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.
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.
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 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!"