S1: From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's
S1: your host Sam Colley.
S2: Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And
S2: for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness
S2: and low vision.
S3: My message would be to appreciate the vision that we
S3: have and the sort of wonder. Our eyeballs are such
S3: great things to help us appreciate life and help us
S3: to do many things. And if we take care of
S3: our eyes and do a few screening tests along the way,
S3: then we can maintain good eye health and good vision
S3: and have happy lives aided by good vision.
S2: Welcome to the program. This week we're celebrating World Sight Day,
S2: taking place on the 10th of October. Now World Sight
S2: Day is a global event to draw attention to blindness
S2: and low vision. And this year there's a special focus
S2: on children's eye health. And I'll be speaking with Stephen,
S2: a pediatric ophthalmologist from Sydney, very shortly. So make sure
S2: to stick around. Then after you hear from Stephen, I'll
S2: catch up with Maureen O'Reilly from the Vision Australia Library
S2: to have a chat all about the upcoming events going
S2: on in the library, and we finish off with a
S2: little bit of an update from Liz Dalakouras, the editor
S2: of Foyer Information, otherwise known as FYI. I hope you
S2: enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. Doctor Stephen Hawking
S2: is a pediatric Ophthalmologist joining me from the Retina and
S2: Eye Clinic in Hurstville, in the south western suburbs of Sydney. Now,
S2: the reason I'm talking to Steven today is we're celebrating
S2: World Sight Day with a special emphasis on the eye
S2: health of children and young people around the world. And
S2: it's my great pleasure to be joined by Steven right now. Steven,
S2: welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time.
S3: Pleasure, sir.
S2: Now, firstly, Steven, could you tell our listeners a little
S2: bit more about yourself and also the decades of work
S2: you've done in the children's eye health space? Oh, well.
S3: You know, actually, I fell into this job because when
S3: I graduated as an eye specialist and I was looking
S3: for a job, a job came up at the Children's
S3: Hospital in Sydney, which in those days was in the
S3: city at Camperdown, and I. And I really loved it.
S3: I loved talking to children, dealing with children and helping
S3: their parents and interacting with kids. Seeing the difference that
S3: treatment could make, you know, like some kids just become
S3: a different child when they first start to wear glasses
S3: or things like that. So I was I really enjoyed it.
S3: I was really enthusiastic about it. And I've been working
S3: in this space ever since.
S2: Had you always had the idea that you'd go into
S2: children's eye health before that happened? Or as you said,
S2: it sort of just came out of the blue?
S3: Yeah. No, I didn't really. It was just sort of
S3: a thing. Life is a bit like that. It is.
S2: Yeah. Yeah, certainly.
S3: It happened and I haven't looked back.
S2: And, um, today we're here to have a chat about
S2: World Sight Day and in particular, um, this year's theme,
S2: casting a spotlight on children's eye health. So let's just
S2: go to the core of that, Stephen, tell our listeners
S2: Why children's eye health is so important to the health
S2: and wellbeing of children and young people around the world.
S3: The thing is that most children have good vision, and
S3: it's a part of life that we all take for granted.
S3: And very often, if children have declining vision or visual loss,
S3: in many cases it's preventable. So I suppose my message
S3: would be to appreciate the vision that we have and
S3: the sort of wonder. Our eyeballs are such great things
S3: that help us appreciate life and help us to do
S3: many things. And if we take care of our eyes
S3: and do a few screening tests along the way, then
S3: we can maintain good eye health and good vision and
S3: have happy lives aided by good vision.
S2: Following on from that, one of the themes this year
S2: is also or one of the messages more so is
S2: inspiring children everywhere to love their eyes. And that ties
S2: in with, you know, kids who perhaps have to wear glasses,
S2: or they have other corrective measures or their parents discover or,
S2: you know, they need to sit closer to the board
S2: or they need to do things in certain different ways.
S2: And there's unfortunately still a little bit of a stigma
S2: there for kids to think, oh, if I have to
S2: do this, then, you know, I'll stand out and I'll get,
S2: you know, picked on and all that sort of thing.
S2: So what sort of message do you have for children
S2: and parents out there to kind of dispel those feelings
S2: and those stigmas?
S3: Yeah. So a good point. So I suppose children pick
S3: up negative vibes from their parents. And if the parent
S3: has a good attitude about glasses or about their vision
S3: aids or about their treatment, then usually the child will
S3: pick up the good, the positive vibe as well. So
S3: we really discourage any negative comments about glasses or about
S3: possibly needing glasses. We're all different and we're all there's
S3: lots of diversity, but we're all cherished and loved, and
S3: this should apply to our eyes and our you know,
S3: some of us have glasses, some of us don't have glasses.
S3: Some of us can see to the bottom line on
S3: the vision chart. Some of us can't see. But we
S3: all have a contribution to make, and we should all
S3: appreciate our vision. And it's sad to see children who
S3: are reluctant to wear glasses because of peer pressure. So
S3: we really want these schools to be positive. And almost
S3: all schools are. Yeah. So I suppose it's you know,
S3: in some ways it fits into a bullying program so that,
S3: you know, the schools who will deal with any bullying
S3: regarding glasses are the same as any other sort of bullying. And,
S3: you know, most kids who have glasses and need to
S3: wear them all the time, and mostly they make a
S3: big difference to their vision and their ability to do things.
S3: So it's an important thing that we don't want kids
S3: to miss out on because somebody teased them.
S2: Yeah definitely.
S3: Terrible.
S2: Mhm. But it has um improved which is pleasing. But
S2: yeah you've mentioned that ability to do things, and that's
S2: another thing. Focusing on if kids perhaps are blind or
S2: have low vision or have other sort of visual impairments,
S2: the focus is on that positive message you're talking about
S2: before focusing on what they can do rather than what
S2: they can't do. And I think that's, um, a message
S2: that is all too common out there. People saying, oh no,
S2: you can't do that or no, that's too dangerous for
S2: you or, you know, all that sort of thing. And
S2: there aren't as many opportunities for kids to jump in
S2: and have a go at something new. But I've talked
S2: to a lot of people over the years, both young
S2: and old, who, as children have been told, have a go.
S2: You know, there is a way that we can adapt
S2: to make this safer for you and there is a
S2: way that you can do this. So that's a really
S2: important message as well, isn't it?
S3: Exactly. That's right. You know, I suppose a lot of
S3: children are inherently shy. You know, little children are shy
S3: and they as they grow as children, they grow out
S3: of their shyness. And we want to encourage parents to
S3: help them to grow out of their shyness and not
S3: wrap them in cotton wool so that, you know, they
S3: don't get to experience life and experience the world and
S3: the opportunities available. I'm always amazed that the positive attitude
S3: that kids have, like kids with all different sorts of impairments,
S3: have to make progress and to get on with things.
S3: And it's it's always so encouraging to see kids get
S3: on with their reading, get on with their schoolwork, get
S3: on with making friends in all sorts of situations, you know,
S3: including visual impairment. So whenever I have the chance, I
S3: always encourage the parents and encourage kids to, you know,
S3: get out there and get on with it.
S2: There is also an interest in creating a world where
S2: every child has eye health that is accessible, available and affordable.
S2: And even in Australia, that can vary quite a bit,
S2: you know, with access to facilities. Perhaps people are in
S2: rural areas, they have lower incomes, all those sort of
S2: factors that come into things. So that's another important thing
S2: that we'd love to talk about this year is creating
S2: that world. And could you speak to why that's also
S2: such an important factor?
S3: Well, actually, Sam, in some ways, you know, Australia, you know,
S3: we're a first world country and we do have lots
S3: of programs to check or to pick up kids with
S3: eye problems. I'm really pleased that in my career lifetime,
S3: things have changed. And now all babies have their eyes
S3: checked after they're born, and then again at five weeks
S3: to look for any serious problems with their eyes and
S3: with their vision. So many kids will be picked up
S3: when they're newborn babies, as for instance, if they had
S3: glaucoma or if they had cataracts. If they had a retinoblastoma,
S3: which is a tumour in the eye. These things are
S3: usually picked up after birth because of our screening programs,
S3: and that goes right across the whole country. But then,
S3: as you said, as kids get older, other things like
S3: possibly access to having their vision tested before they go
S3: to school or access to getting glasses, it does vary
S3: a bit around the country. Even in this modern age,
S3: some kids who need glasses aren't picked up or it
S3: isn't detected until very late, and then they get their
S3: glasses late. And you know, everyone's amazed at the difference
S3: they make. And we all think, isn't it a shame
S3: that they didn't get the glasses earlier? So across Australia,
S3: in different states and in different cities, the access to
S3: having your vision checked and being checked and getting glasses
S3: is it varies. So it would be this is one
S3: thing where we were Australia could improve is making vision,
S3: sight tests and glasses available to all children who need them.
S3: The glasses aren't covered by Medicare. No. Yeah. So it
S3: would be good if it could be covered.
S2: Yeah. No, that's definitely true. Yeah. There's, um, there's a
S2: few things that. That's how it is with public health.
S2: There's quite a few things with glasses and also other
S2: things like getting your teeth checked and different bits and pieces.
S2: But that's an ongoing thing. We'll keep tabs on that
S2: and follow that with great interest for sure. Well, Stephen,
S2: thank you so much for chatting with me today. It's
S2: been an absolute pleasure to catch up with you. Celebrate
S2: World Sight Day and shine a light on the importance
S2: of children's eye health around the world. So thank you
S2: again for your time. Thanks, Sam. I'm Sam Culley and
S2: you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia Radio. Associated
S2: stations of Reading Radio and the Community Radio Network. I
S2: hope you enjoyed that conversation there with Doctor Stephen King
S2: from the Retina and Eye Clinic in Hurstville, catching up
S2: with me today to chat about World Sight Day and
S2: the importance of eye health for children and young people
S2: around the world. If you missed any part of that
S2: conversation with Stephen or you'd love to hear it again,
S2: talking vision is available on your favorite podcast platform or
S2: through the Vision Australia library. You can also find the
S2: program on the Vision Australia website at VR radio.org. That's
S2: VR radio all one word.org. On the 6th of November,
S2: the Vision Australia library will be holding a webinar entitled
S2: Discover the Latest Reading Tools and Technology. Essentially a matching
S2: bookend to their recent Accessible Writing Tools and Technology webinar,
S2: and that also means Damon McMorrow and Jim Piepszak will
S2: be making a return to facilitate the event once more,
S2: and to have a chat with me all about the event.
S2: I'm joined by Vision Australia Library community engagement coordinator Maureen O'Reilly. Maureen,
S2: welcome back to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for coming back.
S4: I'm very excited. You don't have me regularly enough. This
S4: feels like a special treat to me.
S2: I'm good to hear I haven't scared you off.
S4: No, I don't scare that easily.
S2: No. Well that's good. Um, but, um, we're here to
S2: chat today about some new reading tools and technology that's
S2: available through the Vision Australia library. So tell us a
S2: little bit about those. Give us a bit of an overview.
S4: Well I'm very excited. We are running a webinar that's
S4: coming up which is titled Discover the Latest Reading Tools
S4: and Technology. And it's a new program or event that
S4: we weren't actually planning on initially having, and it's a
S4: result of one that we ran earlier in the year.
S4: So back on the 1st of August, we ran our
S4: Writing Tools and technology webinar, and that was with Damo
S4: and Jim Piepszak from Vision Australia. And it was hugely popular.
S4: The feedback we got was amazing. We had so many
S4: people wanting to know when we'd run the next one
S4: and saying wonderful things. More about Jim and Damo than myself,
S4: but that's okay. Yeah, I don't get personally offended. So
S4: as a result of that feedback, we thought, well, we'll
S4: do a book and we've done writing tools and accessible technology.
S4: So we've essentially taken the same format and we're doing
S4: the reading tools and technology. So it will all be online.
S4: It's on the 6th of November at 1:00 for an hour,
S4: and it's got Jim and Damo again because they were
S4: exceptionally popular. And they're going to present to everyone from
S4: their own lived experience and their amazing, accessible technology experience.
S4: From a professional perspective, all the different reading tools and
S4: technology which are available to people at the moment. So
S4: they'll go through Daisy players, desktop readers, magnifiers with speech
S4: and wearables. So pretty much, I suppose, compartmentalizing them into
S4: those categories, and they'll provide a demonstration of selected devices.
S4: They'll focus on the attributes and the accessibility of each option.
S4: They'll look at the pros and cons, they'll look at
S4: the price point and pretty much saying, these are the
S4: different types of tools that are available to help you
S4: keep reading, and to make sure that vision loss doesn't
S4: actually inhibit fully your capacity to be able to read,
S4: whether it's wonderful books, or whether it's a shopping list,
S4: or whether it's a dreaded bills that arrive in your letterbox,
S4: your favourite recipe, or the instruction manual to try and
S4: figure out how to get that TV to work, which
S4: I just can't do. Really? Yeah.
S2: No. Totally relate with.
S4: That. I like it when you just switch them on,
S4: but yeah.
S2: No heaps of buttons now. So no, that's very important
S2: that we have these sort of webinars to help people
S2: out there who are either experiencing vision loss or perhaps
S2: have had low vision or have been blind from a
S2: very young age, and then, uh, finding things just a
S2: bit more difficult as technology does advance and things do
S2: get just that bit more complicated. So that's great to
S2: hear that Jem and Damo are available and putting on
S2: this sort of webinar. Now, if people are listening to
S2: this and thinking, wow, that's perfect, I'd love to head
S2: along or I know someone who'd be perfect to check
S2: this out. What's the best way for people to. Number
S2: one register. But number two, find out a little bit more.
S4: Well, one of the things that is really good about. Well,
S4: it's not just a webinar. This event that we're running,
S4: which was quite unique last time is it's what we'd
S4: call a hybrid. So people can register online and they
S4: literally just need to go to the Vision australia.org website.
S4: And if you go to events then it will show
S4: you the reading tools and technology. And then you just
S4: click on there and you can register to come online
S4: and watch the zoom webinar. But the other option that
S4: people have is that they can actually attend in person.
S4: So we have a capacity for people to come if
S4: they're in Victoria to Keong, or they can go to
S4: Parramatta in New South Wales, or they can go to
S4: Cooper in Queensland. And we did this with the Accessible
S4: Writing Tools and technology. Webinar where they will come in,
S4: they'll be greeted by Vision Australia staff. They can watch
S4: the entire webinar on our large screen in the conference room,
S4: but at the end of the webinar, then they get
S4: escorted to the vision store where they can actually have
S4: hands on demonstrations of all the equipment that was discussed
S4: in the webinar. They'll have the vision store staff, as
S4: well as the accessibility technicians and specialists who will talk
S4: to them about their particular needs and requirements, and then
S4: guide them as to which of those tools would actually
S4: be best suited to them. So it's a really lovely event.
S4: If people can get it in person, I'd really encourage
S4: them to people that came in in person last time
S4: or just had a wonderful experience. But if you can't
S4: come in person on the day, then you can watch
S4: the webinar and then if you have got the capacity
S4: to do this, come into the vision store at a
S4: later date and say, okay, these were what I saw discussed.
S4: These are what I'd like to look at. Or you
S4: can always just order something online, or you may find
S4: that you look at it and go, no, this is great.
S4: What I've got is actually best suited to me.
S2: Perfect. Now, it sounds like a lot of great options there,
S2: and a lot of things for people to look forward
S2: to if they can. As you said, head along in
S2: person to check it out.
S4: Well, one of the things we found, particularly in the
S4: last one that we did, was that there were people
S4: who vision had slowly deteriorated over time, so they didn't
S4: actually have the tools and the resources that would help them.
S4: And they didn't know that those tools and resources were
S4: there because it had been that slow deterioration. So to
S4: come in and see that you could actually take your
S4: vision back to a point where it was so much stronger,
S4: was just a revelation for them. But then, conversely, we
S4: had people who had been heavily involved in Vision Australia
S4: over the years, and they had accessibility tools that they
S4: thought were amazing. But even though their eyesight hadn't deteriorated,
S4: technology had improved dramatically over the last ten, 15, 20 years,
S4: and there were actually better tools and devices for them.
S4: So it's a great way for people who think I've
S4: got the best thing that can be. But that was ten, 15,
S4: 20 years ago to discover that, in fact, there's even
S4: better things now, or people that just don't realise what's
S4: out there because they've just been struggling and doing the
S4: best that they can.
S2: Yeah, no, that's totally that last one. That's totally me.
S2: So I can definitely relate with that. Um, but yeah,
S2: it's it's great to have that sort of realization of,
S2: you know, coming in and being like, oh, I didn't
S2: know this existed. This is really cool. And, you know,
S2: jumping into that and I guess, um, this is why
S2: it's also so important to get the word out that
S2: there are all these tools and technologies that are available
S2: to people to just make their life that little bit easier.
S4: And that was part of the feedback that we had
S4: on our writing tools that people said that, ah, when
S4: Jim and Dharma were speaking about all the different tools,
S4: it wasn't a sales pitch that they were trying to
S4: sell something. It was really explaining to them, this is
S4: what its strengths are. This is where it's really good,
S4: but this is where it actually lets itself down. And
S4: some of them they would talk about and say, look,
S4: this is amazing. This is the best tool. However, it's
S4: about ten times the cost of this one. And this
S4: one is nearly as good. So really you're pretty much
S4: getting everything you need in this one. So it was
S4: really just a very pragmatic discussion about what's on offer
S4: and what are the pros and cons for everything?
S2: Yeah. That's fantastic. It's great to hear that. You know,
S2: people do get all the information that is available out there.
S2: So I've been speaking today with Maureen O'Reilly, our community
S2: engagement expert at the Vision Australia Library.
S4: I don't know, anyone calls me an expert.
S2: Well, I do, so that's what you are. That's what
S2: we're calling you. And you've been an absolute treasure to
S2: be on the program today. So thank you so much
S2: for returning to Talking Vision and chatting to us all
S2: about the latest reading tools and technologies available to people
S2: in November at that event, through the Vision Australia library.
S4: Oh, thank you so much. It's always a pleasure to
S4: come on.
S2: Well, October's rolled around and you know what that means.
S2: The weather's warming up well, supposed to anyway. But most importantly,
S2: it also means we are chatting with Liz Dalakouras, the
S2: editor of Foyer Information, for a monthly update on what's
S2: been going on in the world of blindness and low vision. Liz,
S2: welcome back to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time.
S5: Not a problem. Thank you for having me, Sam.
S2: Now we've got a bumper edition of FYI, as always.
S2: Now let's see how we go. Try and remember everything. But, um,
S2: you know, there's quite a few exciting things going on.
S2: Let's start with what Chris Edwards has been up to lately.
S5: Recently, our director of Government relations, Chris Edwards, went to
S5: Canberra and attended the Geographic Atrophy Parliamentary event. By fast
S5: tracking funding for new therapies, we can provide new hope
S5: and reduce the financial and emotional burden of families on
S5: our communities. The event brought great awareness to geographic atrophy
S5: and funding that can help people who live with that condition.
S2: And they spend some seeing eye dogs news, which is
S2: quite exciting.
S5: There sure has. At Parliament House recently, Chris Edwards again
S5: went with our Seeing Eye Dog team, along with some puppies,
S5: where they met with the ministers to advocate for uniform
S5: and standardized accreditation of assistant animals. The event has shown
S5: us that the lack of consistent national system for accrediting
S5: these animals has caused great confusion, and makes it a
S5: lot harder for people who rely on them to get
S5: the support that they need.
S2: And there's been an article on the ABC regarding the
S2: NDIS impact. So tell us a little bit about that.
S5: So this particular article also links through to quite an
S5: interesting video. And it covers the NDIS impacts and the
S5: challenges you have when living in a remote area. In
S5: reference to this article, it's particularly in the remote Northern
S5: Territory where people are struggling to access NDIS supports. So
S5: advocates are pushing for reforms that emphasize more face to
S5: face appropriate services in these regions, which is so incredibly
S5: needed for regional areas, certainly is.
S2: And Liz, there's been some news lately about the Career
S2: Visions program that some just finished up for the year.
S2: But also, I understand it's just celebrated quite a big birthday.
S5: Yeah, in some very exciting news, our career. Program has
S5: celebrated ten years of impact. So our Career Visions program
S5: has created traineeships, programs and job opportunities for more than
S5: 54 blind or low vision clients who live in Queensland.
S5: And recently, we celebrated the graduation of six of these
S5: talented graduates.
S2: And I understand the quality of living groups are looking
S2: for some new people. Tell us a bit about that.
S5: We have a program here called Quality Living Groups and
S5: they are all about bringing people together so no one
S5: ever feels alone. If you are recently diagnosed, if you've
S5: been diagnosed for a little while and you're just looking
S5: to find your people, a quality living group is the
S5: perfect place to come. Make new friends, connections, and never
S5: feel alone.
S2: Perfect. And finally, Liz, the listener survey is coming up
S2: for people to have their say about Vision Australia Radio.
S2: So that's, um, always well received and quite exciting for
S2: people to give their input on the work that Vision
S2: Australia Radio is doing. So let's get some details about
S2: that one.
S5: Yeah, it's very exciting because all you need to do
S5: is fill in a survey giving your feedback. All we
S5: need to know is how you think that we can improve.
S5: Like do you have a favorite program or podcast? Do
S5: you prefer traditional radio or podcasts? We just love to
S5: hear and you have a chance to win your very
S5: own Amazon Echo Pop.
S2: Every little bit of feedback does help and everyone likes
S2: a prize, so get involved. We do very much value
S2: every little bit of feedback. Now it's worth reminding people
S2: that they can now subscribe to FYI, easier than ever.
S2: Head to Vision australia.org/fyi and you can sign up that way.
S5: Exactly. It's super easy and you will have fortnightly updates
S5: delivered directly to your inbox.
S2: Perfect. Well, I've been speaking today with Liz Dalakouras, editor
S2: of Foyer Information, otherwise known as FYI. Liz, thanks so
S2: much for your time today. Great to catch up with
S2: you and hear all about the latest news in FYI.
S5: Absolutely. It's always a pleasure with you, Sam.
S2: And that's all the time we have for today. You've
S2: been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision
S2: Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the
S2: show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you.
S2: So please get in touch any time on our email
S2: at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision all
S2: one word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's
S2: Sam Collins saying bye for now.
S1: You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during
S1: business hours on 1300 847 406. That's one (300) 847-4006 or by visiting
S1: Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.