Rnib Connect

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 Royal Shakespeare Company and Wise Children stage adaptation of Hanif Kureishi’s award-winning novel ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ as the production transferred to the Barbican Theatre in London with description by Professional Audio Describer Gethyn Edwards. About ‘the Buddha of Suburbia’  South London in the late seventies. High unemployment, high inflation, food shortages and strikes. But despite the winter of discontent, 17-year-old Karim’s life is about to explode into glorious technicolour as he navigates a path to enlightenment. Or at the very least, Beckenham. Director Emma Rice brings her unique and joyful style to Hanif Kureishi’s award-winning 1990 novel, exploring family, friends, sex, theatre and, ultimately, belonging, in a c

If you live in the UK, are of pension age and are struggling with the cost of living crisis, there’s an important deadline for claiming Pension Credit. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Dominic Milne, from RNIB’s Legal Rights Service, to find out more. If you’d like to check what your entitled to, call RNIB’s Helpline on 03031239999. #RNIBConnect Image: RNIB Logo

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 a letter which was handed into the Department for Health and Social Care, the value of volunteers and a forthcoming Christmas Carol Concert. 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 Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB

New e-scooter trials have been proposed in two new cities in South Wales. Hywel Davies has been hearing from RNIB Cymru about the impact the trials could have on blind and partially sighted residents.

Our David Hogg finds out about a panel that took place at Arsenal this week around accessibility and inclusion.  He spoke to Gareth Davies from RNIB to find out more. 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.

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. 

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 look at the role of women in Spartan society.

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. 

The Braille 200 Library Tour continues and today it arrived at Clitheroe Library. The event, organised by RNIB, was a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the revolutionary system of tactile dots.  Dave Williams was there and spoke with  Allan Russell during Thursday's Daily Connect show.  Image shows the Braille 200 logo with 'Braille 200' written at the top in white text on a pink background with a visual Braille representation of the same text below it. Across the bottom is written Powered by RNIB and EBU written in their respective logos.

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. Our 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 National Theatre and a couple that are available online with audio description too via ntathome.com. Audio described performances included: The much loved best-selling book ‘Ballet Shoes’ is spectacularly reinvented for the stage in a new adaptation by Kendall Feaver. ‘Ballet Shoes’ will be audio described on Saturday 21 December at 1.30pm with  touch tour at 11.30am and on Thursday 30 January at 7pm with a touch tour at 5pm in the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre. Max Webster directs a joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ with Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke, Ncuti Gatwa and Hugh Skinner in th

As we move from the quarter finals into the semi-final 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 this week.  It was musicals week on Saturday night (30 November 2024) for the quarter finals with Chris and Diane dancing a quick step two ‘Anything Goes’ with Toby and Shaun commenting on their performance, the Judges comments and whether Chris has enough time to work on things before the semi final.  Then to a round up on how the other couples had done on Saturday night as we move into the semi final of Strictly Come Dancing with praise for Sarah and JB. Then to Shaun and Toby trying to work out why the general public had put Tasha and Aljaž into the dance off with Montell and Johannes and how much of a difficult choice it was for the Judges to vote Montell and Johannes o

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 it’s Panto time! If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.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. 

Chantage one of the UK's leading amateur choirs will be providing the music for RNIB’s Gift in Wills team sold out evening of festive music on Thursday 5 December 2024 at Westminster Chapel in London to celebrate the festive season. Chantage was formed in 1999 by its Director James Davey and is now well known as a stylish and energetic young chamber choir. Chantage won the 2015 Grand Prix at the Malta International Choir Festival, performed at the BBC Proms in 2014, and is frequently featured on Classic FM and BBC radio. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with James to find out a bit more about his musical background and career, how Chantage was formed plus some of the highlights for both James and Chantage since the Choir was formed back in 1999.  Along with a hint of the music that the coir will be performing during the evening of festive music at Westminster Chapel too. To find out more about Chantage do visit the choir’s website - https://www.chantage.org If you would like to find out more abou

March 2025 will see a conference, dedicated to inclusive and accessible technology, arrive at the Glasgow Science Centre. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to RNIB’s Robin Spinks to hear more about the content and who will be there. If you’d like more details about the conference, go to www.rnib.org.uk/inclusivedesign #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. 

Another Winter Warmer is here to help bring some light during the cold months.  Today Amelia looks at the history, folklore and nature we can celebrate during the month of December. 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. 

Scottish Disability Sport collaborates with governing bodies, clubs and 3rd sector organisations to make sporting opportunities more inclusive and accessible. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Mark Gaffney, from SDS, to learn more about the work and look at some forthcoming events that you can get involved in. If you’d like to learn more about SDS, go to www.scottishdisabilitysport.com #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 together with partner organisations went to the Department of Health and Social Care to hand in a hard to read health appointment letter to the Health Secretary, to help showcase issues faced by people with communication needs when receiving communications from the NHS.  Hubert was there too and got a few words from our Chair of Trustees, Anna Tylor, right after the hand-in took place. 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 week, RNIB Connect Radio 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 RNIB's Braille 200 event at the British Library, closing remarks at the COVID Enquiry and the deadline for RNIB’s Letters From Santa program. 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 of Matt smiling in grey jacket and wearing glasses.