In Touch Folgen

Unlike most of the natural world, birds are quite easy to enjoy with a visual impairment because, well, they can be rather noisy. Martin and Jackie Brown invited us into their garden and share some of their enthusiasms for gardening and, you guessed it, birds. Natalie Doig also joins us. Natalie is partially sighted and enjoys taking photographs of birds and other wildlife, because it allows her to zoom in and discover details she wasn't aware of before. She tells us about her techniques and shares her top tips. We also review some bird identification apps that can be downloaded onto your smartphone.Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz Poole Website image description: Two people photographing birds perched on their hands. On either side of the image, there are two large camera lenses. The birds are brightly coloured: orange, yellow, blue and black. One of the birds has its wings stretched out, while the other is perched with its beak slightly open.

Visually impaired Liverpool FC fans Dave Williams and Aj Ahmed were at the Stade de France last weekend, as Liverpool prepared to meet Real Madrid in the Champions League final. News headlines have been dominated by the mayhem that unfolded there, including the use of tear gas and dangerous overcrowding. The two tell us what happened to them, whilst caught up in it. A lot of the great outdoors can be quite inaccessible, especially if you are completely blind. Nature is often synonymous with visual beauty and, with the exception of birds, a lot of wildlife can be rather quiet. We speak to two avid visually impaired naturists about how they create access opportunities for themselves. Andrew Hesser has recently appeared on BBC Two's Gardeners' World and he shares his top tips for introducing a little more gardening and nature into your life. Andy Shipley has dedicated himself to the idea of involving other visually impaired people in all aspects of enjoying the natural world. Under his organisation called Natural Inclusion, Andy provides disability inclusion training to heritage sites and parks and facilitates workshops to encourage people to experience nature with more senses than just sight. Andy tells us about some of the projects he's worked on.Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz PooleWebsite image description: two women on a hike in Munnar, India. One woman is visually impaired and is using a cane. Behind them, stretches green fields and trees.Link to Andrew Hesser's Facebook group, for tips and advice on gardening: https://www.facebook.com/groups/385503852747202 Link to Andy Shipley's Natural Inclusion: https://www.natural-inclusion.org/

For some people with visual impairments, when wanting to travel abroad there are many considerations to take into account. Namely, booking assistance at airports and travel requirements for your guide dog, if you have one. Since Brexit, there have been changes to regulations of taking Guide Dogs abroad. Before, owners had to acquire a pet passport but now, a Animal Health Certificate is required. We heard from In Touch listeners that the cost of said certificates can be quite steep and can vary, depending on veterinary practices. We investigate why this is and what the new requirements are with Chris Theobald, Guide Dogs' Senior Campaigns Manager, with David Adams, the President of the European Guide Dogs Federation and with Justine Shotton, who is the President of the British Veterinary Association.Mel Griffiths contacted In Touch when she had a problem with Birmingham Airport's assistance service. She tells us what happened. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Paul HollowayWebsite image description: pictured is a couple on a beach with their guide dogs: a German Shepherd and a Golden Labrador. The man is on the left of the image and wears a white and blue check shirt, a white cap and sunglasses. The lady is in the foreground and is wearing a long green and white patterned dress. Behind them is a volleyball net, with tall poles dug into the sand.