RNIB Connect

Ivan Rodriguez Deb is a Visually Impaired Tennis player, concert Pianist and organist who after winning every match in his category (B4) was crowned World Champion at the VI Tennis tournament in Vilnius, Lithuania earlier this summer and as well as starting his 3rd year at the guildhall School of Music and Drama has already performed on stage at many prestigious places including The Royal Albert Hall, Downing Street and St. George’s Hanover Square in London.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Ivan to find out how he got into playing VI tennis and getting into music at the same time, how his Mum, Brother and Tennis Coach helped him to succeed in the sport and be crowned World Champion in the B4 VI Tennis category this summer, how he has become an accomplished pianist at such an early age and his advice for other visually impaired people on getting into sport and music.
There is more about Ivan and his music career on his website via the following link and to keep up to date with his continued success on the tennis court do follow him on Instagram @IvanRDeb - https://www.ivanrdeb.com
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Do you use smart glasses in your everyday life? Maybe you have concerns about the technology and the way it’s being used. No matter your position, RNIB wants to hear your thoughts. Hywel Davies has been hearing about a new survey that’s gathering public opinion.
You can find out more information on the survey here, Take part in our survey on AI smart glasses | RNIB

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Ross Meegan, RNIB Policy Lead shares some of the findings of the RNIB Cost of Living survey report, launched today (Monday 28 September 2026) showing the impact the increases in food prices and energy costs are having on the lives of blind and partially sighted people. 
All the comments and feedback from visually impaired people who took part in the Cost of Living Survey will help to form RNIB policy and campaigning work over the next few months and into 2027. 
The RNIB Cost of Living report can be found by clicking on to the following link and if you would like to find out more about other RNIB campaigning work and how to get involved do either email campaigns@rnib.org.uk or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/
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Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.
This week Simon talks about The Scottish Vision Strategy Conference, Invictus Spirit Awards and some great news for RNIB Connect Radio.
If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk
You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.
Image a headshot photograph of Simon Antrobus smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short brown hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

See Work Differently Placements can be a great way for blind and partially sighted people to get into employment, but what’s a placement actually like? David Hogg spoke to Devin Adams and Campbell Chalmers from Stirling District Citizen Advice Bureau to find out
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