Radio by and for Blind People
BBC Radio 4's In Touch program is informative and entertaining.
In Touch is a British radio program, available on internet, presenting the world from the perspective of persons with limited or no sight. It is interesting listening.
Radio from England - the BBC
In the United Kingdom, the British Broadcasting Corporation or BBC seems to be everywhere. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC fills a similar role in Australia. However, in Canada and the United States, there isn't anything quite like it.
The BBC is not the only broadcaster in the UK, but it is the most pervasive. It has several television channels and radio frequencies, each with a distinctive feel to them.
BBC Radio 4 is almost entirely spoken word programs - radio drama, comedy, documentaries, news and analysis, talk shows and phone-ins, and a number of regular weekly programs for various interests.
The In Touch Program
The long-running program In Touch bills itself as "News, views and information for people who are blind or partially-sighted." Presented by Peter White, the BBC's Disability Affairs correspondent, In Touch is easy to listen to. It's always informative, but in an interesting and entertaining way. Mr. White has a pleasant, relaxed manner and always sounds happy. His light and upbeat manner is quite refreshing.
The show covers many topics, some of which (like the recent one on heating fuel rebates) are just of interest to people living in the UK. However, most of the time there is something for everyone. There are reviews of adaptive technologies and gadgets, updates on disability laws, information on attractions and activities, profiles of interesting people and places, and so on. The fact that the information is by and for blind and visually impaired people is on the one hand essential, but on the other hand, sometimes done with such a light hand that it sounds like a general interest program rather than a specialty one.
As a sighted person, I have always found something of interest in this program, and I've found myself charmed by Peter White on numerous occasions.
Bulletin Board or Message Board
Like many BBC radio programs, In Touch offers listeners an online forum for discussing the shows - and anything else they have to talk about! The name of the board is The Cane and Able - just a touch of that famous English wit went into making up that name.
Listening on line
Many of BBC Radio's programs can be heard online. For In Touch, the link to listen to the latest program is under the heading "Listen Again" on the program's home page. That will provide the most recent program. Earlier programs are also available, using the Previous Programmes link on the home page, in the centre of the page.
Newsletter
In Touch has a free online newsletter that you may sign up for, again from a link on the program's home page.
Program Transcripts
Under the Previous Programmes link on the In Touch home page, you will also find transcripts for earlier programmes.
One of the more contentious topics In Touch has dealt with was in the program of February 6, 2007, where Peter White interviewed Jane Treays, a film maker. Jane Treays's film, "A Child's Life" had been shown on BBC television the night before.
A Child's Life dealt with a family where both parents are blind and have other disabilities. The television program looked at whether the parents relied too heavily upon their six children, in particular upon the eldest two girls, as caregivers.
That program produced an intense reaction from the listeners, and the following week's In Touch on February 13, 2007, discussed the mail from listeners.
The whole debate is very thought-provoking, and can be read in the program transcripts or listened to using the links on the In Touch home page.
