I’m interviewed by Stephen Jolley on this week’s Talking Vision

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It was a pleasure to be asked by Stephen Jolley to have a chat with him for Talking Vision, a radio programme on blindness issues heard across Australia.

In part one of the interview, Stephen asks about my childhood and career in broadcasting, government relations and assistive technology.

Bonnie’s already heard it, and says it’s very good, apart from the duck whistle part. So I shall toot it extra loudly in her ear.

Here’s part one of my chat with Stephen Jolley on Talking Vision.

Thanks for the opportunity Stephen, and keep up the great work.

3 Comments on “I’m interviewed by Stephen Jolley on this week’s Talking Vision”

  2. Sorry Jonathan, just have to get this off my chest

    First and foremost, I have followed you for a good number of years in the AT environment and have always thought your contributions to be valuable. It follows therefore that this is no personal attack, merely an observation which leaves me a tad uncomfortable.

    You mention in the interview that your syndrome which potentially could have been passed on to your daughters may mean that their children could end up with the same syndrome you have, i.e. being blind with hearing loss over time. You then say that you think it’s pretty cool and that you’re looking forward to having blind grandchildren.

    Have you thought about this statement prior to making it public?

    I am aware of all your latest proclaims of being comfortable in your skin, the best time ever to be blind, etc. I, too, am comfortable in my skin as a totally blind person and I’m also very excited about development in technology and how it can potentially improve my level of independence, and in fact, does improve it on a daily basis.

    But really, can one honestly get excited about bringing a blind kid into this world?

    Are you, or your daughters really comfortable with deciding for a potential child that he or she will be fine as a blind person with a hearing impairment in this world?

    Do you think it’s fair for you to decide for them in advance that they will be as comfortable with their disability as you claim to be?

    Call this overreaction if you like, but I feel truly concerned about your statement. In my mind I would’ve expected something like this from someone who really is out of touch with the world outside his or her blind circle of activity.

    If I understand your statement correctly it means that if you were given a choice you would’ve been happy choosing the life of a blind person with a hearing loss over having normal sight and hearing?

    If I in any way misunderstood the referred to statement I’ll be happy to be corrected.

    • Hi Jacques, thanks for the comment. I’ve written a separate blog article in response to this. Hope you enjoy it.