Best Scottish Screen Podcasts (2025)

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Scottish Venues; A Career in Computer Science 18:39

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1h ago18:39

18:39

Sight Scotland are a charity that provide support for vision impaired and blind people in Scotland. They have recently launched a report about the state of arts access across Scotland and a subsequent campaign that is calling for all venues across the country to be made accessible to visually impaired people. Scotland's culture secretary Angus Robe…

1
Leaving the Macular Society, Age Verification Help 18:46

7d ago18:46

18:46

Since the spring, we have been receiving a steady stream of emails from people who are deeply concerned about developments at the Macular Society. The concerns have primarily been over the plans to make a number of the Society's regional managers redundant. In the background, there have been events evolving based around a WhatsApp group chat, which…

1
Bedtime Donations, Psychological Support 18:43

14d ago18:43

18:43

The Royal Society for Blind Children has launched a new campaign called Bedtime Donations, and its aim is to generate better provision of audiobooks for visually impaired children. The idea is that people can record themselves reading children's stories into an app, where it will be published and be accessible to visually impaired children. The Soc…

1
Guided Holidays 14:00

21d ago14:00

14:00

In Touch visits the Lake District and tags along to Ellie Bennet's holiday. Ellie booked a sighted guide through a free guiding service called Cambrian Visions. Cumbrian Visions provides visually impaired holiday makers with a guide to accompany them on their various activities. There is also a similar service happening in Devon, called The Cliffde…

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Online Safety Act; A TikTok Trend 18:57

28d ago18:57

18:57

Since this summer, age verification checks are required on certain websites under the Online Safety Act. The aim is to protect children and young people from content online that is deemed inappropriate or even harmful. But In Touch has heard from listeners that they are having issues with the accessibility of these age verification measures, and th…

1
Casting Your Vote; Edinburgh Festival Fringe; JAWS Pricing 18:45

1M ago18:45

18:45

The ability for blind and visually impaired people to cast their vote privately and independently at elections is an issue we've followed closely on In Touch. We're joined by the head of guidance at the Electoral Commission, Charlene Hannon, who tells us about their research of the matter and how you can take part. Our reporter, Ian Hamilton visite…

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New Pricing of JAWS the Screen Reader 18:40

1M ago18:40

18:40

JAWS is a screen reader that allows visually impaired people to access information on their computers. It works by reading aloud information such as emails, financial information, documents and more. But the company who produce the screen reader have recently announced rises to the cost of the software, along with some of their other assistive tech…

1
Macular Society Update; Deafblind in Scotland 18:50

2M ago18:50

18:50

The charity Macular Society provides support to people living with the UK's most prominent cause of sight loss, macular disease. They also help to fund research into finding a cure. In Touch has been hearing about the society's plans to reduce staffing levels within their regional team and so we speak to their CEO, Ed Holloway who explains what is …

1
Natalie's Story: Being Transgender & Blind 13:50

2M ago13:50

13:50

Natalie is a blind transgender woman and she contacted In Touch wishing to highlight the intersectional impacts of the UK Supreme Court's ruling in April, that ruled that a woman is to be defined by biological sex under equality law. Natalie describes how this could have major implications for how sex-based rights are applied and how society respon…

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It Could Be You; All Things Dotty 18:44

2M ago18:44

18:44

How do you deal with a life changing disability? Penny Melville-Brown was a naval officer when she started to lose her sight. Now, decades later, she has used her experience as well as that of other disabled people to write her new book "It Could Be You". Penny joins us to explain, (among other things) what prompted her to write it, who might benef…

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Access to Work: What Is Happening? 13:54

2M ago13:54

13:54

The aim of the government's Access to Work scheme is to provide support for disabled people to get into and stay within employment. It can provide support with things like specialist equipment, support workers and transport to and from work. But over the past few months, there have been rumours circulating that there are proposed cuts to parts of t…

1
Visible Voices; Blind Beauty; Live Audio Description for the Euros 18:10

3M ago18:10

18:10

It can often feel as though blind and partially sighted people, and disabled people more generally, are excluded when it comes to fashion and beauty campaigns. But In Touch hears from women who are trying to switch up the narrative and showcase that blind and partially sighted people, and disabled people generally, are active participants and consu…

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NHS Ten-Year Plan; Maddie + Triggs 18:54

3M ago18:54

18:54

In Touch examines what the government's new 10-year plan for the NHS could mean for eye care, with Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists Adam Sampson. Maddie + Triggs is the latest children's TV show that puts visual impairment at its heart. Maddie, a 7-year old visually impaired girl and her pet dog Triggs explore the world around the…

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RNIB on the Benefits Bill; Visually Impaired Tennis 18:54

3M ago18:54

18:54

In Touch hears from the RNIB about their plans to participate in the Government's consultation on the Benefits Bill. They describe their position on the bill as it stands and how they will involve the voices of blind and partially sighted people in any consultations. With Wimbledon 2025 underway, In Touch looks at grassroots visually impaired tenni…

1
Benefits Bill 18:48

3M ago18:48

18:48

The government have published their Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill, but there is growing concern among visually impaired people about what all of this actually means for their benefits. In Touch reconvenes some people in the know to try to provide information about what the bill, in its current form, means for visually impai…

1
Pocklington Lodge 18:54

4M ago18:54

18:54

Pocklington Lodge is the last of the Thomas Pocklington Trust's housing complexes. The charity plans to sell the property, as a result of changes in their strategy and expertise over the years. In Touch visits Pocklington Lodge to hear from some of the residents, who fear what the sale of their complex could mean for the future of their homes. In T…

1
Funding for Specialist Education 18:48

4M ago18:48

18:48

New College Worcester, who are a residential school and provider of specialist education for visually impaired children, has launched a campaign seeking wider government support for the provision of specialist education. The campaign takes a broad approach, asking government for greater support across both mainstream and specialist education settin…

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Visually Impaired People in Space; NASA on SANS 13:46

4M ago13:46

13:46

NASA tells In Touch about a condition that affects the vision of around 70% of their astronauts. It is called SANS and although the space agency aren't currently seeing hugely negative affects to their astronaut's vision upon returning to Earth, they are concerned about what could happen once we begin longer-term space exploration, with this being …

1
Joking about Blindness 18:53

4M ago18:53

18:53

In Touch invites three stand-up comedians - Jake Donaldson, Sydney May and Lizzy Lenco - to discuss how they use their blindness as a source of material in their comedy routines. For more information on our three comedians and where to see them live:Jake Donaldson: linktr.ee/jakedonaldsonSydney May: sydneymay.co.uk and Sydney May on social media.Li…

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The European Accessibility Act; The Audio Description Association 18:52

4M ago18:52

18:52

The European Accessibility Act is a new piece of legislation that will apply to EU member countries from the end of June, but what effects might it have on the UK given that it is no longer an EU member state. The Act covers a wide range of products and services that blind and partially sighted people use daily. To help analyse this are Antoine Fob…

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Visual Impairment Registration; An Interview with Meta 18:50

5M ago18:50

18:50

The Association of Optometrists will be asking MPs to amend what they regard as an outdated administrative task that is delaying thousands of patients getting their certificates of visual impairment. These certificates allow people to get access to essential care services after a diagnosis, but at the moment only ophthalmologists can sign them off.…

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Guide Dogs - The Future 18:46

5M ago18:46

18:46

Times are hard for many charities, and those in the sight loss sector are no exception. In a previous episode of In Touch, we heard how Guide Dogs needed to take action to avoid a deficit of some twenty million pounds. So what form will that action take and what does it mean for jobs, services and waiting lists? We're joined by Guide Dogs CEO, Andr…

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Accessible Menus in Restaurants, Children's Author Jixie Dye 18:51

5M ago18:51

18:51

Matt Wadsworth has, for the last decade or so, been working to make fellow visually impaired people's access to the food industry much easier. He developed the concept of Good Food Talks, which is now available as a free app, and it can provide a raft of restaurant menus in an accessible format and on the go. Matt has been working with food data ma…

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Ultra Access/Mixmups; Sound of a Masterpiece 13:02

5M ago13:02

13:02

Visually impaired producer of the children's television programme Mixmups, Rebecca Atkinson has created a new concept for customising television access. It is called Ultra Access and is currently available online for episodes of Mixmups. Rebecca, along with Kate Dimbleby from Stornaway, who are the interactive video company providing the technology…

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The Future of the RNIB 18:54

6M ago18:54

18:54

Over the past nine months, the RNIB, the UK's largest charity supporting blind and partially sighted people, has made some of their staff redundant and, more widely, has made changes to some of their services. They have also recently published their ambitious 10-year strategy, that aims to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people. Th…

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Dr Fred Reid 18:53

6M ago18:53

18:53

In Touch dedicates this programme to the late Dr Fred Reid. His long career in academia and wider achievements make him one of the great blind all-rounders, having contributed to national campaigns that made a real difference to the lives of many blind and partially sighted people. He was also a historian, author, sportsman and lecturer at the Univ…

1
Series 4 Episode 7 - Screen Tourism in Scotland 42:59

6M ago42:59

42:59

In our last episode we chatted about the tiny Fife burgh of Culross and how it has come to the world’s attention as a location for the filming of Outlander. We continue the theme in this episode and look at other iconic films and series that have chosen Scotland as their backdrop. From Marvel to Bollywood it seems as if producers just can’t get eno…

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Benefits Reform; Answering Your Questions 18:51

6M ago18:51

18:51

In Touch returns to the issue of welfare reform, and how the proposed changes to benefits are likely to affect blind and partially sighted people. A panel of guests, comprising of Dominic Milne, The RNIB's Legal Rights Officer and Kevin Mulhern, visually impaired journalist and broadcaster, whose been covering the issue of benefits for visually imp…

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Retina UK's Sight Loss Survey; CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 18:45

6M ago18:45

18:45

The charity Retina UK are seeking feedback from people with inherited sight loss conditions to learn how they can best support this community and feed into medical research. The charity primarily supports people who are living with genetic conditions, often with a progressive decline in sight. Some of these conditions are well known, such as Retini…

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Benefits Reform 13:52

7M ago13:52

13:52

The government has announced its plans to reform the current welfare system with the aim of saving billions. In Touch has brought together a panel of guests to try to outline how the government's plans, outlined in a Green Paper, might affect the benefits that visually impaired people receive. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Producti…

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Deafblindness 18:52

7M ago18:52

18:52

How much do you know about deafblindness? If your answer is "very little", it seems you're in good company. Such is the lack of research on the condition that the charity Deafblind UK has collaborated with Birmingham City University to establish a new education and research centre. Said to be the first of its kind, its aim is to both undertake infl…

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Series 4 Episode 6 | Culross 49:06

7M ago49:06

49:06

Following on from our previous episode on Royal Burghs we take a visit to one close to home. Spelt Culross but pronounced Coo-Ross, this burgh stands in a 17th C time warp, due to a great storm that caused its residents to abandon it. Rescued and restored by the National Trust for Scotland, a walk through the village now provides an insight into it…

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Blind Female CEOs 18:45

7M ago18:45

18:45

In a recent episode of In Touch, we interviewed Sandi Wassmer, who at the time, we believed to be the UK's only blind female CEO. Among the very positive responses we received were a couple pointing us in the direction of two other blind women in the top job, and who would make excellent guests. Always keen to respond to listeners' suggestions, we …

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Consultation Exercise at RNIB; Blind Baker 18:46

7M ago18:46

18:46

In an episode broadcast last summer, the RNIB's CEO, Matt Stringer joined us to discuss financial pressures facing the charity and the consequent need to save millions of pounds. Since then, we have invited RNIB back to talk to us about their subsequent plans, but they declined, citing confidentiality issues. Meanwhile, In Touch has received inform…

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Myths and Assumptions about Blindness 18:45

7M ago18:45

18:45

Natalie Doig is fascinated by myths and legends. Indeed, such is her passion for that which is "weird, wonderful and a little off kilter" that she stepped back from her career working in the disability rights sector to make a podcast about it. Called "Weird in the Wade", a recent episode explored the tale of "Blind George of Anstey". Natalie joins …

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Series 4 Episode 5 | Crusing 48:22

8M ago48:22

48:22

In this episode we take to the high seas as we explore the growing demand for luxury cruising. We look at the origins of the cruise industry in transporting mail and passengers and how it developed so that the journey became more important than the destination. Initially the preserve of the rich and famous it has evolved to become accessible to all…

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Update on Touch Screen Card Machines 18:45

8M ago18:45

18:45

Back in November 2021, In Touch looked at accessibility problems with touch screen payment card machines. Fast forward to 2025 and the amount of contact we're still getting about this suggests very little progress has been made. In this episode, we talk to representatives from RNIB and the hospitality and finance industries to ask why card machines…

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Unknown Unknowns! 13:45

8M ago13:45

13:45

What are the things you don't know that you don't know?! That was the question posed to us by blind listener Lexi Hibberd who told us that there were aspects of everyday life like eye contact and other body language which hadn't been explained to her. What else then, she asked, didn't she know? We were so intrigued by Lexi's question that we though…

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Regulator rejects macular disease treatment; Optomap 18:43

8M ago18:43

18:43

The treatment of Geographic Atrophy (GA) or late stage dry age-related macular degeneration as it's also known, is proving to be a pretty tough nut to crack. Hopes had been high that a treatment available in the USA would also be approved for use here in the UK. However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has rejected th…

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Series 4 Episode 4 - Royal Burgos 41:09

8M ago41:09

41:09

Burgh. It’s the word that never fails to trip up visitors to Scotland. Is it pronounced BURG, or maybe BURROW? No - it’s BURRA. In this episode we talk about these settlements which were first established by David I back in the 12th C. As a result of the trading rights they enjoyed, they prospered and grew and many remain as important towns today. …

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SEND Crisis; Period Detection 18:54

8M ago18:54

18:54

In Touch assesses the findings of a report that looks at the ways special educational needs care is being delivered to the children who need it. The report gives little to no mention of the challenges of specific groups of pupils and so, with the help of Rachael Hewett of the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research at Birmingham Universi…

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Repairing your Perkins Brailler; The Blind Professional Wrestler 18:54

9M ago18:54

18:54

Where do you go if you need to repair your Perkins brailler? That is the type-writer like machine that allows braillists to produce writing for school, work or leisure. Recent publicity that the UK’s last certified visually impaired repairer of the Perkins, Alan Thorpe, is looking for an apprentice to continue his work, may have left the impression…

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Series 4 Episode 3 | It’s Different in Scotland 35:23

9M ago35:23

35:23

Prompted by a recent visit to the counties of Southern England, Liz and Helen reflect on their experience of life in England and the ways in which it differs from their well-kent Scottish way of life. While losing your way on a Sunday stroll in Scotland may lead to a longer detour home, with no Right to Roam in England, it may lead to a criminal co…

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Macular Society's New CEO, Ed Holloway; New OCT Scanner Technology 18:59

9M ago18:59

18:59

The Macular Society has a new CEO, Ed Holloway. With Macular disease being the most common form of sight loss in the UK, its important that the charity continue their work in supporting people with the condition, but also push towards more research and the discovery of new treatments. Ed Holloway describes what his plans are in these areas and othe…

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Living Through War: A Year On 18:52

9M ago18:52

18:52

Last year, we heard from two blind women about their experiences of living through the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas. In Touch has invited them back, just over a year on, to hear how their lives have been impacted since the war began. Dalal Al-Taji is from Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip and Heather Stone lives in the northern …

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Series 4 Episode 2 | Sanat in Scotland 41:38

9M ago41:38

41:38

We are very excited - just one more sleep till Santa comes. But who is Santa? In this episode we talk about the myths, legends and facts surrounding not just Santa but also Father Christmas and try to work out who’s who! Happy Christmas.

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Christmas Eve: With Chris McCausland and Betsy Griffin 18:51

9M ago18:51

18:51

What a year it has been for blind comedian Chris McCausland. Having just been crowned Strictly Come Dancing's 2024 winner, Chris joins the In Touch team for a very special Christmas edition of the programme, co-hosted by 11-year-old author and YouTube star Betsy Griffin. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: David B…

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Series 4 Episode 1 | We're Back 33:15

9M ago33:15

33:15

Scottish Blethers have had a very busy and different few months but we are back now to our podcasting ‘glory’! In this episode we chat about the past 6 six months and the various things we have been up to. It is great to be back and thank you for sticking with us.

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The UK's First Blind Female CEO 18:53

10M ago18:53

18:53

Sandi Wassmer is thought to be the UK's only blind female CEO. She heads the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion, which is a membership organisation offering companies training and services to make their workplaces more inclusive. Sandi tells In Touch how she worked her way up to get to where she is today, how the impact of losing her visi…

1
Safety on the London Underground, Coming Out Twice 13:52

10M ago13:52

13:52

Transport for London describe what plans they have for making the London Underground system safer for blind and partially sighted passengers. This follows a recent incident involving Lord Blunkett falling between a train and the platform edge. Nick Dent, TfL’s Director of Customer Operations, describes their plans and how quickly they can be implem…