In Plain Sight

This week, Simon chats to William Morgan , who's passionate about singing and sound production. Williams sings int he Perth pride Choir and the Humdrum Choir, which he also helps organise. William is a caring, vibrant member of the Perth disability community and in this uplifting discussion he shares openly about all that music and the choir communities bring to his life. Find out more about the P...

This week Simon and Andrew take a moment to reflect by revisiting past conversations with four different guests who struck a chord with Simon for their leadership and advocacy work. You'll hear from Nihal Iscel , WA Women’s Hall of Fame inductee for her advocacy work, about how she strives to bring people together to create community, and how resilience is an essential ingredient in bec...

When it comes to digital accessibility, this week's guest is both passionate and knowledgeable. Dr Scott Hollier is the CEO and co-founder of  Centre For Accessibility Australia (CFAA), and chatted to Simon about what's new and emerging in the technology spaces that can be of assistance to people with a disability. CFAA is calling for nominations for the Australian Access Awards, which c...

Meet Maxine Drake : a powerful voice for inclusion and human rights. As an advocate with Developmental Disability WA, Maxine stands up for students with disabilities and brings passion, heart, and action to the disability movement. In this thought-provoking chat, Simon and Maxine explore advocacy, pride, dignity, and what it really takes to create an accessible world where everyone belongs. Acknow...

This week on In Plain Sight, we revisit a fabulous conversation from the beginning of our program's journey with the very talented  Eliza Hull , musical artist, writer, journalist, and disability advocate based in Victoria. They have a fascinating chat in which Eliza openly shares insights about her struggles and successes. Be sure to connect with Eliza through her website or Facebook page ....

Deafblind Awareness Week (the last week of June) honours Helen Keller’s birthday and shines a light on the Deafblind community. To mark the occasion, Deafblind West Australians have a special event celebrating connection, creativity, and advocacy. This week on our podcast, meet Deborah Kazich , Deafblind advocate sharing her vibrant, active life, and Linni Oliver , a dedicated Communication...

In the lead-up to International Albinism Awareness Day on June 13th, we speak with Karin Boulton , a third-year physiotherapy student, disability advocate, and member of the Albinism Fellowship of Australia. Karin shares her lived experiences with albinism and her role in creating spaces for community, support, connection, and leadership as a founding member of Emerging Voices of Young Leaders (EV...

"Don't give people a hand-out, give them a hand up." A motto that this week's guest, Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell , lives by every day. Legally Deaf and blind, Rita has faced - and overcome - immense challenges. Through resilience, strength and determination, she has transformed adversity into advocacy, using her lived experience to support and uplift others. Now Head of Disability Law Practice at Sus...

This week Simon and Abby chat with two guests. First up, Vanessa Jessett from People with disabilities Western Australia (PWdWA) about their upcoming State Conference; what’s planned, and why it matters. Also joining us is the fabulous  Mallika Macleod from Empowered Connections (a role linked with Valued Lives), sharing her work in peer support and her conference session on supporting...

Ritchell Lim is a musician, singer, producer and sound engineer, devoted to her art and a natural at her craft. Ritchell is an extremely talented, highly intelligent, bright woman who is just launching herself into to a career as a sound engineer. And, she also happens to be blind. Ritchell grew up playing the piano, and wrote songs every chance she got. She describes the studio as her second home...

This week, film student and goalball athlete Caitlin Hannen-Williams returns to the studio! Abby and Simon catch up with her about her upcoming international competition in Finland, where she'll represent Australia on the world stage. They also dive into her passion for sound design, her studies in film, and how she balances it all. The Goalball Club’s World Cup will take place in Espoo, Fin...

“Music brought us together and keeps us together,” - Kaye Fairbairn, speaking about her husband Andrew On this week’s episode, we sit down with Kaye Fairbairn for a candid conversation about adaptability and challenging assumptions. This personal profile delves into Kaye’s journey through the lenses of family, service, inclusion, and equality — offering insights into...

This week we chat with Jayde Abott, a transcriber/proofreader for Vision Australia Radio and member of "The Unseen Bookclub." Jayde shares her love of audio described theatre shows and reading. It's a warm glimpse into passion, inclusion, and the importance of community. Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kerrie Duff, a Paralympian bronze medalist, joins us in the studio this week to discuss mentoring, leadership, and equality. Kerrie is a disability advocate who currently works for Team Lab and has her own consulting business. kerrieduffconsulting.com   teamlab.com.au   To connect with the WA Spina Bifida community, you can go to the Facebook page:  facebook.com/groups/SpinaBifidaWA...

This week, Simon speaks to three staff members from DADAA , a West Australian arts organisation finding creative ways to reduce disadvantage in the arts for people with disability. DADAA stands for Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia. DADAA aspires to be a voice of ambition, daring, and innovation, providing opportunities for creative expression and development for people w...

Meningococcal septicaemia left Lisa Burnette a double amputee at 24, but today, it’s the least impacting part of her life. In this episode, we focus on Lisa's work as a Clinical Information Nurse and volunteer disability advocate. She shares her experiences volunteering across various areas and what volunteering means to her. Link to Lisa’s book “Learning to Walk”: https://...

Buckle up for an exciting and fun-filled conversation with Kal Krzyzanowski, radio announcer, producer, and podcaster. This week, we had a blast chatting with Kal as he shares his passion for radio and the many ways he's making a difference in the local community and the broader disability sector. Link to Verity Group Disability Housing (as mentioned in the interview): https://veritygroupaustralia...

In this episode we talk about  Fibromyalgia, a condition that is often misunderstood and under-supported. Self-advocate Samantha-Jane Rose shares her journey, offering valuable insights for those living with the condition and highlighting the critical need for more awareness and accessible resources. Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate See omnystudio.com/lis...

In the studio this week is Rob Mckrill; podcaster, photographer, film maker and passionate story teller. Rob speaks to us about his new film "The A Word," a documentary about his life, delving into the hardships he has faced and how he has persevered. Link to 'The A Word': https://youtu.be/5C_24Fm3c1c?si=o_3lEA-FYIuhrBob   Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate...

Patrick Gunasekera is a creator, performer and producer working across theatre, dance, music and writing. His art is driven by a heartfelt interest in change. The stories he creates often explore how systems of oppression are normalised by everyday people and what agency and power looks like from a marginalised perspective. This interview profiles Patrick and his approach to his work as well as hi...

Joining us in the studio this week is Matt Wood from Seeing Eye Dogs Australia. We have an enlightening conversation about the role of a seeing eye dog, what’s involved in being a dog trainer and instructor and the benefits for those who seek a seeing eye dog. Find out more at https://sed.visionaustralia.org As always, please email us at InPlainSight@visionaustralia.org with any feedback, co...

Blind Sports WA (BSWA) is dedicated to fostering inclusion and building community connections, recently joining the "Act, Belong, Commit" initiative.  In this episode, we speak with Julie Cavallo, Development Officer at BSWA, to explore the exciting events and wide range of sports you can get involved in. BSWA Come and try day - March 22nd 2025. https://www.blindsportswa.com.au   https:/...

Perth Festival is here! With a focus on offering fun, free, and accessible arts events, there's something for everyone - from concerts to theatre shows and even raves! In this episode, we chat with Louisa Norman , Engagement Manager at Perth Festival, about the wide variety of events on offer, and the inclusive accessibility features that ensure everyone can enjoy and participate. Website: perthfe...

This week, we explore the language of Auslan with interpreter Linda de Rozario . In this captivating conversation, Linda shares her personal experiences within the Deaf community, offering insightful reflections on the importance of connection, accessibility, and equality. Learn Auslan:  https://deafconnect.org.au/services/education Auslan interpreting services: https://vipauslan.com.au/servi...

Clear and engaging communication isn’t just Vanessa’s profession - it’s her passion. With boundless enthusiasm and a deep commitment to advocating for people with disabilities, Vanessa Jessett is the perfect person for her role. Join Simon and Abby this week for an insightful conversation with Vanessa Jessett , Organisational Development, Culture, and Engagement Manager at People...