Opinion pieces

Talking Vision is Vision Australia's national radio program on blindness and low vision.

In the program for the week of May 28, we celebrate a humble and generous man's extraordinary work to bring braille to the fingers of countless thousands around the world. Joseph Sullivan, is the man behind the Duxbury Braille Translation system, the predominant worldwide software product that produces braille.

In the program for the week of June 4, we bring you extensive coverage of the launch of Vision Australia's Reconciliation Action Plan. From the event held as part of National Reconciliation Action week you can hear highlights from the Welcome to Country, words from the RAP Project Manager and from the Chair of Vision Australia. We also bring you the guitar and voice of an outstanding blind Aboriginal musician.

For 2012 we are giving Brisbane visitors the chance to visit on a Saturday if they are too busy during the working week, plus it will coincide with the Seeing Eye Dogs Meet and Greet Day.

In the program for the week of June 25, we catch up with vision impaired S13 swimmer Prue Watt as she prepares for her London return to the Paralympic stage. Also, we have the latest with what's happening to ensure people with vision loss are able to access digital television.

The cricket season in Australia is over but the interest in blind cricket takes no break with the national team preparing for an Ashes contest in the UK in June. We speak this week with two members of the Australian squad and with a young woman who reflects on her first season of club cricket. Also, we speak with an outstanding vision impaired Paralympic swimmer who has recently broken a world record.

One of the most important activists in the history of disability in Australia was Matilda (Tilly) Aston.

Vision Australia's AGM is an opportunity to get a snapshot of the past year - the challenges and the high points. This year Gerard talked about the National Disability Insurance Scheme - how we are endeavouring to understand the proposed implications and be prepared for a scheme that has the potential to change the landscape for all of us.

Vision Australia was sad to hear of the recent passing of Esme Weldon Dunell MBE. Esme was a much-loved personality at the former Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind School where she was Matron for 17 years.

Vision Australia would like to congratulate the following winners of our 2012 Dickinson Literary Awards.