WEBVTT - Talking Vision 779 Week Beginning 5th of May 2025 0:00:13.280 --> 0:00:18.920 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.919 --> 0:00:21.000 your host Sam Colley. 0:00:23.400 --> 0:00:26.560 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.560 --> 0:00:29.560 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.560 --> 0:00:30.640 and low vision. 0:00:30.640 --> 0:00:33.280 Most of the feedbacks come from able people are really 0:00:33.280 --> 0:00:36.080 good to get some targeted feedback from people living with 0:00:36.080 --> 0:00:39.319 a disability, and in particular people with low vision who 0:00:39.320 --> 0:00:42.279 can try and assist the Council to improve its urban 0:00:42.279 --> 0:00:46.120 design principles so that it can enable people with low 0:00:46.120 --> 0:00:49.400 vision to access both our public realm areas and our 0:00:49.440 --> 0:00:50.760 open space areas. 0:00:50.800 --> 0:00:55.359 Welcome to the program. This week we chat with Councillor 0:00:55.360 --> 0:00:59.440 Anthony Aitken from the City of Greater Geelong, who's here 0:00:59.440 --> 0:01:03.079 to chat to me about a series of drop in 0:01:03.080 --> 0:01:07.450 sessions and a survey which is open until the 12th 0:01:07.450 --> 0:01:11.069 of May for people to have their say about how 0:01:11.069 --> 0:01:14.830 to make the streets of Geelong that bit more safe 0:01:14.830 --> 0:01:20.509 and accessible for people with disabilities. That conversation's coming up 0:01:20.509 --> 0:01:23.990 very shortly, so make sure to stick around. And then 0:01:23.990 --> 0:01:29.069 after my chat with Anthony, I catch up with Sarina Ovens, 0:01:29.110 --> 0:01:34.830 CEO of Assistive Technology Services Australia, who tells us about 0:01:34.869 --> 0:01:39.470 a couple of expos that ATS is holding in Perth 0:01:39.470 --> 0:01:43.149 and Melbourne over the coming weeks. I hope you enjoy 0:01:43.149 --> 0:01:50.270 this week's episode of Talking Vision. Are you a Geelong 0:01:50.270 --> 0:01:54.750 resident with lived experience of disability or just an interest 0:01:54.750 --> 0:01:59.550 in accessibility? Well, the City of Greater Geelong would love 0:01:59.550 --> 0:02:04.380 to hear from you. They're currently holding a survey and 0:02:04.380 --> 0:02:08.500 a number of drop in sessions to help shape their parks, 0:02:08.500 --> 0:02:13.419 streets and public places to create more accessible spaces for 0:02:13.420 --> 0:02:18.380 people with disabilities. And to chat with me all about this. 0:02:18.420 --> 0:02:22.300 It's my great pleasure to welcome City of Greater Geelong 0:02:22.300 --> 0:02:27.660 councillor Anthony Aitken to Talking Vision. Anthony, welcome to Talking Vision. 0:02:27.660 --> 0:02:29.940 Thank you very much for your time today. 0:02:30.540 --> 0:02:33.260 I'm very pleased to be here and thank you for 0:02:33.260 --> 0:02:34.700 showing interest in Geelong. 0:02:34.940 --> 0:02:39.300 No problem at all. Now firstly, Anthony, we're here to 0:02:39.340 --> 0:02:43.419 discuss a bit of community engagement that the City of 0:02:43.460 --> 0:02:49.540 Greater Geelong is seeking from local residents in regards to accessibility. 0:02:49.540 --> 0:02:53.780 But before we get into the details of the survey 0:02:53.780 --> 0:02:57.660 and feedback themselves, I'm keen to hear a little bit 0:02:57.660 --> 0:03:02.900 more about your disability access and inclusion portfolio, as well 0:03:02.900 --> 0:03:06.260 as the committee that you belong to, the Access and 0:03:06.260 --> 0:03:08.220 Inclusion Advisory Committee. 0:03:08.540 --> 0:03:11.020 Well, Sam, the first thing I'd like to disclose to 0:03:11.060 --> 0:03:13.700 the listeners is I am an elected official with the 0:03:13.700 --> 0:03:17.380 City of Greater Geelong, and I've been there since 2017. 0:03:17.740 --> 0:03:21.580 But I'm also a person living with a disability. I'm 0:03:21.620 --> 0:03:27.300 actually deaf. And I'm very fortunate that cochlear implants, um, 0:03:27.340 --> 0:03:30.700 have given me hearing capacity. Um, and that's why I'm 0:03:30.700 --> 0:03:33.020 able to be able to listen to you today and 0:03:33.020 --> 0:03:36.300 also represent my community. And I think that's part of 0:03:36.300 --> 0:03:39.940 the reason why, um, I'm involved with our access and 0:03:39.940 --> 0:03:43.020 disability portfolio that we have in the city of Geelong. 0:03:43.060 --> 0:03:47.260 And I chair the Access and Inclusion Committee. That committee 0:03:47.260 --> 0:03:51.300 is an advisory committee to council, and it's made up 0:03:51.300 --> 0:03:56.140 of other members of the community who are living with disabilities. Um, 0:03:56.180 --> 0:03:58.940 it may be mobility issues, it may be hearing issues, 0:03:58.940 --> 0:04:02.090 it may be sight side issues. Um, it may be, um, 0:04:02.210 --> 0:04:06.450 mental health issues and it may be acquired disabilities. We 0:04:06.490 --> 0:04:09.850 have had a number of people who have had accidents 0:04:09.850 --> 0:04:12.610 that have had acquired brain injuries that sit on that 0:04:12.610 --> 0:04:16.250 committee as well to the whole purpose of the portfolio. 0:04:16.250 --> 0:04:20.370 And the committee is to elevate advocacy and issues associated 0:04:20.370 --> 0:04:23.850 with people living with a disability in the community. And 0:04:23.890 --> 0:04:26.450 I'm proud to say that I think we've done very 0:04:26.450 --> 0:04:29.930 well with that community and also with the representation, by 0:04:29.970 --> 0:04:33.010 giving a stronger voice to people living with a disability. 0:04:33.050 --> 0:04:37.370 Fantastic. And that's also what we're, of course, here to 0:04:37.410 --> 0:04:40.970 chat a bit further about. The City of Greater Geelong 0:04:41.010 --> 0:04:44.810 is looking for public feedback to help shape your parks, 0:04:44.810 --> 0:04:48.970 streets and public spaces. And as I understand it, that 0:04:48.970 --> 0:04:55.089 covers two main projects, namely Public Realm and Open Space. 0:04:55.090 --> 0:04:57.330 So could you tell us a little bit more about 0:04:57.330 --> 0:04:59.240 Public realm and open space. 0:04:59.280 --> 0:05:02.480 Look, there are two major strategies that the city's announced 0:05:02.480 --> 0:05:06.640 public engagement in at the present time. Public realm is 0:05:06.680 --> 0:05:11.839 actually spaces outside of our buildings. And what we're attempting 0:05:11.840 --> 0:05:15.280 to do there is to identify spaces where people may 0:05:15.280 --> 0:05:18.760 come and congregate to and actually how we can try 0:05:18.760 --> 0:05:22.760 and improve them. And public open space is where we 0:05:22.760 --> 0:05:26.320 have either organized sports or community activities. So it might 0:05:26.320 --> 0:05:28.719 be like where there's a local program, where there's a 0:05:28.720 --> 0:05:32.040 sporting field or where there's just public open space, which 0:05:32.080 --> 0:05:34.840 is just available for people to come and use at 0:05:34.840 --> 0:05:38.840 any particular time. The two strategies are separate, and what 0:05:38.840 --> 0:05:42.000 we're engaging at the present time is the communities to 0:05:42.000 --> 0:05:46.120 get feedback about both of them. An example is we've 0:05:46.120 --> 0:05:49.760 got significant building structures in Geelong, but we've got these 0:05:49.760 --> 0:05:52.560 public areas outside of them, and we really would like 0:05:52.560 --> 0:05:54.920 to hear from the community how we could make those 0:05:54.920 --> 0:05:59.110 spaces better and with our public open space, we really 0:05:59.110 --> 0:06:02.029 want to try and make them as accessible as possible 0:06:02.030 --> 0:06:05.270 for all members of the community, that they can feel 0:06:05.270 --> 0:06:09.750 safe and access them and enjoy them. But I personally 0:06:09.750 --> 0:06:12.029 have a very strong commitment to try to make sure 0:06:12.030 --> 0:06:16.070 that our public spaces, both public realm and open space, 0:06:16.070 --> 0:06:19.790 do meet accessibility requirements for people living with a disability. 0:06:19.830 --> 0:06:23.310 Whether it is sight, as most Vision Australia people would 0:06:23.310 --> 0:06:26.710 be who are listening to the broadcast today. But it 0:06:26.710 --> 0:06:30.510 also includes people living with hearing loss or mobility issues. 0:06:30.510 --> 0:06:33.510 And of course, you know those people that need access 0:06:33.510 --> 0:06:37.310 to a wheelchair or something for movement. The design and 0:06:37.310 --> 0:06:41.350 accessibility of our public spaces and public realm is really important. 0:06:41.350 --> 0:06:45.830 And that includes like having pathways that go towards our buildings, 0:06:45.830 --> 0:06:50.190 creating opportunities where there is existing tree canopy and mature 0:06:50.230 --> 0:06:53.950 tree canopy that someone can access the shade under those trees. 0:06:54.230 --> 0:06:57.300 And in public open spaces. It really is about how 0:06:57.300 --> 0:07:00.979 we can bring everyone's needs together in the future to 0:07:01.140 --> 0:07:03.219 make it an enjoyable space for them. 0:07:03.260 --> 0:07:07.740 And Anthony, as I understand the public community feedback has 0:07:07.740 --> 0:07:11.460 been open for just over a month now. What are 0:07:11.460 --> 0:07:15.180 the sort of things you've already heard from the community, 0:07:15.220 --> 0:07:18.140 especially in regards to accessibility? 0:07:18.540 --> 0:07:21.140 Well, look, the first thing that's come back is people 0:07:21.140 --> 0:07:24.420 said they want more public open space, and that probably 0:07:24.420 --> 0:07:28.300 reflects what we all experienced during Covid, where our local 0:07:28.300 --> 0:07:32.700 park actually became really important during that lockdown period because 0:07:32.700 --> 0:07:36.140 we needed some space to actually meet and congregate in. 0:07:36.460 --> 0:07:39.020 One of the challenges that we've got in Geelong is 0:07:39.020 --> 0:07:42.460 that over the next 17 years, our population is actually 0:07:42.460 --> 0:07:47.220 going to grow from 289,000 to an estimated 400,000 people, 0:07:47.460 --> 0:07:49.980 and it means our public open spaces have become even 0:07:49.980 --> 0:07:53.020 more important as more and more people are living in 0:07:53.020 --> 0:07:56.580 our urban areas and high density areas means that they 0:07:56.580 --> 0:08:00.580 will need public open space. So what the initial feedback 0:08:00.580 --> 0:08:03.580 that we received is predominantly been about people saying we 0:08:03.580 --> 0:08:06.700 actually need more public open space, but there's been some 0:08:06.700 --> 0:08:09.420 really good feedback as well, too, about what type of 0:08:09.420 --> 0:08:13.740 design materials we use for our footpaths, whether we should 0:08:13.780 --> 0:08:17.220 be using concrete because it's much more accessible than gravel, 0:08:17.460 --> 0:08:22.020 how we transition from grassed areas to public areas as 0:08:22.020 --> 0:08:25.740 well too. And that discussion has certainly been taken by 0:08:25.740 --> 0:08:28.220 the Council to consider it as well too. And what 0:08:28.220 --> 0:08:31.340 we're also it's not part of this particular strategy, but 0:08:31.340 --> 0:08:34.740 we are getting feedback as well too, about dogs and 0:08:34.740 --> 0:08:37.660 animals in public spaces as well too. So we're trying 0:08:37.660 --> 0:08:40.819 to channel that engagement. We actually have got a major 0:08:40.819 --> 0:08:43.979 dog management project that's going on underway as well to 0:08:44.020 --> 0:08:47.219 at the present time with engagement, but most people are 0:08:47.260 --> 0:08:50.740 actually being really good to think about ideas about how 0:08:50.740 --> 0:08:53.729 they can improve the public spaces and even simple things 0:08:53.729 --> 0:08:57.410 like people saying that they do need water fountains in 0:08:57.410 --> 0:09:00.809 public open spaces and even going back to that dog issue. 0:09:00.849 --> 0:09:03.249 People are saying we do need to have more dog 0:09:03.290 --> 0:09:07.089 bags for areas that the city is actually creating new 0:09:07.089 --> 0:09:11.210 public open spaces as well too. The engagement process is 0:09:11.250 --> 0:09:14.290 actually still open till the 12th of May, and we've 0:09:14.290 --> 0:09:17.290 actually got a major drop in. People can actually access 0:09:17.290 --> 0:09:20.250 it now online. And look at the council website and 0:09:20.250 --> 0:09:22.170 we may talk about that a little bit later as 0:09:22.170 --> 0:09:22.610 well too. 0:09:22.650 --> 0:09:23.050 That's right. 0:09:23.250 --> 0:09:26.730 But yeah, we really would encourage more feedback from people 0:09:26.729 --> 0:09:29.490 living with a disability so that we can try to 0:09:29.490 --> 0:09:32.889 target towards more accessibility. Most of the feedback has come 0:09:32.890 --> 0:09:35.850 from able people are really good to get some targeted 0:09:35.849 --> 0:09:38.929 feedback from people living with a disability, and in particular, 0:09:38.969 --> 0:09:41.530 people with low vision who can try and assist the 0:09:41.530 --> 0:09:45.609 Council to improve its urban design principles so that it 0:09:45.609 --> 0:09:48.689 can enable people with low vision to access both our 0:09:48.689 --> 0:09:51.999 public realm areas and our open space areas. 0:09:52.040 --> 0:09:55.920 As you've mentioned there, the drop in sessions are very 0:09:55.920 --> 0:09:58.959 quickly upon us. In fact, one of them's already just 0:09:58.959 --> 0:10:01.980 happened as of this week. It was on the 30th 0:10:01.979 --> 0:10:05.319 of April for people to head along then, but if 0:10:05.319 --> 0:10:07.959 people have missed out, there's still time. They can head 0:10:07.959 --> 0:10:11.800 along to a couple more. So let's get the details 0:10:11.800 --> 0:10:15.439 about those two sessions on the seventh and 8th of May. 0:10:15.479 --> 0:10:18.639 Well, what they are, um, Sam, is we recognize that 0:10:18.640 --> 0:10:23.040 not everybody can just fill out forms through the online internet. 0:10:23.199 --> 0:10:27.199 So there were three traditional face to face opportunities for 0:10:27.199 --> 0:10:30.920 people to go and be interviewed for public engagement. The 0:10:30.920 --> 0:10:35.360 second one was to occur at Drysdale, at the library there, 0:10:35.359 --> 0:10:38.319 at the new library on Wednesday the 7th of May, 0:10:38.359 --> 0:10:41.800 between 4 and 6 p.m., and the last one is 0:10:41.839 --> 0:10:44.519 actually scheduled to occur out in North Lane at the 0:10:44.520 --> 0:10:48.290 new Norlin Arc on Thursday the 8th of May, between 0:10:48.290 --> 0:10:51.390 4 and 6 p.m. and we have missed the one 0:10:51.390 --> 0:10:53.670 that was, of course, on the 30th of April, which 0:10:53.670 --> 0:10:57.749 was at Wiki Niall, which is the civic administration building 0:10:57.750 --> 0:10:59.030 in the centre of Geelong. 0:10:59.390 --> 0:11:03.309 But that's okay, because as you've said, there's still opportunities 0:11:03.309 --> 0:11:07.030 for people to have their say either in those drop 0:11:07.069 --> 0:11:11.590 in sessions or through the survey itself. So let's get 0:11:11.589 --> 0:11:14.790 the details of that survey in particular. 0:11:14.949 --> 0:11:21.189 If people go to Geelong Australia.com. So all one word 0:11:21.189 --> 0:11:26.629 Geelong Australia.com. There's a section called have Your Say. And 0:11:26.670 --> 0:11:30.309 there is the opportunity to click on that section to 0:11:30.349 --> 0:11:34.230 help shape our parks, streets and public spaces. There are 0:11:34.270 --> 0:11:38.470 some accessibility. So if you need hearing or speech support 0:11:38.510 --> 0:11:40.910 you can click on that. And it will actually read 0:11:40.910 --> 0:11:43.670 out what is actually on the page. And there is 0:11:43.670 --> 0:11:48.189 translation support as well too, if people have non-English speaking background. 0:11:48.380 --> 0:11:50.939 but I suspect the hearing and speech support would be 0:11:50.939 --> 0:11:54.179 really important for people with low vision. That can be 0:11:54.179 --> 0:11:58.019 accessed through the council's website, and you are encouraged to 0:11:58.020 --> 0:12:02.860 fill out that survey before the 12th of May at 0:12:02.859 --> 0:12:05.420 5 p.m., when it will formally close. 0:12:05.620 --> 0:12:10.259 But um, given the timing of everything and people may 0:12:10.260 --> 0:12:14.220 not be able to get in touch during session one, 0:12:14.459 --> 0:12:18.660 don't stress because as I understand it, Anthony, there will 0:12:18.660 --> 0:12:24.179 be a second phase of community engagement happening later on 0:12:24.179 --> 0:12:28.420 in the year for people around September. October? Isn't that right? 0:12:28.979 --> 0:12:31.900 Yeah. Look, the way our engagement processes work is we 0:12:31.900 --> 0:12:35.219 do our initial community engagement, which is what's occurring at 0:12:35.219 --> 0:12:37.739 the moment. So that was between the 28th of March 0:12:37.740 --> 0:12:40.540 and the 12th of May. And that's where we initial 0:12:40.540 --> 0:12:43.940 get our initial feedback. And then the officers will actually 0:12:43.939 --> 0:12:48.140 collate that information and collate other data as well to 0:12:48.459 --> 0:12:52.060 to develop the draft strategies. And because this we have 0:12:52.059 --> 0:12:55.540 so much public realm and also public open space in Geelong, 0:12:55.579 --> 0:12:59.180 it's quite a big task. So that's actually occurring between 0:12:59.179 --> 0:13:02.020 March and October of this year. And then there will 0:13:02.020 --> 0:13:04.780 be a draft of each of the strategies will come 0:13:04.780 --> 0:13:08.900 out and we will re seek public engagement. So you 0:13:08.900 --> 0:13:10.900 are right for those people who are thinking that they 0:13:10.900 --> 0:13:13.900 may have missed an opportunity to influence that, the draft 0:13:13.900 --> 0:13:17.379 strategies will be released and we will seek feedback on 0:13:17.380 --> 0:13:20.300 those draft strategies. So if there's some really important things 0:13:20.300 --> 0:13:22.739 that have been missed that people want to present, they 0:13:22.740 --> 0:13:26.420 will get that opportunity between October and November of this year. 0:13:26.660 --> 0:13:30.660 Okay, wonderful. Well, in that case, Anthony, I think we 0:13:30.660 --> 0:13:33.939 might get in touch in 4 or 5 months time 0:13:33.979 --> 0:13:38.540 and let people know about how those phases have gone already, 0:13:38.540 --> 0:13:42.460 but also, of course, invite people to take part in 0:13:42.500 --> 0:13:47.689 phase two of the community engagement for open space and 0:13:47.689 --> 0:13:50.890 public realm, and the strategies the City of Greater Geelong 0:13:50.929 --> 0:13:54.850 is putting together to make the city more accessible for 0:13:54.849 --> 0:13:59.129 all constituents out there. I've been speaking today with the 0:13:59.130 --> 0:14:04.250 City of Geelong's Disability Access and Inclusion portfolio chair and 0:14:04.250 --> 0:14:09.170 chair of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Councillor Anthony Aitken, 0:14:09.410 --> 0:14:13.090 about the community engagement the City of Greater Geelong is 0:14:13.089 --> 0:14:18.210 currently undertaking to improve the accessibility of parks, roads and 0:14:18.209 --> 0:14:22.690 public spaces in the Greater Geelong region. Anthony, thank you 0:14:22.690 --> 0:14:24.810 so much for your time today. It was a pleasure 0:14:24.810 --> 0:14:26.090 to catch up with you. 0:14:26.210 --> 0:14:28.690 Thanks, Sam, and thank you to all your listeners and 0:14:28.729 --> 0:14:32.729 I wish everyone a great 2025. And it sounds like 0:14:32.729 --> 0:14:35.050 we may have the opportunity to speak again towards the 0:14:35.050 --> 0:14:37.130 end of the year, and I would welcome that opportunity 0:14:37.130 --> 0:14:39.729 to come back and discuss some of the draft ideas 0:14:39.770 --> 0:14:42.410 that have come out, and I'm pleased I encourage anybody 0:14:42.410 --> 0:14:45.400 living with a disability Ability to be an active member 0:14:45.400 --> 0:14:48.880 of our community and try and make sure that everything 0:14:48.880 --> 0:14:51.519 is more accessible. And those people who are making the 0:14:51.520 --> 0:14:55.560 decisions listen and you are heard and we influence outcomes. 0:14:55.600 --> 0:14:56.800 So thank you, Sam. 0:15:02.280 --> 0:15:05.999 I'm Sam Corley and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:15:06.000 --> 0:15:11.280 Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio and the 0:15:11.280 --> 0:15:16.200 Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there 0:15:16.200 --> 0:15:19.880 with Anthony Aiken. If you missed any part of that 0:15:19.880 --> 0:15:22.879 chat with Anthony or you'd love to hear it again. 0:15:22.880 --> 0:15:27.680 Talking vision is available on the Vision Australia Radio website. 0:15:27.680 --> 0:15:34.320 Simply head to radio Dot. That's V radio Dot or 0:15:34.320 --> 0:15:37.359 you can find the program on the podcast app of 0:15:37.359 --> 0:15:41.440 your choice or through the Vision Australia library. Our next 0:15:41.440 --> 0:15:47.070 guest is the CEO of Assistive Technology Services Australia or 0:15:47.229 --> 0:15:51.590 Atsa for short, which is bringing their expos around the 0:15:51.590 --> 0:15:55.550 country in particular over the next couple of weeks in 0:15:55.550 --> 0:16:00.070 Perth and then Melbourne the week later. Her name is 0:16:00.109 --> 0:16:04.030 Serena Ovens and it's my great pleasure to welcome her 0:16:04.030 --> 0:16:08.030 right now. Serena, welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very 0:16:08.030 --> 0:16:09.109 much for your time. 0:16:09.470 --> 0:16:10.670 Thanks for having me, Sam. 0:16:11.109 --> 0:16:13.590 We're here to have a bit of a chat about 0:16:13.590 --> 0:16:18.350 some upcoming expos that Azhar is involved with this month, 0:16:18.350 --> 0:16:20.790 but before we do that, let's get a bit of 0:16:20.790 --> 0:16:24.270 an overview of Azza itself and the work they do. 0:16:24.790 --> 0:16:29.910 Thanks. So at the peak industry body for the whole 0:16:29.910 --> 0:16:35.749 of Australia, for all of the organisations, be they manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, 0:16:35.750 --> 0:16:41.550 retailers of a massively broader range of assistive technology for 0:16:41.550 --> 0:16:45.350 people with disability and older people. We're also though a 0:16:45.390 --> 0:16:48.830 registered charity. So as well as supporting the industry and 0:16:48.830 --> 0:16:52.070 making sure that they're doing the right thing and selling 0:16:52.070 --> 0:16:55.670 product accordingly and bringing in things that are legal and 0:16:55.710 --> 0:17:00.270 fit Australia's standards, we also ensure that they ethically and 0:17:00.270 --> 0:17:04.429 equitably cater for their end users. The people that use 0:17:04.430 --> 0:17:08.270 that at and need to have it properly scripted, well 0:17:08.310 --> 0:17:12.790 looked after, maintained, repaired and supported all the way through 0:17:12.790 --> 0:17:14.270 their independence journey. 0:17:14.310 --> 0:17:18.990 And following on from that, Serena, there's a couple of 0:17:18.990 --> 0:17:22.990 expos coming up that we'd love to have a chat about. 0:17:22.990 --> 0:17:27.430 Let's start off with the expo happening in Perth in 0:17:27.430 --> 0:17:30.350 just over a week's time. That's pretty exciting. 0:17:30.550 --> 0:17:33.030 It is fam. It makes for a busy time for us. 0:17:33.030 --> 0:17:35.389 But we do have the Perth Expo, as you say, 0:17:35.430 --> 0:17:39.540 on the 14th and 15th of May at the Perth Showgrounds. Grants, 0:17:39.740 --> 0:17:42.300 and that's the first of 2 in 2 weeks, so 0:17:42.300 --> 0:17:45.259 it'll keep us fairly busy. Perth, of course, is a 0:17:45.260 --> 0:17:48.460 great place for us to be able to bring across 0:17:48.500 --> 0:17:53.260 the country a lot of both local at suppliers and 0:17:53.300 --> 0:17:56.060 of course, some of our suppliers come across from the 0:17:56.060 --> 0:17:59.340 other side of the country to be able to display 0:17:59.340 --> 0:18:03.459 and exhibit a broad range of assistive technology for people 0:18:03.460 --> 0:18:06.060 to come and try to view and see what's out 0:18:06.060 --> 0:18:08.980 in the market, to look at all the new technology 0:18:09.180 --> 0:18:12.659 also for allied health professionals as well, to be able 0:18:12.659 --> 0:18:15.780 to again understand what's out in the market so they 0:18:15.780 --> 0:18:19.179 can support people with disability in terms of any of 0:18:19.180 --> 0:18:24.260 the assistive technology that they need. So for, um, your 0:18:24.260 --> 0:18:28.780 cohort in particular, there will be exhibitors. In fact, Vision 0:18:28.780 --> 0:18:31.300 Australia themselves will be at I'm not sure if they're 0:18:31.300 --> 0:18:34.179 at Perth or they're definitely at Melbourne. We've got different 0:18:34.180 --> 0:18:39.129 organisations that will have things like pens that can read 0:18:39.169 --> 0:18:42.929 text on a page. We've got blind spots coming along 0:18:42.970 --> 0:18:46.570 to show people the different sporting activities that they can do. 0:18:46.810 --> 0:18:50.530 Things like vision tech that have amazing magnifiers for people 0:18:50.530 --> 0:18:53.490 with low vision and need different types of equipment to 0:18:53.490 --> 0:18:58.970 help them actually read lots of different activities. Our expos 0:18:59.010 --> 0:19:03.729 are the biggest at expos in Australia, and it's really 0:19:03.730 --> 0:19:06.129 great to be able to get along and see what's 0:19:06.129 --> 0:19:08.570 out there, because you would be blown away by the 0:19:08.570 --> 0:19:11.810 amount of new technology in the market, certainly. 0:19:11.850 --> 0:19:15.490 Yeah, those text to speech pens are incredible. I've heard 0:19:15.490 --> 0:19:19.409 quite a lot about them now. Serena, what else can 0:19:19.450 --> 0:19:23.410 people in Perth expect if they head along to the 0:19:23.409 --> 0:19:27.570 Perth Expo? That would be unique perhaps to the Perth 0:19:27.570 --> 0:19:29.249 event over the Melbourne one. 0:19:29.530 --> 0:19:34.889 Are now they would see an adaptive fashion show which 0:19:35.010 --> 0:19:38.919 will happen on the Thursday afternoon. It's free to attend, 0:19:38.919 --> 0:19:41.000 and I should say that so that everyone knows that 0:19:41.000 --> 0:19:43.800 they can walk in the door. And if they pre-register, 0:19:44.000 --> 0:19:46.200 they'll be entitled to get a free coffee when they 0:19:46.200 --> 0:19:48.519 come in as well. Not unique, but really good to 0:19:48.520 --> 0:19:51.000 know because everyone loves the tea or coffee halfway through 0:19:51.000 --> 0:19:54.639 the day when they're getting tired and walking around. The 0:19:54.639 --> 0:19:56.279 other thing I should let you know too, is that 0:19:56.280 --> 0:19:58.840 I believe there are limited trains to the event as well, 0:19:58.840 --> 0:20:01.840 so public transport is on hand for you to get there. 0:20:02.320 --> 0:20:06.119 Unique to Perth will be quite a number of your 0:20:06.159 --> 0:20:10.199 local suppliers and supports. So what we try to do 0:20:10.200 --> 0:20:12.880 with all our expos is, as well as bringing together 0:20:12.879 --> 0:20:16.159 the industry, is ensure that we can capture as many 0:20:16.159 --> 0:20:20.800 of the local supports, the local market so that you 0:20:20.800 --> 0:20:24.399 can link with people that you may not know but 0:20:24.399 --> 0:20:27.320 are locally on the ground, can support you both at 0:20:27.320 --> 0:20:30.440 the expo, but of course in your daily needs as well. 0:20:30.919 --> 0:20:34.999 Okay, wonderful. Now, Serena, let's have a bit of a 0:20:35.000 --> 0:20:39.550 chat about the Melbourne Expo, which is taking place the 0:20:39.550 --> 0:20:41.590 week after the Perth event. 0:20:41.629 --> 0:20:44.840 Yep. So Melbourne is happening on the 20th and 21st 0:20:44.840 --> 0:20:48.270 of May. The Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week. 0:20:48.510 --> 0:20:52.550 It's also at the Showgrounds, the Flemington Showgrounds in Melbourne. 0:20:52.869 --> 0:20:56.190 It is our biggest expo of all the expos we 0:20:56.190 --> 0:21:00.389 do across Australia. It is absolutely massive and we sell 0:21:00.389 --> 0:21:03.310 out really quickly. We keep taking more and more space 0:21:03.310 --> 0:21:06.109 and more and more exhibitors want space and it just 0:21:06.109 --> 0:21:09.030 keeps getting bigger and bigger. So in Melbourne you can 0:21:09.030 --> 0:21:15.230 expect to see the broadest range of equipment, home modifications online, 0:21:15.230 --> 0:21:21.430 it um, automated information, pretty much anything and everything that 0:21:21.470 --> 0:21:24.109 our industry provides. 0:21:24.669 --> 0:21:29.149 And I suppose similar to the Perth event, there's quite 0:21:29.149 --> 0:21:35.109 a few unique businesses and organisations specific to Melbourne and 0:21:35.109 --> 0:21:39.550 Victoria that will be appearing at the Melbourne Expo, but 0:21:39.590 --> 0:21:42.350 what else can people expect if they head along? 0:21:42.830 --> 0:21:47.190 Yeah, there's a really big sports area in Melbourne, so 0:21:47.430 --> 0:21:51.070 what they can see, there is a massive range of 0:21:51.070 --> 0:21:54.389 different options for people that want to try out different 0:21:54.389 --> 0:21:59.350 sporting events and activities. So things like pickleball, which has 0:21:59.389 --> 0:22:03.870 become really popular again, I believe we'll have blind spots 0:22:03.869 --> 0:22:07.190 on hand as well. I know that some of our expos, 0:22:07.190 --> 0:22:09.590 and I have to be honest, I'm not 100% sure 0:22:09.590 --> 0:22:12.789 of absolutely every different sporting event or group that will 0:22:12.830 --> 0:22:16.310 be there. But we've seen things from basketball to rock 0:22:16.310 --> 0:22:21.590 climbing to sailing to give people just the broadest range 0:22:21.590 --> 0:22:23.950 of come and try events. So it's not only just 0:22:23.950 --> 0:22:25.670 come and watch, but it's actually get in and give 0:22:25.669 --> 0:22:27.430 things a go yourself as well. 0:22:27.869 --> 0:22:32.860 And Serena, I understand both expos will be featuring a 0:22:32.899 --> 0:22:38.500 seminar program to educate the wider public about the various 0:22:38.500 --> 0:22:41.180 assistive technologies that are available. 0:22:41.540 --> 0:22:46.340 Absolutely, Sam. Across all our expos, we run seminars throughout 0:22:46.340 --> 0:22:50.619 both days at set times. Some of them are quite 0:22:50.619 --> 0:22:56.340 focused for allied health and other professionals, but broadly, there'd 0:22:56.379 --> 0:22:58.900 be quite a bit of interest for people to attend 0:22:58.899 --> 0:23:01.619 any of those seminars. They're welcome to do so. Again, 0:23:01.619 --> 0:23:04.940 they are also free, and you can find out what's 0:23:04.980 --> 0:23:07.500 on by looking at either the programme on the day 0:23:07.500 --> 0:23:10.740 when you get there, or by checking out the information 0:23:10.740 --> 0:23:13.820 on the website that'll tell you about the different sessions 0:23:13.820 --> 0:23:16.699 when they're running, where to find them, and decide whether 0:23:16.700 --> 0:23:19.939 it's something you're interested in getting some understanding about. 0:23:19.980 --> 0:23:24.179 Just to wrap up, if people would like to find 0:23:24.180 --> 0:23:28.859 out a bit more about assistive technology suppliers Australia, or 0:23:28.899 --> 0:23:33.130 perhaps sign up to or register or pick up a 0:23:33.129 --> 0:23:37.129 ticket to head along to these expos. What's the best 0:23:37.129 --> 0:23:39.170 way for them to do that? 0:23:39.690 --> 0:23:43.010 Absolutely. So they can either go directly to our website 0:23:43.010 --> 0:23:50.730 which is at dot org and that's at org, and 0:23:50.930 --> 0:23:55.169 you can from there get into the ASA Independent Living 0:23:55.169 --> 0:23:59.129 Expos via the events tab. And that will allow you 0:23:59.129 --> 0:24:02.489 to jump on and register your attendance at any of 0:24:02.490 --> 0:24:06.010 the events that we have. That registration, as I said, 0:24:06.010 --> 0:24:09.330 is free for anybody to attend any of our expos. 0:24:09.450 --> 0:24:13.050 And if you pre-register, gives you that free coffee or tea. 0:24:13.090 --> 0:24:17.290 So recommend people doing that. Again our website is a. 0:24:20.730 --> 0:24:26.810 Perfect. I've been speaking today with Serena Ovens, CEO of 0:24:27.010 --> 0:24:32.360 Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia. Here to chat to me about 0:24:32.359 --> 0:24:36.639 the upcoming expos that will be involved with over the 0:24:36.639 --> 0:24:39.999 month of May. Serena, thank you so much for your 0:24:40.000 --> 0:24:42.600 time today. It was a pleasure to catch up with 0:24:42.600 --> 0:24:44.639 you and chat about the Expos. 0:24:45.359 --> 0:24:47.760 Thanks, Sam. Really appreciate it and look forward to seeing 0:24:47.760 --> 0:24:50.399 yourself and your Vision Australia members there. 0:24:56.399 --> 0:25:00.320 And now here's Frances Kalen with a radar recommended. 0:25:00.320 --> 0:25:03.959 Thank you Sam. Today's reader recommended is about a city. 0:25:03.960 --> 0:25:06.280 It's a love song to a city and a memoir. 0:25:06.280 --> 0:25:11.440 It's called Perth and it's by David Whish-wilson. David Whish-wilson. 0:25:11.520 --> 0:25:14.600 Perth is a place of surprising beauty, of sand swept 0:25:14.600 --> 0:25:17.479 peace and brilliant light, yet a place where the deeper 0:25:17.480 --> 0:25:21.600 historical currents are never too far beneath the surface. Like 0:25:21.600 --> 0:25:24.199 the Swan River that flows in two directions at once 0:25:24.200 --> 0:25:27.719 at certain times, with the fresh water flowing seawards above 0:25:27.720 --> 0:25:31.590 the salty water flowing in beneath it, Perth strikes perfect 0:25:31.590 --> 0:25:36.230 harmony with the city's contradictions and eccentricities. We look beyond 0:25:36.230 --> 0:25:39.910 the shiny glass facades, the boosterish talk of mining booms 0:25:39.909 --> 0:25:43.149 to the richness of the natural world and the trailblazers, 0:25:43.149 --> 0:25:46.750 the rebels, the occasional ghost and the ordinary people that 0:25:46.750 --> 0:25:50.870 bring Australia's remotest city to life. Let's hear a sample 0:25:50.869 --> 0:25:53.710 of David Whish-wilson book, Perth. 0:25:53.750 --> 0:25:56.710 Twice a Day. The skin of the Swan River rises 0:25:56.710 --> 0:25:59.790 in a small ripple as the tidal surge makes its 0:25:59.830 --> 0:26:03.230 way from the river mouth at Fremantle, through Perth Water, 0:26:03.389 --> 0:26:05.830 and up into the higher reaches of the river near 0:26:05.830 --> 0:26:10.190 the fast growing suburb of Ellenbrook. Just over 20km northeast 0:26:10.190 --> 0:26:14.469 of Perth in winter, when a layer of brackish water 0:26:14.470 --> 0:26:17.790 runs off the scarp towards the ocean, the river flows 0:26:17.790 --> 0:26:21.909 in two directions, with the freshwater flowing seawards above the 0:26:21.950 --> 0:26:26.870 saline water flowing in beneath it. Today, the diurnal bulge 0:26:26.869 --> 0:26:31.109 of water that reveals the incoming tide is invisible. It's 0:26:31.109 --> 0:26:33.670 a Sunday morning, and I'm out on the river in 0:26:33.669 --> 0:26:40.430 an open kayak with my Uncle Scott. My father's youngest brother, Scott, 0:26:40.430 --> 0:26:44.229 moved from Tasmania to Perth as a teenager in the 1970s. 0:26:45.109 --> 0:26:47.990 Like so many others, he stayed for the climate and 0:26:47.990 --> 0:26:50.830 the lifestyle and the opportunity to work. 0:26:50.869 --> 0:26:53.830 So that was Perth by David Whish-wilson. There was a 0:26:53.830 --> 0:26:58.750 series of books by writers that wrote about the city 0:26:58.750 --> 0:27:01.270 that they grew up in, and so there's ones for 0:27:01.270 --> 0:27:03.869 all of the capital cities around Australia. If you would 0:27:03.869 --> 0:27:05.750 like that book, or if you would like to find 0:27:05.750 --> 0:27:08.669 out more about how the Vision Australia Library can work 0:27:08.669 --> 0:27:11.389 for you. If you have a print disability, give the 0:27:11.389 --> 0:27:20.310 library a call on 130654656. That's 1300 654 656. Or you can 0:27:20.350 --> 0:27:25.860 email library at Vision Australia. Org. That's library at Vision Australia. 0:27:26.780 --> 0:27:29.820 And that's all the time we have for today. You've 0:27:29.820 --> 0:27:33.979 been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision 0:27:34.020 --> 0:27:38.180 Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:27:38.180 --> 0:27:42.340 show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. 0:27:42.340 --> 0:27:45.820 So please get in touch anytime on our email at 0:27:45.859 --> 0:27:51.260 Talking Vision at Vision Australia. That's talking vision all. One 0:27:51.260 --> 0:27:55.739 word at Vision Australia dot. But until next week it's 0:27:55.740 --> 0:27:57.979 Sam Corley saying bye for now. 0:28:01.580 --> 0:28:05.660 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:28:05.659 --> 0:28:13.540 business hours on one 384 746. That's one 384 74 0:28:14.060 --> 0:28:18.980 six or by visiting Vision Australia. That's Vision Australia.