Advertise on podcast: Advocacy Talks with Vision Ireland

In this episode Madeline spoke to Ger Duggan who is a member of Vision Ireland's Midwest Local Advocacy Network. Ger explained the significance of the white cane as both a mobility aid and a symbol of independence and inclusion for people who are blind or vision impaired. She shared her experience of learning to use a white cane and how using it has given her back her independence after loosing her sight.  Support the show

In this episode Madeleine spoke to Jamie Millar, Vision Ireland Policy Officer, about budget 2027 and how it effects people who are blind or vision impaired in Ireland.  Support the show

In this episode Madeleine spoke to Jodie O’Neill who is a 4th Year student at the Technical University of the Shannon (TUS), studying Early Childhood Education and Care. She shared her love of working with young children and how having a significant vision impaired does not prevent her from carrying out this role. While there have been challenges which she has overcome, she also highlighted the huge benefits she can bring to the education of children in their early years. Support the show

In this episode Madeleine chatted with Grace Gavin who is a 2nd year student at University of Limerick. She shared her love of music, both playing the piano and singing. She explained how she learns pieces for the piano despite her vision impairment and how she undertook music education in secondary school. Support the show

In this episode Madeleine spoke to Conor Clifford who is a Gaisce Youth Ambassador. He has achieved the bronze and silver Gaisce medals so far and having a vision impairment has not held Conor back. He shared his experience and love of Ireland’s Youth Awards in the hope that you will be inspired to take part. Support the show

in this episode Madeleine spoke to Fiona Kelty, Independent Travel Support Assistant with Dublin Bus. She explained how this service works and shared some useful tips to help people who are blind or vision impaired travel independently on public transport. For contact information to avail of this service nationally visit Independent Travel Support - Transport for Ireland. Support the show

If you want to be inspired then this episode is for you! Madeleine spoke to Clark Reynolds, aka Mr Dot, about his recent participation in the Brighton marathon where he achieved a world first, by using Meta glasses and the Be My Eyes app to be his sighted guide. Apart from that, Clarke is an amazing artist and disability ambassador through his awareness raising activities. Support the show

In this episode of Advocacy Talks Madeleine spoke to Wiktoria Kaminska who is studying at Technical University Dublin in Tallaght. She is totally blind and has a significant hearing loss. Wiktoria described the many supports that are available to assist her to complete her studies but also she highlighted the challenges that she still faces. Support the show

In this episode Madeleine spoke to Adela Buliman, Chief Accessibility Officer with Vially, about the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the recent IAAP conference that they co-hosted at the Wayfinding Centre in Dublin recently. The discussion centred around the importance of users flagging to businesses issues with their services or systems and making complaints to the relevant regulator when there is non-compliance with the Act. You can find a list of all the EAA Regulators here. Support the show

In this episode we spoke to Michael Grimes about the recent Canon “World Unseen” exhibition which was hosted in the Photo Museum, Dublin. It offered a tactile and sensory experience through elevated prints, audio descriptions, braille and NaviLens. The exhibition was designed to make photography more inclusive and to demonstrate how technology can transform the way we engage with visual storytelling. Support the show

Do you want to become more physically active or take up a sport or learn how to support someone who is blind or vision impaired to participate in your local club/gymn? Padraig Healy, Vision Sports Ireland’s Nation Sport Development Manager, tells us how their National Strategy “Beyond Vision 2025-2028” aims to achieve this. Go to www.visionsports.ie to access resources and to become a member. Support the show

Are you an experienced musician who is blind or vision impaired? Have you always wanted to be in a band? Well, if so, here is your opportunity. Tony Mc Donald plays electric bass in a gigging band and has been involved in many bands over the years where he is the only person with a vision impairment.  He is now trying to form a band made up entirely of musicians who are blind or vision impaired. Support the show

In this episode we talk to Dr Lucia Pintado Gutierrez following the publication of her report The Challenges of Audio Description in Ireland: Bridging Education, Users and Industry (ADESI). This research examines the current provision of audio description services in Ireland across media, theatre, museums and sport and how this could be improved. Support the show

On this episode of Advocacy Talks, Jamie Millar tells us about budget 2026. From social welfare payments to the cost of disability, here’s everything you need to know. Support the show

On this episode of advocacy talks we catch up with Sean Moyles from vision sports Ireland to learn about his research into physical literacy for those with acquired visual impairments. Sean also tells us about how he got into sport growing up, with major influence from his parents.   Have an acquired visual impairment? Complete Sean‘s survey here. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9G3_Y6KeI062qbTCTc4rvHW0LpBWS-9CkVP-EDCvHxtUMEtUUzJDWlJVSTBVSVkzTEI4TjlJRTFJVy4u To get in touch with the advocacy team send an email to [email protected]. Support the show