Interview with Kathryn Ryan on Radio New Zealand National
I’ve always enjoyed Kathryn Ryan’s interviewing style. So it was a pleasure to go into the Radio New Zealand Wellington studios today to meet her and talk accessibility to a mainstream audience.
Her questions were excellent, and hopefully introduced more people to the notion of blind people being able to operate a wide variety of today’s technology.
Superb interview, Jonathan. You summed it up accurately — attitudinal barriers and funding. I wish we could convince Apple and other world-wide advertisers to factor active, productive blind people into their campaigns, especially those directed toward children. Morris Frank, the pioneer in the guide dog movement, was once quoted to the effect that the Pennsylvania railroad had long denied access to guide dog users in the 1930’s until Morris met the son of the president of the railroad who was captivated by his dog Buddy. Once the heart and mind of a child was won over, the Pennsylvania Railroad’s attitude turned around quite quickly. We all need to do these kinds of interviews — even though education gets so tiring sometimes — and your interview is certainly a terrific example of how it’s done right!
Jonathan I loved to hear the interview that you did, I think you are correct it is a matter of the get up and go attitude.
Dear Derry, forgive me writing but I was wondering if you are Cicely Lawlor’s (nee Sewell), husband? Cicely best friend at Casterton School was my mother, Daphne Smith who became Daphne Lowe. I’m trying to get in touch. Very many thanks. Pippa