Peter Greco hears from Jeremy Muir, CEO, for the Physical Disability Council Australia about recent changes made by South Australia's Access Taxis and their new policy to remove customers' abilities to request specific drivers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this special audio package, we take you to Brisbane for the Blind Australian of the Year Awards 2025, held on the evening of October 11th. It was a night to celebrate excellence, achievement and community spirit within Australia’s blind and low vision community. Vision Australia Radio was proud to attend and cover the proceedings, with special thanks to Link Vision, a valued sponsor of our network. Throughout this peice, you’ll hear from exhibitors, event organisers, and the evening’s MC Karan Nagrani, as well as Reggie Bird (Big Brother, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here) who was on the red carpet speaking with nominees and guests. Listen as we bring you the voices and stories that made the Blind Australian of the Year Awards 2025 such a memorable occasion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Interview Highlight: Professor Lauren Ayton - World Sight Day In this Interview Highlight Peter Greco hears from Professor Lauren Ayton from the Centre for Eye Research Australia highlighting October 9, World Sight Day and their focus on Ushers Syndrome for their Giving Day. More info: World Sight DaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sam also speaks with Wayne Speers from Yarra Trams about the upcoming Try Before You Ride event, taking place on 16 October at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eliza Grogan, State Lead from Vision Store Services in Brisbane, chats with Peter Greco about Vision Australia Community Inclusion Expo coming up on 11th October. The event will be held 2 to 5 pm at the Amora Hotel 200 Creek Street Brisbane, just before the Blind Australian of the Year Gala event. More info: Blind Australian of th Year Community Inclusion ExpoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Renee Capps lives with MS and worked at the MS Society. In this Highlight, Renee speaks with Peter Greco about the implications of the MS Society SA & NT going into voluntary administration and the important role they played after Renee’s diagnosis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sam speaks with Myra Woodley from Vision Australia and Mikaela Day from Kay & Burton about the upcoming Santa Fun Run, taking place on November 22 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Pants Headquarters welcomes special guest, Deb Fitzpatrick, ahead of her appearance at Story Wheel as part of Totally Lit Festival in Fremantle, Western Australia. Deb has written 10 books for children and young adults, her latest being Tawny Trouble, the tale of 11 year old Tessa's adventures as she cares for an injured bird, a Tawny Frogmouth, while on holiday in WA's southwest. Vision Australia Radio's Gemma Sidney speaks to Deb about books, writing, her real-life adventures in the cloud forest, plus you'll hear an excerpt from Tawny Trouble. As with all Happy Pants episodes, who knows what objects will emerge from their happy pants pockets??! Find out more and book for Story Wheel on the Totally Lit website. You can take your pick of Deb or another children's author and have a spin on the Fremantle Wheel on Fremantle Esplanade, WA. Totally Lit Festival events are happening all over Fremantle, WA from 26 September to 10 October 2025. Vision Australia Radio is a proud media partner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kent Walsdorf from Vision Australia Assistive Technology recently spoke with Jo Smith on work he has been doing on cybersecurity and screen reader safety. Kent covers a lot of ground including what is a scam email, how screen reader users can spot them and other general cyber safety online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this Vision Australia Radio Interview Highlight from Behind the Scenes, host Chris Thompson is joined by two inspiring guests from the Focus on Ability Film Festival. Together, they explore the stories behind the festival, the incredible talent it showcases, and what audiences can look forward to this year. As Vision Australia Radio proudly returns as a media partner, this conversation offers a great preview of the creativity and passion driving one of the most important celebrations of disability and inclusion in film. Tune in to Vision Australia Radio for more updates on Focus on Ability Film Festival 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chris Thompson, host of Vision Australia Radio’s Behind the Scenes, is joined by guests to explore the arts scene in WA, with a particular focus on Totally Lit Fest, where Vision Australia Radio proudly serves as an access and inclusion partner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sam speaks with Jo Cabot, an indoor skydiver with low vision looking to raise awareness for blind and low vision indoor skydiving, as well as organisations such as iFly and Handifly where people can find out more. Jo also tells us about her work putting together Dinner in the Dark events in her area around Hervey Bay, visiting Sydney to attend the Boundless Beauty Summit in July, and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeremy Moses chats with Peter Greco about his upcoming show at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival. The show is available with audio description; tactile tour; and there is a relaxed show. October 8-12, Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Evatt Room. More info: Jeremy Moses is “HARD TO WORK WITH". Or call: 03 9660 9666See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Peter Greco hears from Kelly Schulz founder from Knowable me, about a couple of big "little" wins for making Microsoft's Authenticator app more accessible for users of voiceover, and also an opportunity for some payment doing a survey about applying for employment. More info: Authenticator Apps video Knowable MeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melbourne magazine publish a print magazine four times a year to share news about City of Melbourne projects, people, places and events. Melbourne magazine is distributed to public spaces like libraries, cafes and community hubs in December, March, June and September. Stories from Melbourne magazine are also published digitally to this Melbourne News website, alongside many more online-only articles. To ask a question about Melbourne magazine, or share your feedback, please email melbournemag@melbourne.vic.gov.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nominations are open for Blind Australian of the Year, Young Blind Australian of the year and Blind Australian of the Year Employer. Peter Greco hears from Karan Nagrani, Marketing Manager with Link Vision about this years awards and how to make a nomination. More info: Blind Australian of the YearSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Briony Benjamin, author and public speaker, shares her story with Peter Greco about her diagnosis, awareness for blood cancer and what support is available through the Leukaemia Foundation. More info: Blood Cancer Awareness Month Leukaemia FoundationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vision Australia Radio is proud to return as a media partner for the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival! And in 2026, the Vision Australia Library is stepping up its support—encouraging members to showcase their creativity through the festival’s microfiction competition. Together, we’re celebrating storytelling, writing, and reading across Melbourne’s west and beyond, reaching festival-goers, Vision Australia clients, and our radio listeners alike. In this interview highlight, Brimbank Libraries’ Scott Steensma joins us in the studio to share what’s in store for this year’s festival, while Vi Nguyen from the Vision Australia Library unveils the exciting theme of the microfiction competition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jane talks about the review into the Disability Discrimination Act and how to give your feedback. You can find out more here: https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/human-rights-and-anti-discrimination/australias-anti-discrimination-law/review-disability-discrimination-actSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Supporting someone who is blind or has low vision is often a role that goes unnoticed. Many family members and friends see what they do as an act of love and responsibility. But in taking on this role, that person is also providing important support, and there are resources available for them, too. In this special Vision Australia Radio presentation, host Sam Colley (Talking Vision) sits down with Adam Demirtel (Director Carers, Holstep Health), and Vision Australia’s wellbeing experts Debbie Loke (National Social Supports & Wellbeing Lead) and Megan Kohlhagen (Wellbeing Team Lead & Senior Practitioner). Together, they explore what it means to support someone who is blind or has low vision, the emotional journey from diagnosis to daily life, and the challenges of navigating complex systems like NDIS and My Aged Care. The conversation highlights their hidden struggles and quiet strength, while shining a light on the culturally inclusive, practical, and emotional support available through Carer Gateway and Vision Australia. Whether you’re supporting a parent, partner, child, or friend, this episode is here to remind you that you are not alone, and help is here for you too. To learn more, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit www.carergateway.gov.au Connect with Vision Australia at www.visionaustralia.org Please note: Within the Vision Australian community, the term ‘carer’ is only used when referencing a paid carer. The term ‘family member and supporter’ is used to refer to someone supporting a loved one. Listen to Vision Australia Radio for accessible news and information services 24/7. Visit www.varadio.org or ask your smart device to play Vision Australia Radio. You can find Vision Australia Radio podcasts on all major podcast platforms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.