In Touch Folgen

In this music special, we'll be speaking to three visually impaired musicians about how they navigate their careers, what part their visual impairments play in that, and to what extent they buy the common misconception that blindness and good musicianship are linked. You'll be hearing from: Chris Campion, a heavy metal session guitarist from London. We talk about his career, spanning across many different genres of music, and about his solo tracks that were released over the lockdowns. Katriona Taylor, who is a soul and jazz singer and songwriter from London. She has just released her fifth album called Blind Passion, that celebrates blind artists with her original compositions and arrangements. And Michael Stimpson, a classical composer who has re-released a piece of work called The Angry Garden. Upon its original release, twenty years ago, the intention was to highlight climate change and today, unfortunately, its themes are still current. It has been re-released to coincide with the COP26 summit currently happening in Glasgow. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth HemmingsWebsite image description: a man in a colourful floral shirt and jeans is sat playing an electric guitar. The guitar was once owned by John Lennon and George Harrison. The image was captured during a recording of Antiques Roadshow, where the guitar turned out to be one of the most valuable items ever brought in, due to its rarity.

In the first interview since the problem occurred, Channel 4's chief marketing officer and executive lead for inclusion and diversity, Zaid Al-Qassab explains what has happened to their audio description and signing services. Neither has been working since the end of September. We ask why there were no back up services, what measures will be put in place to avoid it happening again, and most importantly when these services will be back up and running.We all know that global action is needed to prevent worsening climate change and its severe consequences. The UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, is just around the corner and it is seen as the last chance for us to make a positive impact on our future. We discuss the relationship between sustainability and inclusion and highlight some of the problems visually impaired people are facing with so-called sustainable infrastructure. We assess the consequences of leaving people with disabilities out of future sustainability plans. We hear from Ann Frye, an international specialist on the transport needs of disabled and older people and Iain McKinnon, of the Global Disability Innovation Hub, who is also part of a panel at COP26 discussing these themes.Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth HemmingsWebsite image description: In the forefront are large solar panels. These are surrounded by green trees and foliage. The back of the image shows tall high-rise buildings, a city landscape. The image represents the moulding of sustainable infrastructure and city life.

When you first register for a certificate of visual impairment and you have informed your local authority that you may need care and support, they have a legal duty, under The Social Care Act, to carry out an assessment. This assessment is designed to evaluate what kind of extra support you need, perhaps it is help around the home or navigating the outside world. But problems seem to occur when a local authority does not have the specialist knowledge of visual impairments in order to diagnose the most suitable help and when newly blind people are not aware of what they are entitled to.On the programme, we hear from two people who have experienced problems in accessing social care assistance from their local authorities. We discuss rehabilitation, a service which offers visual impairment training, and why certain areas of the UK don't have the necessary specialist support. Our guests include: Professor Fred Reid, a long time campaigner on behalf of visually impaired people, and honorary professor of history at Warwick University. Simon Labbett, chair of the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network, and a rehabilitation officer for the blind and John Dixon, the RNIB's policy lead on social care.