WEBVTT - Talking Vision 722 Week Beginning 1st of April 2024 0:00:13.208 --> 0:00:18.958 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.958 --> 0:00:20.968 your host, Sam Colley. 0:00:23.458 --> 0:00:26.608 Hello everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.608 --> 0:00:29.578 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.578 --> 0:00:30.688 and low vision. 0:00:30.808 --> 0:00:35.188 Yeah. Friends have followed my daughter's path. She's lost most 0:00:35.188 --> 0:00:37.348 of her vision a few years ago, and I've just 0:00:37.348 --> 0:00:41.008 seen how Vision Australia has assisted her along the way. 0:00:41.008 --> 0:00:44.278 And I think they see the importance of Vision Australia 0:00:44.278 --> 0:00:47.638 radio and people's lives as well. So it's been fantastic. 0:00:47.638 --> 0:00:50.428 So I just went on the line and joined and 0:00:50.428 --> 0:00:53.848 for all my mates her message and said, I'm doing 0:00:53.848 --> 0:00:56.728 the challenge and said, here's the link to the donation 0:00:56.728 --> 0:00:58.888 page and they've just been fabulous. 0:00:58.918 --> 0:01:02.608 Welcome to the program. This week we'll hear from the 0:01:02.608 --> 0:01:07.498 second of our 100 K away participants, Kate Leaver such. 0:01:07.498 --> 0:01:12.358 She's a volunteer from Perth who is walking 100 K 0:01:12.388 --> 0:01:16.828 over the month of April to raise vital funds for 0:01:16.828 --> 0:01:22.108 Vision Australia Radio and the Vision Australia organisation. More broadly. 0:01:22.408 --> 0:01:26.368 That conversation is coming up very shortly so make sure 0:01:26.368 --> 0:01:30.568 to stick around then after you hear from Kate, Stella's 0:01:30.568 --> 0:01:35.428 back on the program with a teller link co-ordinator, Maria Marco, 0:01:35.458 --> 0:01:40.288 who tells us all about some exciting new developments in 0:01:40.288 --> 0:01:44.848 the world of tele link happening over the next few 0:01:44.848 --> 0:01:48.838 weeks and months. And finally, on the program this week, 0:01:48.838 --> 0:01:53.158 Frances Kaitlyn is back with a reader recommended and we 0:01:53.158 --> 0:01:57.418 finish up with some news and information. I hope you 0:01:57.418 --> 0:02:05.548 enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. A couple of 0:02:05.548 --> 0:02:08.518 weeks ago, we heard from Jason giving us a bit 0:02:08.518 --> 0:02:13.978 of an overview of the hundred K challenge happening over 0:02:13.978 --> 0:02:19.558 the month of April to raise vital funds for Vision Australia. Well, 0:02:19.558 --> 0:02:24.538 we're heading west now to Perth to chat with Kate leave. 0:02:24.538 --> 0:02:28.858 As such, Kate is a volunteer at Vision Australia Radio 0:02:28.858 --> 0:02:33.448 in Perth. She's had quite a close involvement with Vision 0:02:33.448 --> 0:02:37.078 Australia for quite some time now, and she joins me 0:02:37.078 --> 0:02:42.478 now to chat all about her hundred K Your Way campaign. Kate, 0:02:42.478 --> 0:02:45.868 welcome to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time. 0:02:46.528 --> 0:02:47.038 Thank you. 0:02:47.038 --> 0:02:50.548 Sam. Now, Kate, firstly, would you mind sharing with our 0:02:50.548 --> 0:02:54.148 audience what your role is at Vision Australia Radio in 0:02:54.148 --> 0:02:56.968 Perth and what it entails? 0:02:57.238 --> 0:03:02.398 Okay, so I volunteer on a couple of programmes. Firstly, 0:03:02.398 --> 0:03:06.058 the National News Hour, which is a daily news program 0:03:06.058 --> 0:03:10.438 and it's aired in the drive time slot and we're 0:03:10.438 --> 0:03:12.778 reading the most up to date news stories with the 0:03:12.778 --> 0:03:17.368 national focus from digital news platforms. And so we come 0:03:17.368 --> 0:03:20.548 in and gather the news stories and prepare them in 0:03:20.548 --> 0:03:24.088 the programme, sort of including the run sheet and calculate 0:03:24.088 --> 0:03:26.398 time it's going to take and things, and then we 0:03:26.398 --> 0:03:30.088 go on air to read them. And I can also 0:03:30.088 --> 0:03:34.018 operate the panel to broadcast the show. And then the 0:03:34.018 --> 0:03:38.278 other program is called Happy Pants and that's a weekly 0:03:38.278 --> 0:03:42.118 radio programme. It's aired on Saturday and Sunday mornings and 0:03:42.118 --> 0:03:45.628 it's for children and it's hopefully fun and entertaining for 0:03:45.628 --> 0:03:48.898 the kids with a bit of music, stories, movement and 0:03:48.898 --> 0:03:52.828 some activities. And so for that programme, I've written a 0:03:52.828 --> 0:03:57.298 few scripts and we come in weekly again and record 0:03:57.298 --> 0:04:01.198 the show and get started on the editing process. And 0:04:01.198 --> 0:04:03.778 then there's a couple of wonderful production folk here who 0:04:03.778 --> 0:04:04.978 get it ready to put on air. 0:04:05.338 --> 0:04:08.608 All right. Wonderful. And we have had a chat with 0:04:08.608 --> 0:04:12.958 a few people from Happy Pants, including, of course, Geraldine, 0:04:12.958 --> 0:04:17.878 and they're just absolutely wonderful people to chat to with. 0:04:17.878 --> 0:04:21.928 Oh yeah. Lovely to. Yeah, lovely to hear from them. Certainly. 0:04:21.928 --> 0:04:25.948 Good fun. Now, why do you think your radio programs 0:04:25.948 --> 0:04:30.088 are so important to those who tune in to hear them? 0:04:30.448 --> 0:04:34.648 Well, I guess the news it's informative reading service for 0:04:34.648 --> 0:04:39.088 people with blindness or low vision, and it gives them more, 0:04:39.418 --> 0:04:42.898 more detailed news stories instead of just the brief headlines 0:04:42.898 --> 0:04:46.108 and other news services that are out there. And then 0:04:46.108 --> 0:04:48.898 I guess, hopefully Happy Pants is engaging and fun for 0:04:48.898 --> 0:04:52.978 the kids, and it supports their lifelong literacy and learning 0:04:52.978 --> 0:04:56.818 through storytelling and activities and things. So yeah. 0:04:56.938 --> 0:05:01.078 Now you're involved, of course, with a couple of important 0:05:01.078 --> 0:05:05.878 radio programs over in Perth, but also over the month 0:05:05.878 --> 0:05:10.498 of April, you're also doing some important work in the 0:05:10.498 --> 0:05:14.218 hundred K your weight challenge. So tell us a bit 0:05:14.218 --> 0:05:18.088 about why you've joined the challenge. What sort of motivated 0:05:18.088 --> 0:05:19.408 you to get involved? 0:05:19.828 --> 0:05:23.548 Yeah, well, I guess it's good to keep moving as 0:05:23.548 --> 0:05:26.398 much as you can. And when the lovely Brigid, who's 0:05:26.398 --> 0:05:31.798 our coordinator of volunteers at Mission Australia Perth, suggested the 0:05:31.798 --> 0:05:34.918 100 K walk, I figured I need the exercise, so 0:05:34.918 --> 0:05:38.548 I jumped at the opportunity. But, um, also, it's it's 0:05:38.548 --> 0:05:41.668 the radio's major fundraising event for the year that anyone 0:05:41.668 --> 0:05:45.898 can participate in. And it's great to support the Vision 0:05:45.898 --> 0:05:50.908 Australia radio community that I guess enjoy and rely on 0:05:50.908 --> 0:05:54.838 the reading service of, you know, popular publications and things 0:05:54.838 --> 0:05:59.128 for their information and entertainment and companionship. 0:05:59.548 --> 0:06:02.908 And, um, can you remind us what the challenge involves 0:06:02.908 --> 0:06:06.328 and how you'll be knocking over the 100 KS over 0:06:06.328 --> 0:06:07.618 the month of April? 0:06:07.948 --> 0:06:12.508 So as it's called 100 K your way, the challenge 0:06:12.508 --> 0:06:17.338 is to complete 100km any way you would like over 0:06:17.338 --> 0:06:21.238 the month of April. So you could perhaps be cycling 0:06:21.238 --> 0:06:25.678 or swimming, but I'll be either walking or jogging. And 0:06:25.678 --> 0:06:28.408 I've actually had some friends already offered to go walking 0:06:28.438 --> 0:06:30.448 together with me to help me along the way, which 0:06:30.448 --> 0:06:31.858 is just wonderful. 0:06:32.008 --> 0:06:34.978 And I've joined up as well myself. I'm going to 0:06:34.978 --> 0:06:38.338 be doing the walk over the month and looking forward 0:06:38.338 --> 0:06:41.878 to seeing how that goes. And um, and my mum's 0:06:41.878 --> 0:06:44.788 joined up as well. So it's really, it's a bit 0:06:44.788 --> 0:06:48.418 of a family affair. So yeah, it's really cool. Um, 0:06:48.418 --> 0:06:51.628 very excited to get involved and see how that all goes. 0:06:51.628 --> 0:06:55.678 And there's a lot of lovely walking tracks near our houses, 0:06:55.678 --> 0:06:59.008 so it's, um, it's made quite easy by that. And 0:06:59.008 --> 0:07:02.398 also the weather cooling down a little bit, which means 0:07:02.398 --> 0:07:05.148 you sort of. It's a good way to. Up and 0:07:05.448 --> 0:07:08.418 over in Melbourne. It gets very cold and grey around 0:07:08.418 --> 0:07:11.148 this time of year, so I think perfect walking weather 0:07:11.148 --> 0:07:14.508 for sure. Um, excellent. What's your favourite? Yeah. What's your 0:07:14.508 --> 0:07:17.268 favourite sort of space to walk around? Have you got 0:07:17.268 --> 0:07:20.298 some nice little things you're looking forward to getting and 0:07:20.298 --> 0:07:21.198 walking around? 0:07:21.198 --> 0:07:23.358 Yeah, well I do have a dog and so he 0:07:23.358 --> 0:07:25.878 loves to get out there and his happy place is 0:07:25.878 --> 0:07:29.478 at the beach. So, um, we'll definitely be going for 0:07:29.478 --> 0:07:32.328 morning walks along the beach. And then I'm also not 0:07:32.328 --> 0:07:35.238 too far from the river. I live in Perth, and 0:07:35.238 --> 0:07:37.728 so I'm on the Swan River and, um, there's some 0:07:37.728 --> 0:07:41.538 beautiful trails along there too. So yeah, similarly just beautiful 0:07:41.748 --> 0:07:43.218 out in nature, actually. 0:07:43.518 --> 0:07:46.488 Um, and you've gotten off to an amazing start in 0:07:46.488 --> 0:07:50.058 your fundraising efforts, Kate, we've just all been amazed at 0:07:50.058 --> 0:07:52.848 how it's really gone. And, you know, as an individual, 0:07:52.848 --> 0:07:57.768 you've raised over $2,000, well over $2,000 already in the 0:07:57.768 --> 0:08:02.418 first 48 hours. So, um, that's incredibly exciting. Um, that 0:08:02.418 --> 0:08:05.448 must be really cool to see everyone sort of banding 0:08:05.448 --> 0:08:08.388 together and getting around that so quickly. 0:08:09.138 --> 0:08:12.138 Oh, yeah. Look, I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the 0:08:12.138 --> 0:08:18.318 support I've received with everyone's thoughtfulness and, um, generosity. Yeah. 0:08:18.318 --> 0:08:22.968 Friends have followed my daughter's path. She's lost most of 0:08:22.968 --> 0:08:25.908 her vision a few years ago, and it's just been. 0:08:25.908 --> 0:08:29.448 They've just seen how Vision Australia has assisted her along 0:08:29.448 --> 0:08:32.808 the way. And, um, yeah, just see, I think they 0:08:32.808 --> 0:08:36.198 see the importance of Vision Australia radio and people's lives 0:08:36.198 --> 0:08:39.438 as well. So it's been fantastic. So I just went 0:08:39.438 --> 0:08:42.978 on the line and joined and for all my mates 0:08:42.978 --> 0:08:46.698 her message and um said I'm doing the challenge and said, 0:08:46.698 --> 0:08:49.068 here's the link to the donation page. And they've just 0:08:49.068 --> 0:08:50.478 been fabulous. 0:08:50.658 --> 0:08:55.008 Very exciting. No, that's very exciting for sure. Absolutely. And, um, 0:08:55.008 --> 0:08:59.268 how can people support you going forward in your goal 0:08:59.268 --> 0:09:04.188 to reach 100km and raise money for Vision Australia Radio? 0:09:04.188 --> 0:09:07.728 What are those websites for people if they'd like to 0:09:07.728 --> 0:09:10.308 check them out and donate to the various teams? 0:09:11.088 --> 0:09:15.858 Yeah, so anyone can join and it's really easy. You 0:09:15.858 --> 0:09:22.008 just visit the Be a radio.org website and on there 0:09:22.008 --> 0:09:24.888 there's a button you can click for the 100 K 0:09:24.888 --> 0:09:28.488 your way link, and then you can select the link 0:09:28.488 --> 0:09:32.688 to either the Perth, Adelaide or Melbourne teams. And hopefully 0:09:32.688 --> 0:09:37.008 you click Perth. And um when you're on that site 0:09:37.008 --> 0:09:39.678 you can just click join us and then you're off 0:09:39.678 --> 0:09:43.818 and ready to go yourself. Or alternatively it's okay just 0:09:43.818 --> 0:09:47.418 to donate without taking part and you just scroll down 0:09:47.418 --> 0:09:50.838 a little bit and there's the window to donate. And 0:09:50.838 --> 0:09:55.038 of course, all the donations over $2 are tax deductible 0:09:55.038 --> 0:09:58.698 and you receive a receipt for your donation. So, um, yeah, 0:09:58.728 --> 0:10:02.778 very easy. So it's VA radio. Org is the starting point. 0:10:03.138 --> 0:10:07.938 Oh it's perfect VA radio.org there and all money raised 0:10:07.938 --> 0:10:12.168 within our three Vision Australia radio teams will directly support 0:10:12.168 --> 0:10:17.478 our fundraising targets for the radio network. And as Kate mentioned, 0:10:17.478 --> 0:10:22.038 it's super easy to join. You can visit VA radio.org 0:10:22.038 --> 0:10:26.688 that's VA radio.org and just click on the hundred K 0:10:26.688 --> 0:10:30.348 link and choose a team. Going to encourage a little 0:10:30.348 --> 0:10:35.268 bit of healthy competition. Encourage people over here to donate 0:10:35.268 --> 0:10:37.998 to our Melbourne team, and you can get people to 0:10:37.998 --> 0:10:40.368 donate to the Perth team. And we'll we'll see who 0:10:40.368 --> 0:10:44.658 wins out at the end of the month. That'll be nice. Little, um, well, 0:10:44.658 --> 0:10:49.458 it'll be healthy competition and encourages people to exercise and 0:10:49.458 --> 0:10:51.378 get healthy, so it's always good. 0:10:52.008 --> 0:10:55.998 Yes. Excellent, excellent and good luck for you guys too. Okay. 0:10:55.998 --> 0:10:58.848 Thank you so much for your time. I've been speaking 0:10:58.878 --> 0:11:03.888 today with Kate Lever, such from Vision Australia Radio in Perth, 0:11:03.888 --> 0:11:08.478 taking part in the hundred K Your Way challenge over 0:11:08.478 --> 0:11:12.258 the month of April as part of the Perth team. 0:11:19.028 --> 0:11:22.298 I'm Sam Culley and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:11:22.298 --> 0:11:27.338 Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio and the 0:11:27.338 --> 0:11:31.958 Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there 0:11:31.958 --> 0:11:36.098 with Kate Lavers, such from Vision Australia Radio in Perth, 0:11:36.098 --> 0:11:40.358 taking part in the 100 K Your Way challenge over 0:11:40.358 --> 0:11:44.018 the month of April. And if you missed any part 0:11:44.018 --> 0:11:47.438 of that conversation with Kate or you'd love to listen 0:11:47.438 --> 0:11:51.398 to it again. Talking vision is available on the Vision 0:11:51.398 --> 0:11:58.358 Australia Radio website RVA radio.org that's via radio.org. You can 0:11:58.358 --> 0:12:01.418 also find the program on the podcast app of your 0:12:01.418 --> 0:12:06.248 choice or through the Vision Australia library. And now here's 0:12:06.248 --> 0:12:08.618 Stella Glory with Maria Marco. 0:12:08.918 --> 0:12:12.998 This time around we are talking about Tele Link, which 0:12:12.998 --> 0:12:20.408 is Vision Australia's virtual social and interest group. Maria Marco 0:12:20.438 --> 0:12:25.298 is the co-ordinator tele link coordinator and she's here in 0:12:25.298 --> 0:12:29.408 the studio talking to me. Did I get that right? Maria? 0:12:29.438 --> 0:12:32.048 Yes you did Stella. That was great. That was exactly 0:12:32.048 --> 0:12:34.268 what we are and what we do now. 0:12:34.268 --> 0:12:37.628 For people who are listening and aren't familiar with tele link, 0:12:37.628 --> 0:12:40.628 which I would find it hard to believe that people 0:12:40.628 --> 0:12:45.458 don't know about this fantastic service that we operate. Give 0:12:45.458 --> 0:12:48.248 us more of an overview and tell us how long 0:12:48.278 --> 0:12:50.348 Tele Link has been running for. 0:12:50.708 --> 0:12:55.448 Tele link has been around or offered through Vision Australia 0:12:55.448 --> 0:12:59.048 for coming up to 44 years this year. So it's 0:12:59.048 --> 0:13:04.448 been a well-established program through its history, and we are 0:13:04.448 --> 0:13:07.238 a social and interest based program, and we have wonderful 0:13:07.238 --> 0:13:09.548 volunteers who facilitate our groups. 0:13:10.298 --> 0:13:13.268 We're going to talk about more about the volunteers, but 0:13:13.268 --> 0:13:15.908 what is the aim of Tele Link? 0:13:16.358 --> 0:13:19.598 The aim for tele link is really bringing people together 0:13:19.598 --> 0:13:22.658 who are 18 and over and bringing them together because 0:13:22.658 --> 0:13:25.268 they share an interest or an activity that they want 0:13:25.268 --> 0:13:29.678 to do with other people through a virtual communication means 0:13:29.678 --> 0:13:33.488 like the through teleconference or through an online group. 0:13:34.028 --> 0:13:37.178 It very much used to be telephone, but I think 0:13:37.178 --> 0:13:40.658 Covid might have changed that considerably as well. 0:13:40.658 --> 0:13:43.988 That's right. So we introduced quite a number of online 0:13:43.988 --> 0:13:47.378 groups when we went into the pandemic, and some of 0:13:47.378 --> 0:13:49.688 those have carried on and in new groups that we 0:13:49.688 --> 0:13:52.538 set up, we do a combination of both audio and 0:13:52.538 --> 0:13:56.648 from both online. So it really depends on what the 0:13:56.648 --> 0:13:59.648 type of group is and who we are targeting for. 0:13:59.648 --> 0:14:01.178 But we use both. 0:14:01.178 --> 0:14:04.178 And how did people adapt to those changes? 0:14:04.838 --> 0:14:09.218 Uh, it was actually a pretty smooth change depending on 0:14:09.218 --> 0:14:11.438 the group type and when we were offering it and 0:14:11.438 --> 0:14:13.778 the topic. So when we run our webinars through our 0:14:13.778 --> 0:14:18.128 special interests, they're all through zoom. So that's the webinars platform. 0:14:18.128 --> 0:14:21.338 Other groups, it really depends on the topic and the 0:14:21.338 --> 0:14:24.878 age range that we're marketing that group to. So but 0:14:24.878 --> 0:14:29.228 generally people were quite keen to to connect up just 0:14:29.228 --> 0:14:31.238 to come together during that time. 0:14:31.808 --> 0:14:34.268 And uh, what are some of the long running or 0:14:34.268 --> 0:14:37.808 standard groups that you have? I understand that crosswords and 0:14:37.808 --> 0:14:39.368 quizzes are very popular. 0:14:39.608 --> 0:14:42.668 They certainly are. And if we can find more volunteers 0:14:42.668 --> 0:14:45.338 to set more groups up, we would fill them up very, 0:14:45.338 --> 0:14:48.518 very quickly because it's it's a topic that it it's 0:14:48.518 --> 0:14:52.898 fun and you mentally stimulating and it's bringing people together 0:14:52.898 --> 0:14:55.028 who who share the love of doing a crossword or 0:14:55.028 --> 0:14:58.058 a quiz and have a bit of fun and want 0:14:58.058 --> 0:14:59.168 to come back for more. 0:14:59.528 --> 0:15:01.838 And other long running groups. 0:15:01.988 --> 0:15:04.658 Uh, the history topics have book clubs that we work 0:15:04.658 --> 0:15:08.408 together with the region Australia library team, uh, current affairs, 0:15:08.408 --> 0:15:13.958 the social groups in other languages than English. We have Arabic, Greek, Italian, Spanish, 0:15:13.958 --> 0:15:18.998 we have Mandarin, Cantonese. So a lot of social discussion 0:15:18.998 --> 0:15:22.508 groups in English, of course. Um, and we have lots 0:15:22.508 --> 0:15:25.928 of peer support groups for eye conditions, for example our 0:15:25.928 --> 0:15:30.278 p support. And we have specific groups for dog handlers, 0:15:30.278 --> 0:15:32.888 people who have a dog or are thinking about, um, 0:15:32.888 --> 0:15:35.438 inquiring about, you know, what that's all about, and talk 0:15:35.438 --> 0:15:38.858 to others who have a dog guide parenting support for 0:15:38.858 --> 0:15:41.108 parents who are vision impaired, people who are blind or 0:15:41.108 --> 0:15:43.448 have low vision, who are the parent. So it's a 0:15:43.448 --> 0:15:46.418 lot of peer support as well as social and interest 0:15:46.418 --> 0:15:47.528 based programs. 0:15:47.528 --> 0:15:51.308 How fantastic. Now, on top of all of this, you 0:15:51.308 --> 0:15:55.268 are also in the process of because you never sit still, 0:15:55.268 --> 0:15:58.238 it's like a moving shark telly link. I don't know 0:15:58.238 --> 0:16:01.748 where I came up with that analogy. And uh, so 0:16:01.748 --> 0:16:04.598 you're looking to open up some more, uh, create some 0:16:04.598 --> 0:16:08.558 more groups, including some language groups. 0:16:08.888 --> 0:16:12.368 Yes. So we set up new groups or get ideas 0:16:12.368 --> 0:16:15.998 for groups, whether they're language or an activity based program 0:16:15.998 --> 0:16:19.718 or a topic in general from. What interest we get 0:16:19.718 --> 0:16:23.168 from clients as we get referrals for the program. And 0:16:23.168 --> 0:16:26.138 one of those is we are looking at setting up 0:16:26.138 --> 0:16:29.768 a third Mandarin speaking group for our Chinese speaking community. 0:16:29.858 --> 0:16:31.898 And we also will be looking at setting up a 0:16:31.898 --> 0:16:35.588 Hindi and Punjabi social group for people who are from India. 0:16:35.858 --> 0:16:38.138 Another group we're looking at, and we've had quite a 0:16:38.138 --> 0:16:40.358 bit of interest, is a group from people who play 0:16:40.358 --> 0:16:44.558 a musical instrument, a musicians group and one other that 0:16:44.558 --> 0:16:47.498 we've had on and off requests for, but we never 0:16:47.498 --> 0:16:50.198 really took a seriously, is a singalong group just for 0:16:50.198 --> 0:16:52.418 people just to get together and sing. So you don't 0:16:52.418 --> 0:16:56.678 need to be Beyonce or Bocelli or we're a soprano. 0:16:56.678 --> 0:16:59.318 It's just bringing people together just to sing and have 0:16:59.318 --> 0:17:03.458 feel good and just evoke those emotions of feeling happy 0:17:03.458 --> 0:17:06.398 or whatever that the emotion triggers from the song with 0:17:06.398 --> 0:17:09.938 other people. So we do have volunteers for these programs 0:17:09.938 --> 0:17:12.458 and we are looking for expressions of interest. If anyone 0:17:12.458 --> 0:17:15.038 wants to join and find out a bit more when 0:17:15.038 --> 0:17:18.068 they'll start, you know all those details will come out soon. 0:17:18.068 --> 0:17:23.258 That is fantastic. Now, I also understand that you are 0:17:23.258 --> 0:17:26.288 a part like you've got your participants. It's a very 0:17:26.288 --> 0:17:30.638 popular service tele link. So to the groups, to some 0:17:30.638 --> 0:17:34.418 groups run for a particular period of time because I 0:17:34.418 --> 0:17:38.588 know that you have special interest groups or winter and 0:17:38.588 --> 0:17:40.118 summer groups as well. 0:17:40.118 --> 0:17:42.758 That's right. So our regular programme, as we call it 0:17:42.758 --> 0:17:46.568 starts from February, takes a break in July and then 0:17:46.568 --> 0:17:50.648 comes back August till early December. And then in between 0:17:50.648 --> 0:17:52.958 in July and January each year we offer a special 0:17:52.958 --> 0:17:55.688 interest programme so our regular groups can have a break, 0:17:55.688 --> 0:17:58.418 as well as the volunteers taking a break and members 0:17:58.418 --> 0:18:01.268 can join something a bit different, something they haven't done before. 0:18:01.418 --> 0:18:05.228 Special interests. We do offer webinars which are a webinar 0:18:05.228 --> 0:18:07.478 series in the summer, in the winter, and that's where 0:18:07.478 --> 0:18:11.708 we have really great speakers, inspiring people, people who have 0:18:11.708 --> 0:18:16.148 done things in their specialised area, in their profession. So 0:18:16.148 --> 0:18:18.428 we are looking to plan for the July programme, which 0:18:18.428 --> 0:18:21.038 will be a four week programme this year. So we 0:18:21.038 --> 0:18:23.618 have the regular rotation as well as the special interest. 0:18:23.618 --> 0:18:25.778 So really tele link is 12 months of the year. 0:18:25.778 --> 0:18:30.668 It's non-stop and always planning ahead and looking for ideas 0:18:30.668 --> 0:18:34.598 and meeting and wonderful volunteers as well. So without them, 0:18:35.498 --> 0:18:37.418 we really couldn't do it for this long. 0:18:37.418 --> 0:18:41.228 And you need some more volunteers in this area. What 0:18:41.228 --> 0:18:48.518 makes a good volunteer facilitator for tele link? 0:18:49.118 --> 0:18:52.598 Some of the qualities that we look for are obviously 0:18:52.598 --> 0:18:55.508 the skills and all the language that they speak and 0:18:55.508 --> 0:18:59.438 their fluency, and they speak English as well. They're good 0:18:59.438 --> 0:19:03.278 listening skills, good communication, and just the passion to want 0:19:03.278 --> 0:19:06.968 to bring that enjoyment or whatever that topic may be, 0:19:06.968 --> 0:19:10.748 to bring people together and share that with them. But 0:19:10.748 --> 0:19:15.008 allowing them to be the drivers of the programme, and 0:19:15.008 --> 0:19:17.828 they're there to moderate or facilitate the conversation and include 0:19:17.828 --> 0:19:21.998 people and welcome speakers, etc., and welcome new members. So 0:19:21.998 --> 0:19:24.728 there's lots of training involved before people are commencing the 0:19:24.728 --> 0:19:29.258 role of a facilitator. So it is quite a role 0:19:29.258 --> 0:19:32.378 that a lot of people can. Obviously it is done 0:19:32.378 --> 0:19:35.528 remotely as well because these are the virtual programme. So 0:19:35.528 --> 0:19:38.708 we we do have a diverse range of volunteers and 0:19:38.708 --> 0:19:39.908 age range as well. 0:19:39.908 --> 0:19:42.368 That's fantastic. And you can do it from the comfort 0:19:42.368 --> 0:19:45.368 of your own home. One thing I forgot did forget 0:19:45.368 --> 0:19:49.538 to ask who can join in on a tele link group? 0:19:49.538 --> 0:19:52.208 So clearly it's for people who are blind or have 0:19:52.208 --> 0:19:52.958 low vision. 0:19:53.078 --> 0:19:56.528 Yes. So for people who are clients of Vision Australia, um, 0:19:56.528 --> 0:19:59.438 18 and over. So our list we work with adult 0:19:59.438 --> 0:20:02.768 clients and so anyone 18 and over. So our age 0:20:02.768 --> 0:20:06.248 range is 18 right up to people in their early hundreds. Um, 0:20:06.248 --> 0:20:10.088 and people can join a group or groups depending on, 0:20:10.088 --> 0:20:13.538 on their, the capacity they have and what capacities we have, 0:20:13.538 --> 0:20:15.788 because our groups are very popular and we have limits 0:20:15.788 --> 0:20:19.328 on the teleconference groups as well. We have a line limit, 0:20:19.328 --> 0:20:22.358 but then there are reasons for that because it's only 0:20:22.358 --> 0:20:26.198 a one hour program. So we do have um, and 0:20:26.198 --> 0:20:29.198 it's national. We're national. So our reach is national. So 0:20:29.198 --> 0:20:31.988 we have clients from, from Northern Territory right through to 0:20:31.988 --> 0:20:38.288 Tassie and across WA to, um, the eastern side of Australia. 0:20:38.288 --> 0:20:41.408 So it is very diverse in all aspects, and. 0:20:41.408 --> 0:20:46.478 All people need is a telephone and maybe at times a. 0:20:46.478 --> 0:20:47.138 Internet connection. 0:20:47.138 --> 0:20:51.398 An internet connection. Yeah. If you are interested in finding 0:20:51.398 --> 0:20:54.458 a little bit more about tele link as a participant, 0:20:54.458 --> 0:20:58.478 or if you're interested in volunteering for Tele Link, give 0:20:58.478 --> 0:21:07.838 Vision Australia a call on 1300 847 461 308 4746 or head 0:21:07.838 --> 0:21:13.268 over to our website at Vision Australia org that's Vision Australia. 0:21:13.568 --> 0:21:17.198 Org and I have been speaking to Maria marcoux who 0:21:17.198 --> 0:21:22.608 is the. Telly link co-ordinator here at Vision Australia. Always 0:21:22.608 --> 0:21:25.458 a pleasure to speak with you, Maria. Thanks for your time. 0:21:25.488 --> 0:21:26.718 Thank you. Stella. Same. 0:21:30.538 --> 0:21:35.188 And now to Carly Findlay's Growing Up Disabled. In Australia, 0:21:35.188 --> 0:21:39.358 1 in 5 Australians have disability, and disability presents itself 0:21:39.358 --> 0:21:43.888 in many ways, yet disabled people are still underrepresented in 0:21:43.888 --> 0:21:48.238 the media and in literature. Growing Up Disabled in Australia 0:21:48.238 --> 0:21:52.468 includes interviews with prominent Australians such as Senator Jordan Steel 0:21:52.468 --> 0:21:57.238 John and Paralympian Isis Holt. Poetry and graphic art, as 0:21:57.238 --> 0:22:00.058 well as more than 40 original pieces by writers with 0:22:00.058 --> 0:22:05.278 a disability or chronic illness. And other contributors include Deon Beasley, 0:22:05.278 --> 0:22:10.678 Astrid Edwards, Jessica Walton, Carly J. Metcalf, Gayle Kennedy, and 0:22:10.678 --> 0:22:14.278 Elle Gibbs. Let's hear a sample of Growing Up Disabled 0:22:14.278 --> 0:22:19.858 in Australia, edited by Carly Findlay. It's narrated by Carly Findlay. 0:22:20.548 --> 0:22:23.728 Elle Gibbs no one told me when I first got 0:22:23.728 --> 0:22:27.988 sick that I had abruptly joined a community, one with 0:22:27.988 --> 0:22:32.848 a history and theories and ways of being. Instead, I 0:22:32.848 --> 0:22:36.928 was told to relentlessly search for a cure and an exit, 0:22:36.928 --> 0:22:41.308 no matter the cost to wage war on my disease self. 0:22:41.458 --> 0:22:45.568 I had become disabled not just by my disease, but 0:22:45.568 --> 0:22:49.088 by the way the world treated me. When I found 0:22:49.088 --> 0:22:54.558 that out, everything changed. It all started with a few 0:22:54.558 --> 0:22:59.098 spots on my arm. One summer day. A few red, 0:22:59.098 --> 0:23:04.448 flaky spots that I ignored. I had drinking to do drugs, 0:23:04.448 --> 0:23:09.638 to take, bands, to see, chaos to create. But the 0:23:09.638 --> 0:23:14.108 spots had their own agenda. They joined together and spread 0:23:14.108 --> 0:23:19.148 down my arm, then all over my body, various doctors 0:23:19.148 --> 0:23:22.478 peered at me and pronounced that it was nothing to 0:23:22.478 --> 0:23:26.968 worry about. Here's a cream that will fix you. Three 0:23:26.968 --> 0:23:31.798 months later, I was covered from head to toe in crimson, weepy, 0:23:31.828 --> 0:23:37.678 flaking hot sauce skin. It cracked every time I breathed 0:23:37.678 --> 0:23:42.178 in or out, and I bled on everything. By now, 0:23:42.178 --> 0:23:46.438 the doctors had agreed that a cream probably wouldn't fix me, 0:23:46.438 --> 0:23:49.168 and that I had to go to hospital for a 0:23:49.168 --> 0:23:53.728 few days. Right? No, they said for a few weeks 0:23:53.848 --> 0:23:58.778 I was 19. Each morning in hospital, I would stand 0:23:58.778 --> 0:24:02.558 on sheets in my undies while two nurses painted my 0:24:02.558 --> 0:24:06.638 skin with a paste, then wrapped me in bandages. The 0:24:06.638 --> 0:24:09.938 next day, the paste would be scrubbed from my skin 0:24:09.938 --> 0:24:13.568 and after a bath in tar, it would be reapplied. 0:24:13.598 --> 0:24:16.178 Repeat repeat repeat. 0:24:16.838 --> 0:24:20.018 That was a sample of Growing Up Disabled in Australia 0:24:20.018 --> 0:24:23.798 by Carly Findlay or Findlay. I should say Carly is 0:24:23.798 --> 0:24:35.468 spelt Carly. Carly Findlay is Findlay. Findlay. 0:24:42.338 --> 0:24:45.848 Thanks very much, Frances. And now, just before we go, 0:24:45.848 --> 0:24:50.588 there's some news about an upcoming women's leadership program run 0:24:50.588 --> 0:24:56.378 through women with Disabilities Victoria. Apply now for the Enabling 0:24:56.378 --> 0:25:02.018 Women Leadership Program. They're inviting women and non-binary people with 0:25:02.018 --> 0:25:07.298 a disability connected with the state of Victoria, aged 18 plus, 0:25:07.298 --> 0:25:12.938 to join their statewide Enabling Women Leadership program. This program 0:25:12.938 --> 0:25:18.218 focuses on empowerment and working towards building confidence, exploring who 0:25:18.248 --> 0:25:22.088 you are, reflecting on your strengths, working with a mentor 0:25:22.088 --> 0:25:25.958 to achieve a leadership goal, and becoming a better leader 0:25:25.958 --> 0:25:30.278 in your community. It takes place in person at women 0:25:30.278 --> 0:25:34.988 with Disabilities Victoria's office in Melbourne or online via zoom. 0:25:35.438 --> 0:25:39.428 It runs for eight weekly sessions for three hours, with 0:25:39.428 --> 0:25:43.508 breaks included plus five one on one sessions with a 0:25:43.508 --> 0:25:49.268 mentor and the graduation celebration. It runs every Wednesday from 0:25:49.268 --> 0:25:52.688 the 24th of April to the 12th of June, and 0:25:52.688 --> 0:25:57.638 the mentor sessions and graduation celebration are to be confirmed. 0:25:58.118 --> 0:26:02.588 Cost is free and for more information, including copies of 0:26:02.588 --> 0:26:06.908 the application form in accessible formats and help to apply, 0:26:06.938 --> 0:26:14.228 you can visit the women with Disabilities Victoria website at npr.org. 0:26:14.648 --> 0:26:19.418 Hey you. That's w dv for you. Or you can 0:26:19.418 --> 0:26:24.518 also email Bridget Jolly on Bridget dot jolly at w 0:26:24.518 --> 0:26:36.548 divorce you. That's Brad get Jolie at Wdvm for you. 0:26:36.698 --> 0:26:45.278 Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, the 11th of April, 2024. 0:26:45.308 --> 0:26:48.548 And that's all the time we have for today. You've 0:26:48.548 --> 0:26:52.778 been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision 0:26:52.778 --> 0:26:56.978 Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:26:56.978 --> 0:27:01.148 show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. 0:27:01.148 --> 0:27:04.688 So please get in touch anytime on our email at 0:27:04.688 --> 0:27:10.028 Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision or one 0:27:10.028 --> 0:27:14.858 word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's Sam 0:27:14.858 --> 0:27:16.748 Cowley saying bye for now. 0:27:20.398 --> 0:27:24.418 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:24.418 --> 0:27:33.298 business hours on one 308 4746. That's one 384 746 0:27:33.298 --> 0:27:38.548 or by visiting Vision australia.org. That's Vision Australia call.