Ablequest
An inspirational program discussing the latest in Assistive Technologies and initiatives for anyone living with disability, presented by Barbara Sullivan, Elaine Wziontek and Marni Roper
Katie Brooks
Katie Brookes has a severe visual ipairment and lives with a rare genetic bone condition. She is a radio production volunteer with 2RP and an overnight producer with ABC radio. She talked to Elaine Wziontek about how technology can be easily adapted to magnify print for research and work in the media.
Original broadcast date 03.12.2021
2021 Tech Update with David Woodbridge
David Woodbridge, Adaptive Technology Consultant at Vision Australia and regular guest on Ablequest, joins Barbara Sullivan to discuss the latest in accessibility features on Apple devices. He also talks about After Shockz, the bone conduction headphones, and Versa Slate, the paperless Braille slate.
Original broadcast date 19.11.2021
Tim Matthews, Paralympian
Following the success of the 2020 Paralympics we thought we would find out more about the history of the Games and the possibilities open to athletes with a disability. Marni Roper spoke to Tim Matthews, a five-time Paralympic medallist who now runs the pathway and opportunity programs at Paralympics Australia.
Original broadcast date 05.11.2021
Dean Fawcett on Robotics
Children living with autism often find it difficult to communicate and understand non-verbal cues. Most love computer games which may lead to future careers. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Dean Fawcett a final year engineering student who is part of a project team developing robotic technology and interactive games to hep children on the autism spectrum.
Original broadcast date 22.10.2021
Barry Melville
This week we introduce the new General Manager of 2RPH, Barry Melville, to Ablequest listeners. In conversation with Barbara Sullivan, Barry talks about the opportunities and challenges for 2RPH and the importance of understanding the information needs of the community 2RPH serves, particularly in the disability sector.
Original broadcast date 08.10.2021
Natalie Kaine Vision Australia Part 2
Natalie Kaine, Senior Practitioner for Children and Young People at Vision Australia, continues her discussion about the special programs for children and young people offered by the organisation.
Original broadcast date 16.07.2021
TAD Anthony Lowe
Time for an update on TAD, formerly called Technical Aid for the Disabled. Elaine Wziontek talks to CEO Anthony Lowe about clever ideas and personalised technology and TAD's skilled volunteers who design and build custom attachments for wheelchairs, bikes and walkers.
Original broadcast date 02.07.2021
Vision Australia Natalie Kaine PART 1
Natalie Kaine, Paediatric OT and Senior Practitioner for Children and Young People at Vision Australia, talks about the engaging programs and services Vision Australia has developed specifically for children and adolescents. Part 1 of a 2 part interview.
Original broadcast date 18.06.2021
Transformational Gadgetry
Navigating the quickly changing terrain of assistive technology can open whole new worlds, but if you are not a naturally "techie" person it can be totally discombobulating! This week Ablequest demystifies the whole kit and caboodle with a report on Life Tec, an innovative Brisbane-based social enterprise that matches an individual’s needs to the most appropriate assistive technology products, services and solutions. Even more critically, Life Tec also make recommendations that will guide funding decisions for the NDIS and other government funding options. Elaine Wziontek speaks to Life Tec's Consumer and Sector Engagement Manager, Scott Green, and Gary Darminin, who was a Senior Adviser to the NDIS before joining the APM Group, a leading global human services and health care organisation. They discuss the life-transforming impacts of about technology and how it can provide practical solutions that make work and life so much easier.
Original broadcast date 21.05.2021
Changes Ahoy Pt 2!
In the previous program Martha Gouniai from Making Waves Foundation spoke about how the organisation uses sailing as a tool to build confidence, self esteem and new relationships. In today's Ablequest, Alice Anderson, a volunteer with Making Waves, talks about her sailing experiences with the Foundation.
Original broadcast date 07.05.2021
Changes Ahoy!
Making Waves Foundation, formerly Sailors with DisAbilities, was established in 1994 to provide accessible sailing to disabled and disadvantaged children, youth and adults. Martha Gouniai, Making Waves program and volunteer manager, chats with Ablequest about the many exciting programs available - from Winds of Joy which teaches children with a disability to steer a boat, learn some basic sailing skills, meet and engage with mentors and role models, and experience first-hand, the exhilaration of problem solving on the high seas - to Wright Of Passage, a workplace-learning, trade based program designed to support and grow the personal and social development skills of young people 16-25 years of age to help their entry into paid work or further education and confidence in offshore sailing experiences.
Minister Gareth Ward
The Hon Gareth Ward MP, Minister for Families, Communities and Disability, speaks about continued funding for advocacy, forthcoming legislation and possible changes to the NDIS.
Original broadcast date 09.04.2021
Assistive Tech
A look at current trends in assistive technology and the importance of selecting a product that you will actually use.
Original broadcast date 26.03.2021
Seniors Rights Service
Seniors Rights Service offers advocacy and legal assistance. Margaret Duckett, Chair and President, explains how they can help seniors across NSW.
Original broadcast date 12.03.2021
Nas Campanella
Nas Campanella, who is blind, talks about the technologies which enable her to carry out her busy on-air role as Disability Affairs Reporter for the ABC.
Original broadcast date 26.02.2021
Ability Works
Sue Boyce, CEO of Ability Works Australia, a not-for-profit social enterprise employing people with disabilities, talks about the organisation.
Original broadcast date 12.02.2021
Dr. Josh Zadro
Dr. Josh Zadro from the University of Sydney's School of Public Health explains a video game-based approach for the treatment of chronic lower back pain.
Original broadcast date 29.01.2021
Crisis Heroes Repeat
Wrapping up 2020, we replay the program that sums up the spirit of the pandemic, Crisis Heroes. Mark Acheson explains this online platform that connects people kept at home with those who can help.
Original broadcast date 01.01.2021
Coco and the Cocatoos
Jane Walker, Sydney singer songwriter and her 11 year old music student Coco Espie whio has cerebral palsy talk to Elaine Wziontek about their new children's album called Wild Life.
Original broadcast date 18.12.2020
David Woodbridge Tech Update
David Woodbridge gives a 2020 year end update on the latest assistive technology for blind and visually impaired people from Apple and Microsoft.
Original broadcast date 04.12.2020
CockyGuides Tours with James McFarlane
James McFarlane, founder of Cocky Guides talks to Elaine Wziontek about small group adventures for travellers with disabilities.
Original broadcast date 20.11.2020
Ability Technology
Dr Graeme Smith explains how Ability Technology helps people living with disabilities learn the assistive technologies which cater to their specific needs.
Original broadcast date 06.11.2020
Dr Ian Neering
With World Polio Day on October 24, we repeat an interview with Dr Ian Neering who lived with the effects of polio all his life.
Original Broadcast Date 23.10.2020
Keratoconus
Keratoconus, a little known but serious eye condition, is discussed by Dr Srujana Sahabjada from the Centre for Eye Research Australia.
Original Broadcast Date 09.10.2020
Glaucoma CERA
Dr Flora Hui from the Centre for Eye Research Australia discusses the promising clinical trials on the use of Vitamin B3 in the treatment of glaucoma.
Original Broadcast Date 11.09.2020
AbleFinder
Summer Petrosius, speech pathologist and co-founder of the successful social and support network app AbleFinder, talks about its purpose and functionality.
Original Broadcast Date 28.08.2020
Crisis Heroes
Crisis Heroes, an online platform set up at the start of the pandemic, connects people needing help with those willing to assist. It is now needed more than ever with Victoria's second lockdown.
Original Broadcast Date 14.08.2020
Dance Movement Therapy
Dr Kim Dunphy OAM talks about dance movement therapy and her newly developed movement assessment app MARA.
Original Broadcast Date 31.07.2020
Studio A with Gabrielle Mordy
Studio A helps adult artists with intellectual disabilities achieve their artistic and economic goals. Gabrielle Mordy, CEO and Artistic Director, talks about the studio and its artists.
Original Broadcast Date 17.07.2020
Audio Description
With COVID-19 restrictions easing, people will need audio description services again at theatres and cinemas. Bruce Cutler, one of the industry's most experienced audio describers, explains the complexities of good audio description.
Original Broadcast Date 03.07.2020
Morwenna Collett
Morwenna Collett, a specialist in disability in the music industry, talks about her successful international research as a 2019 Churchill Fellow. Morwenna has been a champion of arts and disability practice for many years and has held previous roles such CEO at Accessible Arts NSW. She’s a member of the access and disability committees for the City of Sydney, Sydney Festival and Australian Chamber Orchestra.
[Image: Morwenna Collett]
As part of her research, Morwenna travelled to the UK, Ireland, and the US in 2019 to research inclusive music programs, venues and festivals which actively engage disabled people. Morwenna has a Masters of Music degree from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and has lived experience as a person with disability.
Original Broadcast Date 08.06.2020
Eyegaze - Nancy Cleveland
Nancy Cleveland, Medical Director of Eyegaze Technology in Virginia USA, discusses the eye-tracking device that allows people who cannot move communicate.
Original Broadcast Date 22.05.2020
Crisis Heroes
Original Broadcast Date 08.05.2020
Dr Ian Neering rep
Dr Ian Neering talks about his life with polio, which he contracted in the pandemic of 1952.
Original Broadcast Date 24.04.2020
Minister Gareth Ward
The Hon Gareth ward, NSW Minister for Disability Services, explains new measures the government has put in place for NDIS participants and providers during COVID-19.
Original Broadcast Date 10.04.2020
Dr Adrian Sheen - Project Magic
Started by David Copperfield in 1985, Project Magic is a charity which assists those in need of rehabilitation using the ideas and dexterity of magic.
Original Broadcast Date 27.03.2020
Chris Beaumont - Endeavour Foundation
The endeavour Foundation uses virtual reality to help people learn and safely practise real-life situations.
Original Broadcast Date 13.03.2020
Professor John Grigg
Professor John Grigg, Head of Opthalmology at University of Sydney's Save Sight Institute, talks about ways to preserve and restore vision lost to all eye diseases.
Original Broadcast Date 28.02.2020
Bionic Eye Update - Gregg Suaning
Professor Gregg Suaning from the University of Sydney discusses developments in the bionic eye.
Original Broadcast Date 31.01.2020
Vladimir Pavlovic - TAFE Digital
Vladimir Pavlovic is a teacher and consultant for blind and visually impaired students studying online at TAFE Digital based in Strathfield, Sydney.
Original Broadcast Date 03.01.2020
Education is a human right with Dr Naomi Malone
This interview was recorded on December 3 - the International Day of People with Disability. Dr Naomi Malone is a historian, disability advocate and author of A Constant Struggle: Deaf Education in NSW since WWII. She spoke to 2RPH presenter Barbara Sullivan on her own education, which wasn't easy for someone who is deaf and lip reads.
Original broadcast date 6.12.2019
DavId Brady - Deafness Forum
David Brady is Chairperson of Deafness Forum Australia and CEO of a mentoring organisation for deaf teenagers, Hearforyou.
Original Broadcast Date 22.11.2019
City of Sydney
Original Broadcast Date 08.11.2019
Morwenna Collett
Morwenna Collett, a specialist in music and disability, was recently awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel to the US, UK and Ireland.
Original Broadcast Date 25.10.2019
Zyteq
Tracy Bode, Speech Pathologist and CEO of Zyteq, discusses assistive communication technology, in particular speech generating devices.
Original Broadcast Date 11.10.2019
Nathan Letts
Nathan Letts is 22 and totally blind but is carving out a career in radio.
Original Broadcast Date 27.09.2019
Arts Activated 2019 with Rachel Gadsden
Rachel Gadsden, renowned UK artist and disability arts advocate, is in Australia to give the keynote address at Arts Activated 2019 conference.
Original Broadcast Date 30.08.2019
The Big Anxiety
Jill Bennett, Executive and Creative Director of The Big Anxiety Festival, talks about what attendees can expect from this exciting event.
Original Broadcast Date 16.08.2019
Ablequest Roundup
The Ablequest team - Marni Roper, Elaine Wziontek and Barbara Sullivan, provide a synopsis of some interesting new assistive technologies.
Original Broadcast Date 02.08.2019
Jennifer Parry
Blind since birth, Jennifer Parry presents her thoughts on a wide range of technology-related topics
Original Broadcast Date 19.07.2019
Tropfest
The short film 'Comicant'won second place in Tropfest 2019. The leading actors, both with intellectual disabilities, shared the Best Actor award. Sarah Sutherland and Ryan New talk about the experience.
Original Broadcast Date 05.07.2019
HWNS Felicity Nelson
Leading disability service provider, House with No Steps, has unveiled its prototype virtual reality learning tool for disability support workers.
Original Broadcast Date 21.06.2019
"Empower Golf" with James Gribble
Original Broadcast Date 07.06.2019
Bindi Maps
Dr Anna Wright, founder of Bindi Maps, explains how her innovative navigation system for internal spaces works.
Original Broadcast Date 24.05.2019
VIVID 2019
Sandra Chipchase, VIVID Sydney Executive Producer, talks about this years exciting VIVID program.
Original Broadcast Date 10.05.2019
David Kinnane - LOUD
Sydney speech pathologist, David Kinnane, discusses the LSVT LOUD program developed for people with Parkinsons Disease.
Original Broadcast Date 26.04.2019
Christopher Hills
Christopher Hills, who has severe cerebral palsy, runs a video production and editing business with the help of Apple technology Switch Control.
Original Broadcast Date 12.04.2019
All Equal with GREG ALCHIN
Greg Alchin, founder of All Equal, is an inclusive design consultant with a severe visual impairment. He believes with good design the world can be more accessible and inclusive.
Original Broadcast Date 29.03.2019
Wheeleasy with Max Burt
Max Burt is co-founder of a website called Wheel Easy, which delivers interactive maps and crowd-sourced information about the accessibilty of Sydney's public places.
Original Broadcast Date 15.03.2019
Boonah Arts Centre
Karlene Wilcox, the Activity Leader at Boonah Creative Arts Centre, talks about the studio. We also hear from artists Michael Buzinskas and Kate Boyd.
Original Broadcast Date 15.02.2019
Freedom Across Australia with John Hebblewhite
Original Broadcast Date 1.2.2019
Bank notes with Bruce Maguire
Bruce Maguire from Vision Australia talks about the story behind the inclusion of tactile bumps on the new Australian bank notes.
Original Broadcast Date 4.01.2019
Ablequest
Ablequest is a series of 15 minute programs which examines developments in assistive technology and initiatives for those people living with a wide range of disabilities. Presented by Barbara Sullivan, Marni Roper and Elaine Wziontek.
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Ablequest Archive
The Ablequest team have created seven years worth of informative interviews. Explore this archive here.
Story: Ablequest goes from strength to strength
The calibre of 2RPH program Ablequest is a testament to its well-oiled three-person volunteer production team: Barbara Sullivan, Marni Roper and Elaine Wziontek. The three women deliver a 15-minute fortnightly program that wouldn’t sound out-of-place on the ABC or BBC.
With recent interview guests such as: renowned British visual and performance artist Rachel Gadsden, in Sydney to present a keynote at the Arts Activated 2019 Conference; artistic film director Sarah Sutherland and actor Ryan New whose short film Comicant won second place at Tropfest 2019; and Jenny Sheldon, whose incredible personal journey following a stroke was documented in her memoir I Will: A memoir of stroke, renewal and the power of song.
The Ablequest team continuously go above and beyond to research, interview and present a program that any professional broadcaster would be proud to call its own.
“Over the years Ablequest has covered a wide variety of leading initiatives and inventions designed to enable people with a disability to live a more independent life. The calibre of topics and interviewees are of such quality, making the program innovative in itself," Sancha said.
On behalf of the team, Barbara Sullivan said: "Presenting Ablequest for the past six years has been so fulfilling. We love it and have been inspired, amazed and even amused by the people we've interviewed here and across the world."
"Over that time Marni and I have noticed huge progress in the assistive technology available to make life easier. And the range of inclusive initiatives that allow everyone to enjoy cultural and recreational experiences just keeps growing. It's been terrific to have Elaine contributing her talent and energy to the program over the past year!"