Audio
Phillip Deveraux
Studio 1 by
Vision Australia3 seasons
15 May 2024
35 mins
Athletics for the vision-impaired - the opportunities are discussed with a two-time Paralympian.

Vision Australia Radio’s Studio 1 looks at life in Australia from a low vision and blind point of view. Each week hosts Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard focus on a different topic from a visually impaired perspective. We aim to get voices, stories, passions and opinions of people living with a visual impairment onto the radio.
If there’s a subject you think we should cover, please let us know, email: studio1@visionaustralia.com
In this edition:
In the lead-up to the Paralympics in August, we look at the various sports that Athletes with a Vision Impairment complete in or play. This week it is Athletics.
Sam talks to two-time (Seoul and Barcelona) Paralympian Phillip Deveraux. Phil talks about how he lost his sight; his recovery; why he took up Athletics and a lot more.
We also learn that Sam is an old man with a bad hip, and Lizzie has a weak stomach.
A big thank you to Phil and Susan Deveraux for their help with this show.
Studio 1 would also like to pay tribute to the late Mark Davies.
Vision Australia gratefully acknowledges the support of the Community Broadcasting Foundation for Studio 1.
Studio 1 airs in Darwin and Adelaide 8pm Wednesdays, and 3pm Wednesdays in other states.
00:06S1
This is Studio 1 on Vision Australia Radio.
00:12S2
Hi, I'm Sam...
00:14S3
And I'm Lizzy.
00:14S2
And this is Studio One, your weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view. Here on Vision Australia Radio.
00:20S3
On this week's show...
00:21S2
I catch up with an old friend and training partner, two time Paralympian Phillip Devereaux is our guest.
00:27S3
As we always say at this point, please do get in touch with the show. Whether you have experience of any of the issues covered in this week's episode of Studio One, or if you feel there's something that we should be talking about, you never know. Your story and insight may help someone who's dealing with something similar.
00:42S2
Please contact us by email: studio1@visionaustralia.org - That's studio number one at Vision Australia - dot - org.
00:49S3
Or you can drop us a note on our Facebook page at facebook.com/RVA Radio Network.
00:57S2
Hello, Lizzy. So, hey, I know we promised that we were going to be out and about running, but, I think we both came across a bit peaky, so it hasn't quite worked out that way.
01:08S3
Yes, you are becoming an old man. Or I shouldn't say becoming - you ARE an old man. And I've been a bit unwell over the weekend, so our running expedition got cancelled?
01:20S2
Sadly, yeah. I've had an ongoing hip issue since I decided I probably unwisely, to take up running again, which it's getting better though. I actually had to run the last bit across a road and isn't hurting. So we'll see how we go. So the person I am talking to, Phil, has... well, he started athletics in the early or early to mid 1980s. He competed in the World Championships in Sweden in 1986 and went away to Seoul and Barcelona. So, yeah, it's, I said three time Paralympian, didn't I? So he's not... he's a two time Paralympian. So he didn't quite make it to Atlanta. But I trained alongside him for quite some time and actually was his guide runner for a while as well. So we go back a long way.
02:15S3
That's amazing. Well, I can't wait to hear from him and about his experiences being a top class athlete.
02:22S2
And you might be able to understand some of what he talks about because yes, an issue was finding guide runners.
02:28S3
But yes. Well, I think there's a lot of, lot of us in different sports who have trouble finding sighted assistance.
02:34S2
Yes. And a lot of his training was actually done on a treadmill because, again, problems finding guide runners. But let's listen to the man talk about it himself. And welcome to Studio 1, Philip Devereaux.
02:48S4
Could I see him along with me?
02:49S2
You were sort of a fixture of the national championships, and well, what was the journey that took you there? So how did you lose your eyesight?
03:00S4
Well, that 14 one week after my 14th birthday, I was out that day on the Daly River at a station, and that and my best mate, who was there with me, accidentally shot me with a 22 and and that. And so, yeah, there's a bullet went through the arm and through the right eye and came behind the left one. And the ambulance lady who what do you call first? First, along about two hours or so later, she was cleaning, cleaning the area where the bullet came out and it was stuck in my hair. Oh, so it went all the way through, but it didn't make it past my hair. I was with shoulder length hair, you know, 70s. So, you know, the hairy. The hairy hippies.
04:01S2
Yep, yep.
04:03S4
At 14.
04:05S2
So I understand, your friend was a very bad shot. So he wouldn't have done this deliberately to just shut you up?
04:11S4
No, I mean, you know, he was just playing with the gun that was faulty. And it was one of the kind. You load bullets underneath a barrel. I could put 15 bullets in there, and a spring loaded little tube would poke the bullets down each time as you were ejected. One. And it was three bullets were still in there, stuck and didn't know they were in there. And as he played with it, finally one of them come loose. And that's the end result. Don't play with guns. Accidents will happen. Yes, even if you think it's empty.
04:53S2
What do you remember of that day? Do you remember much?
04:57S4
I knew I'd been shot. I was halfway through reading the jokes in the post. They said Ned and his Neddy, I think they were called. And that. And I didn't even get to finish that joke. Oh, okay. It's like ripped off. But yeah, the basis of a ghost, I guess, is I can remember, it's like a spinning kind of a sensation and, and sinking like slowly towards, as if you're sinking down through water, or whatever. But yeah, round and round and, yeah, it was, I was probably aware for at least the first three quarters of an hour and, and I kept coming back from... unconscious to conscious, over the next several hours, I think all up it was five hours getting from there. Where happened at Daly River trying to get the, first to the Aboriginal mission there. Because there was a doctor there and hoping to get the flying doctor to come because they had an airstrip, of course, they were otherwise employed. So it was in the car across corrugated road.
For the next several hours a wallaby went through the radiator and stopped, it stopped us dead on the road. This was nighttime and and it took nearly two hours before another car came along and, and they all got thrown out of the car, commandeered the car. And I was on my way again to Adelaide River, where there there was a what do you call like a little... sister and a like a little place where you could take small injuries and that and and they had an ambulance. They, they were Saint Johns and, and they did all the road accidents or any other thing and, and so, yeah, they took me halfway to Darwin where the ambulance from Darwin, took over and and. Yeah, off to the Royal Darwin Hospital.
07:30S2
So that joke you were reading, was that the last thing you ever saw?
07:33S4
I do, I do remember some flashes of of of sight, but only only small bits, I guess, because, well, the ride, the ride I was completely. Born, but the yeah, the bullet had passed behind the left one and it left a couple of, um, optic nerve shreds still attached. And so there was some definite sight there for a, for a little bit. But as I said, I was mostly off and on unconscious. So, you know, I still reckon you know, that there are still those same little optic nerve fibers are there. But, I did see Australia's best eye doctor when I was down in Melbourne on, on holiday. When I went back down there because I was getting, I was getting what I reckon was definite flashes, okay.
And that and he did all the light tests on me and he said, Yeah, well you definitely got some, some what they call it some pupil dilation reaction or whatever thing, whatever you call it when. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I, what do you call it, your pupil dilates or whatever it was. There was definitely some flashes coming through, but maybe most times now the flashes I get is when I bang my head on something and in a small, like, lightning flashes. You mongrel bastard.
09:16S2
So you're 14. You've just lost your sight. You've finally come out of hospital. What was next? I'm guessing the special education system and things like that, in the Northern Territory wasn't quite up to looking after you. What happened there?
09:35S4
Yeah, well, I was I was in hospital for a month. And then they released released me from there. And I think I got either 1 or 2 weeks here back back at Batchelor, at home before I was on the big aeroplane, on heading down to, uh, the Melbourne Guide Dog Centre, where I was going to, you know, be taught how to use a cane. And well, I was actually told I was going down there to get a guide dog, but they said, No, no, first of all, we'll teach how to use a cane and that and once I've finished with the cane, they said, Well, you don't need a guide dog. And... I did have some radar glasses there which were, were pretty awesome because, you know, I was getting all this feedback of things so I could sometimes miss posts and walls and doors and people and stuff there, but they wouldn't pick up, you know, if you were heading towards any like, steps or down steps or holes in the ground, it was like you were still lost there. You had to use your cane properly.
But yeah, and of course I needed to finish school. So as I was learning to use a cane over at the National Guide Dog Centre, initially I was doing 2 to 2 afternoons or a couple of hours twice a week over at Saint Paul's School for the blind, learning to type with a typewriter and learning Braille. And I then after finishing with my, oh, mostly finishing with my basic cane training, I actually went over to Saint Paul's Books, a boarding school, and, I spent yeah. What the rest the rest of that year about that three months the next year. And then then I went, went to an all all boys Catholic college called parade down there in Melbourne and and that and yeah.
12:06S2
Did you do all your school...
12:07S4
My last two years of school there... and then come home.
12:13S2
So when you left school and there's often quite a few limitations on what someone with a vision impairment or someone who's blind can do. What did you do with your life after that? I mean, you didn't jump straight into the fantastic world of sport, and a lot of other people will have experienced, say, things like blind cricket. But what did you get up to?
12:31S4
Well, initially I just simply went out and had fun... when I came back up here as first year, of course, was family heading out, you know, always going fishing and stuff, I moved into Darwin, ended up with my own flat and that I ended up with, getting a, a job at cabinetmaking place, furniture making place and that and yeah, did that for a couple of years, become a DJ for a little bit. Wow. That was that was another part time. You know, that's in... the disco. Yep. Yeah. So the thing where they gave me free booze.
13:22S2
Oh, that would have been interesting.
13:23S4
Yeah. Oh.
13:25S2
I know you don't like a drink.
13:27S4
Too many records.
13:27S2
Yeah, I know you don't like it like a drink that much. You know, you're a total teetotaller.
13:31S4
Well, I was blind already. You can't get any blinder, innit? Yeah, but no. So there was some interesting, interesting times as it goes there. I, you know, just as I said, with it goes, I was just basically well known around Darwen because I was out there with my cane cruising about and uh, in the discos, in the pubs, walking up and down the streets wherever going, you know, from here to there and, and stuff and... Yeah. And then eventually I ended up getting conned into going into blind sports. Yeah.
14:12S2
Let's talk about that, because I met you in, I think it was 1984. It would have been the end of 1984 or thereabouts. What got you into, well, running about the place and jumping in and out of pits and throwing stuff.
14:27S4
Well, my my big sister.
14:28S2
Okay, so it's all her fault basically.
14:30S4
Basically, Carol just simply, you know, she reckoned all you're doing is running around drinking and making a fool of yourself out there dancing and carrying on. This is no good, you know, and that and that. That's, of course, after I'd done the, what do you call it? The couple of years with the making and, and and my little DJ... bit. That was just an extra, what, three nights a week while I was working, I ended up with a job in the government. Started off with, well, they were Telecom then Telstra. Now they had some little gadget that was like a if it was a light probe, you if you pointed it at a light it would bing. And so the buttons when they lit up on the switchboard, I'd run it along the buttons until I found the one that was where it went. Bing! And I pressed that and say, you know, good morning or good afternoon Telecom here. How can I help you? And that that was it.
From from there I walked straight across the lady who who fixed fixed up that before that six, seven weeks, I think it was and that and the Employment and industrial relations mob needed a switchboard operator. Receptionist. Right. And that and so she said, I know exactly who, I know exactly who. And she came and reefed me out of there because I was only on an eight week training thing to how to use, use this new little gadget sort of thing. And yeah, next, next minute on on there. And I know after a month they said, well, you're doing you know. Well because every time they hired a receptionist within about two weeks or a month, they'd left. Oh, because they were going to other jobs, you know, paying more money and that within their department. Yeah. And that.
But they that meant they had to keep on looking, getting a new receptionist and retraining someone new. Well, when they got me, they said, no, don't you bloody leave. And that, that was all up. I was with them for 16 years, but not as a receptionist. I did do a fair bit of reception, but employment officer and of course I went to about midway through that I went. That's when I started the Blind Sports.
17:20S2
1985 you competed for the for the Northern Territory at the Canberra National Championships and you did pretty well.
17:28S4
Yeah, three golds and two silvers.
17:30S2
And you were up for selection internationally, but it was for the Far East and South Pacific Island countries games in Indonesia. Initially you didn't go to those though.
17:43S4
No, I, I mean I got, I got... selected with... whoever else made the grade in 1985, but there was nowhere to go. Mm. So they got selected for the Australian team. We didn't go nowhere. It was 1986. When you know it all it all turned different. And that and yeah I also went across to America on my own with my wife and we did the American Nationals there and went on down into Canada a same thing that was in New York with in America, of course. And... a place called Brantford, which, which is. And well, we had to go through Toronto to get there about 100 and. 150 odd K on a straight line, you know, heading some some other direction away from Toronto. And it was like that was excellent to be around your own master. Like there was no bosses telling me what to do.
19:00S2
One of the questions we often ask, just in general, is what's the point in travelling if you can't see? what is the point in travelling?
19:08S4
Well, you can still have a real good time, but it does help if you've got somebody who's willing to. Would you say to describe and show you what's about and that they're also very capable of doing that because, I mean, you know, you're meeting all people. I mean, I went to Disneyland three times.
19:34S2
Yes, I was there. One of them, one of the time you were there.
19:36S4
One of them. Yes, you know, sort of thing. And did it, did a fair few other... different ones like Niagara Falls went, went there, you know, tried to get in the barrel, but they wouldn't let me.
19:51S2
So let's fast forward a couple of more years and it's 1988, Perth National championships, the very last time in my memory that an international team is announced at the national championships. And you're selected for the Paralympics.
20:09S4
Yeah, well, that was it. I mean, we the recall getting getting the getting the world the world Games in 86 and doing all right going across to America on my own with my wife and getting results there type of stuff and and that. But 88 I had the best guide runner I ever had. And Brendan turned up and and suddenly I really had someone who could run, which meant as good as I could do. He was still capable of doing a bit better to make sure I got there, and we just went on well. It was a little hiccup in the middle when he broke his ankle, but we went on from, yeah, well, 80.
21:04S2
87.
21:05S4
88, right, right through to China, Far East and whatnot. There we did Japan when, when that's a big when doing there too. So we did two pairs because a couple of world games and and a pair of no. Two paralympics, it's like I had this bloke who could really run and suddenly I was able to really run too.
21:34S2
And you got on really well with him as well. That was. And that's important, isn't it?
21:38S4
Yeah. Well, the thing is, is a nicer bloke I've never met, I've met some, you know, people like him and all, but you don't often get someone who's just like, really, really got a good nature. Mm. Took so much to get him angry.
21:57S2
I've seen it when he has got angry and it does take a lot. But when he does lose it.
22:01S4
Yeah, but, you know, doesn't take me too much sometimes when I call it. Yeah. He can quickly, quickly, quickly lose the plot.
22:10S2
So we'll for fast forward about two years time, it's 1990. We head off to the Netherlands and you had some success, but the race was not what you'd call a conventional one. I mean, we both got our medals that same year, but. Well, both our races were interesting, but, you got your bronze medal. The ones just before me.
22:34S4
Yeah, I got mine. You ran in the next race behind me and got yours straight after. But, I mean, we both got. Yeah, we both got bronzes.
22:44S2
Yeah. That's right. What happened in that race though? I mean, it, uh, didn't go to plan for some people, let's put it that way.
22:50S4
Well, as the most, again, I had different guide runner there, Trevor. And he was a real capable guide runner too, as in an athlete of his own own. Right. Just like Brendan and and that. And it was like we were doing the 800 and we were coming around to the back straight, you know, about 650. And these two guys, that's two blind eyes and their guide runners. So you got poor people tangled up their legs and went down in front of us. And Trevor just said, jump. And so I did, in the middle of an 800 metre race, and I landed in equal second place. And kept running and but again, yeah, that's as I say before we ended up with a bronze. But I bought that sky was for silver all the way up that track.
23:57S2
And as it was, it was the world champion who had fallen over or one of the people that had fallen over because. Yeah, yeah. So I remember catching up with him the following year and, yes, he had a bit of something to say about it - in the nicest of possible ways, of course. Yeah.
24:11S4
No. Well, that's it, it goes. It's, what do you call it? It's, some people might say that's how, you know, that's how the cookie crumbles. Or, you know, when shit happens, it happens. Sometimes things don't go to plan. But he came up and shook my hand at the end of that race. Once he finished.
24:33S2
Oh, he caught up with him a few times after that at the pub as well.
24:35S4
Because he he was he was a friend already, but he was a sportsman and, you know, he reckoned it was like, you won't, you won't beat me that easy again. And I never did either. No, no. But... yeah. No, sometimes these things happen.
24:56S2
We'll go forward another two years to the, uh, Barcelona Paralympics. And you got a medal there, but not your normal. What you'd expect to call a medal.
25:08S4
That's right. Yeah. I was just trying to trying to pull out that one. That it was a Goldie and demonstration. They would like, hey, that was... so that they could make sure they had everything figured out. They wanted to run some of the athletes to see that they had the right way of going about how to, you know, do the races properly or the throwing and that and all. And yeah, that was interesting. But when I came out, I come fourth again, I came fourth nine times. You know.
25:47S2
That's not a fun thing to do. I've done it a few times before. I mean that was my, one of my last races, the same thing. Fourth. And you don't get anything for fourth.
25:56S4
Yeah you do. You get a really big thirst and sore hamstrings. But yeah but no, it was it was a beautiful place Barcelona. And and that was the thing. It's just back to being there and being part of it was an enjoyment of itself. Anyway, the reward was, is if you could get, you know, if you could actually get a medal, that was bonus.
26:23S2
It was I mean, like I often say, just getting there is... an achievement in its own way anyway, isn't it. Yeah. So yeah.
26:31S4
And and and that and say, well, what was it. My, my first overseas trip was '86 and my last one was '95 and that was China.
26:45S2
Yes.
26:46S4
You know, and there was a fair few other countries I went to. And in between all that and, you know, it's like, yeah, the achievement was getting there and having lots of fun.
26:59S2
So as you, as we're heading into the mid 90s here, eventually you made a decision to hang the running shoes up. What prompted that?
27:11S4
I tore my shoulder throwing my javelin, and when it didn't come good, I ended up trying to still run. But all that did was, yeah, I was out of sync because I couldn't really swing my right shoulder arm properly, and and that. And in the end, I just ended up starting to get, you know, like, slight tear in the hammy and a bit of calf kind of thing and, and that and. Yeah. And of course the javelin was no longer there. Or the pentathlon, which were two. That got me a few places, but yeah, it's like, so what do you call it when you finally break down? You've got to time to admit that's it.
28:03S2
So before we go there, consistent selection for the Paralympics and international teams. There were three of us in the late late 80s and 1990s. Now the third member is no longer with us. So it's quite some time ago we lost Mark Davies. Have you got anything to say about Mark?
28:25S4
He was a bloody good athlete and he was a very determined one, trained really hard and he started off as a partial sighted. And I mean, before he even knew he was going to be blind, he actually had a driver's licence and was driving a car around. That's back when he was 17, 18. Found out he was nearly blind by 19 because.he kept on crashing cars.
28:53S2
That's what he told me. And he thought he was going insane.
28:56S4
He did that. But I'm just trying to think, which set? Retinitis.
29:04S2
Retinitis pigmentosa. It's said it's the the worst ever Harry Potter spell.
29:09S4
Yeah. It it just simply is. In something like 12 months. He went from near near perfect sight to needing big Coke bottle clean glasses. And then within another year or so, he was basically, yeah, just slowly, just slowly losing a bit more and a bit more. And then suddenly he actually had to go and learn how to use a cane, you know, and that. But he kept on at it there, and all his... it's like I said, very determined a good athlete and and all there. But it's that hard road that sometimes you've got to travel to get somewhere. And he did all that.
30:04S2
He's one of those people that I sort of just assumed would always be around. And it's, it was, yeah, rather shocking to sort of see that he's no longer with us.
30:12S4
Yeah. Well, like, as it goes, it's he'd found the love of his life and and, once he lost her, you know, through... diabetes. She overdosed herself or something. Mm. Accidentally, of course. And... Yeah. That, yeah. Fairly blue. Blue. What do you call it? Blue. His whole together. Together out. Yeah. Sort of thing and all. But yeah, as it goes it's, I think you guys watch it. Just, yeah, just going 51 or 2 somewhere there. So just able of, at least made it to 62 so far.
31:06S2
Well, not that long ago actually. It's a fair bit of time ago now, but back in in 2018, you received a particular honor from the Northern Territory government. You were inducted into the Northern Territory Hall of Fame. I mean, how did that feel?
31:19S4
Well, I can tell you. Tell you what it is. It's a scary thing getting up on the stage when there's hundreds and hundreds of people. I don't know how many people there, but there was lots, all of these great athletes and that were being called up for awards and and then, yeah, they called they called out my name and, and it's like, Oh, gee.
31:41S2
And Brendan was there, for that award as well wasn't he.
31:44S4
Yeah, I mean I obviously they had to give me an invite to make sure it was going to be there, but I wasn't being told what, what it actually was for the thing and, and that, but yeah, that's the, I suppose it's a Hall of Fame 2018.
32:04S2
Well, Philip Devereaux.
32:06S4
Sorry, 2017, but I received it in 2018. Yeah.
32:11S2
Well, Philip Devereaux, what you are is you are eternally entwined within the history of Northern Territory sport, within the history of blind sports in this country and, of course, within my life. It's been a pleasure talking to you.
32:23S4
Yeah, well, as a go, Sam, I mean, you first. I think I first met you when you were 12, that you first sports one was when you were 13. And don't forget to is when I lost Brendan with his broken ankle, who actually started running with me.
32:43S2
It was a pretty good training from memory. So yeah, it helped get me to Barcelona, I can tell you. Yeah.
32:48S4
And you, you started filling in a lot of my kilometres, which made you a better athlete, because I was making you run harder and faster for a lot longer. But you were willing.
32:59S2
We've all got to be willing.
33:00S4
And of course, we became a lot, lot, lot longer and better mates as that went too.
33:06S2
Well, again. It's been a pleasure talking to you, Phil, we will do this again sometime.
33:12S4
Yeah. No sweat, Sam. And as it goes, hey, it's like, you know, it's been good talking with you, and hopefully there's some blindie out there somewhere that they listen to this, and they're only 14 or 15. They might say, Well, gee, maybe I can do that.
33:36S2
If some of the items in today's episode of Studio 1 have caused you or anyone you know, distress, call 1800 RESPECT. That's 1800 737 732... or lifeline on 13114. That's a wrap for this week. Next week is National Volunteers Week.
33:58S3
We talk to some of our tireless volunteers here at Vision Australia Radio Adelaide, who read the news and put together some of our favorite shows.
34:06S2
And we talk to a retired radio announcer who now reads the death notices for Vision Australia Radio Adelaide.
34:12S3
But between now and then, please do get in touch with the show. Whether you have experience dealing with any of the issues covered in this week's episode of Studio 1, or if you feel there's something we should be talking about, you never know - your story and insight may help someone who's dealing with something similar.
34:26S2
You can contact us via email: studio1@visionaustralia.org ... that's Studio 1 at Vision Australia - dot - org.
34:33S3
Or you can drop us a note on our Facebook at facebook.com, slash RVA Radio Network, or the rather obsolete platform of x x comm slash VA Radio Network.
34:45S1
Vision Australia Radio gratefully acknowledges the support of the Community Broadcasting Foundation for Studio One.
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Audio
Renee Lyon, Quantum RLV demonstrates the Orcam reader and Blind Shell Classic, specially designed mobile phone.
Renee Lyon from Quantum RLV
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 December 2023
•23 mins
Audio
2023 Blind Australian of the Year Lauren Henley speaks of her public advocacy work.
Lauren Henley - Blind Australian of the Year
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Investor Shannon Davis speaks with Studio 1 on finding financial wellness after vision loss.
Shannon Davis - financial literacy
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Features an interview with Anthony Ferraro - blind skateboarder, performer and much more!.
Anthony Ferraro - blind skateboarder
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Special on the parenting experience - what it's like to have kids with a Vision Impairment when you're also VI.
Vision Impaired Parenting
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Studio 1 compares the benefits of the guide dog and the cane for blind mobility.
The Puppy or the Stick?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22/11/23
•27 mins
Audio
Two ambassadors for the Melbourne Disability Expo discuss challenge and engagement.
Melbourne Disability Expo
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15/11/2023
•30 mins
Audio
Aims and projects of Blind Citizens Australia - featuring its President Fiona Woods.
Fiona Woods - Blind Citizens Australia
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Blind/low vision program looks back on 2023 and ahead to 2024.
A Very Studio 1 Christmas
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
20 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Report (Part 1) on the World Games of IBSA, the International Blind Sports Federation.
IBSA World Games Part 1
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Part 2 of a report on the World Games of IBSA, the International Blind Sports Federation.
IBSA World Games Part 2
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Presenter Matthew Layton's final program, a retrospective on the show's achievements.
Many Thanks (Matthew's Last Show)
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
On World Braille Day, Vision Australia program celebrates Braille, assesses its impact and looks at its future.
Is Braille dead?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 January 2024
•34 mins
Audio
A retrospective of program content that could not be podcast at the time.
Choir of Angels
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A discussion of blind/low vision experiences in the tertiary education system.
Tertiary studies
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Discusses the increasing role of support workers in the lives of blind and low vision people.
Support workers
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Features the White Cane Coffee Company, providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities.
The White Cane Coffee Company
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Expert talks about day-to-day technologies used day-to-day like mobile phones, tablets and computers.
Technology and us
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 January 2024
•33 mins
Audio
How to have a safe and enjoyable cooking experience for Blind and Low Vision people.
The Kitchen Show
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 February 2024
•39 mins
Audio
Tandem cycling competitors and an ex-coach discuss a great sport for low vision people.
Tandem cycling
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8 February 2024
•47 mins
Audio
What's the romantic world like when you can't see your potential partner? The team grapples with Valentine's Day questions.
Dating blind
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 February 2024
•39 mins
Audio
Features Graeme Innes: Australian disability advocate, human rights lawyer, and much more.
Graeme Innes
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 February 2024
•27 mins
Audio
The team explores what's it's like to do jury service when you're blind or have low vision.
Jury Duty
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 February 2024
•36 mins
Audio
A special edition featuring inspiring women who are blind or vision-impaired.
Sisters are doin' it for themselves
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 March 2024
•34 mins
Audio
A blind vendor of The Big Issue magazine explains how it changed his life.
Chris and The Big Issue
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 March 2024
Audio
Follow-up to Studio 1's Valentine's Day program, more experiences of romance when you're blind or low vision.
Dating Blind 2
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
20 March 2024
•28 mins
Audio
An expert discusses Artificial Intelligence and how it can help blind-low vision people.
AI
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
3 April 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Topics covered in part 3 include: marriage, advocacy, dating apps, and tele-link groups.
Dating Blind 3
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 March 2024
•31 mins
Audio
The Vision Australia Library for Blind/Low Vision people - its services and how to access them.
The VA Library
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
10 April 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Guests discuss two accessible public transport apps for people with blindness or low vision.
Hailo, See Me?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 April 2024
Audio
Efforts nationwide in Vision Australia's First to 100k fundraising drive for its radio stations.
I would walk/ride/run a 100k
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
24 April 2024
•29 mins
Audio
An innovative Australian businesswoman discusses how to make beauty products more PwD-accessible.
Sisterwould - accessible hair products
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
1 May 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Public advocate Karan Nigrani speaks of the intersectional challenges of being blind, gay and of colour.
Karan
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8 May 2024
•30 mins
Audio
Athletics for the vision-impaired - the opportunities are discussed with a two-time Paralympian.
Phillip Deveraux
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15 May 2024
•35 mins
Audio
Radio volunteers from Vision Australia and a former ABC announcer talk about the national week.
National Volunteer Week
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22 May 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A low-vision optometrist answers important questions about eye checks.
Mae Chong - optometrist
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
29 May 2024
Audio
A musician speaks about how glaucoma has affected his work and life.
Roy Lucian Baza
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 June 2024
•29 mins
Audio
A street dancer talks of his career and how he's responded to losing his sight.
Geoffrey Lim
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
12 June 2024
•33 mins
Audio
People with blindness or low vision discuss Australia's NDIS, its services and what could be done better.
NDIS: "No Doubt It Stinks?"
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
19 June 2024
•36 mins
Audio
Vision-impaired people share experiences of trying to find work.
Get a Job
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 June 2024
•41 mins
Audio
Highlights from recent episodes of this program for people with blindness and low vision.
What is Studio 1?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 June 2024
•10 mins
Audio
Students and teachers at the National Braille Music Camp discuss the annual event.
National Braille Music Camp
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
3 July 2024
•37 mins
Audio
Remastered interviews from earlier in the series about love and romance.
Dating Blind - a special podcast presentation
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 July 2024
•1 hr 03 mins
Audio
Experiences of a blind Aboriginal man in Central Australia and the supportive work of specialist services.
NAIDOC Week: Derryn Ross
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
10 July 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Experiences of a vision impaired walker of the Camino Pilgrimage in Portugal/Spain.
Lily and the Camino Pilgrimage
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
31 July 2024
•37 mins
Audio
People with blindness or low vision compare the merits of getting about with a seeing eye dog or a cane.
Out and about
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
7 August 2024
•32 mins
Audio
Blind surf champion Matt Formston shares big-wave experiences... plus paralympic selection issues.
The Blind Sea
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 August 2024
•34 mins
Audio
Some Dos and Don'ts of applying for a job for a person with a disability.
Who'd hire these guys?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 August 2024
•33 mins
Audio
Discussion of controversy about Mattel's new Blind Barbie doll - is it inclusion or tokenism?
Blind Barbie
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 August 2024
•29 mins
Audio
Two former Paralympians discuss their lives before, during and after the event.
Jodi & Shayne
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 September 2024
•30 mins
Audio
Perils of the road, entertainment tips - and why travel if you can't see?
On the Road Again - travel
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
11/9/2024
•31 mins
Audio
This program asks: can people with a disability have a say in the accessibility of retail?
Knowable Me
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
18 September 2024
•28 mins
Audio
First part of an interview with someone who has experienced rapid loss of vision.
Melissa - rapid vision loss (part 1)
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
25 September 2024
•35 mins
Audio
Four people who have gone from fully sighted to blind share experiences and insights.
Vision loss - 1 hour special
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
9 October 2024
•1 hr 00 mins
Audio
Lived experiences about sport are shared by people with blindness and low vision.
This Sporting Life
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 October 2024
•37 mins
Audio
Discussion of the NDIS and connected issues, including some positive experiences.
When I'm 65
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 October 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Former uni students discuss campus life, challenges and solutions to studying with blindness or low vision.
Uni Daze
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
30 October 2024
•32 mins
Audio
Interview with the founder of a travel company for blind and low vision people, about his life and work.
Amar Latif - founder of Traveleyes
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 November 2024
•36 mins
Audio
Teaching vision-impaired people how to use adaptive tech, and some products on offer.
Blind teaching the blind
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 November 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Australian author and originator discuss their new picture book about life with seeing eye dogs.
Molly and Maple
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 December 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Achilles International's role in the sport of running for people with disabilities.
Born to run
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 December 2025
•28 mins
Audio
The first of two holiday specials looks back at 2024 with memorable bloopers and talk of Yuletide.
Christmas 2024
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
25 December 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A World Braille Day 2025 program discussing its contribution over 200 years.
World Braille Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 January 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Cooking and serving food - from a range of blind and low vision perspectives.
Serving it up
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15 January 2025
•37 mins
Audio
A champion Paralympic swimmer talks of his retirement, self-help books and advocacy.
Matt Levy - leadership and inclusion
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22 January 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Vision impaired users of taxis and RideShare talk of their experiences, impacts and insights.
Taxi!
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
29 January 2025
•36 mins
Audio
A leading European advocate for people with vision impairment shares his thoughts and experiences.
Lars Bosselmann - European Blind Union
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 February 2025
•34 mins
Audio