RNIB Connect

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description.  Audio Description makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts venues accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people. AD is a narration describing what is physically happening, say on stage, TV or the big screen. It can also describe works of art, places of interest or exhibits. This month they look at some pantos and a Da Da Fest launch event If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk #RNIBConnect Image Shows Anne Sitting In Front Of A Microphone

A new device is hoping to make communication easier between music students and their teachers.  Hywel Davies has been speaking to the team behind the ‘Tap Tap’. 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. 

Time for our first winter warmer, where we discuss ways to enjoy and look after yourself over the colder months Sometimes it can be tough to choose a meaningful gift, but Amelia and Hubert are here to help with some personalised, inexpensive gift ideas for your close ones.  Find more gift inspiration in the RNIB Shop - https://shop.rnib.org.uk/gifts 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. 

Robert Kirkwood talks to the RNIB Bookshare Team Leader Rochelle Davis-Pretsell to find out about the service, who can use it and hears about a big change going on behind the scenes.

Celebrate the life of your loved one by supporting a charity in their memory.  Our David Hogg spoke with RNIB's Hazel Stirling about Remember a Loved One This Christmas and how it can help make the world a better place for blind and partially sighted people. Find out more here: Remember a loved one - celebrate their life | RNIB | RNIB 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.

Immerse yourself in a world of magic and mayhem with 'It's Your Role' as troupe of professional actors brings the world of Dungeons & Dragons to life. Each live D&D show is captured in high definition audio and then made available in the RNIB library with the first two episodes available right now. Robert Kirkwood finds out more ... The image features a promotional poster with a fantasy-themed design. At the center is a golden 20-sided die (D20) commonly associated with tabletop role-playing games, bearing the text "It's Your Role" across it on a ribbon banner. The die is surrounded by a glowing magical aura. Around the die are five people: Top Center: A person with a reddish beard, wearing an orange blazer. Their hands are clasped together as if plotting or calculating something. Top Right: A person with short, dark hair, holding a glowing flame in their hand, representing a magical ability. Top Left: A person holding a frothy mug, suggesting a tavern setting or a jovial character. Bottom Left: A person wearing a green sweater and holding up a 12-sided die (D12) with an excited or playful expression. Bottom Right: A person with dark hair, a mustache, and a white shirt, holding an open book as if reciting or referencing spells. A mysterious silhouette with a question mark overlays the die, hinting at an unknown or missing member. The background is a mystical blue with swirling magical patterns and decorative golden embellishments in the corners. 

The Royal Ballet and Opera House in London continue their programme of access to their productions for blind and partially sighted people with both live and recorded audio description for their current production of Puccini’s La Bohème from 18 December 2024 into January 2025.  RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Principal Guest Conductor Designate - Speranza Scappucci, freelance Audio Describer - Julia Grundy and Paul Adams - Access manager at The Royal Opera House for an overview to the story of La Bohème, what blind and partially sighted people might expect from either attending the live audio described performance on Wednesday 18 December 2024 at 7.30pm with a touch tour at 6.30pm or from the recorded audio description at the remaining performances throughout December and into January 2025. About Puccini’s La Bohème  Set in 19th-century Paris, La Bohème is about the lives of a group of struggling young artists. Based on Henry Murger’s novel Scenes de la vie de Bohème, the opera follows a love story between a poet named Rodolfo and Mimi, a seamstress, as they are forced to face the challenges of Mimi’s declining health and the realities of living in Paris’ Latin Quarter during the 1830s. The relationships and hardships faced by the pair along with their friends Marcello and Musetta are explored, alongside the effects of poverty, illness and youthful passion. A poignant take on the fleeting nature of happiness, La Bohème is an everlasting tale of tragic romance. To find out more about Puccini’s La Bohème at The Royal Opera House in London, book your tickets for one of the up-coming audio described performances do visit the following website link and you can always of course email boxoffice.access@roh.org.uk if you have any enquiries regarding access at The Royal ballet and Opera House. https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/la-boheme-details (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

The National galleries of Scotland host monthly descriptive tours and workshops for blind and partially sighted art lovers. Their next event 'Dürer to Van Dyck - Drawings from Chatsworth House' explores drawings and watercolours a spectacular group of some 50 Flemish, Dutch, Early Netherlandish, and German drawings and watercolours, spanning from about 1500 to 1700. The session takes place in person at The National Gallery on Wednesday 20 November 2024, 10.15am–3.30pm. Learn more on the NGS website - Visually Impaired Programme Live | Dürer to Van Dyck | National Galleries of Scotland Image shows RNIB Connect Radio logo. RNIB is written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath, 'Connect Radio' written in smaller black letters. 

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Matt talks about the new Eyeware tech launch, UK Ministerial meetings and Christmas! 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 also call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask Alexa to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect 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.

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 the next in his regular Connect Radio theatre reviews.  This week Vidar was reviewing the critically acclaimed new musical ‘Becoming Nancy’ at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional audio describer Carolyn Smith. About Becoming Nancy  A new musical about first love and finding your voice! Adapted from Terry Ronald’s best-selling novel – this critically and audience acclaimed new musical! It’s 1979 and David Starr is unquestionably one of the smartest, most talented sixth-formers in East Dulwich – he’s got a wild imagination, a vocal range to die for, and a bedroom plastered with posters of his beloved pop idols: Blondie, Sting, and Kate Bush. But being clever, with a great taste in music may not be enough to get him through secondary school, where, to his great surprise, he’s just been given the female lead in the school play, Oliver… The unconventional casting sends shockwaves through David’s small town, first with David, and then with his parents, his aunt, and his classmates. Before long, it seems like everybody has an opinion on whether David should go on with the show, inspiring him to turn to his no-nonsense best friend Frances and his unlikely co-star Maxie, the enigmatic captain of the football team. With smash-hit songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, Becoming Nancy is the feel good, joyous, new musical that weaves a story of family and first loves, with the courage it takes to finFor more about ‘Becoming Nancy’ do visit the production website - https://www.becomingnancymusical.com To find out about audio described performances and general access at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre do visit the access pages of their website - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/ (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

Scottish Ballet will once again take to the road with a festive classic, that will feature audio description for blind and partially sighted patrons. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Emma-Jane McHenry to hear more about Nutcracker… If you’d like more info on Scottish Ballet and accessible performances, go to www.scottishballet.co.uk #RNIBConnect 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.

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. 

Each year on 16 November it is Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) Awareness Day highlighting how CBS affects many blind and partially sighted people with the experience of seeing visual hallucinations which can range from simple patterns to vivid scenes, such as faces, animals or landscapes. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by RNIB ambassador Dr Amit Patel to find out more about Charles Bonnet Syndrome, how he first realised he was experiencing CBS and how he copes with the condition on a day-to-day basis.  There is a wide range of information and advice about Charles Bonnet Syndrome on the following pages of the RNIB website and you can always call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 if you would like to chat with someone about anything related to sight loss. https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/charles-bonnet-syndrome-awareness-day/ (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

As we move from week 8 into week 9 of Strictly Come Dancing our RNIB Connect Radio Strictly Star Reviewer blind ballroom dancer Shaun Hayward is back reflecting and commenting on how well blind Liverpudlian comedian Chris McCausland and his Professional Dance Partner Dianne Buswell have been faring in the competition.  Toby began by asking Shaun how he felt people watching would have reacted to the VT before Chris and Dianne’s couples choice dance to John Lennon’s ‘Instant Karma! (We All Shine On’ With some very powerful and personal messages from Chris in that VT. To then chatting about their dance and the black out moment and the incredible lifts that Chris was doing too. Then to how some of the other couples had done on Saturday night with praise again from Toby for Sarah and Vito! Ending as usual with Shaun and Toby discussing whether it was the right choice for Shane and Nancy to leave the competition. To follow how Chris and Dianne are progressing through Strictly Come Dancing 2024 along with how all the other dance couples are fairing in the competition, do visit the following Strictly Pages of the BBC website - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m8dq Image shows Shaun in a recording studio with microphones behind him in front of a colourful drape holding a plaque with medals on in each hand

In this series, archaeologist Simon Tinsley guides us through one of the most dominant, but least understood powers in ancient Greece, the Spartans. In this episode, we take a closer look at the Helot population of Sparta.

Yes, our alternative music show is celebrating 10 years! Find out how host David Hogg got involved in hosting A Little Alternative on RNIB Connect Radio in the first place, hear about his favourite memory from the years of making it, and let David recommend an alternative album that he thinks everyone should hear. Image: David pondering how in the world is the show already 10 years old. He's sitting with a party hat, which has a pattern of colourful balloons, and is holding his chin in deep thought as he glances at the big studio microphone, an eyebrow raised questioningly. 

Turn2us are a national charity providing practical financial support and they’ve launched a free tool to help people applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).  Amelia spoke to Welfare Benefits Specialist, Conor Lawlor, to learn more about the tool.  Learn more about the tool and Turn2Us on their website - Turn2us PIP Helper

Strap in because we're boarding some of the world's biggest rollercoasters with Jonathan this week. Tune in to 'The Lunch Break' on RNIB Connect Radio every weekday from 12 noon to 1pm for more Travelogues. 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.  

Online communities are a great way of feeling supported, all whilst sharing your experiences with like-minded people. Hywel Davies has been hearing about new ‘Virtual Hubs’ from Sight Support West of England. For more information, visit the Sight Support West Of England website - Join Our New Virtual Hubs for Peer Support and Connection - Sight Support West of England

In the UK, we’re seeing more programmes on tv incorporating audio description for blind and partially sighted viewers but what about adverts? RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Sonali Rai, from RNIB and June Johnson, from AD Text, about the increase in AD adverts and why some advertisers could be missing out on income by not including audio description. #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Logo,