Disability Disrupters

Tim Young - CEO at Smart Access Limited Tim Young is the CEO of Smart Access, which has developed a data collection, categorisation, and navigation system for pedestrians with access needs to plan a safe journey. Tim started his business, which aims to improve infrastructure accessibility, after facing many obstacles and uncertainty when traveling around the country as a tetraplegic and wheelchair...

Sadie Dingfelder - Author, science journalist, neurodiversity advocate Sadie has prosopagnosia — face blindness — which means she can't recognize anyone by their face. Not her mother, not her coworkers, not her husband (she once grabbed a jar of peanut butter out of a stranger's cart because she thought he was her husband. He was two aisles over). Sadie has written a memoir about her face blindnes...

Dan Shepherd Dan is Blind Low Vision NZ’s General Manager, Community & Inclusion, and leads a portfolio of work that is community facing and aims to change attitudes towards vision loss and people who are blind, deafblind or low vision. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa when he was 15, Dan subscribes to a ‘nothing at us, everything with us’ approach to finding solutions that work for disable...

Yenn Purkis Yenn Purkis is an Autistic and ADHD, non-binary, asexual advocate and author. They also have a diagnosis of atypical schizophrenia and anxiety. Yenn has been a disability advocate since 2005 when their first book, the autobiography Finding a Different Kind of Normal, was accepted for publication. Yenn has worked as Deputy CEO (External Relations) at the Disability Leadership Institute,...

In this special edition of the Disability Disrupters podcast, Kylee Maloney presents her award winning broadcast, interviewing Victoria Maxwell about Victoria's one woman show called Crazy for Life. Kylee was February 2026's podcast guest, so check her episode, Episode 20, after this one. Victoria Maxwell Victoria Maxwell, BFA, BPP*  is a sought-after international (and funny) keynote speaker, per...

Kylee Maloney Kylee Maloney has been a creative for as long as she can remember: from trying to make music with two hands on the piano at three to writing fanfiction at nearly 60, she has always enjoyed using her voice, words and music as modes of self-expression — and sometime employment. As a survivor of abuse in the care of RNZFB, she works as Administrator for the small group of survivors task...

Andrew Gadd Andrew is a passionate disability advocate, content creator and aspiring YouTuber. He has a passion for showcasing the positives of leading a fulfilling life with a physical condition.   You can connect with Andrew here: Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/AGGUIDES TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew_gadd?_r=1&_t=ZN-92TAGl0r02Y YouTube:  https://youtube.com/@andrew_gadd?si=ymO5vaH...

Mark Williams Mark is a successful entrepreneur, and National Sales manager - NZ for HT Systems (Kera sit2sit & Kera Travel hoists) . Their first product, the Kera sit2sit hoist , has already made a huge difference in the lives of people living with disability. Mark has first hand experience as a User of the Kera Travel hoist and can help guide New Zealanders with NZ funding. Information o...

Stephanie Birkhead Behind the Shutters is a deeply personal and moving memoir that lifts the lid on life behind closed doors. Stephanie Birkhead shares her powerful journey of survival, resilience, and hope after enduring experiences that shaped her life in unexpected ways. With raw honesty and courage, she invites readers to step inside her story — not just of struggle, but of strength, healing,...

Gemma O'Donnell Gemma O’Donnell is an experienced Barrister and Solicitor. She is passionate about advocating for those with disabilities and older people. Gemma loves dark chocolate, books, and making food to share. About Gemma’s business - Chronically Legal Chronically Legal makes it easy to get your legal ducks in a row. Chronically Legal can help with: • Enduring Powers of Attorney, • Orders u...

DARUMA (the Movie) On 1st September, DARUMA finally comes to Australia and New Zealand! From Oscar-winning executive producer Peter Farrelly comes the first film in US cinematic history to star two leads with disabilities in a narrative not about overcoming disability. DARUMA is a story about fatherhood, found family and forgiveness. Rent the film on Amazon Prime or Apple TV+ Starring: Christopher...

Neelu Jennings Neelu Jennings is a politician, disability advocate, and adventure athlete from Lower Hutt, New Zealand. A member of the Green Party , she has stood for both local and national office while raising two children as a full-time parent. Neelu brings deep expertise to her advocacy, holding a master’s degree in disability policy and a postgraduate diploma in public health, alongside prof...

Read transcript Nick Ruane Nick Ruane has a long history of community involvement, advocacy, leadership, and disability activism. Nick has a Master of the Arts (with Honors) in Political Science and Government from Victoria University. He is a board member for New Zealand Riding for the Disabled and was co-chair of the Wellington Accessibility Advisory Group for 5 years, giving advice to Council o...

This special Historical Disability Disrupter episode of the Podcast features a presentation by Dr. Peter Wheeler on the remarkable life and times of Ben Purse, a pivotal figure in disability history. Purse famously articulated that while physical impairment "matters," the greater problem was "the social sins of the community" — attitudes, barriers, and obstacles that prevented...

Emma Bennison Emma Bennison is a bold disability advocate, consultant, Non-Executive Director and systems leader committed to equity, lived experience leadership and community transformation. As Principal of Emma Bennison and Associates and Chief Advisor, Equity and Lived Experience at Life Without Barriers, (one of Australia’s largest human services organisations), she drives inclusive change acr...

Nikita 'Nikki' Van Dijk Nikki has been involved in disability advocacy since intermediate, when she was advocating for autistic students in school due to the experiences of their brother within Aotearoa's education system. This continued as she transitioned into secondary school as a foundation student of Hobsonville Point Secondary School. Nikki sat on one of the school's first student councils,...

Grant Cleland ONZM Grant has worked in the health. disability and education sectors for over 30 years at governance, senior leadership and practitioner levels. With lived experience of disability from birth, Grant uses a wheelchair for mobility and has faced many barriers that disabled people face in health, education and employment. He therefore brings both lived and professional experience to hi...

Cyndi Brec is a YA (Young Adult) fantasy author, speaker, and co-host of the P English Literature podcast , who turned a lifelong challenge — dyslexia – into the heart of her writing journey. Growing up, words seemed like walls she would never climb, but she refused to let dyslexia define her. Cyndi shows us the power of perseverance and how she has channeled her struggle into writing epic, histor...

Read transcript Graeme Innes Graeme Innes AM is a lawyer, author, and company director. He is the Chancellor of Central Queensland University, a member of the board of the National Disability Insurance Agency, and a member of the board of the State Insurance Regulatory Authority of NSW. Graeme's autobiography Finding a Way achieved popular acclaim in 2016. He has been a human rights practitioner f...

Paula Jessop is an autistic woman and autistic rights advocate. She lives in Tauranga with her cat. Paula has been involved with autism self-advocacy for many years in New Zealand. She was an integral part of guiding Altogether Autism to become a more inclusive organisation as their first Autistic advisor. She has played a role in shifting the language in the autism sector, along with promoting th...

Dr Peter Wheeler worked in the UK nuclear engineering field until loosing his sight at the age of 38. After going blind he went to university and gained a first class honours degree in business and management. He then went on to undertake a Ph. D. at Warwick university. Peter then undertook research projects at both Warwick and Salford universities before finally taking a full time role as senior...

Liel Bridgford - I am a Psychologist, writer, educator, and podcaster based in Naarm and who uses she/they pronouns. I am a proud disabled, immigrant, gender fluid femme, and my work is centered on inclusive, accessible and holistic support and education. I have been recognised as an ABC TOP 5 Arts resident, served as the 2022 Editor of Writing Place Magazine, and was a 2023 Melbourne Access and I...

Barry De Geest is a dedicated advocate and activist within the New Zealand disability community. He has worked throughout his life to further the aims of disabled citizens to achieve self-determination, choice and control. Barry is an active supporter of the Enabling Good Lives Approach. Barry’s commitment to the sector is evident through his numerous initiatives, particularly through his establis...

Amos Miller, the Founder and CEO of Glidance, is a trailblazer in the field of assistive technology. After losing his sight in his 20s due to a genetic eye condition, Amos embarked on a mission to revolutionize mobility for the blind and vision impaired. With over 25 years of experience, most notably at Microsoft Research, Amos has been at the forefront of developing ground-breaking assistive prod...

Valerie Smith is a distinguished New Zealand disability activist. As a senior figure in the disability community, she has been a pivotal force in numerous landmark achievements which have shaped the landscape of awareness, responsiveness, and support to disabled people. Her dedication to championing our rights has earned her a respected place in New Zealand's history of social justice and equality...