An informative program discussing the latest in assistive technologies and initiatives for anyone living with disability, presented by Barbara Sullivan, Elaine Wziontek and Marni Roper.
Listen to the latest episodes of Ablequest below. Don’t forget to subscribe in your favourite podcast app!
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1 Nov 2024 Samantha Hill and Justine Leonard – Real Life Social Enterprises Real Life Social Enterprises provides a "real life" work and learning environment for NDIS participants in the Illawarra and South Coast with the purpose of helping people with disability learn the skills they need to live independently. Elaine Wziontek spoke to the Co-Founders Sam Hill and Maxine Martin. Original air date: 01.11.24
18 Oct 2024 Dale Williams – Stuttering Awareness Day October 22 is International Stuttering Awareness Day. Professor Dale Williams, Professor and Chair Department of Communication Sciences Florida Atlantic University says there are many misconceptions about stuttering. Elaine Wziontek spoke to him via Zoom at his home in Florida.
4 Oct 2024 Good Things – Jess Wilson Good Things Australia, in partnership with Microsoft and Telstra has launched Digital Sisters A1 for Good Project to support refugeee and migrant women how to use AI effectively. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Jess Wilson about the AI project which will help build understanding and use of AI. Original air date: 04.10.24
20 Sep 2024 Peter Ford – Control Bionics (Part 2) Part two of an interview with Peter Ford from Control Bionics. https://www.controlbionics.com/control-bionics-company/
6 Sep 2024 Peter Ford – Control Bionics (Part 1) Part one of an interview with Peter Ford from Control Bionics. https://www.controlbionics.com/control-bionics-company/
9 Aug 2024 Teresa Plane – 2RPH Nonagenarian Teresa Plane joined Radio 2RPH in 2016 as a volunteer reader after a distinguished career in nursing, caring for the terminally ill and sharing her extensive knowledge nationally and internationally. Encroaching macular degeneration has not stopped Teresa from continuing her volunteer activities, and she still hosts her much-lauded radio programs on 2RPH. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Teresa about how she manages her busy life with her physical challenges. Original air date: 09.08.24
26 Jul 2024 Jess Wilson – Be Connected Be Connected is a program which steps learners through cyber security basics through easy to understand courses on topics such as online banking, shopping and connecting with others. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Jess Wilson CEO of Good Things Foundation Australia about the program which gives older Australians confidence to feel connected and really make the most of technology. Original air date: 26.07.24
12 Jul 2024 Justin Keenan – LusioMate LusioMate is a physical therapy gaming controller with wearable sensors which connect via Bluetooth. The device was awarded best assistive technology product in the 2023 Australian Disability Service awards. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Justin Keenan, CEO and Co-Founder of Lusio Rehab.
28 Jun 2024 Professor Sarah Wilson (Part 2) Part 2 of a conversation with Professor Sarah Wilson, well known as a pioneer of music neuroscience research in Australia. She talks to Barbara Sullivan about how music and singing can enhance brain function and facilitate recovery after a brain injury such as a stroke. Original broadcast date: 28.06.24
14 Jun 2024 Professor Sarah Wilson (Part 1) Part 1 of a conversation with Professor Sarah Wilson, well known as a pioneer of music neuroscience research in Australia. She talks to Barbara Sullivan about how music and singing can enhance brain function and facilitate recovery after a brain injury such as a stroke. Original broadcast date: 14.06.24
31 May 2024 Lonestar Makoni – Breaking Barriers Disability Services Lonestar Makoni, founder and CEO of Breaking Barriers Disability Service at Wyong on the Central Coast is the winner of Most Outstanding CEO/Director in the 2023 Australian Disability Awards. Elaine Wziontek asked him about his management style, his background and his philosophy of matching rather than allocating staff with clients. Original broadcast date: 31.05.24
17 May 2024 ChoppA Green – Studio Artes Studio Artes is a not for profit organisation in Sydney delivering creative programs in visual arts, performing arts and life skills to adults living with a disability. Marni Roper discusses the programs with ChoppA Green, manager of the Studio Artes Hornsby studio. Original broadcast date: 17.05.24
3 May 2024 Kathleen Davey – Social Science Translated Social Science Translated is a social enterprise which produces a computer-based program with a spy theme to help solve the mystery of social encounters. It prepares children with autism, ADHD and anxiety for life's social and emotional challenges. In this episode of Ablequest, Elaine Wziontek speaks with Kathleen Davey, CEO of Social Science Translated. Original broadcast date: 03.05.24
19 Apr 2024 Hugh Kingley and Rachel Dekar – Obi Elaine Wziontek discusses cutting edge robotics with guests Hugh Kingley and Rachel Dekar. The focus is on the Obi robotic dining assistant which gives people who are fed by others the ability to take control of their meals. Obi helps people living with any condition which limits upper arm function. Original air date: 19.04.24
22 Mar 2024 Saraya O'Connell – Hotel Etico Independence Program Hotel Etico in the Blue Mountains offers a training program in hospitality for young people with disabilities. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Saraya O'Connell, hotel manager, about the program and the achievements of her trainees. Original broadcast date: 22.03.24
8 Mar 2024 Assistive Tech News Catchup Elaine Wziontek reads a selection of tech articles relating to disability. Topics covered include fitness options for people with a disability, a new bus app trial and the world's first truly smart ear buds. Original broadcast date: 08.03.24
23 Feb 2024 Steven Wells – Horticultural Therapy This program discusses horticultural therapy with nurse and horticultural therapist Steven Wells.
9 Feb 2024 Majella Knobel – TOUCH (Westpac Open Air Cinema) Westpac and Mastercard have collaborated to produce Australia's first pictureless feature film, TOUCH, which premieres on 13 Feb at the Westpac Open Air Cinema. Majella Knobel, head of access and inclusion at Westpac, talks to Barbara Sullivan about the film and the bank's many other accessibility initiatives. Original air date: 09.02.24
26 Jan 2024 Christo Sarantakis – Vision Australia Christo Sarantakis has been totally blind since birth. He talks to Elaine Wziontek about his early years learning braille, then finding work as a switchboard operator and volunteering for 2RPH as well as working for Vision Australia helping others who are visually impaired. He discusses how technology has changed in the past 50 years. Original broadcast date: 26.01.24
12 Jan 2024 Ronak Shah – Onroad Driving Education Ronak Shah, General Manager of Onroad Driving Education and an expert in disability driving instruction explains what is required for people with disabilities to obtain a drivers licence. Original broadcast date: 12.01.24
15 Dec 2023 Dr Dimity Williams – Green Hour Dr Dimity Williams is a family GP who tells her patients to spend more time in nature and to aim for a green hour each day. This interview with Elaine Wziontek explores how to spend more time outside and encourage their children to do the same. Original broadcast date: 05.12.23
1 Dec 2023 Nikki Hind – Blind Grit Nikki Hind, Australia's first legally blind fashion designer and the subject of a children's book with braille alongside text. Her label is called Blind Grit, a brand built around those who live with a disability. Original broadcast date: 1.12.23
17 Nov 2023 Bec Baines – Youthworks Accessibility Ministry Advisor Bec Baines talks to Elaine Wziontek about accessibility and belonging at church for people with disabilities. Original air date: 16.11.23
3 Nov 2023 Professor Leeanne Carey – SENSe Therapy One in two people suffering from a stroke experience a loss of touch sense. Professor Leeanne Carey talks to Marni Roper about the SENSe program, a world-first therapy she and her team have developed to help stroke survivors regain their sense of touch and improve their mobile rehabilitation. Original broadcast date: 02.11.23
20 Oct 2023 Ebony Wightman – We Are Studios This program discusses We Are Studios, a fully disability led, inclusive studio and its first exhibition by a community of artists. The guest is Ebony Wightman who lives with autism and an autoimmune disease which affects her respiratory system. The artists have physical and mental health challenges but share a passion for art. Original broadcast date: 20.10.23
6 Oct 2023 Anna Wright – Bindi Maps (Part 2) This is Part 2 of Dr Anna Wright explaining how Bindi Maps works. Dr Wright is Co-Founder and CEO of Bindi Maps, short for Be Independent, a voice activated app to help vision impaired users navigate large indoor spaces such as hospitals, universities and universities. Original air date: 06.10.23
22 Sep 2023 Anna Wright – Bindi Maps (Part 1) This interview is a repeat of a program originally recorded in 2019 when Bindi Maps, a voice activated app for public indoor spaces, first began. The following fortnight Ablequest interviews the Co-Founder of Bindi Maps Dr Anna Wright about the progress.
8 Sep 2023 Serena Ovens – Assistive Technology Supplies Australia This episode contains an interview with Serena Ovens, the new CEO of Assistive Technology Supplies Australia, known as ATSA. Elaine Wziontek talks to her about her role and what she hopes to achieve. Original broadcast date: 07.09.23
25 Aug 2023 Kim Marriott – Monash Assistive Technology and Society Centre Professor Kim Marriott, Director of the newly-established, innovative Monash Assistive Technology and Society Centre, explains the purpose of the Centre and its activities in helping people living with disabilities lead self-directed lives. Original broadcast date: 25.08.23
11 Aug 2023 Matt Clayton – Blind Sports Australia Matt Clayton, CEO of Blind Sports Australia and Chef de Mission for the Australian team, discusses the upcoming World Blind Games being held in Birmingham, UK in August. Original broadcast date: 11.08.23
28 Jul 2023 David Woodbridge – Tech Update Part 2 David Woodbridge, an expert in assistive technology for people with low or no vision who draws on his own lived experience, is a regular guest on Ablequest. In conversation with Barbara Sullivan, David gives an update on the latest in a wide range of technologies designed to make everyday life easier and more interesting. Original broadcast date: 28.07.23
14 Jul 2023 Robert Duff-Silsby – Sexual Wellbeing Elaine Wziontek interviews Robert Duff-Silsby, the Co-founder and Project Manager of Luddi, a Perth based company revolutionizing assistive devices for all people and bodies. The topic of sexual wellbeing and sexual health is discussed.
30 Jun 2023 David Woodbridge – Tech Update Part 1 David Woodbridge, an expert in assistive technology for people with low or no vision who draws on his own lived experience, is a regular guest on Ablequest. In conversation with Barbara Sullivan, David gives an update on the latest in a wide range of technologies designed to make everyday life easier and more interesting. Original broadcast date: 30.06.23
16 Jun 2023 Lauren Henley – Audio Description Australian television is a long way behind other developed countries in providing audio description as an assistive tool for blind and vision impaired people. Lauren Henley, who is Senior Systemic Advocate at the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations and who has been a tireless advocate for audio description on Australian TV, talks to Barbara Sullivan about the challenges in achieving this. Original broadcast date: 16.06.23
2 Jun 2023 Cecilia King – Dance Therapy This program discusses dance movement therapy and how it works with Cecilia King of Bardwell Park, Sydney. Cecilia works with art and music therapists as well as occupational and speech therapists. Cecilia, a professional member of the Dance Therapy Association of Australasia spoke to Elaine Wziontek about the history of dance therapy and her work with people of all ages and abilities.
19 May 2023 Gill Minervini – Vivid Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology which transforms Sydney from 26th May to 17th June. Barbara Sullivan spoke with Gill Minervini, Festival Director of Vivid, who covers the program from all aspects, particularly how people with special access needs can enjoy the festival. Original broadcast date: 19.05.23
5 May 2023 Matthew Clayton – Blind Sports Australia Blind Sports Australia is a national sporting organisation for blind and vision impaired athletes covering 21 sports. Marni Roper spoke with Matt Clayton, CEO of Blind Sports Australia, about the organisation, an exhibition tennis match played at the 2023 Australian Open, and also what BSA offers in AFL and Archery. Original air date: 05.05.23
7 Apr 2023 Assistive Tech Update This week, Ablequest presents a round-up of articles on assistive technology and initiatives helping people with disabilities: from Western Weekender, Tech Bullion and Link Disability Magazine.
10 Mar 2023 Serena Gove – Adaptive Clothing Serena Gove talks about adaptive clothing for people who have limited movement due to age or disability. She created Caring Clothing, a company that designs, sources, manufactures and distributes clothing to suit all ages and disabilities. Original broadcast date: 10.03.23
24 Feb 2023 Hugh Kingsley – UbiDuo Hugh Kingsley, Managing Director of the Brainary which specialises in assistive technology talks about a device called the UbiDuo. This device supports people who are deaf and helps people take part in a real time face to face conversation. Elaine Wziontek asked him how it helps bridge deaf and hearing anytime, anywhere. Original broadcast date: 24.02.23
10 Feb 2023 Laura O'Reilly – HireUp HireUpis Australia's first online disability support network that puts its users in control, by matching people based on their support requirements. Co-founder and co-CEO of HireUp. Laura O'Reilly, speaks about the service. Original broadcast date: 10.02.23
13 Jan 2023 Andrew Galloway and Brylee Langley – Reading Switch This program looks at dyslexia and the difficulties children with it have in learning to read. Elaine Wziontek talks to Brylee Langley, founder of an innovative learn-to-read system that teaches dyslexic thinkers the way they learn and in the development of an app called the Reading Switch. General Manager of The Reading Switch Andrew Galloway explains the online program can help your child become a more confident reader.
16 Dec 2022 Jenny Spinak – Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House has recently undergone a significant infrastructure upgrade to make all venues more accessible. Jenny Spinak, long-term Accessibility Manager at the Opera House, talks about these changes and other exciting new initiatives.
2 Dec 2022 Danny Staffieri – JaeMan JaeMan NDIS Services has recently become a 2RPH station sponsor. Barbara Sullivan spoke with Danny Staffieri, Owner and Founder of JaeMan, about their extensive services, including JaeMan Active, and his motivation to lead such a caring team.
18 Nov 2022 Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin Our guest is Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin, a registered psychologist and mental health researcher. Elaine Wziontek spoke with Frances about her passion for technology and online platforms to support people with mental health issues. Original broadcast date: 19.11.22
4 Nov 2022 Dane Cross – Spinal Life Australia Dane Cross, Senior Advisor in access and advocacy at Spinal Life Australia, discusses their Accessible Australia App.
21 Oct 2022 Mark West – HomeSYS Mark West, the CEO of HomeSYS, talks to Elaine Wziontek about home automation and how it helps people with disabilities live more independent lives. He explains how the company works closely with occupational therapists to ensure the right technology is used for individual client needs.
7 Oct 2022 Kimberly Lewis – Key Word Signs Kimberly Lewis, a passionate advocate of key word signs talks about how key word signs help communication and language development. Kimberly talks to Elaine Wziontek about her own experiences and her childhood memories of speech therapy lessons.
23 Sep 2022 Peter Negri – ClubMates ClubMates is a specialist travel and tour company catering for people with a wide range of disabilities. Managing Director, Peter Negri, explains the ClubMates philosophy and the way the tours work.
9 Sep 2022 Dr James Fielding – Audeara Dr James Fielding – the founder and CEO of Brisbane start up company Audeara – discusses headphones which have a built-in hearing check that tailors the sound of music and TV for you.
26 Aug 2022 Matt Mackay – Royal Rehab Royal Rehab's Chief Executive Officer Matt Mackay talks to Elaine Wziontek about LifeWorks, a purpose built hub which is a new advanced technology centre and the largest of its kind in Australia. He explains how the technology can help people recovering from injury and illness.
12 Aug 2022 David Sexton – WeFlex Having easy and convenient access to fitness services can be difficult for people with disabilities. WeFlex provides the solution by connecting those people with appropriately skilled trainers and facilities nearby. CEO David Sexton tells the WeFlex story and talks about its rapid success.
29 Jul 2022 Kathryn Carey – Sydney Disability Expo Impact Institute organises many successful Disability Expos, including the Sydney Disability Expo to be held on 5th and 6th August at Homebush. Kathryn Carey, Head of Events at Impact Institute, talks about what to expect when you visit one of their expos and how accessibility plays a big part in their planning.