WEBVTT - Talking Vision 749 Week Beginning 7th of October 2024 0:00:38.393 --> 0:00:44.183 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:44.183 --> 0:00:46.253 your host Sam Colley. 0:00:48.503 --> 0:00:51.833 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:51.833 --> 0:00:54.833 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:54.833 --> 0:00:55.913 and low vision. 0:00:55.943 --> 0:00:58.583 My message would be to appreciate the vision that we 0:00:58.583 --> 0:01:01.793 have and the sort of wonder. Our eyeballs are such 0:01:01.793 --> 0:01:04.462 great things to help us appreciate life and help us 0:01:04.462 --> 0:01:07.462 to do many things. And if we take care of 0:01:07.462 --> 0:01:11.183 our eyes and do a few screening tests along the way, 0:01:11.212 --> 0:01:15.413 then we can maintain good eye health and good vision 0:01:15.413 --> 0:01:18.413 and have happy lives aided by good vision. 0:01:18.533 --> 0:01:23.603 Welcome to the program. This week we're celebrating World Sight Day, 0:01:23.603 --> 0:01:27.953 taking place on the 10th of October. Now World Sight 0:01:27.983 --> 0:01:32.523 Day is a global event to draw attention to blindness 0:01:32.523 --> 0:01:37.083 and low vision. And this year there's a special focus 0:01:37.083 --> 0:01:42.273 on children's eye health. And I'll be speaking with Stephen, 0:01:42.303 --> 0:01:48.453 a pediatric ophthalmologist from Sydney, very shortly. So make sure 0:01:48.453 --> 0:01:53.073 to stick around. Then after you hear from Stephen, I'll 0:01:53.073 --> 0:01:57.753 catch up with Maureen O'Reilly from the Vision Australia Library 0:01:57.753 --> 0:02:02.043 to have a chat all about the upcoming events going 0:02:02.043 --> 0:02:06.423 on in the library, and we finish off with a 0:02:06.423 --> 0:02:10.472 little bit of an update from Liz Dalakouras, the editor 0:02:10.472 --> 0:02:16.503 of Foyer Information, otherwise known as FYI. I hope you 0:02:16.502 --> 0:02:25.472 enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. Doctor Stephen Hawking 0:02:25.472 --> 0:02:31.243 is a pediatric Ophthalmologist joining me from the Retina and 0:02:31.243 --> 0:02:37.303 Eye Clinic in Hurstville, in the south western suburbs of Sydney. Now, 0:02:37.303 --> 0:02:41.323 the reason I'm talking to Steven today is we're celebrating 0:02:41.322 --> 0:02:45.913 World Sight Day with a special emphasis on the eye 0:02:45.942 --> 0:02:50.202 health of children and young people around the world. And 0:02:50.203 --> 0:02:55.002 it's my great pleasure to be joined by Steven right now. Steven, 0:02:55.002 --> 0:02:58.662 welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time. 0:02:58.873 --> 0:02:59.502 Pleasure, sir. 0:02:59.532 --> 0:03:03.043 Now, firstly, Steven, could you tell our listeners a little 0:03:03.072 --> 0:03:06.763 bit more about yourself and also the decades of work 0:03:06.792 --> 0:03:10.273 you've done in the children's eye health space? Oh, well. 0:03:10.273 --> 0:03:14.593 You know, actually, I fell into this job because when 0:03:14.593 --> 0:03:17.773 I graduated as an eye specialist and I was looking 0:03:17.773 --> 0:03:20.023 for a job, a job came up at the Children's 0:03:20.023 --> 0:03:22.423 Hospital in Sydney, which in those days was in the 0:03:22.423 --> 0:03:25.243 city at Camperdown, and I. And I really loved it. 0:03:25.243 --> 0:03:28.222 I loved talking to children, dealing with children and helping 0:03:28.222 --> 0:03:32.333 their parents and interacting with kids. Seeing the difference that 0:03:32.333 --> 0:03:35.123 treatment could make, you know, like some kids just become 0:03:35.123 --> 0:03:37.343 a different child when they first start to wear glasses 0:03:37.343 --> 0:03:40.733 or things like that. So I was I really enjoyed it. 0:03:40.732 --> 0:03:43.613 I was really enthusiastic about it. And I've been working 0:03:43.613 --> 0:03:45.743 in this space ever since. 0:03:45.773 --> 0:03:50.033 Had you always had the idea that you'd go into 0:03:50.063 --> 0:03:53.543 children's eye health before that happened? Or as you said, 0:03:53.543 --> 0:03:55.913 it sort of just came out of the blue? 0:03:55.943 --> 0:03:58.673 Yeah. No, I didn't really. It was just sort of 0:03:58.703 --> 0:04:00.893 a thing. Life is a bit like that. It is. 0:04:00.893 --> 0:04:03.413 Yeah. Yeah, certainly. 0:04:03.443 --> 0:04:05.813 It happened and I haven't looked back. 0:04:05.843 --> 0:04:09.892 And, um, today we're here to have a chat about 0:04:09.893 --> 0:04:14.903 World Sight Day and in particular, um, this year's theme, 0:04:14.903 --> 0:04:19.943 casting a spotlight on children's eye health. So let's just 0:04:19.943 --> 0:04:24.203 go to the core of that, Stephen, tell our listeners 0:04:24.273 --> 0:04:28.653 Why children's eye health is so important to the health 0:04:28.653 --> 0:04:32.373 and wellbeing of children and young people around the world. 0:04:32.403 --> 0:04:35.703 The thing is that most children have good vision, and 0:04:35.703 --> 0:04:37.983 it's a part of life that we all take for granted. 0:04:37.983 --> 0:04:43.293 And very often, if children have declining vision or visual loss, 0:04:43.293 --> 0:04:46.953 in many cases it's preventable. So I suppose my message 0:04:46.953 --> 0:04:49.713 would be to appreciate the vision that we have and 0:04:49.713 --> 0:04:52.533 the sort of wonder. Our eyeballs are such great things 0:04:52.533 --> 0:04:55.023 that help us appreciate life and help us to do 0:04:55.053 --> 0:04:58.083 many things. And if we take care of our eyes 0:04:58.113 --> 0:05:01.473 and do a few screening tests along the way, then 0:05:01.473 --> 0:05:05.673 we can maintain good eye health and good vision and 0:05:05.793 --> 0:05:08.193 have happy lives aided by good vision. 0:05:08.223 --> 0:05:12.243 Following on from that, one of the themes this year 0:05:12.243 --> 0:05:15.663 is also or one of the messages more so is 0:05:15.663 --> 0:05:20.163 inspiring children everywhere to love their eyes. And that ties 0:05:20.163 --> 0:05:24.543 in with, you know, kids who perhaps have to wear glasses, 0:05:24.543 --> 0:05:29.403 or they have other corrective measures or their parents discover or, 0:05:29.433 --> 0:05:32.433 you know, they need to sit closer to the board 0:05:32.433 --> 0:05:35.943 or they need to do things in certain different ways. 0:05:35.943 --> 0:05:39.453 And there's unfortunately still a little bit of a stigma 0:05:39.483 --> 0:05:42.003 there for kids to think, oh, if I have to 0:05:42.033 --> 0:05:45.123 do this, then, you know, I'll stand out and I'll get, 0:05:45.153 --> 0:05:48.033 you know, picked on and all that sort of thing. 0:05:48.063 --> 0:05:51.783 So what sort of message do you have for children 0:05:51.783 --> 0:05:56.373 and parents out there to kind of dispel those feelings 0:05:56.373 --> 0:05:57.633 and those stigmas? 0:05:57.663 --> 0:06:00.933 Yeah. So a good point. So I suppose children pick 0:06:00.963 --> 0:06:04.563 up negative vibes from their parents. And if the parent 0:06:04.563 --> 0:06:07.353 has a good attitude about glasses or about their vision 0:06:07.383 --> 0:06:10.653 aids or about their treatment, then usually the child will 0:06:10.653 --> 0:06:14.403 pick up the good, the positive vibe as well. So 0:06:14.403 --> 0:06:17.702 we really discourage any negative comments about glasses or about 0:06:17.703 --> 0:06:21.333 possibly needing glasses. We're all different and we're all there's 0:06:21.333 --> 0:06:24.793 lots of diversity, but we're all cherished and loved, and 0:06:24.823 --> 0:06:27.103 this should apply to our eyes and our you know, 0:06:27.133 --> 0:06:29.263 some of us have glasses, some of us don't have glasses. 0:06:29.263 --> 0:06:31.093 Some of us can see to the bottom line on 0:06:31.093 --> 0:06:33.133 the vision chart. Some of us can't see. But we 0:06:33.133 --> 0:06:35.293 all have a contribution to make, and we should all 0:06:35.293 --> 0:06:39.463 appreciate our vision. And it's sad to see children who 0:06:39.493 --> 0:06:43.243 are reluctant to wear glasses because of peer pressure. So 0:06:43.243 --> 0:06:46.843 we really want these schools to be positive. And almost 0:06:46.843 --> 0:06:49.633 all schools are. Yeah. So I suppose it's you know, 0:06:49.663 --> 0:06:52.873 in some ways it fits into a bullying program so that, 0:06:52.903 --> 0:06:55.843 you know, the schools who will deal with any bullying 0:06:55.843 --> 0:06:59.202 regarding glasses are the same as any other sort of bullying. And, 0:06:59.233 --> 0:07:01.483 you know, most kids who have glasses and need to 0:07:01.483 --> 0:07:03.283 wear them all the time, and mostly they make a 0:07:03.283 --> 0:07:06.193 big difference to their vision and their ability to do things. 0:07:06.193 --> 0:07:08.503 So it's an important thing that we don't want kids 0:07:08.503 --> 0:07:10.603 to miss out on because somebody teased them. 0:07:10.633 --> 0:07:12.103 Yeah definitely. 0:07:12.103 --> 0:07:12.733 Terrible. 0:07:12.823 --> 0:07:17.833 Mhm. But it has um improved which is pleasing. But 0:07:17.833 --> 0:07:21.173 yeah you've mentioned that ability to do things, and that's 0:07:21.173 --> 0:07:26.003 another thing. Focusing on if kids perhaps are blind or 0:07:26.003 --> 0:07:30.083 have low vision or have other sort of visual impairments, 0:07:30.083 --> 0:07:34.043 the focus is on that positive message you're talking about 0:07:34.043 --> 0:07:37.043 before focusing on what they can do rather than what 0:07:37.043 --> 0:07:40.493 they can't do. And I think that's, um, a message 0:07:40.493 --> 0:07:43.433 that is all too common out there. People saying, oh no, 0:07:43.433 --> 0:07:46.433 you can't do that or no, that's too dangerous for 0:07:46.433 --> 0:07:49.493 you or, you know, all that sort of thing. And 0:07:49.523 --> 0:07:53.183 there aren't as many opportunities for kids to jump in 0:07:53.183 --> 0:07:55.673 and have a go at something new. But I've talked 0:07:55.673 --> 0:07:58.553 to a lot of people over the years, both young 0:07:58.553 --> 0:08:02.033 and old, who, as children have been told, have a go. 0:08:02.063 --> 0:08:04.223 You know, there is a way that we can adapt 0:08:04.223 --> 0:08:07.403 to make this safer for you and there is a 0:08:07.403 --> 0:08:09.683 way that you can do this. So that's a really 0:08:09.683 --> 0:08:12.023 important message as well, isn't it? 0:08:12.263 --> 0:08:15.143 Exactly. That's right. You know, I suppose a lot of 0:08:15.143 --> 0:08:19.383 children are inherently shy. You know, little children are shy 0:08:19.383 --> 0:08:21.393 and they as they grow as children, they grow out 0:08:21.393 --> 0:08:24.363 of their shyness. And we want to encourage parents to 0:08:24.393 --> 0:08:26.913 help them to grow out of their shyness and not 0:08:27.123 --> 0:08:28.893 wrap them in cotton wool so that, you know, they 0:08:28.893 --> 0:08:31.833 don't get to experience life and experience the world and 0:08:31.833 --> 0:08:36.723 the opportunities available. I'm always amazed that the positive attitude 0:08:36.723 --> 0:08:40.923 that kids have, like kids with all different sorts of impairments, 0:08:40.923 --> 0:08:44.883 have to make progress and to get on with things. 0:08:44.883 --> 0:08:48.663 And it's it's always so encouraging to see kids get 0:08:48.693 --> 0:08:50.943 on with their reading, get on with their schoolwork, get 0:08:50.973 --> 0:08:54.813 on with making friends in all sorts of situations, you know, 0:08:54.843 --> 0:08:58.083 including visual impairment. So whenever I have the chance, I 0:08:58.083 --> 0:09:00.723 always encourage the parents and encourage kids to, you know, 0:09:00.753 --> 0:09:02.133 get out there and get on with it. 0:09:02.163 --> 0:09:05.942 There is also an interest in creating a world where 0:09:05.943 --> 0:09:11.223 every child has eye health that is accessible, available and affordable. 0:09:11.223 --> 0:09:15.513 And even in Australia, that can vary quite a bit, 0:09:15.543 --> 0:09:20.232 you know, with access to facilities. Perhaps people are in 0:09:20.232 --> 0:09:24.672 rural areas, they have lower incomes, all those sort of 0:09:24.673 --> 0:09:28.932 factors that come into things. So that's another important thing 0:09:28.933 --> 0:09:32.203 that we'd love to talk about this year is creating 0:09:32.203 --> 0:09:35.803 that world. And could you speak to why that's also 0:09:35.803 --> 0:09:37.483 such an important factor? 0:09:37.512 --> 0:09:40.813 Well, actually, Sam, in some ways, you know, Australia, you know, 0:09:40.843 --> 0:09:42.912 we're a first world country and we do have lots 0:09:42.913 --> 0:09:45.943 of programs to check or to pick up kids with 0:09:45.943 --> 0:09:49.602 eye problems. I'm really pleased that in my career lifetime, 0:09:49.632 --> 0:09:52.573 things have changed. And now all babies have their eyes 0:09:52.573 --> 0:09:55.693 checked after they're born, and then again at five weeks 0:09:55.723 --> 0:09:58.723 to look for any serious problems with their eyes and 0:09:58.723 --> 0:10:01.993 with their vision. So many kids will be picked up 0:10:01.992 --> 0:10:04.783 when they're newborn babies, as for instance, if they had 0:10:04.813 --> 0:10:08.622 glaucoma or if they had cataracts. If they had a retinoblastoma, 0:10:08.622 --> 0:10:10.693 which is a tumour in the eye. These things are 0:10:10.693 --> 0:10:15.162 usually picked up after birth because of our screening programs, 0:10:15.163 --> 0:10:18.322 and that goes right across the whole country. But then, 0:10:18.323 --> 0:10:21.563 as you said, as kids get older, other things like 0:10:21.563 --> 0:10:25.943 possibly access to having their vision tested before they go 0:10:25.943 --> 0:10:30.142 to school or access to getting glasses, it does vary 0:10:30.173 --> 0:10:32.723 a bit around the country. Even in this modern age, 0:10:32.723 --> 0:10:36.083 some kids who need glasses aren't picked up or it 0:10:36.083 --> 0:10:39.262 isn't detected until very late, and then they get their 0:10:39.262 --> 0:10:42.622 glasses late. And you know, everyone's amazed at the difference 0:10:42.622 --> 0:10:44.933 they make. And we all think, isn't it a shame 0:10:44.933 --> 0:10:48.053 that they didn't get the glasses earlier? So across Australia, 0:10:48.083 --> 0:10:51.352 in different states and in different cities, the access to 0:10:51.382 --> 0:10:54.053 having your vision checked and being checked and getting glasses 0:10:54.083 --> 0:10:57.263 is it varies. So it would be this is one 0:10:57.262 --> 0:11:01.043 thing where we were Australia could improve is making vision, 0:11:01.043 --> 0:11:04.942 sight tests and glasses available to all children who need them. 0:11:04.973 --> 0:11:08.632 The glasses aren't covered by Medicare. No. Yeah. So it 0:11:08.632 --> 0:11:11.453 would be good if it could be covered. 0:11:11.482 --> 0:11:15.183 Yeah. No, that's definitely true. Yeah. There's, um, there's a 0:11:15.183 --> 0:11:18.423 few things that. That's how it is with public health. 0:11:18.453 --> 0:11:21.723 There's quite a few things with glasses and also other 0:11:21.723 --> 0:11:25.323 things like getting your teeth checked and different bits and pieces. 0:11:25.323 --> 0:11:28.262 But that's an ongoing thing. We'll keep tabs on that 0:11:28.262 --> 0:11:32.193 and follow that with great interest for sure. Well, Stephen, 0:11:32.193 --> 0:11:35.402 thank you so much for chatting with me today. It's 0:11:35.402 --> 0:11:39.302 been an absolute pleasure to catch up with you. Celebrate 0:11:39.303 --> 0:11:43.772 World Sight Day and shine a light on the importance 0:11:43.772 --> 0:11:47.343 of children's eye health around the world. So thank you 0:11:47.343 --> 0:11:57.752 again for your time. Thanks, Sam. I'm Sam Culley and 0:11:57.752 --> 0:12:02.973 you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia Radio. Associated 0:12:02.973 --> 0:12:08.552 stations of Reading Radio and the Community Radio Network. I 0:12:08.553 --> 0:12:13.093 hope you enjoyed that conversation there with Doctor Stephen King 0:12:13.093 --> 0:12:17.653 from the Retina and Eye Clinic in Hurstville, catching up 0:12:17.652 --> 0:12:21.703 with me today to chat about World Sight Day and 0:12:21.703 --> 0:12:25.843 the importance of eye health for children and young people 0:12:25.843 --> 0:12:29.562 around the world. If you missed any part of that 0:12:29.563 --> 0:12:33.343 conversation with Stephen or you'd love to hear it again, 0:12:33.372 --> 0:12:39.163 talking vision is available on your favorite podcast platform or 0:12:39.163 --> 0:12:43.153 through the Vision Australia library. You can also find the 0:12:43.152 --> 0:12:49.183 program on the Vision Australia website at VR radio.org. That's 0:12:49.213 --> 0:12:55.273 VR radio all one word.org. On the 6th of November, 0:12:55.303 --> 0:13:00.043 the Vision Australia library will be holding a webinar entitled 0:13:00.043 --> 0:13:05.802 Discover the Latest Reading Tools and Technology. Essentially a matching 0:13:05.803 --> 0:13:11.362 bookend to their recent Accessible Writing Tools and Technology webinar, 0:13:11.362 --> 0:13:15.803 and that also means Damon McMorrow and Jim Piepszak will 0:13:15.803 --> 0:13:20.302 be making a return to facilitate the event once more, 0:13:20.333 --> 0:13:23.543 and to have a chat with me all about the event. 0:13:23.543 --> 0:13:31.343 I'm joined by Vision Australia Library community engagement coordinator Maureen O'Reilly. Maureen, 0:13:31.343 --> 0:13:34.973 welcome back to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for coming back. 0:13:35.002 --> 0:13:38.333 I'm very excited. You don't have me regularly enough. This 0:13:38.333 --> 0:13:40.102 feels like a special treat to me. 0:13:40.463 --> 0:13:42.713 I'm good to hear I haven't scared you off. 0:13:42.833 --> 0:13:44.632 No, I don't scare that easily. 0:13:44.663 --> 0:13:47.693 No. Well that's good. Um, but, um, we're here to 0:13:47.723 --> 0:13:52.912 chat today about some new reading tools and technology that's 0:13:52.913 --> 0:13:57.232 available through the Vision Australia library. So tell us a 0:13:57.232 --> 0:14:00.083 little bit about those. Give us a bit of an overview. 0:14:00.112 --> 0:14:03.833 Well I'm very excited. We are running a webinar that's 0:14:03.833 --> 0:14:07.282 coming up which is titled Discover the Latest Reading Tools 0:14:07.283 --> 0:14:11.852 and Technology. And it's a new program or event that 0:14:11.852 --> 0:14:16.053 we weren't actually planning on initially having, and it's a 0:14:16.053 --> 0:14:19.233 result of one that we ran earlier in the year. 0:14:19.233 --> 0:14:22.293 So back on the 1st of August, we ran our 0:14:22.293 --> 0:14:26.583 Writing Tools and technology webinar, and that was with Damo 0:14:26.583 --> 0:14:31.323 and Jim Piepszak from Vision Australia. And it was hugely popular. 0:14:31.353 --> 0:14:35.013 The feedback we got was amazing. We had so many 0:14:35.013 --> 0:14:37.802 people wanting to know when we'd run the next one 0:14:37.803 --> 0:14:41.643 and saying wonderful things. More about Jim and Damo than myself, 0:14:41.643 --> 0:14:45.273 but that's okay. Yeah, I don't get personally offended. So 0:14:45.303 --> 0:14:47.643 as a result of that feedback, we thought, well, we'll 0:14:47.643 --> 0:14:51.422 do a book and we've done writing tools and accessible technology. 0:14:51.423 --> 0:14:55.893 So we've essentially taken the same format and we're doing 0:14:55.893 --> 0:14:59.253 the reading tools and technology. So it will all be online. 0:14:59.253 --> 0:15:02.613 It's on the 6th of November at 1:00 for an hour, 0:15:02.613 --> 0:15:06.062 and it's got Jim and Damo again because they were 0:15:06.063 --> 0:15:10.863 exceptionally popular. And they're going to present to everyone from 0:15:10.863 --> 0:15:17.312 their own lived experience and their amazing, accessible technology experience. 0:15:17.823 --> 0:15:22.233 From a professional perspective, all the different reading tools and 0:15:22.233 --> 0:15:25.983 technology which are available to people at the moment. So 0:15:25.983 --> 0:15:30.933 they'll go through Daisy players, desktop readers, magnifiers with speech 0:15:30.933 --> 0:15:35.133 and wearables. So pretty much, I suppose, compartmentalizing them into 0:15:35.133 --> 0:15:40.833 those categories, and they'll provide a demonstration of selected devices. 0:15:40.833 --> 0:15:45.333 They'll focus on the attributes and the accessibility of each option. 0:15:45.333 --> 0:15:47.883 They'll look at the pros and cons, they'll look at 0:15:47.883 --> 0:15:51.843 the price point and pretty much saying, these are the 0:15:51.843 --> 0:15:56.313 different types of tools that are available to help you 0:15:56.343 --> 0:16:00.423 keep reading, and to make sure that vision loss doesn't 0:16:00.423 --> 0:16:04.713 actually inhibit fully your capacity to be able to read, 0:16:04.713 --> 0:16:08.473 whether it's wonderful books, or whether it's a shopping list, 0:16:08.473 --> 0:16:11.773 or whether it's a dreaded bills that arrive in your letterbox, 0:16:11.773 --> 0:16:15.343 your favourite recipe, or the instruction manual to try and 0:16:15.343 --> 0:16:17.713 figure out how to get that TV to work, which 0:16:17.713 --> 0:16:19.573 I just can't do. Really? Yeah. 0:16:19.603 --> 0:16:21.073 No. Totally relate with. 0:16:21.073 --> 0:16:22.723 That. I like it when you just switch them on, 0:16:22.723 --> 0:16:23.323 but yeah. 0:16:23.353 --> 0:16:26.983 No heaps of buttons now. So no, that's very important 0:16:26.983 --> 0:16:30.343 that we have these sort of webinars to help people 0:16:30.343 --> 0:16:35.743 out there who are either experiencing vision loss or perhaps 0:16:35.743 --> 0:16:39.313 have had low vision or have been blind from a 0:16:39.313 --> 0:16:43.033 very young age, and then, uh, finding things just a 0:16:43.033 --> 0:16:47.023 bit more difficult as technology does advance and things do 0:16:47.053 --> 0:16:50.533 get just that bit more complicated. So that's great to 0:16:50.563 --> 0:16:54.553 hear that Jem and Damo are available and putting on 0:16:54.553 --> 0:16:58.993 this sort of webinar. Now, if people are listening to 0:16:58.993 --> 0:17:01.843 this and thinking, wow, that's perfect, I'd love to head 0:17:01.843 --> 0:17:04.822 along or I know someone who'd be perfect to check 0:17:04.823 --> 0:17:08.573 this out. What's the best way for people to. Number 0:17:08.573 --> 0:17:12.113 one register. But number two, find out a little bit more. 0:17:12.143 --> 0:17:15.563 Well, one of the things that is really good about. Well, 0:17:15.563 --> 0:17:17.903 it's not just a webinar. This event that we're running, 0:17:17.903 --> 0:17:20.903 which was quite unique last time is it's what we'd 0:17:20.903 --> 0:17:27.173 call a hybrid. So people can register online and they 0:17:27.173 --> 0:17:31.342 literally just need to go to the Vision australia.org website. 0:17:31.343 --> 0:17:34.673 And if you go to events then it will show 0:17:34.673 --> 0:17:37.763 you the reading tools and technology. And then you just 0:17:37.763 --> 0:17:41.603 click on there and you can register to come online 0:17:41.603 --> 0:17:44.812 and watch the zoom webinar. But the other option that 0:17:44.813 --> 0:17:48.113 people have is that they can actually attend in person. 0:17:48.113 --> 0:17:52.613 So we have a capacity for people to come if 0:17:52.613 --> 0:17:55.343 they're in Victoria to Keong, or they can go to 0:17:55.373 --> 0:17:57.863 Parramatta in New South Wales, or they can go to 0:17:57.893 --> 0:18:02.363 Cooper in Queensland. And we did this with the Accessible 0:18:02.363 --> 0:18:06.093 Writing Tools and technology. Webinar where they will come in, 0:18:06.123 --> 0:18:10.473 they'll be greeted by Vision Australia staff. They can watch 0:18:10.473 --> 0:18:14.553 the entire webinar on our large screen in the conference room, 0:18:14.553 --> 0:18:17.823 but at the end of the webinar, then they get 0:18:17.823 --> 0:18:21.423 escorted to the vision store where they can actually have 0:18:21.453 --> 0:18:25.173 hands on demonstrations of all the equipment that was discussed 0:18:25.173 --> 0:18:28.562 in the webinar. They'll have the vision store staff, as 0:18:28.563 --> 0:18:33.963 well as the accessibility technicians and specialists who will talk 0:18:33.963 --> 0:18:37.653 to them about their particular needs and requirements, and then 0:18:37.653 --> 0:18:40.083 guide them as to which of those tools would actually 0:18:40.083 --> 0:18:42.963 be best suited to them. So it's a really lovely event. 0:18:42.963 --> 0:18:46.143 If people can get it in person, I'd really encourage 0:18:46.143 --> 0:18:49.323 them to people that came in in person last time 0:18:49.533 --> 0:18:52.743 or just had a wonderful experience. But if you can't 0:18:52.743 --> 0:18:55.802 come in person on the day, then you can watch 0:18:55.803 --> 0:18:59.013 the webinar and then if you have got the capacity 0:18:59.013 --> 0:19:01.292 to do this, come into the vision store at a 0:19:01.293 --> 0:19:04.753 later date and say, okay, these were what I saw discussed. 0:19:04.783 --> 0:19:07.423 These are what I'd like to look at. Or you 0:19:07.423 --> 0:19:10.843 can always just order something online, or you may find 0:19:10.843 --> 0:19:13.033 that you look at it and go, no, this is great. 0:19:13.033 --> 0:19:15.253 What I've got is actually best suited to me. 0:19:15.283 --> 0:19:19.153 Perfect. Now, it sounds like a lot of great options there, 0:19:19.153 --> 0:19:22.633 and a lot of things for people to look forward 0:19:22.633 --> 0:19:25.633 to if they can. As you said, head along in 0:19:25.663 --> 0:19:27.643 person to check it out. 0:19:27.673 --> 0:19:30.403 Well, one of the things we found, particularly in the 0:19:30.403 --> 0:19:34.302 last one that we did, was that there were people 0:19:34.303 --> 0:19:40.033 who vision had slowly deteriorated over time, so they didn't 0:19:40.063 --> 0:19:45.763 actually have the tools and the resources that would help them. 0:19:45.763 --> 0:19:48.493 And they didn't know that those tools and resources were 0:19:48.493 --> 0:19:52.483 there because it had been that slow deterioration. So to 0:19:52.513 --> 0:19:54.703 come in and see that you could actually take your 0:19:54.703 --> 0:19:58.753 vision back to a point where it was so much stronger, 0:19:58.753 --> 0:20:02.693 was just a revelation for them. But then, conversely, we 0:20:02.693 --> 0:20:06.233 had people who had been heavily involved in Vision Australia 0:20:06.263 --> 0:20:09.443 over the years, and they had accessibility tools that they 0:20:09.443 --> 0:20:14.572 thought were amazing. But even though their eyesight hadn't deteriorated, 0:20:14.603 --> 0:20:19.373 technology had improved dramatically over the last ten, 15, 20 years, 0:20:19.373 --> 0:20:23.693 and there were actually better tools and devices for them. 0:20:23.693 --> 0:20:26.903 So it's a great way for people who think I've 0:20:26.903 --> 0:20:31.223 got the best thing that can be. But that was ten, 15, 0:20:31.223 --> 0:20:34.343 20 years ago to discover that, in fact, there's even 0:20:34.343 --> 0:20:37.943 better things now, or people that just don't realise what's 0:20:37.943 --> 0:20:40.973 out there because they've just been struggling and doing the 0:20:40.973 --> 0:20:42.293 best that they can. 0:20:42.383 --> 0:20:46.373 Yeah, no, that's totally that last one. That's totally me. 0:20:46.373 --> 0:20:49.913 So I can definitely relate with that. Um, but yeah, 0:20:49.913 --> 0:20:53.483 it's it's great to have that sort of realization of, 0:20:53.513 --> 0:20:56.033 you know, coming in and being like, oh, I didn't 0:20:56.033 --> 0:20:58.893 know this existed. This is really cool. And, you know, 0:20:58.923 --> 0:21:01.683 jumping into that and I guess, um, this is why 0:21:01.683 --> 0:21:04.773 it's also so important to get the word out that 0:21:04.773 --> 0:21:08.673 there are all these tools and technologies that are available 0:21:08.673 --> 0:21:12.453 to people to just make their life that little bit easier. 0:21:12.453 --> 0:21:14.523 And that was part of the feedback that we had 0:21:14.553 --> 0:21:18.513 on our writing tools that people said that, ah, when 0:21:18.513 --> 0:21:22.263 Jim and Dharma were speaking about all the different tools, 0:21:22.263 --> 0:21:24.963 it wasn't a sales pitch that they were trying to 0:21:24.963 --> 0:21:28.773 sell something. It was really explaining to them, this is 0:21:28.773 --> 0:21:31.413 what its strengths are. This is where it's really good, 0:21:31.413 --> 0:21:34.953 but this is where it actually lets itself down. And 0:21:35.073 --> 0:21:38.043 some of them they would talk about and say, look, 0:21:38.073 --> 0:21:42.573 this is amazing. This is the best tool. However, it's 0:21:42.573 --> 0:21:44.703 about ten times the cost of this one. And this 0:21:44.703 --> 0:21:48.123 one is nearly as good. So really you're pretty much 0:21:48.123 --> 0:21:50.703 getting everything you need in this one. So it was 0:21:50.703 --> 0:21:55.833 really just a very pragmatic discussion about what's on offer 0:21:55.833 --> 0:21:57.943 and what are the pros and cons for everything? 0:21:57.973 --> 0:22:00.883 Yeah. That's fantastic. It's great to hear that. You know, 0:22:00.913 --> 0:22:05.263 people do get all the information that is available out there. 0:22:05.263 --> 0:22:10.333 So I've been speaking today with Maureen O'Reilly, our community 0:22:10.333 --> 0:22:14.563 engagement expert at the Vision Australia Library. 0:22:14.593 --> 0:22:16.633 I don't know, anyone calls me an expert. 0:22:16.663 --> 0:22:19.573 Well, I do, so that's what you are. That's what 0:22:19.573 --> 0:22:23.503 we're calling you. And you've been an absolute treasure to 0:22:23.533 --> 0:22:27.133 be on the program today. So thank you so much 0:22:27.133 --> 0:22:30.763 for returning to Talking Vision and chatting to us all 0:22:30.763 --> 0:22:35.893 about the latest reading tools and technologies available to people 0:22:35.893 --> 0:22:40.303 in November at that event, through the Vision Australia library. 0:22:40.333 --> 0:22:42.883 Oh, thank you so much. It's always a pleasure to 0:22:42.913 --> 0:22:43.543 come on. 0:22:46.993 --> 0:22:50.803 Well, October's rolled around and you know what that means. 0:22:50.803 --> 0:22:56.093 The weather's warming up well, supposed to anyway. But most importantly, 0:22:56.093 --> 0:23:01.193 it also means we are chatting with Liz Dalakouras, the 0:23:01.193 --> 0:23:06.533 editor of Foyer Information, for a monthly update on what's 0:23:06.533 --> 0:23:11.213 been going on in the world of blindness and low vision. Liz, 0:23:11.243 --> 0:23:14.903 welcome back to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time. 0:23:14.903 --> 0:23:16.943 Not a problem. Thank you for having me, Sam. 0:23:16.973 --> 0:23:21.833 Now we've got a bumper edition of FYI, as always. 0:23:21.833 --> 0:23:26.363 Now let's see how we go. Try and remember everything. But, um, 0:23:26.393 --> 0:23:29.723 you know, there's quite a few exciting things going on. 0:23:29.723 --> 0:23:33.803 Let's start with what Chris Edwards has been up to lately. 0:23:33.803 --> 0:23:37.163 Recently, our director of Government relations, Chris Edwards, went to 0:23:37.193 --> 0:23:41.963 Canberra and attended the Geographic Atrophy Parliamentary event. By fast 0:23:41.963 --> 0:23:46.133 tracking funding for new therapies, we can provide new hope 0:23:46.133 --> 0:23:48.953 and reduce the financial and emotional burden of families on 0:23:48.953 --> 0:23:53.183 our communities. The event brought great awareness to geographic atrophy 0:23:53.183 --> 0:23:56.643 and funding that can help people who live with that condition. 0:23:56.643 --> 0:23:59.853 And they spend some seeing eye dogs news, which is 0:23:59.853 --> 0:24:00.873 quite exciting. 0:24:00.903 --> 0:24:04.713 There sure has. At Parliament House recently, Chris Edwards again 0:24:04.743 --> 0:24:07.953 went with our Seeing Eye Dog team, along with some puppies, 0:24:07.953 --> 0:24:10.893 where they met with the ministers to advocate for uniform 0:24:10.893 --> 0:24:15.183 and standardized accreditation of assistant animals. The event has shown 0:24:15.183 --> 0:24:18.453 us that the lack of consistent national system for accrediting 0:24:18.453 --> 0:24:21.663 these animals has caused great confusion, and makes it a 0:24:21.663 --> 0:24:23.463 lot harder for people who rely on them to get 0:24:23.463 --> 0:24:24.813 the support that they need. 0:24:24.843 --> 0:24:29.823 And there's been an article on the ABC regarding the 0:24:29.823 --> 0:24:33.543 NDIS impact. So tell us a little bit about that. 0:24:33.573 --> 0:24:37.773 So this particular article also links through to quite an 0:24:37.773 --> 0:24:41.433 interesting video. And it covers the NDIS impacts and the 0:24:41.433 --> 0:24:45.363 challenges you have when living in a remote area. In 0:24:45.363 --> 0:24:48.453 reference to this article, it's particularly in the remote Northern 0:24:48.453 --> 0:24:52.923 Territory where people are struggling to access NDIS supports. So 0:24:52.953 --> 0:24:56.463 advocates are pushing for reforms that emphasize more face to 0:24:56.493 --> 0:25:00.333 face appropriate services in these regions, which is so incredibly 0:25:00.333 --> 0:25:03.032 needed for regional areas, certainly is. 0:25:03.033 --> 0:25:07.653 And Liz, there's been some news lately about the Career 0:25:07.683 --> 0:25:11.283 Visions program that some just finished up for the year. 0:25:11.283 --> 0:25:16.923 But also, I understand it's just celebrated quite a big birthday. 0:25:16.953 --> 0:25:20.823 Yeah, in some very exciting news, our career. Program has 0:25:20.823 --> 0:25:25.983 celebrated ten years of impact. So our Career Visions program 0:25:25.983 --> 0:25:30.273 has created traineeships, programs and job opportunities for more than 0:25:30.273 --> 0:25:33.333 54 blind or low vision clients who live in Queensland. 0:25:33.333 --> 0:25:36.933 And recently, we celebrated the graduation of six of these 0:25:36.933 --> 0:25:38.343 talented graduates. 0:25:38.373 --> 0:25:42.123 And I understand the quality of living groups are looking 0:25:42.123 --> 0:25:45.243 for some new people. Tell us a bit about that. 0:25:45.273 --> 0:25:48.573 We have a program here called Quality Living Groups and 0:25:48.573 --> 0:25:51.253 they are all about bringing people together so no one 0:25:51.253 --> 0:25:54.853 ever feels alone. If you are recently diagnosed, if you've 0:25:54.853 --> 0:25:57.013 been diagnosed for a little while and you're just looking 0:25:57.013 --> 0:25:59.893 to find your people, a quality living group is the 0:25:59.893 --> 0:26:03.373 perfect place to come. Make new friends, connections, and never 0:26:03.373 --> 0:26:04.333 feel alone. 0:26:04.753 --> 0:26:10.483 Perfect. And finally, Liz, the listener survey is coming up 0:26:10.483 --> 0:26:15.223 for people to have their say about Vision Australia Radio. 0:26:15.223 --> 0:26:19.753 So that's, um, always well received and quite exciting for 0:26:19.753 --> 0:26:23.863 people to give their input on the work that Vision 0:26:23.863 --> 0:26:27.493 Australia Radio is doing. So let's get some details about 0:26:27.493 --> 0:26:28.063 that one. 0:26:28.093 --> 0:26:31.153 Yeah, it's very exciting because all you need to do 0:26:31.153 --> 0:26:34.693 is fill in a survey giving your feedback. All we 0:26:34.693 --> 0:26:37.062 need to know is how you think that we can improve. 0:26:37.093 --> 0:26:39.853 Like do you have a favorite program or podcast? Do 0:26:39.853 --> 0:26:43.873 you prefer traditional radio or podcasts? We just love to 0:26:43.903 --> 0:26:46.063 hear and you have a chance to win your very 0:26:46.093 --> 0:26:47.533 own Amazon Echo Pop. 0:26:47.563 --> 0:26:51.843 Every little bit of feedback does help and everyone likes 0:26:51.843 --> 0:26:56.343 a prize, so get involved. We do very much value 0:26:56.373 --> 0:27:01.863 every little bit of feedback. Now it's worth reminding people 0:27:01.863 --> 0:27:06.873 that they can now subscribe to FYI, easier than ever. 0:27:07.113 --> 0:27:15.843 Head to Vision australia.org/fyi and you can sign up that way. 0:27:15.873 --> 0:27:20.073 Exactly. It's super easy and you will have fortnightly updates 0:27:20.073 --> 0:27:21.723 delivered directly to your inbox. 0:27:21.723 --> 0:27:27.153 Perfect. Well, I've been speaking today with Liz Dalakouras, editor 0:27:27.153 --> 0:27:32.763 of Foyer Information, otherwise known as FYI. Liz, thanks so 0:27:32.763 --> 0:27:35.493 much for your time today. Great to catch up with 0:27:35.493 --> 0:27:39.183 you and hear all about the latest news in FYI. 0:27:39.213 --> 0:27:42.243 Absolutely. It's always a pleasure with you, Sam. 0:27:48.693 --> 0:27:51.813 And that's all the time we have for today. You've 0:27:51.813 --> 0:27:56.043 been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision 0:27:56.073 --> 0:28:00.213 Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:28:00.213 --> 0:28:04.413 show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. 0:28:04.413 --> 0:28:07.713 So please get in touch any time on our email 0:28:07.713 --> 0:28:12.993 at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision all 0:28:12.993 --> 0:28:17.793 one word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's 0:28:17.793 --> 0:28:20.253 Sam Collins saying bye for now. 0:28:23.613 --> 0:28:27.813 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:28:27.813 --> 0:28:37.713 business hours on 1300 847 406. That's one (300) 847-4006 or by visiting 0:28:37.713 --> 0:28:42.183 Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.