A Vision Australia Radio (VAR) program that opened Perth landmarks to people who are blind or have low vision has been recognised at the 2018 CBAA Community Radio Awards.
VAR’s The Tourist, a three-part series that explored Fremantle Prison, the WA Maritime Museum and Scitech, took out the CBAA Excellence In Creative Audio award for 2018.
Developed by Murdoch University Sound & Radio student Ethan Kavanagh, The Tourist features staff interviews, behind the scenes tours and audio descriptions of each attraction.
Conrad Browne, Vision Australia Manager Radio and Audio Services, said the award shows the quality of programs developed at VAR.
“This award is great recognition for Ethan and those involved in bringing The Tourist to air,” Conrad said.
“Programs like The Tourist are important because they help make information and experiences accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. These programs are produced by volunteers and it’s always great when the effort they put in and quality of work they produce is recognised,” he said.
The Tourist is just one of many original programs developed by VAR volunteers each year and Conrad encourages everyone to explore what’s on offer or get in touch if they’re interested in joining in.
“Our team across VAR produce a huge number of shows each year covering a huge range of topics. I’d encourage everyone to find their local VAR frequency or listen online.
“They’re a vital resource for people who are blind or have low vision, but they’re also entertaining and a great way for people who are sighted to learn ab bit more about the blind and low vision community.
“We’re always looking for new volunteers and idea, so if you’re interested in the world of radio, even if you’ve had no experience, we’d love to hear from you.”
You can listen to or download all three episodes of The Tourist here.
For more information on volunteering with VAR, find out how you can get in touch here.