Open Sight, New Milton

On 23 July, I gave my talk An Attractive Impediment: the Life, Literature and Laughter of Patrick Campbell for the New Milton branch of Open Sight which is Hampshire's largest organisation working with people with sight loss, part of the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind. This was a good choice of talk for this particular group as it evokes memories of a bygone age and includes some fascinating anecotes, mostly humorous, about a fondly-remembered broadcaster.

The group meets in Bashley Village Hall, a venue where I have spoken many times over the years, and there were about 50 people present, about a third of whom were volunteer helpers, drivers and visitors from other organisations.

The microphone proved problematic and and to be abandoned and when it was announced that the speaker would therefore not be able to use it, one lady shouted out 'Well, that's no use to me!' but I positioned my table in a fairly central position this large hall and resolved to really project to give everyone a chance of hearing me!

I had given a great deal of thought to how I would adapt this talk for this particular audience. Obviously my usual visual aids, such as pictures on book covers and Lillput magazine could not be utilised here. I also looked at the language used. I didn't want to come across as insensitive by using certain references (especially as I was speaking about a personality best-known for the visual medium of television) but at the same time, I didn't want to walk on verbal eggshells and deliver a presentation that sounded stilted. Besides, my partner Val worked as a teacher for the visually impaired and tells me that even blind people will use an expression such as 'I saw him the other day'. In the end, I compromised, omitting or editing some expressions but leaving in others. 

Public Speaking Tip #235: There may be times when you need to examine your usual content before speaking to specific organisations, for example, people with disabilities. Avoid insensitivity - but don't be over-sensitive. I think audiences make some allowances for speakers who do not share their particular experiences and provided you are not ridiculously gauche, you will probably come across as more empathetic than many other people they encounter in daily life.

I decided to treat this presentation as a piece of radio: letting the words create all the images. Having written for this medium since 1990, as well as having given numerous radio interviews, I have a great deal of experience to draw upon but this approach can be learned and I really would recommend it for this type of engagement.

Public Speaking Tip #236: If you are wondering how to adapt a presentation for a visually-impaired audience, think of it as a radio broadcast: no pictures but lively and descriptive.

It was a very hot afternoon but I did around 40 minutes. Afterwards I enjoyed tea with the group and received several requests for my details for other groups (this booking itself had been on a rcommendation from a member of New Milton Townswomen's Guild). I also made a point of asking the lady who had shouted out before I was introduced if she had been able to hear me - she said she had!

My thanks to the volunteer who gve me a lift in from New Milton Station and to the minibus driver for taking me back.