In conversation with…Lou Plunkett: Making accessibility part of the plan

In conversation with… The wife – How sight loss changed us both

In this very special and deeply personal episode, I sit down with my wife in our cosy garden studio to talk about what it’s really been like living through sight loss — not just from my perspective, but from hers too. We chat openly about the highs and lows of the past five years: the changes, the challenges, and the moments that have brought us even closer together. There’s laughter, a few tears, and plenty of honesty as we explore how life — and love — evolves when sight loss becomes part of the story. This episode is about more than disability; it’s about partnership, perspective, and finding strength in shared experiences.

In Conversation With...Tim Dixon: Adapting to Sight Loss with Tech

A blind bloke just talking about life. In this episode of Blind Man with a Backpack in Conversation with… I sit down with Tim Dixon, accessibility advocate and Head of Architecture for a global QA provider, to talk about adapting to sight loss through technology. We share our experiences of being diagnosed with Cone Dystrophy, how we’ve introduced assistive tools into our working lives, and the creative ways we’ve adapted our homes — from smart lighting to radar‑guided canes and even Meta sunglasses.   Find out more about Tim Dixon: Website: https://www.timdixon.net [https://www.timdixon.net] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjdixon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjdixon/] Blind Ambition Community The Blind Ambition WhatsApp Community is a welcoming space where people with visual impairment can connect, share and learn from each other — whether you’re looking for practical advice, emotional support, or just a friendly chat. * Find out more about the Blind Ambition Community [https://www.blindambition.co.uk/training-support/blind-ambition-community/] * [Register to join the UK WhatsApp Community (Google Form)] [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrO-R-9cIf0QJo1qyVE1wyhr62rSx_ySNJb8Z87OAddxLqfg/viewform] Mentioned in this episode: * Stella Young – “I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much” TED Talk [link] Follow me: Website: www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk [http://www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk] Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://facebook.com/blindmanwithabackpack] Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://instagram.com/blindmanwithabackpack] TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B [https://tiktok.com/@blindman.with.a.b]   Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony [https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony]

In Conversation With...Dawn Blezard: Living in the moment with Stargardt’s

A blind bloke just talking about life.  In episode four, I chat with Dawn Blezard — a yoga instructor living with Stargardt’s Disease. We explore mindfulness, mental health, and what it means to live in the moment when your sight is always changing. Dawn also runs a YouTube channel where she shares yoga tutorials, sight loss stories, and more. Dawn's links: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@dawn-pathwayyoga] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Pathwayoga/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pathway_yoga_with_dawn/] Follow me at: Online: www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk [https://www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk/] Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://facebook.com/blindmanwithabackpack] Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://www.instagram.com/blindmanwithabackpack/] TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B [https://www.tiktok.com/@blindman.with.a.b?_t=ZG-8tNxc95j756&_r=1]  Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony [https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony]

In Conversation with…Jenna Lynch: Breaking down barriers to employment

A blind bloke just talking about life.  In episode three, I chat with Jenna Lynch from Berkshire Vision. Jenna is their Employability Officer, supporting people with sight loss to navigate the world of work. We talk about the barriers visually impaired people can face in the workplace — and what needs to change to make employment more accessible, inclusive, and empowering. You can find out all about Berkshire Vision’s services, support and activities, including Employability, at Berkshirevision.org.uk [http://www.berkshirevision.org.uk/] Useful links: Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Working Well with Sight Loss course [https://www.pocklington.org.uk/events/working-well-with-sight-loss-residential-course/] RNIB’s Visibly Better Employer Standard [https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/equality-and-employment/employers/visibly-better-employer-quality-standard/] Follow me at: Online: www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk [https://www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk/] Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://facebook.com/blindmanwithabackpack] Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://www.instagram.com/blindmanwithabackpack/] TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B [https://www.tiktok.com/@blindman.with.a.b?_t=ZG-8tNxc95j756&_r=1]  Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony [https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony]

In conversation with…Lou Plunkett: Making accessibility part of the plan

A blind bloke just talking about life.  In episode two, I chat with Lou Plunkett, founder of the online accessibility consultancy Impact with Lou. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease as a teenager, Lou now helps content creators and organisations make their work more accessible. We talk about her journey, the importance of inclusive design, and why accessibility should never be an afterthought. You can follow Lou on Instagram (Impact.with.Lou [https://www.instagram.com/impact.with.lou?igsh=YTc5NGwwdTJyazYy]) and Facebook (Impact with Lou [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077419882285]) or LinkedIn (Louise Plunkett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-plunkett-659589183?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app]) or you can find out more about her online training and guides by visiting her LinkTree [https://linktr.ee/ImpactWithLou?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYiuSXGVEE8XInVYTwGDjqf4VyzvSyw_K9RCGg6CR3L4ocJUGoxQ6n8TUg_aem_uF5cdZgswkr_VrQf_1NZ7w]. Read more at www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk [https://www.blindmanwithabackpack.uk/]   Follow me at: Facebook: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://facebook.com/blindmanwithabackpack] Instagram: @BlindManWithABackpack [https://www.instagram.com/blindmanwithabackpack/] TikTok: @BlindMan.With.A.B [https://www.tiktok.com/@blindman.with.a.b?_t=ZG-8tNxc95j756&_r=1]  Credit: Intro music “Graveyard Train” by The Champion Hillbillies https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony [https://soundcloud.com/brettharmony]