RNIB Connect

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the channel Islands for another audio described theatre review.
This week we have Malorie Blackman’s gripping Romeo and Juliet story ‘Noughts and Crosses’ at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Carolyn Smith. 
About ‘Noughts and Crosses’
“Why love, if losing hurts so much?”
Sephy and Callum sit together on a beach. They are in love. It is forbidden.
Sephy is a Cross and Callum is a Nought. Between Noughts and Crosses there are racial and social divides. A segregated society teeters on a volatile knife edge.  As violence breaks out, Sephy and Callum draw closer, but this is a romance that will lead them into terrible danger. This gripping Romeo and Juliet story by acclaimed writer Malorie Blackman is a captivating drama of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world.
To find out more about the current tour of ‘Noughts and Crosses’ do visit - https://pilot-theatre.com/production/noughts-crosses/
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RNIB Scotland has produced it’s Manifesto, which will be shared with political parties, ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections on May 7th.
 
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Catriona Burness, from RNIB Scotland, to find out why charities do this and how they promote the asks to the political parties and candidates.
 
For more info on RNIB Scotland, go to www.rnib.org.uk/scotland

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Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via ntathome.com
Audio described performances included: 
‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,’ - Saturday 25 April, 1.30pm, touch tour 11.30am and Thursday 14 May, 7pm, touch tour 5pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre
‘War Horse’, Saturday 20 June, 2.15pm, touch tour 12:15pm, Friday 24 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre,
‘The Misanthrope’, Saturday 11 July, 2.30pm, touch tour at 12.30pm, Friday 31 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre.
From NT at home with audio description David recommended ‘The importance of being Ernest’ and The Other Place’ . 
To find out more about the National Theatre’s audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website- https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
And for more about NT at home and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com
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A new voting tool has been created to help blind and partially sighted people, in Scotland, cast their votes independently and in secret.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Catriona Burness, from RNIB Scotland, to learn more about the new changes for the forthcoming 2026 elections.
For more on the improvements, go to www.rnib.org.uk/scotland

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Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.
This week Simon talks about visiting services in Surrey, accessible voting and what it’s like having a Lived Experience coach.
If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999
Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.
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