In Touch

In May the High Court ruled that the use of Tactile Voting Devices was unlawful. Blind and VI people are regularly confronted with polling staff who do not seem to realise the rules, so ahead of the General Election we discuss what you're entitled to with Ailsa Irvine from the Electoral Commission. We also hear from Rachael Andrews who brought the case on the basis that her vote as a blind person was not secret and independent. Lucy Edwards is no stranger to In Touch, she's a You Tuber, a reporter and now - Radio One's first blind DJ. She tells us about making a piece of radio history as experienced music DJ Jill Barkley gives her a few tips about navigating the wheels of steel without sight. And as a ban on Russian athletes competing in world sport is renewed, Mani Djazmi guides us through the world of drugs in disabled sport - and the thorny question of whether unscrupulous coaches can sometimes make blind sportsmen and women unwittingly cheat. Presented by Peter White Produced by Kevin Core

In response to the RNIB announcing the sale of its three care homes and three colleges, In Touch has been contacted by an employee who says staff weren’t warned their workplace was being sold. 23-year-old Josh Mcentee lost his sight three years ago in an horrific car accident. He found he was still able to do martial art Jiu jitsu – and is setting up classes for sighted and visually impaired people. He tells us why Jiu Jitsu works for him. What’s in the party manifestos for visually impaired people – and how accessible are they? Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat Reporter: Sean Dilley

The RNIB is proposing to sell its remaining schools, colleges and residential care homes after taking the decision to close The Pears School in 2018. Peter White asks new CEO Matt Stringer how this fits in with its strategy for the future. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat

Do visually impaired children have more disrupted sleep than sighted children? University College London is looking for children to take part in sleep research. And we fulfill one listener’s request to learn about how visually-impaired people met their significant others. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat

The new Apple Plus SciFi series See is about a world in which everyone is blind. Until twins are born sighted and become a reason for tribes to go in to battle. Blindness consultant Joe Strechay tells Peter White how you teach sighted actors to portray blindness. Advent For Change, a not-for-profit enterprise, has developed a braille advent calendar. She explains why it doesn’t contain chocolate. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Lee Kumutat