WEBVTT - Talking Vision 742 Week Beginning 19th of August 2024 0:00:13.158 --> 0:00:18.948 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.948 --> 0:00:20.988 your host Sam Colley. 0:00:23.538 --> 0:00:26.718 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.718 --> 0:00:29.688 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.688 --> 0:00:30.678 and low vision. 0:00:30.678 --> 0:00:34.308 If we step back and recognize that around 20% of 0:00:34.308 --> 0:00:37.848 Australia's population are people with disability, you might only get 0:00:37.848 --> 0:00:41.508 a request for one type of inclusion. But if you 0:00:41.508 --> 0:00:44.808 are able to include people with disability and all people 0:00:44.808 --> 0:00:48.198 with disability, then you're actually ensuring that 20% of our 0:00:48.198 --> 0:00:51.888 population has full inclusion in society. 0:00:51.918 --> 0:00:56.838 Welcome to the program. This week we speak with Megan 0:00:56.838 --> 0:01:03.828 Spindler Smith, the deputy CEO of people with Disabilities Australia 0:01:03.858 --> 0:01:10.498 following the Australian Government's response to the Disability Royal Commission, 0:01:10.498 --> 0:01:15.538 which came out earlier this month. That conversation is coming 0:01:15.538 --> 0:01:20.998 up very shortly, so make sure to stick around. Coming 0:01:20.998 --> 0:01:25.228 up later in the show, for our library lovers out there, 0:01:25.228 --> 0:01:29.818 we have a treat in store for you. As Sarah Bloedorn, 0:01:29.848 --> 0:01:34.018 the manager of the Vision Australia Library, joins me to 0:01:34.048 --> 0:01:38.368 have a chat about the latest events coming up over 0:01:38.368 --> 0:01:43.528 the next few weeks and some releases from the library 0:01:43.528 --> 0:01:47.728 for people to enjoy. I hope you'll enjoy this week's 0:01:47.728 --> 0:01:56.098 episode of Talking Vision. I started my conversation with Megan 0:01:56.098 --> 0:02:01.258 by asking her about the Disability Royal Commission, and to 0:02:01.288 --> 0:02:05.378 give us a bit of an overview of the latest outcomes. Comes. 0:02:05.618 --> 0:02:10.838 Absolutely. So the Disability Royal Commission has. I'm hoping many 0:02:10.838 --> 0:02:16.148 people do know was a very momentous and also horrible 0:02:16.178 --> 0:02:20.738 at the same time. Time for us, for our community, 0:02:20.768 --> 0:02:25.238 talking about the situations that we have been in and 0:02:25.238 --> 0:02:29.408 the abuse and violence that we have been dealing with 0:02:29.438 --> 0:02:35.198 as a community with regards to general society, the services 0:02:35.198 --> 0:02:38.528 we've had access to, and being able to make sure 0:02:38.528 --> 0:02:42.488 that we can be more included in society or more 0:02:42.488 --> 0:02:46.028 so society can meet us where we need them to 0:02:46.058 --> 0:02:50.018 meet us. And so that has been a really momentous 0:02:50.048 --> 0:02:54.878 moment to have disabled voices being at the forefront of 0:02:54.878 --> 0:02:58.898 talking about what it is. We need to be fully 0:02:58.898 --> 0:03:02.528 included in society and to end segregation and to end 0:03:02.558 --> 0:03:06.868 the abuse and violence of people with disability. That big 0:03:06.868 --> 0:03:09.508 report came out at the end of last year, and 0:03:09.538 --> 0:03:12.868 of course, we responded to it with our recommendations of 0:03:12.868 --> 0:03:16.888 what should be focused on by the government. And then 0:03:16.918 --> 0:03:19.948 at the end of July, there was a response from 0:03:19.948 --> 0:03:24.568 the government. And sadly, it wasn't necessarily exactly what we 0:03:24.568 --> 0:03:28.558 were all hoping for. There's definitely still some work to 0:03:28.558 --> 0:03:33.118 do to make sure that inclusion for all people with 0:03:33.118 --> 0:03:38.068 disability in society is possible, and it's going to be 0:03:38.068 --> 0:03:39.808 so important for us to be able to work with 0:03:39.808 --> 0:03:44.878 the government to make sure that all 222 recommendations are 0:03:44.878 --> 0:03:49.348 considered and actioned in the best way possible for our community. 0:03:49.378 --> 0:03:52.708 To put a couple more numbers out there and give 0:03:52.708 --> 0:03:59.458 a bit of perspective for our listeners. Of those 222 recommendations, 0:03:59.458 --> 0:04:05.168 there were, I believe, 172, which fell under the government's 0:04:05.168 --> 0:04:11.588 full or partial responsibility. And of those 172, they've only 0:04:11.588 --> 0:04:16.118 really accepted 13 of those fully. And, you know, on 0:04:16.118 --> 0:04:20.198 the face of it, that's quite disappointing. And as you've said, 0:04:20.198 --> 0:04:25.898 something for the disability community to going forward, advocate strongly 0:04:25.898 --> 0:04:31.418 for and work together with them to improve that outcome 0:04:31.418 --> 0:04:36.608 for the disability community. So what are people with Disability 0:04:36.638 --> 0:04:42.878 Australia's immediate thoughts or actions or immediate priorities for addressing 0:04:42.878 --> 0:04:45.668 that situation in the short term? 0:04:45.698 --> 0:04:51.248 So for us, our biggest thing is making sure that 0:04:51.248 --> 0:04:56.858 the government is moving forward with genuine co-design and that 0:04:56.858 --> 0:04:59.708 people with disability are at the forefront of these. So 0:04:59.738 --> 0:05:04.748 when we talk about the initial response and we talk 0:05:04.788 --> 0:05:12.858 about the sadly low numbers that were put forward as accepted. 0:05:13.098 --> 0:05:16.128 What we do know is those things, we should be 0:05:16.128 --> 0:05:19.398 seeing action on them now, and we know that there 0:05:19.398 --> 0:05:24.438 are things like the Disability Discrimination Act, which needs to 0:05:24.438 --> 0:05:28.038 happen ASAP. That needs to be one of the first 0:05:28.038 --> 0:05:32.508 things that happens. And people with disability need to be 0:05:32.508 --> 0:05:37.338 genuinely not just part of the conversation, but supported to 0:05:37.368 --> 0:05:41.868 lead how the changes happen. Because we know that currently 0:05:41.868 --> 0:05:48.468 the DDA doesn't ensure that we have enough equity of access, 0:05:48.468 --> 0:05:51.678 especially when it comes to employment across the whole of Australia. 0:05:51.678 --> 0:05:56.148 And it's not always equally done in every single state. 0:05:56.148 --> 0:06:00.618 So from our perspective, that's one of our big call outs, 0:06:00.648 --> 0:06:03.018 is this needs to happen now and it needs to 0:06:03.048 --> 0:06:10.798 happen ASAP, and that also includes ensuring that Australia is 0:06:10.798 --> 0:06:16.318 able to implement the CRPD, which is the way we 0:06:16.318 --> 0:06:18.598 should be, and we've signed on to this as a 0:06:18.598 --> 0:06:20.638 as a country. We have actually signed on to this, 0:06:20.638 --> 0:06:24.148 but it's not currently fully enacted in law. And what 0:06:24.148 --> 0:06:29.668 that means is that with many different people with disability, 0:06:29.698 --> 0:06:33.148 we only have kind of a patchwork setup of human 0:06:33.148 --> 0:06:37.978 rights protections, and the law plays a huge role in 0:06:37.978 --> 0:06:41.938 our lives. And so the mixture of a DDA and 0:06:41.938 --> 0:06:47.848 ensuring that the Human Rights Act is able to demonstrate 0:06:47.878 --> 0:06:51.268 a way to ensure that our rights equal to, but 0:06:51.268 --> 0:06:54.418 equitable to everyone else in Australia. 0:06:54.718 --> 0:06:59.338 And, Megan, you mentioned the CRPD in there. Could you 0:06:59.338 --> 0:07:02.878 give a bit of an overview of that for our listeners? 0:07:02.908 --> 0:07:06.708 Absolutely. So the CRPD and I can sometimes be known 0:07:06.708 --> 0:07:10.998 for saying acronyms when I shouldn't is the convention on 0:07:10.998 --> 0:07:15.078 the Rights of Persons with disabilities. So this is something 0:07:15.078 --> 0:07:19.218 that is linked to the United Nations Convention, and it 0:07:19.218 --> 0:07:23.658 is ostensibly to promote and protect and ensure the full 0:07:23.658 --> 0:07:28.848 and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms 0:07:28.848 --> 0:07:31.968 by all persons with disability, and to ensure that we're 0:07:31.968 --> 0:07:37.638 able to promote respect for our inherent dignity. So it's 0:07:37.668 --> 0:07:41.748 actually made up of two different documents, which is one 0:07:41.748 --> 0:07:45.768 is the convention on the Rights of Persons with disability. 0:07:45.768 --> 0:07:50.538 And that kind of contains the main aspects around what 0:07:50.538 --> 0:07:54.318 do we mean by the rights and provisions that can 0:07:54.318 --> 0:07:58.428 do that. And then the other is the optional protocol. 0:07:58.428 --> 0:08:03.648 And that is really around some of the additional aspects 0:08:03.658 --> 0:08:08.188 To help us understand the next steps and how we 0:08:08.188 --> 0:08:12.568 can put some of these things into practice. And basically, 0:08:12.568 --> 0:08:18.268 Australia became a signatory in about August 2008, and you 0:08:18.268 --> 0:08:22.228 can see some really great information, including an easy read 0:08:22.228 --> 0:08:28.078 version of information about it on the human rights. Gov.uk. 0:08:28.108 --> 0:08:31.648 But also we have some fantastic stuff on our website 0:08:31.648 --> 0:08:35.578 as well. Pwda is website is fantastic for that as well. 0:08:35.608 --> 0:08:40.498 Okay. And we'll get those details about the website and 0:08:40.498 --> 0:08:45.388 other contact details for P.w.d. at the end. Megan. But 0:08:45.388 --> 0:08:50.248 for the time being, I'm interested to raise the point 0:08:50.248 --> 0:08:55.888 about how people with disabilities still perhaps aren't seen as 0:08:55.888 --> 0:09:01.438 a priority by government over the time, but also, I suppose, 0:09:01.468 --> 0:09:03.628 and this is a bit of a point of you know, 0:09:03.668 --> 0:09:11.108 how society views us more broadly and overcoming those perceptions. 0:09:11.108 --> 0:09:14.018 Let's talk a bit about how much that played a 0:09:14.018 --> 0:09:19.118 role in this entire situation. I think that's definitely worth 0:09:19.148 --> 0:09:22.088 covering there. What are your thoughts on that? 0:09:22.118 --> 0:09:26.468 From our perspective? Part of the reason, and definitely from 0:09:26.468 --> 0:09:29.348 my perspective, part of the reason that we are not 0:09:29.348 --> 0:09:34.628 necessarily yet treated as equitable or necessarily have access to 0:09:34.658 --> 0:09:39.638 equitable rights. And you might notice, I'm saying equitable over equal, 0:09:39.668 --> 0:09:42.908 because we've got to get equitable first before we can 0:09:42.908 --> 0:09:46.568 have equality. So it's really important to recognize that we're 0:09:46.568 --> 0:09:49.748 not starting at the exact same point as everyone else. 0:09:49.748 --> 0:09:52.658 So we need the equity to get to the equality. 0:09:52.658 --> 0:09:55.448 So when we're thinking about those things, we've got to 0:09:55.478 --> 0:09:59.948 think about the fact that the current system for education, 0:09:59.948 --> 0:10:04.308 for many people with disability is through a segregated Lens. 0:10:04.308 --> 0:10:09.318 And that means that right now, mainstream schools are not. 0:10:09.318 --> 0:10:15.198 And the mainstream schooling system is not actually fully inclusive. 0:10:15.198 --> 0:10:17.478 And so we need to consider that when it comes 0:10:17.478 --> 0:10:21.078 to employment, when it comes to education, and when it 0:10:21.078 --> 0:10:26.808 comes to housing opportunities, that segregated model is in place 0:10:26.808 --> 0:10:29.868 because of the fact that we do not currently have 0:10:29.868 --> 0:10:34.458 an inclusive society that ensures that if a person with 0:10:34.458 --> 0:10:37.458 disability was to go into a mainstream school right at 0:10:37.458 --> 0:10:40.068 this moment, I'm not saying it can't happen. I absolutely 0:10:40.068 --> 0:10:43.068 do believe it can. But if they were to right 0:10:43.068 --> 0:10:47.658 this second, the mainstream system does need to change and 0:10:47.658 --> 0:10:50.658 it needs to be able to be more inclusive of 0:10:50.658 --> 0:10:55.188 everyone's needs and learning capacities. And that's the same when 0:10:55.188 --> 0:10:58.998 it comes to employment and housing. And so those are 0:10:58.998 --> 0:11:01.728 the kind of things that we need to be conscious 0:11:01.728 --> 0:11:03.288 of as. 0:11:03.288 --> 0:11:03.468 To. 0:11:03.538 --> 0:11:08.788 Why we're not necessarily yet fully seen as having all 0:11:08.788 --> 0:11:13.108 of the same rights, because we're not necessarily set up 0:11:13.108 --> 0:11:17.098 societies not set up to allow for that equity yet. 0:11:17.128 --> 0:11:21.148 Mhm. And Megan, that does tie in with quite a 0:11:21.148 --> 0:11:27.418 few of the experiences, lived experiences and otherwise of quite 0:11:27.448 --> 0:11:32.308 a few people I've spoken to over the past weeks, months, even, 0:11:32.338 --> 0:11:36.358 you know, years on talking vision where we've had stories 0:11:36.358 --> 0:11:39.418 where people have come back to them and said, oh, 0:11:39.448 --> 0:11:42.688 this is, you know, just one person that's making this 0:11:42.688 --> 0:11:46.528 complaint or giving this feedback or that's not enough of 0:11:46.528 --> 0:11:49.978 a business case. It's not important enough. You know, we 0:11:49.978 --> 0:11:53.158 don't need to make X, Y, and Z accessible if 0:11:53.158 --> 0:11:57.118 there's only one person who is experiencing this problem, we 0:11:57.118 --> 0:11:59.968 don't need to do anything about it, blah, blah, blah. 0:11:59.968 --> 0:12:04.848 So addressing that and overcoming that and flipping that around to, 0:12:04.878 --> 0:12:09.078 you know, have more voices saying, we need this to improve. 0:12:09.078 --> 0:12:12.078 We need this to be better. We need this to 0:12:12.108 --> 0:12:16.008 be able to fully take part in society. And that 0:12:16.008 --> 0:12:21.498 is a huge mountain to climb. So that's definitely something 0:12:21.498 --> 0:12:25.518 that's ongoing. So it's very important for us to be 0:12:25.518 --> 0:12:29.328 speaking today because, you know, we've both experienced these sorts 0:12:29.328 --> 0:12:33.498 of things over our lives. First and foremost, what are 0:12:33.498 --> 0:12:37.818 you looking to see long term as a final point 0:12:37.818 --> 0:12:43.698 for things to improve for the lives of people with disabilities, full. 0:12:43.698 --> 0:12:47.298 Inclusion in society in the way that we still have 0:12:47.298 --> 0:12:51.198 choice and control in how that happens. And we have 0:12:51.198 --> 0:12:54.348 to remember. Yes, absolutely. I hear that we've only had 0:12:54.348 --> 0:12:57.678 one person ask this. We've only had one person. But 0:12:57.708 --> 0:13:01.548 if we step back and recognize that around 20% of 0:13:01.548 --> 0:13:05.968 Australia's population are people with disability. You might only get 0:13:05.968 --> 0:13:09.868 a request for one type of inclusion, but if you 0:13:09.868 --> 0:13:13.168 are able to include people with disability and all people 0:13:13.168 --> 0:13:17.128 with disability, then you're actually ensuring that 20% of our 0:13:17.128 --> 0:13:23.128 population has full inclusion in society. It's not a simple 0:13:23.128 --> 0:13:27.208 or straightforward process, and it shouldn't be because we need 0:13:27.208 --> 0:13:29.488 to be able to recognise that we should be allowed 0:13:29.488 --> 0:13:32.518 to lead that. But in the long run, it's about 0:13:32.518 --> 0:13:38.788 having the ability to be part of non-segregated living spaces, 0:13:38.788 --> 0:13:47.068 non-segregated schools and non-segregated employment. Those things are basic 101 0:13:47.098 --> 0:13:50.488 things that we should have absolute choice to be able 0:13:50.488 --> 0:13:55.018 to do in a way that is absolutely accessible. It 0:13:55.018 --> 0:14:00.388 means that simple things like being able to have access 0:14:00.388 --> 0:14:02.788 to easy English. 0:14:02.828 --> 0:14:03.188 Or. 0:14:03.188 --> 0:14:09.278 Auslan versions of all communications should be available as the 0:14:09.278 --> 0:14:12.458 first step, not the second or third, or the reminder 0:14:12.458 --> 0:14:17.528 step afterwards. It should be that all forms of apps 0:14:17.528 --> 0:14:20.078 that we have to use for our job are fully 0:14:20.078 --> 0:14:23.648 accessible to screen readers. That should again be just the 0:14:23.648 --> 0:14:27.038 first step of the conversation, not the third or the 0:14:27.038 --> 0:14:30.818 patch step of how we're doing things so we can 0:14:30.848 --> 0:14:33.428 do our jobs in the exact same way that we 0:14:33.428 --> 0:14:37.658 need to, to be as effective as possible. Those are 0:14:37.658 --> 0:14:41.498 the key aspects we need to make sure that there 0:14:41.528 --> 0:14:46.898 is a genuine partnership with people with disability, with us 0:14:46.958 --> 0:14:50.858 and the government and our society, so that we can 0:14:50.858 --> 0:14:52.118 be fully included. 0:14:52.148 --> 0:14:55.628 Megan, before we wrap up, if people would love to 0:14:55.658 --> 0:15:00.398 get in touch with people with disabilities Australia, what is 0:15:00.398 --> 0:15:04.198 the best way for them to do that. And what 0:15:04.228 --> 0:15:08.008 sort of things can you offer for people who may 0:15:08.038 --> 0:15:13.558 be experiencing quite a lot of feelings and concerns following 0:15:13.588 --> 0:15:15.088 these outcomes? 0:15:15.118 --> 0:15:18.928 Absolutely. So we do have a great website that has 0:15:18.928 --> 0:15:23.188 a lot of really helpful information, as well as some 0:15:23.188 --> 0:15:25.168 overview of what you can do. So you can go 0:15:25.168 --> 0:15:33.358 to poody.org. So org.edu. And on our website we've got 0:15:33.358 --> 0:15:37.918 a lot of different pieces of information. However you can 0:15:37.918 --> 0:15:41.068 also give us a call. We have got A18 hundred number. 0:15:41.068 --> 0:15:44.278 And sometimes that's much more accessible for people. So that 0:15:44.278 --> 0:15:51.598 number is 1800 422 015. Or you can send us an email 0:15:51.598 --> 0:15:59.878 at poody@poody.org dot a you and we can support you 0:15:59.908 --> 0:16:04.498 with multiple things. So obviously as part of it, we 0:16:04.498 --> 0:16:08.008 do have membership available, free membership available for any person 0:16:08.008 --> 0:16:11.158 with disability that wants to be kept in the loop 0:16:11.158 --> 0:16:15.508 on what is happening. We also have advisory groups that 0:16:15.508 --> 0:16:17.398 you can be part of, and we keep you up 0:16:17.398 --> 0:16:20.878 to date with the latest news in the disability community. 0:16:20.908 --> 0:16:24.448 We also have some really great resources around things like 0:16:24.448 --> 0:16:29.578 language guides, Auslan videos, easy read information, and some great 0:16:29.578 --> 0:16:34.798 resources for journalists as well. But also we can provide 0:16:34.798 --> 0:16:41.398 independent support and advice so we can do individual advocacy support. 0:16:41.398 --> 0:16:43.588 We can talk to you and support you around housing 0:16:43.588 --> 0:16:49.408 and accommodation, the NDIS, especially around discrimination, abuse and neglect 0:16:49.408 --> 0:16:52.708 and we can also support students with disability as well. 0:16:52.738 --> 0:16:59.038 That was Megan Spindler Smith, deputy CEO of people with 0:16:59.038 --> 0:17:04.488 Disabilities Australia. There who joined me today to chat about 0:17:04.488 --> 0:17:11.028 the Disability Royal Commission and the latest outcomes from the 0:17:11.028 --> 0:17:21.588 government's response earlier this month. I'm Sam Culley and you're 0:17:21.588 --> 0:17:27.438 listening to Talking Vision. On Vision Australia Radio, associated Stations 0:17:27.438 --> 0:17:32.538 of Reading Radio and the Community Radio Network. If you'd 0:17:32.538 --> 0:17:37.818 love to listen to a full version of our conversations today, 0:17:37.818 --> 0:17:42.468 they will be available as interview highlights later this week 0:17:42.468 --> 0:17:46.128 to enjoy. But if you'd like to listen to the 0:17:46.128 --> 0:17:49.818 programme in full at another time, you can also do 0:17:49.818 --> 0:17:53.808 that of course, through the Vision Australia Radio website at 0:17:53.808 --> 0:18:00.378 VA radio.org that's VA radio.org. Or you can find the 0:18:00.378 --> 0:18:04.228 program on the podcast app of your choice or through 0:18:04.228 --> 0:18:09.298 the Vision Australia library. And speaking of the Vision Australia Library, 0:18:09.298 --> 0:18:14.308 it's my great pleasure to welcome library manager Sarah Bloedorn 0:18:14.308 --> 0:18:19.528 to Talking Vision. I started off our conversation today by 0:18:19.528 --> 0:18:23.638 asking Sarah about some events that are coming up in 0:18:23.638 --> 0:18:26.938 the Vision Australia library over the next few weeks. 0:18:26.968 --> 0:18:29.578 Yeah, absolutely. Always lots happening in the library. We've got 0:18:29.578 --> 0:18:33.418 some exciting things happening very soon. First of all, we're 0:18:33.418 --> 0:18:37.348 launching our next series of memoir writing. We hold memoir 0:18:37.348 --> 0:18:40.768 writing probably twice a year because it's so popular. Every 0:18:40.798 --> 0:18:43.918 time we advertise those series of memoir writing, we get 0:18:43.918 --> 0:18:46.408 booked up with a waitlist. So I encourage you, if 0:18:46.438 --> 0:18:49.318 you've thought about doing your memoir before, maybe you've heard 0:18:49.318 --> 0:18:51.358 about our program but haven't had a chance to jump 0:18:51.358 --> 0:18:54.328 on and be involved yet, please get in touch and 0:18:54.328 --> 0:18:57.268 get signed up. So this one starts August 30th. So 0:18:57.268 --> 0:18:59.818 you've still got a few days and we've still got 0:18:59.818 --> 0:19:02.198 some spots in there And what it is is it's 0:19:02.198 --> 0:19:04.778 a six week online program, so it doesn't matter where 0:19:04.778 --> 0:19:07.118 you are across the country listening to this. You can 0:19:07.148 --> 0:19:09.728 be part of our program. So we've got an amazing 0:19:09.728 --> 0:19:12.188 bunch of authors that will help you. Whether you've just 0:19:12.188 --> 0:19:15.218 started writing your memoir or whether you haven't started or 0:19:15.218 --> 0:19:17.948 whether you've started and put it down years ago. Wherever 0:19:17.948 --> 0:19:21.488 you're at, absolutely take a chance and get involved in 0:19:21.518 --> 0:19:24.218 that program. It's free. All of our programs are free. 0:19:24.218 --> 0:19:26.258 I probably should mention that for anybody that hasn't heard 0:19:26.258 --> 0:19:29.108 about our programs before, all of them are free to join. 0:19:29.108 --> 0:19:31.988 On the 2nd of October, we have an in conversation 0:19:31.988 --> 0:19:36.428 with Candice Fox. Candice Fox is an amazing Australian author. 0:19:36.428 --> 0:19:39.158 She's a crime fiction author, so I haven't read a 0:19:39.158 --> 0:19:41.798 lot of her work. Sam, maybe you have, I'm not sure, 0:19:41.798 --> 0:19:43.928 but I know a lot of our listeners and a 0:19:43.928 --> 0:19:47.378 lot of our readers love their crime stories. So Candice 0:19:47.378 --> 0:19:50.228 will be with us on the 2nd of October for 0:19:50.228 --> 0:19:52.478 around about an hour, and we have the opportunity to 0:19:52.508 --> 0:19:55.268 chat to her about everything from what inspires her to 0:19:55.298 --> 0:19:59.408 write these gritty crime novels, to what's her writing process like. 0:19:59.408 --> 0:20:01.968 And you can ask questions yourself. So once again, this 0:20:01.968 --> 0:20:04.398 is an online event. So join from wherever you are 0:20:04.428 --> 0:20:06.888 in the comfort of your home. If you have questions 0:20:06.888 --> 0:20:09.198 for Candice, that's wonderful. If you just want to have 0:20:09.198 --> 0:20:11.658 a listen, that's also wonderful too. 0:20:11.658 --> 0:20:15.438 I haven't personally had a read of Candice Fox, but 0:20:15.438 --> 0:20:18.018 I know quite a few friends and family out there 0:20:18.048 --> 0:20:21.018 who are big crime buffs. They may have heard of Candice, 0:20:21.018 --> 0:20:23.238 so I'll be sure to have a chat with them 0:20:23.238 --> 0:20:26.508 about that. Though I'm big fans of the crime genre 0:20:26.538 --> 0:20:29.298 going all the way back to, you know, Raymond Chandler 0:20:29.298 --> 0:20:31.578 back in the 30s and all that sort of thing 0:20:31.608 --> 0:20:34.368 and all the way through. I love a good Agatha Christie, 0:20:34.398 --> 0:20:37.638 all those sort of ones. But, um, yeah. So we'll 0:20:37.638 --> 0:20:41.778 get back to the details about how people can register 0:20:41.778 --> 0:20:44.928 and find out more about the library at the end. 0:20:44.958 --> 0:20:48.768 But in the meantime, Sarah, I'd love to hear about 0:20:48.768 --> 0:20:53.118 some new releases from the library that members can look 0:20:53.118 --> 0:20:55.668 forward to having a read or listen to. 0:20:55.698 --> 0:20:58.248 Yeah, absolutely. So one that stood out to me in 0:20:58.248 --> 0:21:01.638 this month list is called The Librarian Next. Hopefully I'm 0:21:01.658 --> 0:21:03.728 saying that right. I think I just like the title 0:21:03.758 --> 0:21:07.058 by Patrick DeWitt. So it's about a man called Bob 0:21:07.058 --> 0:21:10.568 who's a retired librarian passing his days surrounded by books 0:21:10.568 --> 0:21:14.168 in his house in Oregon. One morning on his daily walk, 0:21:14.168 --> 0:21:16.988 he encounters a confused elderly woman lost in a market 0:21:16.988 --> 0:21:20.378 and returns her to the senior center that is her home, 0:21:21.128 --> 0:21:23.888 hoping to fill the void he's known since retiring, he 0:21:23.888 --> 0:21:28.478 begins volunteering at the center, and this is the basis 0:21:28.478 --> 0:21:31.598 for this story where we get to enjoy learning about 0:21:31.598 --> 0:21:35.168 this man. The librarian, as he's called it, says it's 0:21:35.168 --> 0:21:38.918 a melancholy, but also a bright comedy full of bizarre 0:21:38.918 --> 0:21:42.638 and outsized players, which just sounds great to me. Sounds 0:21:42.638 --> 0:21:45.188 like a really nice, feel good book. Probably not a 0:21:45.188 --> 0:21:48.038 crime novel from the sound of that, but sounds really lovely. 0:21:48.038 --> 0:21:51.248 And there's another one that has been popular, and along 0:21:51.248 --> 0:21:54.128 with crime, we often we find our historical fiction is 0:21:54.128 --> 0:21:57.398 very popular. And there's one called The Scent Keeper, about 0:21:57.398 --> 0:22:00.098 a woman called Emmeline who lives on a remote island 0:22:00.098 --> 0:22:03.738 with her father learning all about his experiences and his 0:22:03.738 --> 0:22:07.488 understanding of the natural world. As she grows, so does 0:22:07.488 --> 0:22:11.268 her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens and she 0:22:11.268 --> 0:22:14.328 is vaulted into the real world, a place of love, betrayal, 0:22:14.328 --> 0:22:19.428 ambition and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock 0:22:19.458 --> 0:22:22.758 the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the 0:22:22.758 --> 0:22:26.718 limits of her heart and imagination. So that's another one 0:22:26.718 --> 0:22:29.298 that has been popular with our readers this month, and 0:22:29.298 --> 0:22:32.328 we actually have a whole session about historical books. Whether 0:22:32.328 --> 0:22:35.358 you like your historical romance or your war novels, with 0:22:35.358 --> 0:22:38.088 one of our Treat Your Shelf coming up soon. Okay, 0:22:38.118 --> 0:22:40.518 so our treat yourself, as I'm sure you know, Sam, 0:22:40.518 --> 0:22:43.698 is an opportunity really to hear from you, our listeners 0:22:43.698 --> 0:22:47.628 and our readers, about what you enjoy reading. And the 0:22:47.628 --> 0:22:52.698 theme of our August 27th one is Upending the Hourglass. 0:22:52.698 --> 0:22:56.598 So it's all about historical fiction, taking the reader beyond 0:22:56.628 --> 0:23:00.948 what's available to time traveling between the pages So come 0:23:00.948 --> 0:23:04.318 along and share your favorite historical fiction reads. It's not 0:23:04.318 --> 0:23:06.988 all bonnets and lords and ladies. There's a wealth of 0:23:06.988 --> 0:23:10.018 new release modern historical fiction to enjoy. 0:23:10.048 --> 0:23:13.918 All right, that's really cool. And you know, if people 0:23:13.918 --> 0:23:17.608 would love to sign up to those events, they're listening 0:23:17.638 --> 0:23:20.458 to this and thinking, oh my God, that's amazing. I'd 0:23:20.458 --> 0:23:24.268 love to get involved in writing my own memoir, or 0:23:24.268 --> 0:23:28.198 finding out a bit more about historical fiction, or taking 0:23:28.198 --> 0:23:30.658 part in all the other events that are in store 0:23:30.658 --> 0:23:34.468 for people out there. What is the best way for 0:23:34.468 --> 0:23:37.918 them to get in touch and contact the library and 0:23:37.918 --> 0:23:39.538 get online and find out more? 0:23:39.568 --> 0:23:42.898 Yeah, the quickest way to join is generally online. So 0:23:42.898 --> 0:23:46.588 Vision Australia. Org slash library. And on there you'll see 0:23:46.588 --> 0:23:49.228 all of our upcoming events. So anything that I've spoken 0:23:49.228 --> 0:23:51.388 about today. But there's also things that I haven't had 0:23:51.388 --> 0:23:53.458 a chance to mention or ones that are coming up 0:23:53.458 --> 0:23:56.518 in the future. Generally you just register online, so we 0:23:56.518 --> 0:23:59.158 just ask for a few details, get you signed up, 0:23:59.158 --> 0:24:01.148 and that way you're in the system and we'll email 0:24:01.148 --> 0:24:03.788 you ahead of the program to remind you, hey, you're 0:24:03.788 --> 0:24:06.848 coming along and keep you in touch with the library. 0:24:06.878 --> 0:24:09.368 You can also call, though, if you would like to. 0:24:09.398 --> 0:24:12.398 We're very happy to register you online or do it 0:24:12.398 --> 0:24:18.038 for you through the phone. So that's 1300 654 656. I'll just 0:24:18.038 --> 0:24:24.188 repeat that one again. It's 1300 654 656. And you can also 0:24:24.188 --> 0:24:27.878 email library at Vision Australia. Org with any questions. So 0:24:27.878 --> 0:24:30.698 it might be about one of the programs I've mentioned today. 0:24:30.698 --> 0:24:33.368 Also a book that you're interested in, whether it's one 0:24:33.368 --> 0:24:35.408 that I spoke about or a book that you just 0:24:35.408 --> 0:24:37.868 want to see if the library can get. That's always 0:24:37.868 --> 0:24:40.358 the best email to start the conversation, and we'll make 0:24:40.388 --> 0:24:42.728 sure we direct you to whoever can help you with 0:24:42.728 --> 0:24:43.598 your query. 0:24:43.748 --> 0:24:48.068 Okay. And, Sarah, I think it's also worth letting our 0:24:48.068 --> 0:24:51.848 listeners know a little bit more about the formats that 0:24:51.848 --> 0:24:56.378 they can access their favorite book or audio book, because 0:24:56.378 --> 0:24:59.618 we haven't really done that for the past little while. 0:24:59.618 --> 0:25:03.088 So it's always good to refresh people's memory. What sort 0:25:03.118 --> 0:25:06.838 of formats can people access their favorite books? 0:25:06.868 --> 0:25:07.738 Sure. 0:25:07.978 --> 0:25:10.078 Well, we we love to set the library that we 0:25:10.078 --> 0:25:12.448 want to help you read in whatever way you choose. 0:25:12.448 --> 0:25:14.548 And so for each of us, that might be different. 0:25:14.548 --> 0:25:17.698 We do specialize as a library in audiobooks, particularly we 0:25:17.698 --> 0:25:21.448 have over 60,000 titles in audio, which is amazing. They're 0:25:21.448 --> 0:25:23.458 all human narrated. So it means you're listening to a 0:25:23.458 --> 0:25:26.218 real person read the book, which is a lovely experience. 0:25:26.218 --> 0:25:29.158 And we have every genre under the sun. We also 0:25:29.158 --> 0:25:32.728 have a Braille library. So again, with both audio or braille, 0:25:32.728 --> 0:25:35.338 if we don't have something, you can suggest it. And 0:25:35.338 --> 0:25:38.098 because our library exists for our clients and our readers, 0:25:38.098 --> 0:25:39.718 we're going to do our very best to get it 0:25:39.718 --> 0:25:42.178 for you. So when you join the library, you can 0:25:42.178 --> 0:25:44.158 let us know how you like to read. Some people 0:25:44.158 --> 0:25:46.738 like to read both ways. They like Braille and audio, 0:25:46.738 --> 0:25:49.408 and we'll help to support you in that. If you 0:25:49.408 --> 0:25:52.138 are an audio reader, we have an app that can 0:25:52.138 --> 0:25:54.238 go onto your smartphone or tablet that a lot of 0:25:54.238 --> 0:25:56.818 people make use of. We do also have some other 0:25:56.818 --> 0:25:59.608 devices that you can access if you're not wanting to 0:25:59.628 --> 0:26:02.588 use our phone or a tablet. So again, very happy 0:26:02.588 --> 0:26:04.958 to have that conversation with you at any point and 0:26:04.958 --> 0:26:07.898 support you to find that with Braille we do have 0:26:07.898 --> 0:26:10.628 physical braille. So a braille book that will be posted 0:26:10.628 --> 0:26:13.238 in the mail. But we also have E Braille. So 0:26:13.238 --> 0:26:16.238 if you use an E Braille device you can access 0:26:16.238 --> 0:26:19.478 the files. Yeah. So however you like to read we're 0:26:19.478 --> 0:26:20.438 here to help you. 0:26:20.468 --> 0:26:23.498 Perfect. Well if you'd love to find out a little 0:26:23.528 --> 0:26:26.438 bit more about that and perhaps sign up as a 0:26:26.438 --> 0:26:29.828 member or find out if your favorite book is available, 0:26:29.828 --> 0:26:32.858 or just sign up for one of those events, or 0:26:32.858 --> 0:26:36.368 many more that Sarah has mentioned there. Feel free to 0:26:36.398 --> 0:26:41.138 get in touch with the library anytime. I've been speaking 0:26:41.168 --> 0:26:46.328 today with Vision Australia library manager Sarah Bloedorn about the 0:26:46.328 --> 0:26:51.578 latest releases available to members at the Vision Australia Library, 0:26:51.608 --> 0:26:56.078 along with some exciting events coming up over the next 0:26:56.078 --> 0:27:05.718 few weeks And that's all the time we have for today. 0:27:05.748 --> 0:27:10.038 You've been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a 0:27:10.038 --> 0:27:14.508 Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting 0:27:14.508 --> 0:27:18.378 the show together every week. And remember, we love hearing 0:27:18.378 --> 0:27:21.378 from you. So please get in touch any time on 0:27:21.378 --> 0:27:26.628 our email at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking 0:27:26.628 --> 0:27:31.608 vision all one word at Vision australia.org. But until next 0:27:31.608 --> 0:27:34.638 week it's Sam Coley saying bye for now. 0:27:37.848 --> 0:27:42.018 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:42.018 --> 0:27:53.868 business hours on 1300 847 406. That's 1300 847 406 or by visiting Vision australia.org. 0:27:53.898 --> 0:27:56.418 That's Vision australia.org.