described performances included:

Some Woman - Saturday 24 October, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Friday 20 November, 7.30pm...

David Hogg learns more about Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Education Advice Service…

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With recent news that a new weekly type 2 diabetes jab if approved could replace daily injections for people living with the condition, RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Dr Louise Gow, RNIB Head of Optometry, Low Vision and Eye Care Support along with Berni Warren who is visually impaired and has Type 1 diabetes to find out more about the connections between diabetes and sight loss as well as what life might be like living with the condition on a day-to-day bases as a blind or partially sighted person.

Louise talks about the different diabetes re...

This time for our regular browse through the RNIB online shop with Charlee Jarvis, RNIB Shop’s Buying coordinator We have fantastic news that the Synapptic Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are now available with help, training and support too

The package of training and support is also available for visually impaired people if they need help with their Meta glasses even if they have not purchased them through the RNIB online shop.

Charlee also talks about the new range of Eye Shades that have just been added to the shop too.

to find ou...

We have highlights of some great Northern Ballet productions with audio described performances this autumn and into 2027 as RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey catches up with Northern Ballet’s Artistic Associate and Audio Describer Pippa Moore MBE.

Northern Ballet productions highlighted included -

Last chance to catch Gentleman Jack with audio described performances at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Saturday 5 September, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm and at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Friday 2 April 2027, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.45pm,

Michael Pink’s production of Cinderella for Milwaukee Ballet is brought to life at a number of venues...

Let’s find out about another audio described performances at the Edinburgh International festival. David Hogg has been speaking to Audio Describer Caroline Jacquet…

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Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Simon talks about Metro Bank, Specsavers and some good news from Loganair.

If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk

You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.
#RNIBConnect

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by Paula Beattie, from RNIB Northern Ireland’s campaigns team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on.
This month’s topics include prep for next year’s elections and an important part in the future of neighbourhood health care.
If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email campaignsni@rnib.org.uk

#RNIBConnect

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With the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in full swing at the moment RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with RNIB Scotland Volunteer Sighted Guide Jessica and visually impaired festival goer Bilal to find out how the sighted guiding service has been working for them both as Jessica has helped Bilal get to see a couple of great shows during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.

More details about the sighted guide service and how to apply for a guide for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 can be found by visiting - https://www.edfringe.com/experience/accessibility/sighted-guide-service/

...

The VocalEyes Describing Heritage: Co-creating Access Project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with the input of blind and partially sighted people from a number of Thomas Pocklington Trust Sight Loss Councils explores, through the co-creation of audio description in 10 heritage hubs across the country, ways of improving access to museums, galleries and heritage sites for visually impaired people.

Now that all of the 10 museum hubs have received their two-day training workshops Lindsay Bywood, VocalEyes Describing Heritage Project manager gives RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey an update on the progress of the project, how those wo...

The Collective Gallery in Edinburgh is running a free audio described tour on Sunday 30 August from 2pm of both ‘Afterlife’ by Katie Paterson and ‘There Is No Beginning, As There Is No End’ by Richard Maguire lead by Artist Juliana Capes.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Juliana and Claire Craig, Collective Gallery’s Programme Manager and Curator, to find out more about both Artist’s and how their work will be brought to life for blind and partially sighted people through the audio-described tour.

To find out more about the Collective Gallery and bo...

Despite her sight loss condition, Debbie Miller has climbed the career ladder from online sales, through customer service leadership positions and is now the Chief Operations Officer for the UK sight loss charity RNIB.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Debbie to learn more about her career ladder, coming to terms with a sight loss condition and what advice she has for blind and partially sighted people, when it comes to succeeding in employment.

#RNIBConnect

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Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some forthcoming events with Audio Description.
AD makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts events more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people.
This month they’re looking at a couple of outdoor festivals, a thought provoking play in Keswick and art at the Lowry.
If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk

#RNIBConnect

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Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Simon talks about two positive NHS stories, importance of eye checks, and free sighted guides for the Edinburgh Festival.

If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk

You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.

#RNIBConnect

Are you a film fan and looking for a place to chat ideas?

Amelia spoke to Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) founder Richard Amm and horror film club programmer and host Aaliyah Bates about disability representation in horror.

To join the club email darkhorrorfilm@gmail.com

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