RNIB Conversations

With International Women’s Day celebrated on Sunday 8th of March, we’re discussing what it’s like to navigate the online space as a visually impaired woman.Joining Paulina Kuchorew on the Happy Hour are RNIB’s Social Media Officer Lisa Adams and blogger and Social Media Manager with RNIB Holly Tuke.Image 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.

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:The Devil Wears Prada, Tuesday 10 March, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.15pm, Dominion Theatre, London,Fawlty Towers The Play, Thursday 12 March, 7.30pm, Ipswich Regent Theatre,The Mesmerist, Saturday 21 March, 3pm, touch tour 2pm Watford Palace Theatre,Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, Wednesday 1 April, 7.30pm, Theatre Royal Brighton,Marie & Rosetta, Saturday 4 April, 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm, @Soho Theatre, London.To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit -https://vocaleyes.co.uk

The landmark exhibition “Tracy Emin: A Second Life’ at Tate Modern traces 40 years of her groundbreaking practice, showcasing career-defining sensations alongside works never exhibited before.The exhibition celebrates Tracy Emin’s raw and confessional approach as she poses profound questions on love, trauma, and autobiography. Demonstrating her lifelong commitment to painting, showing her recent work as the culmination of the ways she has channelled her life into her art.At the Press View of the ‘Tracy Emin: A Second Life ‘ exhibition at Tate Modern on Wednesday 25 February 2026 RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Jess Baxter Assistant Curator of the exhibition for an insight into the work on display along with a look into the life of Tracy Emin the Artist too.The ‘Tracy Emin: A Second Life’ exhibition continues at Tate Modern until 31 August 2026.There will be an audio described tour of the exhibition on Wednesday 1 April 2026 at 5.30pm and more about these and other audio described tours can be found on the Tate website or by either emailing hello@tate.org.uk or calling 020 8778 8888.Do visit the following pages of the Tate website for more about the ‘Tracey Emin: A Second Life’ exhibition - https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tracey-emin

In our sight loss story this week, Hubert chats to Graham. They talk sight loss, how Braille has helped him with his education, and his business. 

This week on Guide Dog Blogs, Hubert chats to Jane Manley about her guide dog Rosie. They talk about Jane's first thoughts up on meeting her guide dog, and also Rosie's love of police uniforms together with other things. 

Ni Maxine is an award-winning Neo-jazz singer-songwriter based in Liverpool who has cemented herself as a rising star in the UK jazz scene. Championed across the NME, Jazz FM and the EFG London Jazz Festival, Ni is celebrated for her conscious, rich and resonant musical storytelling. ‘The Jazz Club's’ Jake Hart caught up with Ni to discuss the release of her debut EP ‘Mother’s Arms’, her upcoming UK tour, her journey to find community within music and the Liverpool jazz scene.   For more information and to keep up to date with Ni Maxine visit her website - https://www.nimaxine.com/ 

The Design Museum’s landmark exhibition Wes Anderson: the Archives charts the evolution of Anderson’s films from early experiments in the 1990s to more recent productions. Through the up-coming audio described tour of the exhibition on Friday 27 February at 10.30am blind and partially sighted people will get the opportunity to explore the design stories behind some of his award-winning and iconic films including; The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs to just name a few.RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Nao Zaragoza, Assistant Curator: Public Practice at the Design Museum and Johanna Agerman Ross the Curator of the Wes Anderson: the Archives exhibition to find out more about what blind and partially sighted people can expect and explore during the audio described tour on Friday 27 February 2026 at 10.30am.More about the Wes Anderson: the Archives exhibition and the audio described tour along with how to book a place on the tour can be found by visiting -  https://designmuseum.org/whats-on/talks-courses-and-workshops/audio-described-tour-of-wes-anderson-the-archivesImage 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. 

Hubert talks to Mike and Andy from Be My Eyes about their new product which aims to support blind and partially sighted people a work, and providing them with an equal experience with their fellow staff. You can catch a longer version of this interview by checking out RNIB Tech Talk. 

In the Sight Loss Story this week, Hubert chats to George Plumridge. George shares his sight loss story, talks about his experiences as a teacher, and his experience of a TPT internship, as he now works in their education team. 

In this podcast, Hubert chats to another intern whom we have spoken to during our trip to the TPT Intern day last year. Hubert talks ot Matthew about his internship experience, what he has learned, and challenges he has overcome. 

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:I’m Sorry Prime Minister - Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm, Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue, LondonMean Girls - Saturday 14 March, 2.30pm, Wales Millennium Centre, CardiffThe Lightning Thief - Saturday 21 march, 2.15pm, touch tour 12.45pm, Curve Theatre, LeicesterStranger Things: The First Shadow - Sunday 22 March, 3pm, touch tour 1.10pm, Phoenix theatre, LondonManic Street Creature - Thursday 26 March, 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm, Kiln Theatre, LondonTo find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk(Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

On guide dog blogs this week, we chat to Alex once again, as he tells us about his guide dog Rosie, and how different she is the his previous dog Blossom. 

In this podcast, Hubert catches up with Carys, one of the interns we spoke to during our coverage of the TPT Intern day last year. 

🩴How many flip flips do we give People We Meet on Vacation?For our Valentine's Day review, Amelia and Paulina look at the hot adaptation of Emily Henry's novel.Poppy wants to explore the world and Alex prefers to stay home with a good book, but somehow they are the very best of friends. They live far apart, but for a decade they have spent one week of summer vacation together.Starring Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, the movie was directed by Brett Haley for Netflix and is available with audio description.Image shows a poster for the movie. Dark haired Alex gives Poppy a piggyback ride. They're both dark-haired and holiday-tanned. She's laughing, arms holding onto him, he glances back with an easy smile and a gently arched brow. Text over the image reads: Emily Bader & Tom Blyth, People We Meet on Vacation, When your best friend is actually your soulmate.

For this week’s check-in with Glasgow based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick we are focusing on viruses as there seems to be quite a lot going around at the moment.Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey what the difference is between a virus and a bacterial infection. Then to what we should do if we think we have a virus and whether it is a good idea to take over the counter medicines for a virus. Finally Toby asked Elizabeth whether there is a virus out there that could be, say, more deadly than Covid?To get in touch with Elizabeth you can email info@elizabethroddick.com or for more information visit - https://elizabethroddick.com Image: Picture showing Elizabeth standing in her pharmacy, dressed in her white pharmacist coat and a colourful bandana around her neck, she's smiling warmly at the camera with her hands slightly raised.

On Guide Dog Blogs this week, Hubert chats to Alex Ramzan about his first guide dog Blossom, and what encouraged him to apply for a guide dog in the first place. 

In this guide dog blog, Hubert chats to Josh about his guide dog Ringo. 

In this sight loss story, Hubert chats to Jane, not only about her sight loss, but also about her love of fassion and clothing. 

ON guide dog blogs this time, Hubert welcomes back Liam Archer, as they talk about his newest guide dog Usher. 

In this sight loss story, Hubert chats to Stefan about his journey. They talk about his sight condition, adapting to life with sight loss, and his love of traveling.