RNIB collaborates on scripted comedy podcast ‘You’ve Got Braille’
You’ve Got Braille cast members, left to right: Martin Trenamen, Alison Steadman and Reece Finnegan
You’ve Got Braille is the hilarious new scripted comedy podcast series following the life of blind twenty-something, Paddy, as he explores love, work, life and fictional geese in the 21st century.
You can listen here You've Got Braille
RNIB has collaborated with Hat Trick Productions (Derry Girls, Have I Got News For You) and brilliant blind script writer Reece Finnegan to take a light-hearted look at the extra pressures on people with a visual impairment as they navigate life.
Paddy’s your average twenty-something who’s just about muddling through life. Trying to get any job that pays a salary for minimal effort, working to convince the girl of his dreams to go out with him, and attempting to look cool in front of his peers.
When you’re registered blind however, there’s always an added layer of complication to every – single – thing – you’re trying to do. Particularly when people constantly assume that you’re some kind of angelic saint, just because you’re blind, when you’re essentially one of the Inbetweeners who left school, sort of grew up, and just happens to be blind.
From overprotective parents still tracking his every move via his phone, to well-meaning work colleagues sitting him at the desk next to the toilet ‘just to make things easier’ Paddy’s life is a constant assault course of trying to fit in inconspicuously but also having to explain his needs in a way that doesn’t make him sound like a massive diva.
And no before you ask, he doesn’t have a guide dog …
Featuring a cast of some of the UK’s best talent including Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Chloe Petts, Martin Trenamen, Nimisha Odedra, Al Nash, Kevin KG Garry, Sukh Kaur Ojla, Milo Mooney and Reece Finnegan.
An exciting opportunity to reach new audiences, support a visually impaired writer, and ultimately use comedy as a way to improve understanding and empathy
Reece Finnegan is a comedy writer and television producer based in London. He has produced and written for shows including Strictly Come Dancing, The Last Leg, and Last One Laughing. He has been registered blind from a young age and has written and performed a number of shorts and sketches related to his disability. He has also amassed over 70,000 followers and 40 million total views on his social channels @blindandblonde, which focuses on the funny side of living with a visual impairment, alongside his wife Sophy. He has delivered campaigns for Paralympics GB, the RNIB, Audible, and the UK government.
Yvonne Milne, Head of RNIB Connect Radio, said: “Collaborating with Hat Trick on this great new podcast is an exciting opportunity to reach new audiences, support a visually impaired writer, and ultimately use comedy as a way to improve understanding and empathy around blind and partially sighted people’s experiences.”
Produced by Nick Coupe and Claire Broughton, Directed by Sophie Worger, with Edit and Sound Design by John Wakefield, and original music by Ollie Edwards-Cave, You’ve Got Braille is a Hat Trick Podcast made in association with RNIB and available on Acast, Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.
Find the You’ve Got Braille podcast episodes here: You've Got Braille