RNIB Connect

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 National Eye Health Week, the Audio Is King conference and some exciting news from NaviLens. 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 Thursday 17 September 2026 at the RNIB’s Grimaldi Building in London, CPI and the RNIB brought publishers, authors, accessibility specialists, technology providers and industry partners together for the ‘Accessible Publishing Conference – Writing a New Chapter of Inclusion’, giving people the opportunity to have have meaningful conversations, share valuable insights and spark new ideas ensuring that visually impaired people and everyone no matter how they read will have equal access to books and the joy they bring too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Elizabeth Killingly Accessibility Manager at Bloomsbury publishing who took part in the Inclusion Creates Commercial Opportunity panel discussion. To find out more about making books and reading accessible to blind and partially sighted people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/leisure/reading-and-books/ 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.

On Thursday 17 September 2026 at the RNIB’s Grimaldi Building in London, CPI and the RNIB brought publishers, authors, accessibility specialists, technology providers and industry partners together for the ‘Accessible Publishing Conference – Writing a New Chapter of Inclusion’, giving people the opportunity to have have meaningful conversations, share valuable insights and spark new ideas ensuring that visually impaired people and everyone no matter how they read will have equal access to books and the joy they bring too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Lorna Dolan from CPI publishing the main organisation behind the conference. To find out more about making books and reading accessible to blind and partially sighted people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/leisure/reading-and-books/ 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.

On Thursday 17 September 2026 at the RNIB’s Grimaldi Building in London, CPI and the RNIB brought publishers, authors, accessibility specialists, technology providers and industry partners together for the ‘Accessible Publishing Conference – Writing a New Chapter of Inclusion’ giving people the opportunity to have have meaningful conversations, share valuable insights and spark new ideas ensuring that visually impaired people and everyone no matter how they read will have equal access to books and the joy they bring too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Simon Mellins Digital Publishing Consultant who works on accessible publishing and took part in the removing barriers through accessible design panel discussion. To find out more about making books and reading accessible to blind and partially sighted people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/leisure/reading-and-books/ 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.

On Thursday 17 September 2026 at the RNIB’s Grimaldi Building in London, CPI and the RNIB brought publishers, authors, accessibility specialists, technology providers and industry partners together for the ‘Accessible Publishing Conference – Writing a New Chapter of Inclusion’, giving people the opportunity to have have meaningful conversations, share valuable insights and spark new ideas ensuring that visually impaired people and everyone no matter how they read will have equal access to books and the joy they bring too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Emma Steel from Every Cherry a publisher of special educational needs books who took part in the panel discussion about equal access begins with accessible formats. To find out more about making books and reading accessible to blind and partially sighted people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/leisure/reading-and-books/ 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.

On Thursday 17 September 2026 at the RNIB’s Grimaldi Building in London, CPI and the RNIB brought publishers, authors, accessibility specialists, technology providers and industry partners together for the ‘Accessible Publishing Conference – Writing a New Chapter of Inclusion’, giving people the opportunity to have have meaningful conversations, share valuable insights and spark new ideas ensuring that visually impaired people and everyone no matter how they read will have equal access to books and the joy they bring too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Beth O’Brien, visually impaired best-selling Author of ‘Wolf Siren’ who delivered the key note speech at the conference. To find out more about making books and reading accessible to blind and partially sighted people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/leisure/reading-and-books/ 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.

On Thursday 17 September 2026 at the RNIB’s Grimaldi Building in London, CPI and the RNIB brought publishers, authors, accessibility specialists, technology providers and industry partners together for the ‘Accessible Publishing Conference – Writing a New Chapter of Inclusion’, giving people the opportunity to have have meaningful conversations, share valuable insights and spark new ideas ensuring that visually impaired people and everyone no matter how they read will have equal access to books and the joy they bring too. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Hannah Whitcombe, RNIB Corporate Partnerships Manager, to find out why it is so important for the RNIB and CPI to bring everyone from across the publishing and access sector together to ensure that there is equal access to books for everyone . To find out more about making books and reading accessible to blind and partially sighted people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/leisure/reading-and-books/ 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.

Sight Support Ryedale have an event on Monday for National Eye Health Week. The event is free and features variety of talks, technology demonstrations and more. Chief Officer Victorian Dean told Amelia what people can enjoy on the day. The event takes palce on the 21st September 2026, at Sight Support Ryedale, Commercial Street, Norton, YO17 9ES, from 10.30-3.30pm. Learn more on the Sight Support Ryedale Website - Home | Sight Support | Visually Impaired | North Yorkshire 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 another audio described theatre review. This week we step into the dressing room of three comedy heroes - Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse as the current tour of ‘The Last Laugh’ visited the Wolverhampton Grand theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Nicola Williams. About ‘The Last Laugh’ The Last Laugh is a “brilliant” (The Telegraph) smash-hit, West End play which imagines three of Britain’s all-time greatest comedy heroes – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse, in a dressing room, discussing the secret of life, death, comedy and what it means to be funny… really funny! “Lovingly written and directed” (Sunday Times) by the award-winning Paul Hendy, The Last Laugh features Damian Williams as Cooper, Simon Cartwright as Monkhouse and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle as Morecambe. The show consists of an 80-minute first act, a 20-minute interval, and a 30-minute post-show Q&A with the cast – the full 2 hour and 10 minute experience includes the Q&A. For more about the tour of ‘The Last Laugh’ do visit the productions’ website - https://thelastlaughplay.co.uk 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.

This week is Pension Awareness week and HMRC is encoring everyone to look at their state pension forecast. David Hogg finds 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.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of RNIB Northern Ireland’s Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they’re working on. This month’s topics include engaging with political parties ahead of next year’s double elections and work to make claiming heating oil support accessible. If you’d like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email campaignsni@rnib.org.uk #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

What is it like to do Freshers Week as a VI student? Amelia spoke to tiktokker and student Lacey Roo about her experiences of starting conversations and making friends at university. Follow Lacey on tiktok @laceyroo.h 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.

Eva Chappell has written and recorded a song called ‘We See You’ all about the powerful impact and difference the RNIB Talk and Support Group has had on her life as a visually impaired person. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Eva to firstly find out a bit more about her level of vision, the difference the RNIB Talk and Support Group has made on her life being able to chat with other visually impaired people about absolutely anything and as Eva says very much like a group of people sitting down round a table and having a coffee and a chat. Then to how Eva put the song ‘We See You’ together, how the RNIB Talk and Support Group influenced some of the lyrics and how she came up with the music and using technology to put it all together in her garden studio. to find out more about the RNIB Talk and Support Groups do either call the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/community-connection-and-wellbeing/talk-and-support/ 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 many parents, seeing their baby on an ultrasound screen is a milestone they’ll never forget. But how can b and ps people experience that exciting moment? Guide Dogs has launched First Hello, a pilot transforming traditional 20-week printed ultrasound scans into tactile sonograms. Amelia spoke to Kerry Bevan, Head of Support Services at Guide Dogs, to learn more. Learn more on the Guide Dogs website - First hello | Tactile sonograms for people with sight loss 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 this week’s CEO update on RNIB Connect Radio as Chief Executive Simon Antrobus is still on annual leave Dan Fisher RNIB’s Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer sits in for Simon to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. Dan began by talking about the launch of the ‘Audio is King’ report at the conference at the RNIB Grimaldi Building (Thursday 8 September 2026) looking into increasing audio description through the establishment of a possible secondary audience for AD. Then to the first new Gruffalo story in 20 years with ‘Gruffalo Granny’ and the launch of the Braille / print version which was released on the same day as the print version (Thursday 10 September 2026) which is now available in the RNIB online shop, a real sign of true inclusion for visually impaired children and adults too. 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 Amazon smart speaker 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.

At a conference at the RNIB’s Grimaldi building in London on Thursday 10 September 2026 the RNIB launched a new report titled ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ looking into whether establishing a secondary audience for audio description could help to make the case for greater investment in AD. The conference brought together broadcasters, AD producers, journalists, sight loss sector stakeholders and many visually impaired people to discuss the findings of the report, build momentum for the wider adoption of audio description and support the business case for the growth of AD within the audio landscape. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Emma Nagouse, Podcast Producer, broadcaster and academic to find out about the cross over between podcasting and audio description and whether they can both learn something from each other too. There is more about the ‘audio is King: television beyond the screen’ report on the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/research-and-data/reports-and-insight/audio-is-king-television-beyond-the-screen/ 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.

At a conference at the RNIB’s Grimaldi building in London on Thursday 10 September 2026 the RNIB launched a new report titled ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ looking into whether establishing a secondary audience for audio description could help to make the case for greater investment in AD. The conference brought together broadcasters, AD producers, journalists, sight loss sector stakeholders and many visually impaired people to discuss the findings of the report, build momentum for the wider adoption of audio description and support the business case for the growth of AD within the audio landscape. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Marie Campbell from Red Bee Media for her thoughts on the development of audio description along with news about some of the projects that the company are about to describe too. There is more about the ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ report on the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/research-and-data/reports-and-insight/audio-is-king-television-beyond-the-screen/ 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.

At a conference at the RNIB’s Grimaldi building in London on Thursday 10 September 2026 the RNIB launched a new report titled ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ looking into whether establishing a secondary audience for audio description could help to make the case for greater investment in AD. The conference brought together broadcasters, AD producers, journalists, sight loss sector stakeholders and many visually impaired people to discuss the findings of the report, build momentum for the wider adoption of audio description and support the business case for the growth of AD within the audio landscape. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Tak Ha, Research director at IPSOS who worked with the RNIB on the report. There is more about the ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ report on the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/research-and-data/reports-and-insight/audio-is-king-television-beyond-the-screen/ 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.

At a conference at the RNIB’s Grimaldi building in London on Thursday 10 September 2026 the RNIB launched a new report titled ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ looking into whether establishing a secondary audience for audio description could help to make the case for greater investment in AD. The conference brought together broadcasters, AD producers, journalists, sight loss sector stakeholders and many visually impaired people to discuss the findings of the report, build momentum for the wider adoption of audio description and support the business case for the growth of AD within the audio landscape. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Jonathan Penny, Access Services Manager at Channel 4, firstly for a snapshot of the level of AD on the channel and then his thoughts around widening AD to a larger audience including sighted people. There is more about the ‘audio is King: television beyond the screen’ report on the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/research-and-data/reports-and-insight/audio-is-king-television-beyond-the-screen/ 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.

At a conference at the RNIB’s Grimaldi building in London On Thursday 10 September 2026 the RNIB launched a new report titled ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ looking into whether establishing a secondary audience for audio description could help to make the case for greater investment in AD. The conference brought together broadcasters, AD producers, journalists, sight loss sector stakeholders and many visually impaired people to discuss the findings of the report, build momentum for the wider adoption of audio description and support the business case for the growth of AD within the audio landscape. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was there and caught up with Sonali Rai RNIB Senior Manager for Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies to find out more about the findings of the report. There is more about the ‘Audio is King: television beyond the screen’ report on the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/research-and-data/reports-and-insight/audio-is-king-television-beyond-the-screen/ 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.