Ethan Kavanagh with assistant sound recordist Paul Scaramella.
Camera IconEthan Kavanagh with assistant sound recordist Paul Scaramella. Credit: Supplied/Lauren Green

Murdoch Uni students have a new vision for Perth landmarks

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

STAFF interviews, behind the scenes tours and audio descriptions are tools used by a Murdoch University student to bring some of Perth’s best tourist attractions to life for people who are blind or have low vision.

Sound and radio student Ethan Kavanagh’s podcast The Tourist gives listeners an entertaining and informative account of Fremantle Prison, the WA Maritime Museum and Scitech.

Vision Australia Radio (VAR) program co-ordinator Gemma Sidney said Mr Kavanagh’s effort had been well received.

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“The locations that Ethan has documented in The Tourist are all popular for a reason and it’s important that people who are blind or have low vision are given every chance to experience and enjoy what they have to offer like anybody else,” she said.

“Each episode really is an immersive account of each location, whether it’s a description of what it’s like to enter a submarine, taking people on a trip to the gallows or audio describing a puppet show. We really think The Tourist is something that will support our listeners in experiencing each location.”

Ms Sidney said VAR hoped to expand the program’s offering in the future.

“We’re fortunate that during his placement with us, Ethan put as much time and effort as he did to produce the first three episodes and he’s indicated that he’d like to do more to help people experience the other attractions Perth has to offer,” she said.

The Tourist is available online via http://radio.visionaustralia.org.

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