Welcome to Advocacy Talks from Vision Ireland. Hosted by Madeleine McNamara, Advocacy Talks aims to bring you conversations with interesting people about blindness, advocacy, and everything in between.Contact the advocacy team at Vision Ireland by emailing campaigns@VI.ie .
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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
Advocacy Talks Episode 10 - The essential role of Audio Description. (00:31:25)
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
Advocacy Talks Episode 9 - Budget 2026 (00:25:44)
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
Advocacy Talks Episode 8 - Access to sport with Sean Moyles (00:32:36)
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 ...
On this episode of Advocacy Talks, we speak to Roisin Lenehan and Deirdre Deverell about the 2025 Clear Our Paths campaign. From bins and cars to branches and dog poo, temporary obstacles on footpaths create risks for those who are blind or vision impaired, as well as just being a general pain. With 16% of people requiring a hospital or doctor’s visit following an encounter with a temporary obstacle, we have one simple message: Please, please, please, Clear Our Paths!!! Supp...
Advocacy Talks episode 6 - Being proud of blindness with Bobbie Hickey (00:29:17)
On this episode of advocacy talks we catch up with Bobbie Hickey, who recently wrote a really interesting article for the Irish Times. With this month being disability pride month, what does it mean to be proud of something that so many people fear? Bobbie also discusses her journey seeking support, and why it’s important to ensure you feel in control when doing so. Want to get in touch with the advocacy team? Send an email now to campaigns@VI.ie Support the show
Advocacy Talks episode 5 - Tytti Matsinen tells us about the European Blind Union (00:33:43)
In this episode of Advocacy Talks Madeleine speaks with Tytti Matsinen, president of the European Blind Union. They discuss what the EBU is and what issues it’s currently advocating on. Want to get in touch with the advocacy team? Send an email now to campaigns@vi.ie Support the show
Advocacy talks episode 4 - European Mental Health Week with Peter O’Toole (00:29:05)
This week is European Mental Health Week, 2025. so Madeleine caught up with our Head of Counselling, Wellbeing & Emotional Support Peter O’Toole to discuss “Mental Health as a Social Right” From a discussion on loneliness to the services provided by the counselling team at Vision Ireland, there really is a lot to talk about. Want to get in touch with the advocacy team? Send an email now to campaigns@vi.ie Support the show
Advocacy talks episode 3 - Méabh Conneely discusses returning to Irish dancing with blindness and autism (00:36:26)
Ahead of participating in this year‘s Riverdance summer school and performing at the evening reception of MayFest 2025, Méabh Conneely discusses her return to Irish dancing after losing her sight almost five years ago. She speaks openly about the challenges she’s faced, and tells us about the people that helped make it possible for her. Want to get in touch with the advocacy team? Send an email now to campaigns@vi.ie Support the show
Advocacy Talks Episode 2 - Stuart Haxell discusses the gene therapy that helped him gain back some vision (00:23:19)
In this episode of Advocacy Talks, Stuart Haxell tells us about what it was like to gain back some vision following a new innovative gene therapy. He also tells us about what it was like to have so much media attention on his story. Want to get in touch with the advocacy team? Send an email now to campaigns@vi.ie. Support the show
Advocacy Talks Episode 1 - Stuart Lawler chats all things INBAF, advocacy, and Braille 200 (00:31:05)
In this episode of Advocacy Talks Madeleine chats with Stuart Lawler about INBAF, the Irish National Braille and Alternative Formats Authority. They discuss the importance of advocating for yourself, and the significant benefits of Braille for blind people. Want to join a Local Advocacy Network? Send an email to campaigns@vi.ie now. Support the show
How important is technology in education? Grace Gavin tells the Vision Ireland Podcast (00:19:30)
June chats with 4th year student Grace Gavin who confidently talks about how technology has helped her so much in her education. She talks passionately about the benefits of Transition Year and how it exposed her to new subjects as well as different trips she participated in. She encourages any other students with a vision impaired to actively speak up in the class if they have any difficulty. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like...
have you wanted to play blind tennis? Stuart Haxell tells us all about it! (00:16:14)
June chats with Stuart Haxell from Sligo, an avid blind tennis player who describes how he got involved in the sport and how it is adapted to ensure anyone who is blind or vision impaired can play. He chats passionately about the tournaments he’s participated in. He talks about the value participating in sport has on building new friendships and being good for overall wellbeing and physical fitness. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like,...
How can we enable deafblind children to thrive? Deirdre Leech tells the Vision Ireland Podcast (00:19:11)
#NCBIPodcast chats with Deirdre Leech who works with the Anne Sullivan Foundation delivering outreach services to people who are deafblind. She outlines the diverse services and supports on offer. She highlights the importance of developing alternative strategies for children who are deafblind to enable them to thrive, the use of tactile sign language and encourages all who are deafblind to be explicit in how they want to be communicated with to ensure they receive the support they need. &nbs...
Psychologist Paraic Barnes' experience of sudden sight loss & building resilience (00:25:49)
#NCBIPodcast meets Paraic Barnes, a psychologist who now has a positive outlook on life despite losing his sight very suddenly. He shares the importance of family, friends and NCBI tech club to help him adjust and is always heartened by strangers looking out for him. As with everything in life, he highlights that it is not always plain sailing but it is important to build resilience to help overcome challenges as they arise. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTu...
Counsellor Sheila McFarlane's insights into vision impairment (00:17:58)
#NCBIPodcast meets Sheila McFarlane from Donegal who is vision impaired. A counsellor by profession, she gives her insights into the different challenges and similarities faced by those who are vision impaired from birth against those who acquire sight loss later in life. As a keen shopper, she shares her best shopping experiences. If you liked this video, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or share this video! Sheila McFarlane's husband Gordon, a retir...
How can a Vision Ireland ECLO help you or your child? Barry and Katie Ryan explain (00:16:04)
#NCBIPodcast chats with Barry and Katie Ryan, parents to Maggie and Rosie who have Chromatopsia. They share how the ECLO (Eye Clinic Liaison Officer) services helped them understand, process and accept their daughters’ condition and how the ECLO is always a helpful resource to them at every step of their children’s development guaranteeing that their girls can thrive like everyone else. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or sh...
What supports do blind students need at exam times? Niamh and Sinead Kilcawley explain (00:22:50)
#NCBIPodcast chats with Sinead Kilcawley and her daughter Niamh who outline the lack of appropriate supports for blind pupils in doing state exams. Despite having the required assistive technology and the support of the school, Niamh talks about the inflexibility of the education system to respond to individual needs and how a 10 minute extra per hour and exam papers not being adapted puts her at a disadvantage. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel an...
How important are Vision Ireland stores to local communities? Geraldine Cussen explains (00:24:50)
#NCBIPodcast chats with Geraldine Cussen who is shop manager in NCBI Navan shop and is vision impaired. She reveals her joy of working with volunteers and customers and the sense of community it brings. She outlines the strategies she uses to support customers who are vision impaired and the importance of sharing that knowledge for everyone’s benefit. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or share your favourite video! If you wan...
How is Tier addressing vision Ireland’s concerns about e-scooters? Peader Golden tells us (00:25:32)
#NCBIPodcast chats with Peadar Golden from Tier who talks about all things e-scooters. He supports many of NCBI’s concerns regarding use of e-scooters and outlines how Tier is addressing these in their shared schemes. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or share your favourite video! On the topic of transport, NCBI previously spoke to Eugene Rooney on his Free Travel Pass win. You can listen back to the podcast: https://www.youtube.c...
The Benefits Of Exercise With Others? John Doherty Explains (00:23:45)
#NCBIPodcast chats to John Doherty is an active sportsman and is doing a Masters in Disability Studies. He shares his passion for Park Run and the health and social benefits it brings. He highlights employers perceptions as being a real barrier to getting employment and he encourages everyone to seize opportunities and work to their own personal strengths. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or share your favourite video! If yo...
What approach did teacher Gordon McFarlane use in class after he went blind? (00:23:13)
#NCBIPodcast chats with Gordon McFarlane, a retired teacher living in Donegal. He shares the different strategies used in his classroom once he went blind and how it lead to the best teaching experiences of his career. Presently, he is a radio presenter on Uplift FM. He advises anyone with a sight loss condition to face it so they can lead their life to the fullest. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or share your favourite vid...
What's it like to work in Vision Ireland Retail? Brendan Laffan tells us (00:15:51)
#NCBIPodcast meets Brendan Laffan from Limerick who talks passionately about working in the NCBI Newcastlewest shop as well as previously being a local radio presenter and editor. He shares how his sighted colleagues initially helped him to ensure he can undertake all his duties. He enjoys the teamwork and camaraderie and loves being part of the community. If you liked this video, please subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or share this video ! If you're interested t...
NCBI Podcast chats with mam behind Pedal for Grace, Mary O'Sullivan (00:15:27)
#NCBIPodcast meets Mary O’Sullivan from Kerry, mum to Grace (aged 12) who has Stargardt disease which largely affects her central vision. She highlights how Grace uses her Assistive Technology to thrive in school and recalls the huge community support received during their Pedal for Grace fundraising event that raised over €20k for NCBI. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and subscribe to the NCBI YouTube channel and like, comment on, or shar...
NCBI Podcast chats to Eugene Rooney about his Free Travel Pass win (00:22:01)
#NCBIPodcast meets Eugene Rooney from Dundalk who shares how he got Irish Rail to change and modernise their procedures for Free Travel Pass holders wishing to travel to Northern Ireland. This simplified process will benefit anyone with a disability and has spurred him on to progress other issues that need to be improved for people who are #Blind or #VisionImpaired. Support the show
