iLA Podcast Channel

In the second part of our podcast conversation with Sarah Empey, and Jacqui O'Leary from Community Matters Media, we delve deeper into the morals and ethics of diversifying communication styles including providing audio descriptions to support the understanding and interpretation of art for people with low vision and others who prefer this medium.  

Make sure you listen to the end where a live demonstration of art describing, gives listeners an in-depth behind-the-scenes' insight into the process of art describing. 

Discover how assistive technology (AT) is transforming art experiences in Part One of our digital storytelling series. Join Jacqui O’Leary (Community Matters Media) as she interviews Sarah Empey, a legally blind accessible design consultant, who uses audio descriptions to make art accessible to the blind and low-vision community. 

Tune in for innovative ways to experience art, the power of storytelling, and the vital role of AT in fostering creativity and inclusivity. 

Discover the talkative tools and strategies helping AT Chat’s AT Mentor Glenn continue to dabble in woodwork safely and independently after losing his vision. 

What if ageing isn’t simply something that happens to us, but something we can actively influence? In this episode, Hilary O’Connell speaks with Professor Peter Gore, Professor of Practice in Ageing and Vitality at Newcastle University (UK), about functional decline, healthy ageing, and the practical steps people can take to maintain independence for longer. Drawing on decades of experience in ageing research and product design, Peter introduces the LifeCurve™ model and explores how trusted information, positive attitudes towards ageing, and small everyday actions can help older people enjoy more confidence, capability, and “good days.”

How do you bring reablement to life in day-to-day aged care practice? In this episode, Hilary O’Connell speaks with Nicola Seafield, Allied Health and Short-Term Restorative Care Program Team Lead at MercyCare, about what reablement looks like on the ground and the difference it can make for older people. Nicola shares practical insights into working collaboratively with clients to identify what matters most to them and build confidence, independence, and quality of life. The conversation explores how a personalised, goal-focused approach can empower clients to achieve meaningful outcomes and take positive steps towards the future they want.

Hear how a trip to Rottnest Island with her family led to Polly discovering the joy and freedom mobility products can give you when you live with the challenges of Parkinson's. 

What does the evidence tell us about reablement, and why does it matter? In this episode, Hilary O’Connell speaks with Gill Lewin, a member of the Australian Government Council of Elders and Adjunct Professor at Curtin University, about the research behind reablement and restorative care. Together, they explore how a reablement approach can improve quality of life, support independence, and help older people achieve the goals that matter most to them.

What does truly person-centred reablement look like in practice? In this episode, Hilary O’Connell speaks with Angie Slater, Director of Home Care and Retirement Living at Juniper, about how reablement empowers older people to achieve meaningful goals and maintain control over their lives. They explore the importance of understanding what matters most to each individual, building confidence, reducing fear of falling, and supporting physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.

How can reablement and restorative care help older people maintain independence and improve their quality of life? In this episode, Hilary O’Connell speaks with Dr Elissa Burton, Associate Professor of Healthy Ageing at Curtin University, about the evidence behind reablement and the real-world outcomes it can achieve. Together, they explore how physical activity, strength and balance programs, goal-focused support, and restorative approaches can help older people rebuild skills, improve confidence, and continue living independently at home.

What does reablement really look like in practice? In this episode, Hilary O’Connell speaks with Alison Vella, Quality and Practice Lead at Aspire4Life, about the principles that underpin successful reablement and how meaningful conversations can help older people build confidence, maintain independence, and achieve their goals. Together, they explore practical ways to encourage new habits, support long-term wellbeing, and take a holistic approach to healthy ageing across physical, emotional, social, and functional domains.