A Blind Insight
Former Paralympian Simon Hill presents A Blind Insight. Simon and guests will discuss the challenges facing people with a disability and what needs to be done to make the world more accessible. He will answer listeners questions, offer his thoughts on the latest news and sport, and campaign for common sense to return to the world.
Subscribe to this podcast
Episodes
-
The return of Trump, too much rain in Spain, and sightseeing the blind way
Saturday, 7 December 2024
In this episode, Simon and Billy discuss the return of Donald Trump, the floods in Spain, and Simon explains why he still wants to visit places even though he can’t see the sights. The issue given a grilling in come back common sense is the cancellation of remembrance day parades due to not being able to get insurance, while people take advantage of one of the freedoms that people died for and cause havoc with their protests.
-
The risks of fame at a young age, does what is said in the budget really mean anything, and another cry of what in the name of sanity!
Thursday, 14 November 2024
In the wake of Liam Payne’s death, we discuss the risk versus the reward of fame at a young age, and ask do the people who put youngsters in the spotlight need to take more responsibility not just take a cut of the money. Simon gives his assessment of how the countries finances are looking but don’t worry it will be more clear and quicker than the Chancellor’s version! Finally what in the name of sanity! Simon fumes at the way people reacted to the shooting of what turned out to be a gangster, making out he was a loving family man and leaving out the fact he was a major player in the cr...
-
The challenges Blind people have to overcome to stay active, and more lunacy comes tumbling out of the cabinet
Monday, 21 October 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight Simon and Billy discuss the Paralympics and the admiration people have for the people taking part. However as Simon explains just being able to take part in sport at grassroot level is hard for disabled people unless they are lucky enough to get the support they need. Also come back common-sense returns where the topic of conversation is politicians ludicrasly lavish gifts.
-
Tiresome taxi drivers, and the crazy conversations Blind people get dragged in to
Monday, 9 September 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon talks about how even getting a taxi these days is getting almost as stressful as trying to catch a Bus or a Train. He also shares some examples of the crazy questions and conversations that Blind people have to put up with and it turns out he hasn’t heard them all before!
-
While Athletes strive for medals in Parris, back home we find ourselves striving for sanity
Sunday, 18 August 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss GB’s performance at the Olympics. There is also an extended come back common sense segment where they discuss the events of the last few weeks, and ask is social media becoming a serious weapon in the modern world?
-
The wait goes on for England’s Men, who will the next man be to take the hot seat, and part three of Hilly and Billy’s Britain
Sunday, 28 July 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss England’s defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024. They also give their thoughts on who the next manager will be and what the approach will be looking ahead to the World cup in two years time. Also in Hilly and Billy’s Britain, the topics up for discussion are housing, and how do we change the attitude of the growing number of people who don’t think they need to work but complain they live in poverty.
-
England’s progress at the Euros, and part two of Hilly and Billy’s Britain including the issues the election has highlighted about the first passed the post voting system
Sunday, 14 July 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy are once again joined by Shona and continue discussing how things would be done in Hilly and Billy’s Britain. Simon also highlights the issues that the election has thrown up with the current first passed the post voting system, and explains why he thinks it needs to change to a proportional representation system. Simon and Billy also discuss England’s progress at the Euros. If you would like to join in with your thoughts or suggest topics to discuss email Simon at Simonhill_6@hotmail.com
-
What needs to be done to solve England’s problems at the Euros, and on the home front with the election coming up what needs to be done to fix Britain
Tuesday, 2 July 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, there is inevitably some football chat about England and the Euros, and Simon and Billy give their thoughts on what needs to be done to help England, and what teams have impressed at the tournament so far. On the home front with the election fast approaching they also discuss how things would be done in Hilly and Billy’s Britain, starting with the NHS and Social care, and education around knife crime. If you would like to join in please send your thoughts or topics you’d like discussed by email to Simonhill_6@hotmail.com
-
Marking the 80th anniversary of D Day
Saturday, 15 June 2024
In this episode Simon and Billy discuss the events that led up to D Day and why it was critical for the entire world that the plan to invade Nazi occupied Europe succeeded. Also are certain events from British history being forgotten or not taught in schools? The show also has contributions from Sir Winston Churchill, Dame Vera Lynn and Katherine Jenkins.
-
What are the signs of Retinoblastoma and what support is available to people who have had it? Also is the ever-growing list of warnings before tv programs getting a little bit ridiculous?
Monday, 3 June 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon talks to Richard Ashton from the Childhood Eye Canser trust about Retinoblastoma, what signs parents should be looking out for, the treatment available, how successful it is and what support is available to people who have had it. Also come back common-sense returns where Simon expresses his irritation over the actions of Ofcom, and asks are tv shows that were made in years gone by being spoilt by people who would rather go to the trouble of complaining about them instead of just not watching them.
-
The story of Simon’s walk from Wembley to West Bromwich, Billy’s hill climb,, and what is Retinoblastoma?
Thursday, 23 May 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon tells the story of his charity walk from Wembley to West Bromwich in aid of the Albion Foundation. Billy talks about his own charity challenge, and Simon talks about World Retinoblastoma awareness week. Be one of the first to know when a new episode of A Blind Insight is published by subscribing to the podcast.
-
How does being Blind compare with being Def, is commentating on sport becoming a dying art, and Simon’s frustration with the reaction of charities to the Government’s crackdown on Sick note culture
Friday, 10 May 2024
In this episode of A Blind Insight, Simon and Billy discuss a range of topics ranging from how does being Blind compare with being Def, West Bromwich Albion’s play-off and promotion prospects, and the dying art of commentating. Simon also gives his view on the response from charities representing disabled people to the Governments plan to crack down on the sick note culture that has taken over society and only seems to be getting worse. Do you agree with Simon? Email your thoughts to Simonhill_6@hotmail.com
-
Breaking down the body language barrier, Simon’s walk from Wembley to West Bromwich, and a baffling arrival in the post
Friday, 19 April 2024
In this episode, Simon and Billy discuss the importance of Eye contact and body language, and how much are blind people missing out on because they can’t make Eye contact or see how people react physically. We also hear about Simon’s walk from Wembley to West Bromwich to raise money for the Albion Foundation, a baffling arrival in the post, and Simon’s thoughts on what needs to be done to help prevent young drivers having fatal accidents.
-
Some concerning statistics from You Gov, what is the Unite For Access campaign all about, and why do we keep paying for more tv channels but less content?
Thursday, 14 March 2024
In this episode, Simon and Billy discuss some concerning statistics from You Gov regarding the number of Blind and Partially sighted people in and out of work. Also the lack of understanding of what support is available to employers to pay for adjustments, and even out right refusal by some to employ a blind or partially sighted person. Simon explains why in his view the current disability confident scheme is floored and needs to be changed in order to remove the obstacle of computer systems not being accessible for screen reader users. On a different topic, Simon explains what the Unite Fo...
-
Work, Redundancy, and restraining orders on Pigeons
Friday, 2 February 2024
In this episode Simon discusses the ups and downs of his working life in more detail, and the affect being forced out of his job has had on his mental health. He introduces a new segment called insane stories where he tells the story of a crazy phone call he overheard when working for the Police, and he asks for common sense to return when it comes to Technology being preferred to humans.
-
Simon, School, Work and Albion over Villa
Friday, 19 January 2024
In the first episode of A Blind Insight, Simon Hill and Billy Spakemon discuss Simon losing his sight at the age of four, and his experience of both a mainstream and Blind boarding school. Also how not wanting to go to University left him without much support finding a job and how he could have been an Albion or Villa fan but Albion won the battle.
Recently Played
-
Last Christmas
Wham -
It's A Sin
Pet Shop Boys -
One More Sleep
Leona Lewis
DOWNLOAD OUR APPS
Useful Links
Weather
Travel News
How To Listen
Latest Podcasts
-
The News AgentsWeekend Edition - The Sports Agents
-
The News AgentsThe News Agents awards of the year
-
Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe's Parenting HellS9 EP34: Do Not Google That
-
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven BartlettMoment 192: The Fire In The Booth That Would Have Destroyed My Brand: Charlie Sloth