In Plain Sight

In this week's show we talk with disability advocate Erika Webb. We discover some of the great advances in the provision of accessibility and inclusion for people with a disability. And, discuss some of the small things done well with thoughtfulness that can make life easier. 

We also learn what simple small things can still create big barriers for a person with a disability.

Do you know the history of Vision Australia Radio? 

Do you know the history of BCWA?

Stay with us to learn about this and much more.

With thanks to Emma Ross for her involvement with recording and editing of the interview.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s show; our feature interview we talk with the delightful Emma Vardy. We explore many topics that come from living a full and interesting life and being totally blind.

To accompany this wonderful in-depth conversation, Simon and Abby discuss and examine the importance of employment, and the challenges many blind people have gaining and maintaining suitable, meaningful employment. It’s about creating healthy work life balance, while finding our place in the world.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show Abby and Simon explore the wonderful and glamorous world of Para Dance, interviewing the dedicated and passionate ballroom dancer Heidi Prindiville. Simon and Abby also discuss the "Act Belong Commit" campaign; reflecting on the importance of getting involved and being a part of a community. 

Find Heidi on Instagram & Facebook @perthparadanceduo

Check out the Ballroom Fit website to get involved; ballroomfit.com.au/ability-dance

For more information about "Act Belong Commit"; actbelongcommit.org.au

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Simon interviews Paul Garwood, an Orientation & Mobility instructor with 30+ years' experience in Australia and England. 

Paul explains the importance and impact of good orientation and mobility training, plus describes the use of a white cane and other mobility tools, along with good guidance for blind people to assist them to be independent and safe.

With the correct training and technique of the 'precision tool' of a white cane, a blind person can find themselves on the right path with confidence.

Abby and Simon also give a brief description of International White Cane Day, its origins, and its importance and relevance to the blindness community

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the first episode of In Plain Sight, joining Simon and Abby is Eliza Hull, musical artist, writer, journalist, and disability advocate based in Victoria. They have a fascinating chat about advocacy, access, and Eliza’s many creative endeavours ahead of her appearance at Ability Fest in Melbourne and Brisbane later this month.

Be sure to check out Eliza’s latest EP ‘Here They Come’ on Bandcamp. You can view the video clip spoken about during the interview for 'Running Underwater' on YouTube.

Ability Fest is proudly Australia's first inclusive and accessible music festival - coming to Naarm/Melbourne on 19 October and Meanjin/Brisbane on 26 October. You can get more info and tickets via their website.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Simon speaks to Vanessa Jessett, communication officer for ‘People with Disabilities WA’ (PWD WA). Vanessa provides information on the support and assistance PWD WA can be provide. She also discusses her passion for disability advocacy and how her own background and experiences have inspired her work.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong, is a program where we shine a light on West Australians who might otherwise be hidden ‘in plain sight’. You’ll hear interesting and insightful conversations with everyday people who are making a positive impact in the community.

This week, Simon speaks to Ben Rowe, Executive Officer at Blind Sports WA and a big advocate for building inclusion in the community. Ben and others were instrumental in growing Blind Sports WA, and Ben played Goalball for Australia.

He is also an indie singer-songwriter with a soulful, blues-infused sound whose music speaks to what can hold us back and what can bring us together. Hear more of Ben’s music on Bandcamp: https://bennyrowemusic.bandcamp.com/album/talking-to-empty-chairs

A new episode of In Plain Sight has been released each Wednesday for six weeks; this is the final one in the series, for now. Please stay tuned to Vision Australia Radio where you'll soon hear more from presenter Simon Chong.

With thanks to Emma Ross for her involvement with recording and editing.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong, is a program where we shine a light on West Australians who might otherwise be hidden ‘in plain sight’. You’ll hear interesting and insightful conversations with everyday people who are making a positive impact in the community.

On the program this week, Simon chats to Loc Tang, who gives a very personal account of sight loss and the impacts of this on his life. Born in Vietnam, Loc is now legally blind from glaucoma.

A new episode of In Plain Sight will be released each Wednesday for six weeks.

With thanks to Emma Ross for her involvement with recording and editing.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong, is a program where we shine a light on West Australians who might otherwise be hidden ‘in plain sight’. You’ll hear interesting and insightful conversations with everyday people who are making a positive impact in the community.

This week, Simon talks to Grace King, American-born singer, actor and voice-over artist. Grace brings passion and dedication to all that she does and is totally blind.

A new episode of In Plain Sight will be released each Wednesday for six weeks.

With thanks to Emma Ross for her involvement with recording and editing.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong, is a program where we shine a light on West Australians who might otherwise be hidden ‘in plain sight’. You’ll hear interesting and insightful conversations with everyday people who are making a positive impact in the community.

On the show this week, Simon is joined by Nabill Jacob, Clinical Relationships Manager at Vision Australia. A trained orthoptist, Nabill is interested in advancing services and clinical understanding in the area of blindness and low vision.

Optometry Western Australia’s Western Australian Vision Education – or WAVE – conference that Nabill attended took place in Perth in March 2024. For more information about this conference, go to wave.arinex.one.

A new episode of In Plain Sight will be released each Wednesday for six weeks.

With thanks to Emma Ross for her involvement with recording and editing.

Support Vision Australia Radio: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.