Ablequest

Lindi Jackson is the CEO and founder of the Scuba Gym which offers underwater therapy for people with disabilities and special needs. The Gym uses the weightless freedom of scuba to unlock movement, dissolve pain and restore independence. Clients include children with autism and spina bifida, adults with MS, cerebral palsy and acquired brain injury. Hannah Lock speaks with Lindi about The Scuba Gy...

Stuart Hurst is a paraplegic, wheelchair user, former aircraft engineer and advocate for more accessible travel. Before becoming a wheelchair user, he spent decades travelling and working around aviation. He now consults to airlines to promote safer wheelchair handling because he says that they are important as' legs' and not be be regarded as luggage. He spoke to Elaine Wziontek about his experie...

LANGUAGE WARNING: This episode contains adult themes. Ministry Advisor on Accessibility and now author has co-written a book with Christian sexologist Patricia Weerakoon. Created especially for teenagers with intellectual disability, the book, Made to Be Me and You to be a helpful tool for ministry leaders and carers to have conversations about the body and relating to other people. Bec spoke to E...

Saltwater Veterans is a charity which has been established to help veterans affected by mental trauma and injury transition to civilian life. Scott and Jen Reynolds, co-founders of Saltwater Veterans, run sailing programs for veterans and their families. Jen talks to Barbara Sullivan about their activities and its benefits. Original air date: 18.09.26 Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/...

Layne is a remarkable young woman combining her passion for engineering, disability and sport to make a difference. Her research explores 3D assistive technology, including creating simple, practical devices such as jar and bottle openers, tactile labels, and sensory toys. Layne talks with Hannah Lock. Original air date: 04.09.26 Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/lis...

Jennifer Winstone is a Sydney speech therapist and co-founder of the app MyComms , designed to make 'visual communication supports' easy to create, personalise and use in everyday life for people with autism. Jenn spoke to Elaine Wziontek Original air date: 21.08.26 Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Table tennis, or Ping Pong, is gaining popularity worldwide as an activity which has considerable benefits for people living with the neurodegenerative disease Parkinson's. Helen Halford, Australian President and Global Vice President of Ping Pong Parkinson talks with Barbara Sullivan about the organisation and how its participants are enjoying physiological and cognitive improvements from playing...

Che Turner is the Founding Director of the Olive Express, a social enterprise which has offered more than 20,000 aged care residents a delightful train experience in a decked out train carriage. The journey offers an immersive experience with an inbuilt avatar travel guide who speaks different languages. The immersive experience is designed to be social and get residents talking, reminiscing and e...

Adam Richards is a leading expert on the benefits of trampolining, particularly for children with disabilities. Adam has more than 30 years experience in the trampoline sector and is known by many as 'Mr Trampoline'. Through his work with schools across Australia he has seen first-hand how the freedom and sensory experience of bouncing can unlock remarkable abilities. He speaks with Kate Walker. O...

In her first Ablequest interview, Hannah Lock talks to Daniel Hillyer who had an active life as a young chef, then 16 years ago he leaned against a balcony railing and fell 4.5 metres. He was diagnosed as a C4/5 quadriplegic and believed he would never again have any movement below his neck. Now, as co-founder of Robofit, he helps other people on their recovery journeys. Robofit uses neuro control...

Matt Bowtell is Founder and CEO of Free 3D Hands. Formerly a Toyota engineer Matt visited Japan as a young engineering student and was excited to see a $1 million bionic arm but sad that most people Original air date: 29.05.26 Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paramedic Sam Penny from the northern beaches of Sydney loves all kinds of sports and starts everyday with a swim. Sam is passionate about the benefits of being in the water and for the past decade he has been part of Ocean Heroes which allows neurodivergent or autistic individuals getting fun and inclusive access to the ocean for free. Elaine Wziontek talks to him about the benefits of the Ocean...

In todays episode we hear Kate Walker interview Storm Menzies, from Storm Beauty. During the interview we hear how the company came to be, how the products help people apply makeup, and other ways the company is being inclusive. Afterwards, you can listen to Kate reading an article from the ABC about a group of artists living with disability, and their reaction to feedback. Original air date: 01.0...

Music therapy is a recognised support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and will continue to remain so for many vulnerable children who are autistic and non-verbal. Our guest is Aexandra Morse, Director and Registered Music Therapist based in Tasmania who describes herself as a "choir nerd" explains how music therapy and singing can help children express themselves, engage with...

In this episode of Ablequest, Elaine Wziontek reads two online articles relating to technology and disability. The first was originally published on the BCA website and discusses accessible communications in Australila and the second (on the news.com.au website) focuses on incredible inventions emerging in Australia to improve the lives of those living with disability and how young people lare lea...

Tarsha Saint is manager of Day Services at Brookvale's Spirit powered by Catholic Care. At Spirit, Tarsha channels her passion for helping others into creating vibrant meaningful programs for people with disability. From dog walking and creative arts to visual storytelling through film and photography she has helped participants discover new skills confidence and joy. Original air date: 20.03.26 S...

Saraya O'Connell is the Chief Operating Officer of Hotel Etico, Australia. This is a social enterprise business offering life skills and hospitality training for young people with disabiities. Elaine Wziontek spoke to her about the business and the success with 82 percent of graduates securing employment. They also talked about a fund-raising campaign involving a 400 kilometre run from the Etico H...

YMCA's Camp Manyung in Victoria is a pioneer in developing universally designed outdoor activities to make the camp adventure experience as inclusive as possible for people with physical disabilities. It has collaborated with Standards Australia in establishing recently published standards for some adventure activities. Jim Boyle, Manager of Y Camps' Camp Manyung, joins Barbara Sullivan to explain...

"Uncle' John Baxter grew up with spina bifida, was fostered out to non-Aboriginal family and attended a three-storey high school in Box Hill, Victoria which was challenging for a boy on crutches. He completed an apprenticeship as a printer and graphic artist. Throughout his life he has been a fearless champion for improving the lives of First Nations peoples living with disabilities. He is the cre...

Reverend Bec Baines has grown up with experience of disability, including hearing loss and adoptive and foster brothers with disability. She is passionate about churches making everyone feel welcome and being encouraged to participate in church life. Bec explains to Elaine Wziontek that for many people with disability, and for their families, whether a place is truly accessible is not just about t...

Intopia, a leading digital accessibility consultancy in Australia, is currently undertaking an Assistive Technology Survey. They are seeking participation from Australians and New Zealanders over the age of 18 and the survey is open from 3 December 2025 to 6 February 2026. Jacinta Gregory who is leading the survey talks to Barbara Sullivan about the format and aims of the survey and how people can...

Si Tew is the creator of CMPSR, an innovative and accessible music controller designed to make music easier for everyone. Elaie Wziontek talks to Si who explains how the device can be used to compose, play a variety of instrumental sounds with just one finger. Si and his team including musicians living with disability have been able to bring inclusive design and musical innovation together. CMPSR...

Robotic pets can offer the elderly a source of companionship with studies showing they can improve mood and enhance social interaction. They are especially helpful for those who have lost a spouse or real pet. In this episode Elaine talks to Emma Hardaker about the MetaDog which has soft fur, expressive eyes and is able to mimic the gestures of real dogs without the mess. They also discuss the Met...

In this episode of Ablequest, Elaine speaks to Rima Ramezani about the benefits of art therapy, and how it provides a sense of comfort and expression for people living with disability. Original broadcast date: 14.11.25 Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pete Horsley is the Founder of Remarkable, a global start up and initiative of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Pete is passionate about harnessing technology to build better products for a better world. His sister Jo was born blind, autistic and with an intellectual disability. That experience shaped the way he sees the world. In this interview with Elaine Wziontek he discusses some of the latest sta...