Getting started with podcasts

Stephen Fry has one, we have one, even The Archers has a podcast - but what is a podcast and what do you do with it?

A podcast is a series of audio files (MP3s usually), which you subscribe to via the internet. Some podcasts are like audio blogs (or diaries), others are episodes of radio programmes.

For clear and easy to follow advice on subscribing to podcasts and finding software to do this with, read our Help with podcasts page.

Finding podcasts

Close to home are RNIB podcasts, and another good source is BBC radio. As well as enjoying big names like Chris Evans and Terry Wogan, you can sign up for a daily (or an omnibus) dose of The Archers, dip into Broadcasting House, or catch up with the most recent episode of In Touch.

Your newspaper of choice probably offers a variety of podcasts through its website. The Guardian has a dedicated podcast section as does The Times, but The Independent and Daily Telegraph tend to scatter their podcasts all over their websites.

There are plenty of websites where you can browse for interesting podcasts too. iTunes can give you free access to more than 100,000 podcasts but you will need to download the software to your computer. Websites like Podcast.com will let you browse for podcasts from around the world by category without the hassle of downloading software.

There are also plenty of websites aimed at blind and partially sighted people making good use of audio content. Blind Cool Tech is, in essence, a list of podcasts covering access technology and life experiences. The BBC's Ouch! page also has a regular podcast.

Tom Lorimer's Whitestick website has a list of blind podcasters that you may find useful.

Last updated: 26 January 2011

Make a donation

Right now we can only reach one in three of the people who need our help most.

Please make a donation and help us support more blind and partially sighted people.