RNIB Connect

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some forthcoming audio described treats. AD makes television, movies, galleries and other arts events more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people. This month they’re looking at something classic, something new and something festive. If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

This November you have the chance to learn about some of the charities and organisations who are supporting blind and partially sighted people in and around Cardiff. Hywel Davies has been learning more about the ‘Live Well Expo’, supported by Sight Life.

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 an international event for Sight loss charity CEO’s, RNIB’s Accessible Streets campaign and survey plus a reminder about RNIB’s Christmas cards and gifts on sale now! 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 9999 Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image a headshot photograph of Simon Antrobus smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short brown 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 time we have a musical that is all about the untold story of the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst with ‘Sylvia a Musical Revolution’ as the touring production visited the Birmingham Hippodrome with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn. About ‘Sylvia’ Sylvia Pankhurst – fearless, flawed, and unforgettable. The untold story of the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst takes centre stage in this irresistible hip hop, funk and soul musical that moves your feet and fires your spirit. Whilst her mother and sister battled for women’s suffrage, Sylvia ignited a revolution for the forgotten: working women, the impoverished, the silenced. Caught between her family and her beliefs, Sylvia risked it all to bring change to millions. With an electrifying score by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, renowned choreographer and storyteller Kate Prince (ZooNation – Message in a Bottle, Some Like it Hip Hop, Into the Hoods, The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party) delivers her Olivier-nominated vision in this theatrical treat that audiences can’t get enough of. Starring powerhouse talent Beverley Knight, (Sister Act, The Drifters Girl, Memphis the Musical) in a show stopping performance as Emmeline Pankhurst, this is your chance to see her in a career defining turn that won her the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Naomi Katiyo (Hamilton, Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical) stars as Sylvia Pankhurst, a role that brings depth, heart, and fire to the stage. Direct from London’s Old Vic theatre where it played to sold out houses and instant standing ovations, SYLVIA is more than a musical – it’s a manifesto set to music, a revolution you can dance to, a story that roars and shakes the rafters. For more about ‘Sylvia’ including dates and times of performances do visit - https://sylviamusicaluk.com 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 month RNIB Connect Radio speaks to the Policy and Campaigns Team from RNIB Cymru. This month, Hywel Davies has been finding out about some of the different strands to RNIB’s ‘See Cymru Differently’ project. To find out more about the RNIB’s campaigns work in Wales and across the country you can email campaigns@rnib.org.uk, call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit - https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/ 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.

These days everyone likes to take a selfie of themselves while out and about, making a record of trips and holidays or just letting people know through social media what they are up to. So how easy might it be for blind and partially sighted people to take that perfect selfie photo of themselves standing outside a great historical landmark or iconic location. Well VISITFLANDERS have come up with a great solution and have co-created the ‘Selfie for All Tile’ with representatives from visually impaired organisations and experts too. The tiles feature integrated footprints for positioning and use Google Maps and NaviLens technology for audio guided orientation. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Anita Rampall from VISITFLANDERS and Leive Veys, a partially sighted volunteer from Licht and Liefde who are an advocacy group who were very much involved in the development of the tiles, to find out more about the project and how the ‘Selfie for All Tiles’ work enabling visually impaired people to take that perfect selfie. To find out more about the ‘Selfie for All Tiles’ and the various locations they are currently available do visit the following pages of the VISITFLANDERS website - https://www.visitflanders.com/en/travel-information/accessibility/selfie-all Image shows a man with a white cane in one hand taking a selfie with a smartphone in the other with the tower of St Rumbold's Cathedral in Mechelen in the background

Adapted from Lemony Snicket’s picture book, ‘The Dark’ by Peut-Être Theatre is a universal and empowering family adventure about facing one’s fear is on at Battersea Arts Centre in London from 27-31 October 2026. Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The Dark lives in the basement. It doesn’t visit Laszlo in his room. Until one night it does . . . Merging vibrant physicality with live music to create captivating performances, ‘The Dark’ is accessible for blind and visually impaired children through integrated audio-description and touch tours. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Ellie Isherwood and Daphna Attias from Peut-Être Theatre to find out more about ‘The Dark and what visually impaired children and their families will experience when they attend one of the truly accessible performances. To find out more about ‘The Dark’ at Battersea Arts Centre and the performances from 27 - 31 October 2026 do visit the following pages of the BAC website - https://bac.org.uk/whats-on/the-dark/ 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 have been working with the Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF) to make the festival more accessible for blind and partially sighted attendees. Amelia spoke with Charlie Little from SQIFF and James Kyle and Conor Joseph from RNIB to learn more. Find the SQIFF events programme and further details here - SQIFF – Scottish Queer International Film Festival 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.

Barry Snell learns about the importance of RNIB’s peer support groups in the Scottish Highlands. He is talking to RNIB Scotland's Project Support officer Ian White. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black 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.

Eye Care Liaison Officers play a vital role in help people adjust to a sight loss diagnosis. Hywel Davies has been finding out how the launch of a new facility in Sunderland will benefit patients and their families.

What are RNIB doing to make streets safer and easier to navigate for blind and partially sighted people? Amelia speaks to Erik Matthies and Lisa Hughes from RNIB to learn more about the Accessible Street Pledge Campaign. Learn more here - Accessible streets pledge | RNIB Campaigns 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'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 a celebrity panel on talking books, launching a new Eye Care Liaison Officer service and an award for one of our staff members. 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 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image a headshot photograph of Simon Antrobus smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short brown 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 the current tour of the West End stage production of the 1957 film ‘Twelve Angry Men’ visited the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. About ’Twelve Angry Men’ A life in the balance. Twelve men. One verdict. Following record-breaking West End seasons, this powerful production of Twelve Angry Men is back in session! Twelve Angry Men has been hailed ‘the classiest, most intelligent drama playing in the West End’. It brings the 1957 three-time Academy Award nominated film, considered one of the great ‘must-sees’ of all time, to the stage. A jury has murder on their minds and a life in their hands as they decide the fate of a young delinquent accused of killing his father. But what appears to be an open and shut case soon becomes a huge dilemma, as prejudices and preconceived ideas about the accused, the trial, and each other turn the tables every which way, until the nail-biting climax…. Reginald Rose’s gripping courtroom thriller stars Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street, Peak Practice), Bill Ward (Emmerdale, Coronation Street), Ricky Norwood (EastEnders), Tristan Gemmill (Casualty, Coronation Street) and Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier). Now it’s your turn to witness a ‘BRILLIANT’, ‘RIVETING’, ‘TRIUMPH’ of a show. For more about the current tour of ‘Twelve Angry Men’ including details of audio described performances near you do visit - https://www.kenwright.com/productions/twelve-angry-men-2026-27-uk-tour/ 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.

For our regular browse through the RNIB online shop here on RNIB Connect Radio this time our Toby Davey is joined by Claire Maxwell, RNIB Shop’s Buyer, to highlight some great lighting options including desk lights, floor lamps and head torches that are currently discounted through the shop’s lighting sale. Also for anyone who wants to get hands on with a number of HumanWare Braille displays there is a drop-in event on Monday 19 October 2026 from 10am to 12noon at the RNIB’s Grimaldi Building in London where you could get lucky and be in the running to come away with a Brailliant Braille display. For more about those highlighted lighting products plus many other great products that you will find in the RNIB online shop do visit - https://shop.rnib.org.uk/connect 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’s Let’s Play is a sensory‑play guide designed to help parents, carers and professionals create fun, accessible play experiences for blind and partially sighted children. Barry Snell caught up with RNIB’s Education and Children Information Resources Officer Tom Norton, to find out more. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black 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.

Paralympic Champion Lizzi Jordan is campaigning to have VAT removed from Tandem bikes. Amelia learned more about the Tax free tandems campaign… Learn more on the British Cycling webiste - Tax Free Tandems 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.

Could Braille labelling on food packaging be something that can come in across the UK? Hubert is finding out about the research that helps to build evidence to have this happen.

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 RNIB’s Accessible Streets campaign, pavement parking, and enhanced audio commentary on Premier League football. 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 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image a headshot photograph of Simon Antrobus smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short brown hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

On 2 November 2026 the first Global summit for Eye Health will bring senior leaders from governments, private and public sectors, NGO’s and funding institutions from across the world together to help to reach the 1 billion people living with avoidable sight loss and accelerate the progress towards universal eye health coverage too. The summit is being hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and supported by the international Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Peter Holland, Chief executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness to find out more about the first Global Summit for Eye Health, the themes and topics that will be discussed, what policies or statements might be launched on the day plus how the outcomes and recommendations from the summit will help to reach the 1 billion people living with avoidable sight loss and make the world see the value of vision. To find out more about the first Global Summit for Eye Health and follow the summit on the day too do visit - https://globalsummitforeyehealth.org 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.

Have you been receiving healthcare information in accessible formats? RNIB want to hear about your experiences in their new survey - Amelia spoke to Khadija Raza, Policy Lead: Accessibility, to learn more. Fill out the survey here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDTYQVJ Or complete it over the phone by calling 0303 123 9999 anytime from 9am-6pm Email campaign.mailbox@rnib.org.uk for more information. 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.