Vision Australia & Blind Citizens Australia supporting diverse voices

Members of Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) recently met up with Vision Australia to undertake training in the use of REAPER audio production software to create podcasting and radio content.

The joint project between BCA and Vision Australia has had a strong focus on supporting the diversity of voices including women and young people engaged in broadcasting.  With CBF funding support, training was held over a two-day intensive session delivered in-person at Vision Australia Kooyong, and also included online delivery of training in May.

‘Supporting our members to create podcasts builds their capacity to tell their own authentic stories and educate listeners in the broader community about living blindness and vision impairments’, shares (now former) BCA CEO Sally Karandrews. ‘With technology quickly evolving, it can be challenging for someone with low to no vision to know what devices and forms of technology are available and accessible to them.  As podcasts are inherently auditory, it will reflect authenticity and connection to listeners alike’.

The focus of the project was to enhance the voices of BCA members and to create new platforms for voices to be heard, recognising the importance for community broadcasters to upskill and keep up to date with relevant software and equipment.  This empowers creative broadcasters to produce podcasts suitable to their interests and areas of expertise, supporting them to continue building connections with the broader community.

Training was facilitated by BCA broadcaster & CBF Sector Investment Advisory Committee (SIAC) member Vaughn Bennison, and Vision Australia Radio broadcaster Stephen Jolley (former CBF Board member).  Both Stephen & Vaughn will continue to work with participants to showcase their broadcasting at BCA.  Future plans for training also include providing ongoing support, mentorship, optional face-to-face modules, and a peer networking group to further develop participants’ audio production capabilities.

‘By developing specific training resources to support people who are blind or vision impaired…we can build the capacity and confidence of new content creators across the country to engage with their local community radio stations’ shares Sally Karandrews.

Blind Citizens Australia were the recipient of CBF Content grant Round 2 2023/24 for training support in podcast creation, production and broadcasting skills.