Advertise on podcast: EBU in action

In March 2026, France and Germany submitted a nomination to have braille recognised as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Coming from the celebration of its bicentenary last year, this recognition would really help with raising awareness of braille's role in helping blind and partially sighted people lead more independent lives.  We discuss the subject in more depth with Lily Martinet (from the Ministry of Culture of France) and Reiner Delgado (from EBU's braille Working Group). At the same time, we talk with Susan LaVenture (from ICEVI) and Santosh Kumar (from World Blind Union) about the Global Braille Literacy Campaign driven by both ICEVI and WBU.   An English transcript is available (pdf).

With Boris Moine, guitar teacher at INJA (National Institute of Young People in France).  Music is not just an artistic discipline. It's a universal language to be shared with everybody, including people with visual impairment.  You will also learn more about the latest updates at EBU, as well as discover the activities of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted.  An English transcript is available (pdf).  * Note: This episode has been edited by "FERRY.FM".

With Svenja Ottawa (blind gamer & streamer, Germany) and Philip Bennefall (Blastbay Studios). The videogame industry has grown massively during the last decades. How can blind and partially sighted people enjoy gaming on an equal basis with others? We also bring the latest EBU advocacy updates and an interview with Markus Wolf, President of the Austrian Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted. An English transcript of episode 14 is available (pdf).

With Larysa Baida (National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities, Ukraine), Diana Stentoft (Danish Association of the Blind) and Talal Waheed (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction). Crisis scenarios such as conflicts or natural disasters require humanitarian responses which bear in mind everybody's needs, including those of people with disabilities. An English transcript of episode 13 is available (pdf).

With Daniel Casas (European Disability Forum), Susanna Laurin (International Association of Accessibility Professionals) and Svajūnė Sirvydytė (Ministry of Social Security and Labour of Lithuania). 28th June 2025 marked the deadline for implementing the European Accessibility Act. We explore this new legal state of play with three experts, and also talk with Vilmantas Balčikonis, Vice-President of the Lithuanian Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired. An English transcript of episode 12 is available (pdf).

With Reiner Delgado, Tkáčik Michal, Lachwana Caboche and Fernando Pinto. In 1825, Louis Braille invented one of the most revolutionary tools for the blindness and partial sight communities. On the occasion of its bicentenary, EBU presents its commitments to the promotion of braille through its Working Group, featuring interviews with a student from INJA and a member of the French National Consultative Council of People with Disabilities. An English transcript of episode 11 is available (pdf).

With MEP Li Andersson, Francesca Sbianchi (EBU Advocacy Committee) and Antoine Fobe (EBU Head of Advocacy and Campaigning).  On February 18th 2025, EBU hosted a cocktail event at the European Parliament gathering MEPs and representatives of EBU National Members to discuss the priorities for visually impaired people across Europe. An English transcript of episode 10 is available (pdf).

With Tytti Matsinen (EBU President) and Lars Bosselmann (EBU Executive Director). In a year marked by the 2024 EU Elections, EBU has gone through many internal changes to optimise its advocacy efforts. We also get to know Anja Uršič from the Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted of Slovenia and her organisation's work in accessible tourism and the labour market.  An English transcript of episode 9 is available (pdf).

With DongDong Camanni (Italian blind judoman), Ludivine Munos (Head of Paralympic Games Integration), Laetitia Bernard (Radio France) and Pádraig Healy (Vision Sports Ireland).  The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were a great celebration for the promotion of sports among our communities. Listen to the testimonials of those who made this fantastic event possible. An English transcript of episode 8 is available (pdf).

With Fredrik Stockhaus (blind politician, Sweden) and Armin Rabitsch (Election-Watch.EU). Casting your vote or running for office as a visually impaired person is possible today, but not without challenges. We also talk to Luana Schena from the Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired about accessible voting and digital accessibility campaigns. An English transcript of episode 7 is available (pdf).

With Christopher Patnoe (Google), Tytti Matsinen (EBU President) and Bárbara Martín (EBU First Vice President). The beginning of 2024 was marked by EBU's 12th General Assembly on the year of its 40th Anniversary, covering the situation of blind people in Ukraine, a conversation on artificial intelligence and the results of EBU's Board Elections.  An English transcript of episode 6 is available (pdf).

With Antoine Fobe (EBU Head of Advocacy) and Claire Damilano (European Civil Action Service). The European Commission presented a legislative proposal for a European Disability Card in September 2023. We discuss the proposal in detail and also talk to Dorota Krać about the Polish Association of the Blind's commitments in accessible art and official building standards. An English transcript of episode 5 is available (pdf).

With Natalia Suárez (European Disability Forum) and Ville Lamminen (Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired). Social media platforms bring accessibility challenges, but also real opportunities for disability organisations. We also speak to Madeleine McNamara from Vision Ireland about healthcare, mobility and sports. An English transcript of episode 4 is available (pdf).

With Jude Stern (IAPB) and Kave Noori (European Disability Forum). Artificial Intelligence has a lot of potential for persons with disabilities, but also many challenges to be tackled. We also travel to Montenegro to talk with Anđela Dragović about the Union of the Blind of Montenegro's commitments in braille labelling and employment. An English transcript of episode 3 is available (pdf).

With Bart Simons (EBU representative in ANEC) and Javier Pita (CEO of NaviLens). Different ways to make consumer product information accessible, from braille labels to NaviLens QR codes. We also hear from Reiner Delgado (DBSV) about daily challenges for visually impaired people in Germany. An English transcript of episode 2 is available (pdf).