RNIB Connect

How can you make the arts more accessible? Alice Christina-Corrigan applies her experience as a visually impaired person to break down barriers for others.Amelia learned more…Follow Alice on Instagram @aliceccorrigan and tiktok @alicechristinacorrigan and learn more on her website - Alice Christina-Corrigan – Actor, Maker & All Things AccessImage shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

Changes are being made to Child Benefits. Hywel Davies has been hearing from HMRC how the new change could affect you, and how you can make sure you’re getting the correct benefits that you’re owed.You can find more information on the gov.uk website - Child Benefit: How it works - GOV.UK

A new course, hosted by the University of Strathclyde, will help boost the number of Vision Rehabilitation specialists, who provide a vital role for people who are losing their sight. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke with Laura Walker, Visibility Scotland CEO, and Susan Shippey, Chair of Vision Collaborative Scotland, to hear more about the course and why it’s vital to build the low numbers of specialists in this area.If you’d like more info on the course, go to www.sightscotland.org.uk/vision-collaborative-scotland or www.strath.ac.uk#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

The annual spending power of people with disabilities in the UK, Purple Pound, is worth Billions of pounds but service providers could be missing out on their share, if their customer service fails them at the starting line.RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Gavin Neate from Welcome, to talk about the web based solution that supports the disabled customer, as well as the service provider, to find, or deliver, 1st class service.For more info on the system, go to www.wel-co.me#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

Next Door is an app where neighbours can organise events, share recommendations, request to borrow items and sell on second hand goods. Amelia spoke to Social Anthropologist Dr Anna Machin and Alice Skeats from Nextdoor about neighbourly connections…Learn more about Nextdoor on their website - NextdoorImage shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

The Linbury Prize exhibition at the national theatre in London presents the work of the 2025 prize recipients.12 emerging stage designers have been selected for their technical skill, artistic ability and creative vision as the brightest talent from across the UK.The exhibition is being made accessible to blind and partially sighted people through the use of the NaviLens codes not only to navigate around the exhibition but to hear descriptions of the prize winning Theatre Designer’s work too.RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey visited the national Theatre to explore the Linbury Prize winning Theatre Designer’s work through the use of the NaviLens app on his iPhone and the codes dotted around the exhibition. Before going round the exhibition he caught up with Jock Maitland, Design Skills Coordinator from the Learning Department at the National Theatre to find out more about the history of the Linbury Prize and why the National Theatre wanted to provide greater access to the exhibition to blind and partially sighted people through the use of the NaviLens codes.The Linbury Prize Exhibition continues in the Lyttelton lounge of the foyer of the Lyttelton theatre at the National Theatre in London until 6 June 2026 and more details can be found by visiting - https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/about-us/skilled-makers/linbury-prize/ (Image shows photograph of one of the costume designs by Kathy Udaondo, an off-white or cream coloured dress with long wide sleeves, a high neck, a wide skirt and long strips of the same fabric draping down the front of the dress from the shoulders. There is a blurred orange light in the foreground out of focus, perhaps a piece of furniture, and an abstract and illuminated blue wooden clad wall behind)

To end our coverage of Access To Work Week, Hubert chats to RNIB's Roisin Jacklin, to find out RNIB's take on the currant situation with access to work, and also find out what support is available from RNIB. Hubert also hears about how blind and partially sighted people can help by sharing their experiences of Access To Work. 

Looking to raise money for charity and get active at the same time?Amelia learned more about the upcoming Pink Ribbon Walks from Breat Cancer Now's Claire Pulford.The upcoming walks are on Saturday 18 April at Hampton Court Palace and the Thames Path, Saturday 9th May at Blenheim Palace in the Cotswolds, Sunday 17th May at Chatsworth House in the Peak District and Saturday 20 June at Holyrood Park in EdinburghImage shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

As part of our Access To Work Week, Hubert chats to Alba, who is an ECLO at RNIB. They talk about her support she gets, how important it is, and also her challenges she has been experiencing with Access to Work. 

This week on RNIB Connect Radio we're focusing on Access to Work, an important Government scheme that enables blind and partially sighted people to start or stay in employment.Joining RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew to share his experience of the service is estimator Jamie.Jamie shares how having a supportive employer and receiving support from Access to Work has helped him stay in work.If you’re blind or partially sighted and having problems with Access to Work, RNIB can offer advice and information. Please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.ukImage shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

This week on RNIB Connect Radio we're focusing on Access to Work, an important Government scheme that enables blind and partially sighted people to start or stay in employment.Joining RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew to share her experience of the service is yoga teacher Dawn.Dawn shares how the service helped her continue doing what she loves and also talks about her support being unexpectedly stopped for a few months without notice.If you’re blind or partially sighted and having problems with Access to Work, RNIB can offer advice and information. Please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.ukImage shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

This week on RNIB Connect Radio we're focusing on Access to Work, an important Government scheme that enables blind and partially sighted people to start or stay in employment.Joining RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew to share her experience of the service is disability advocate and award-winning journalist Emily Davison.Emily shares what impact a sudden cut to support has had on her wellbeing and her ability to work at a level playing field with her colleagues.If you’re blind or partially sighted and having problems with Access to Work, RNIB can offer advice and information. Please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.ukImage shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

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 budgets, fundraising and employment.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnect Image shows Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the channel Islands for another audio described theatre review.This week we have Malorie Blackman’s gripping Romeo and Juliet story ‘Noughts and Crosses’ at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About ‘Noughts and Crosses’“Why love, if losing hurts so much?”Sephy and Callum sit together on a beach. They are in love. It is forbidden.Sephy is a Cross and Callum is a Nought. Between Noughts and Crosses there are racial and social divides. A segregated society teeters on a volatile knife edge.  As violence breaks out, Sephy and Callum draw closer, but this is a romance that will lead them into terrible danger. This gripping Romeo and Juliet story by acclaimed writer Malorie Blackman is a captivating drama of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world.To find out more about the current tour of ‘Noughts and Crosses’ do visit - https://pilot-theatre.com/production/noughts-crosses/(Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font)

RNIB Scotland has produced it’s Manifesto, which will be shared with political parties, ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections on May 7th. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Catriona Burness, from RNIB Scotland, to find out why charities do this and how they promote the asks to the political parties and candidates. For more info on RNIB Scotland, go to www.rnib.org.uk/scotland#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

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.comAudio described performances included: ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,’ - Saturday 25 April, 1.30pm, touch tour 11.30am and Thursday 14 May, 7pm, touch tour 5pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre‘War Horse’, Saturday 20 June, 2.15pm, touch tour 12:15pm, Friday 24 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre,‘The Misanthrope’, Saturday 11 July, 2.30pm, touch tour at 12.30pm, Friday 31 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre.From NT at home with audio description David recommended ‘The importance of being Ernest’ and The Other Place’ . To find out more about the National Theatre’s audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website- https://www.nationaltheatre.org.ukAnd for more about NT at home and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com(Image shows National Theatre logo, A capital N and T in black against a white background)

A new voting tool has been created to help blind and partially sighted people, in Scotland, cast their votes independently and in secret.RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Catriona Burness, from RNIB Scotland, to learn more about the new changes for the forthcoming 2026 elections.For more on the improvements, go to www.rnib.org.uk/scotland#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

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 visiting services in Surrey, accessible voting and what it’s like having a Lived Experience coach.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 9999Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnect Image shows Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

Following a year long trial, blind and partially sighted rail passengers in Scotland with the eye plus one national entitlement card can travel with a companion at no extra cost. David Hogg finds out more…

Imagine if there was a website where you could look for audio described tv programmes and it would tell you what provider, what channel and when it was on?RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Jez Watts who may have the answer.For more info, go to www.insideaccess.live#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath