Ablequest

Two years ago Maggie O'Connell, in her mid 20's never had a full time job. Now, Maggie who lives with autism, is working as a full time data analyst with the Australian Federal Police and mentoring the next generation of cyber security experts. Maggie explains to Elaine Wziontek, autistic individuals can have exceptional abilities in pattern recognition, attention to detail and intense focus - all useful skills in cybersecurity.Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Boccanfuso is founder and CEO of Van Robotics, a social robotics company based in South Carolina in the United States. She is also inventor of ABii, a smart robot tutor which is being trialled for pre-schoolers in Australia. The initiative is with the Australian Catholic University, Cincinnati University, the Brainary Association in Australia and Parramatta Libraries in Sydney. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Laura about her creation and how technology can help young children learn. Original air date: 22.08.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Music can evoke emotions that bring back memories and the same is true for people living with dementia. Music therapy and singing helps people with dementia according to Dr Zara Thompson, a classically trained musician and music therapist at The University of Melbourne. Zara spoke to Elaine Wziontek about how listening to familiar songs brings back memories, even when they have trouble speaking or remembering. As she explains through her words and songs, it can be easier to find words during 'music time.'Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being in nature is good for you whether it is being in the garden or walking along the beach. Today's guest also believes that Nature can be a great healer. Kayte Kitchen is a counsellor, teacher and horticulturalist. She has her own private practice, Admirari Nature Therapy where she helps people find wholeness and healing outdoors. She also is employed running the therapeutic garden program at the Royal Children's Hostpial in Melbourne. She spoke to Elaine Wziontek about the program and how horticultural therapy can complement other medical disciplines. Original air date: 25.07.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deb Roach is a three-time pole dancing world champion yet she has only one arm. Performing at a high level was always about celebrating her body and what the pole dancing community made her feel. Deb has performed all over the world including the UK and is one of the performers at the upcoming Disability Pride Festival at the Sydney Town Hall on Saturday July 26. She talks to Elaine Wziontek about pole dancing being her own 'fast track to happiness'. Original air date: 18.07.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disability Pride Month in July promotes awareness about people with disability and also celebrates individuals with disability. A special day will be the Sydney Disability Pride Festival on Saturday 26th of July at Sydney Town Hall. There will be performers and speakers, including rock princess Elly-May Barnes and pole dancing champion Deb Roach and films by Emily Dash. Festival Director and disability activist Hannah Solomons talks to Elaine Wziontek about heading up the team running the festival, its fun activities and workshops as well as the theme "No Shame, No Apologies." Original air date: 10.07.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a difference one person with experience, passion and energy can make to many lives. Julie Ross-Edwards, Ablequest's guest today is one such person. She founded Head High Disability Services, which specialises in helping young adults with intellectual and other disabilities achieve their potential in society and the workplace. Julie spoke with Barbara Sullivan about Head High's holistic approach to building life skills, self esteem and confidence. Original air date: 27.06.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Action Audio is a new language being created to transcend sport. It augments live radio broadcasts to change the way blind and low vision sports fans can participate in live sport and entertainment. Developed in partnership with Tennis Australia and Monash University, Action Audio uses data from a ball monitoring computer vision system to emphasise key moments of play with a 3D sound design system that has been developed with the blind and low vision community. Barbara Sullivan speaks to Machar Reid, Head of Innovation at Tennis Australia, about this new technology.Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine sitting in a wheelchair for hours, being unable to move your fingers or arm to do simple things like pick up a glass. Now there is a robot called Bateo which can help you and now available through the NDIS Australia. Konstanze Hager, owner and CEO of Exomove a German e-mobility company talks to Elaine Wziontek about the device which helps people become more independent and more confident in managing everyday tasks. She explains how they came up with the idea and being excited about its launch through The Brainary in Australia.Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mel Harrison has been in a wheelchair since she was 14, yet despite her health issues she has learned to successfully adapt to her physical challenges. In 2022, Mel was the first ever wheelchair participant in an Australian outback charity car rally. Using wired satellite accelerator hand controls she and her crew were one of 250 cars in the 3,500 km journey. Mel works as a motivational speaker, consultant and disability education. She has also founded her own company, Sitting Low Reaching High. Elaine Wziontek spoke to her about the car rally and how she helps people live their best lives and her work as a facilitator for disability expos around the country. Original air date: 02.05.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is hope for people with vision loss caused by damage of the retina, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age related macular degeneration. With an injection, it is possible that vision may be restored through genetic stem cell therapy. Associate Professor Raymond Wong from the Centre of Eye Research Australia talks to Barbara Sullivan about his team's exciting and ground-breaking research in stem cell regeneration. Original air date: 18.04.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freya Wolf is a champion of disability rights and a human rights advocate. She lives with severe vision impairment and her advocacy spans a broad spectrum from research reports to poetry, press releases and presentations. Elaine Wziontek spoke to her about her challenges and how she enjoyed the podcasting radio internship workshop held at 2RPH in association with Disability Media Australia. Original air date: 04.04.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denise West is a speech pathologist with expertise in working with adolescents with complex communication needs. She and her team at Scope have developed picture boards, spelling boards and a special Communication Access Symbol. This internationally recognized symbol shows the outline of two faces looking at each other which shows organisations meet high stands in customer service, signage and easy to understand information. Original air date: 21.03.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tommy Herschell is a former teacher who gave up primary teaching to run programs in schools, sporting clubs and corporate settings to 'build better blokes" He founded an organisation called Find Ya Feet which helps give people an opportunity to share stories, to speak up and ask for help and equips them to "own their feet". Original air date: 07.03.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deaf Connect is Australia's largest provider of Auslan, Australian Sign Language, and the largest employer of deaf Australians. Marni Roper spoke with the CEO of Deaf Connect, Brett Casey, with the assistance of his Auslan interpreter, Duke Moolenaar. Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alvie is a social platform uniquely designed for people with disabilities to match with other people, send direct messages and attend in person meetups and events. Elaine Wziontek talks to Steve Bear, the creator of Alvie who set out to remedy social issues like loneliness and isolation in the disability community.  Original air date: 07.02.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This program focuses on stroke and the Royal Rehabilitation Hospital at Ryde which is at the forefront of advanced rehabilitation with its state of the art Advanced Tech Centre. Elaine Wziontek spoke to the centre's advanced technology and clinical lead and senior physio, Jason Redhead. She also interviewed stroke survivor, Graham Hooper about his treatment and progress. Original broadcast date: 10.01.25Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Part 2) David Woodbridge is a well known authority on assistive technology for people who have low, or no, vision and also a frequent guest on Ablequest. Today he talks to Barbara Sullivan about how AI is advancing assistive technology, in particular for people with vision impairment. Original broadcast date: 13.12.24Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Woodbridge is a well known authority on assistive technology for people who have low, or no, vision and also a frequent guest on Ablequest. Today he talks to Barbara Sullivan about how AI is advancing assistive technology, in particular for people with vision impairment. Original broadcast date: 29.11.24Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Rickards, along with help from his industrial designer son Rohan, invented a revolutionary, multi-directional white cane tip called Sensaball. This vastly improves mobility and safety for people with low or no vision. Marni Roper speaks to Peter to learn more. Original air date: 15.11.24Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.