In Touch

Blind and visually impaired prisoners in the US state of Maryland have been awarded $1.4 million by the correctional service for discrimination. They successfully claimed they were not given access to information, jobs and courses to give them equality within the prison or during rehabilitation. Eve Hill, representing the group, says some have had to pay for sighted guide assistance, and others to perform sex acts to have information read to them. Tyrell lost his sight through a gunshot wound and says life was lonely and tough for him as a visually impaired prisoner. Benjamin Burrows, from Leigh Day solicitors, says he has represented visually impaired people in a number of cases here in the UK, and the picture is similar. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat

Joy Addo, sole parent to a three-year-old, shares tips on keeping her home tidy. Dave Williams of the RNIB says they have plans to increase the number of games available in its catalogue. And VocalEyes trustee Joanna Wood, tells the story of how going to a described theatre performance, revealed more to her than what was happening on-stage. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat

There’s evidence that board games can sharpen cognitive skills and help us to connect socially. So why are the numbers available to visually impaired people dropping? There have always been fewer games available and most of us will have had to adapt a game or do something to make it work for us. Brailling your own cards, sticking bump-ons on boards and game tokens and having clues and questions read for you by someone else. But should the onus always fall to us? Three guests discuss the barriers to making more board games accessible: Michael Heron – accessible board game blogger, Kate Evans – Marketing Manager at UK Games Expo – and Dan Rugman – from the Braille Chess Association. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat

In Touch listeners share their voting experiences, and one Australian citizen tells how she was able to vote independently in the recent federal election. The European Blind Union has researched the main accessible forms of voting throughout Europe, and the results are surprising. A gym in Uckfield, Sussex has listened to the needs of one visually impaired woman, made some small changes, and enabled her to exercise comfortably and confidently. We find out how they did it. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat

A sighted author on writing a book about a woman regaining sight. A project to tell the stories of blind women around the world. And one listener’s view on accepting her blindness. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat Pictured: A blind girl learning braille in a school in India. Courtesy of the 'A Light in Darkness' project.