In Plain Sight

"Don't give people a hand-out, give them a hand up."

A motto that this week's guest, Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell, lives by every day.

Legally Deaf and blind, Rita has faced - and overcome - immense challenges. Through resilience, strength and determination, she has transformed adversity into advocacy, using her lived experience to support and uplift others.

Now Head of Disability Law Practice at Sussex Street Community Legal Centre, Rita is passionate about empowering people with disability through knowledge, rights and representation.

Her journey and her conversation with Simon on the show this week is not just inspiring - it's a reminder that true leadership is built on empathy, experience and a commitment to making a difference.

For more information about Rita's work and the legal services available at Sussex Street Community Law Service, go to their website: sscls.asn.au

To find out more about the People with disabilities WA State Conference that Rita will be speaking at, please go to the PWdWA website: pwdwa.org/whats-happening/events/state-conference-2025/

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Simon and Abby chat with two guests. First up, Vanessa Jessett from People with disabilities Western Australia (PWdWA) about their upcoming State Conference; what’s planned, and why it matters.

Also joining us is the fabulous Mallika Macleod from Empowered Connections (a role linked with Valued Lives), sharing her work in peer support and her conference session on supporting homeschooled young people entering adulthood.

A lively and inspiring conversation with two passionate advocates!

People With disabilities WA State Conference
Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June 2025
The Esplanade Fremantle - by Rydges
For more information about the PWdWA conference and to register, head to their website: pwdwa.org/whats-happening/events/state-conference-2025

To find out more about Valued Lives, where Mallika works as Peer Groups Network Coordinator, head to their website: valuedlives.org.au

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ritchell Lim is a musician, singer, producer and sound engineer, devoted to her art and a natural at her craft. Ritchell is an extremely talented, highly intelligent, bright woman who is just launching herself into to a career as a sound engineer. And, she also happens to be blind.

Ritchell grew up playing the piano, and wrote songs every chance she got. She describes the studio as her second home and has experienced playing in parts of Asia and Australia. We shared a fascinating and educational conversation - hope you enjoy.

Listen to some of Richell's music on her Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/user-540746094 

And connect with Ritchell on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritchelllimmusic/ 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, film student and goalball athlete Caitlin Hannen-Williams returns to the studio! Abby and Simon catch up with her about her upcoming international competition in Finland, where she'll represent Australia on the world stage. They also dive into her passion for sound design, her studies in film, and how she balances it all.

The Goalball Club’s World Cup will take place in Espoo, Finland between 22 and 25 May 2025.

Follow the Aussie Belles (Australian goalball team) on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/Aussiebelles/ 

https://www.instagram.com/aussie_belles/?hl=en 

Listen to the previous episode with Caitlin here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dGFGnfa1khq49V5lcKlAQ?si=ddef28f81b984ae6 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Music brought us together and keeps us together,” - Kaye Fairbairn, speaking about her husband Andrew

On this week’s episode, we sit down with Kaye Fairbairn for a candid conversation about adaptability and challenging assumptions. This personal profile delves into Kaye’s journey through the lenses of family, service, inclusion, and equality — offering insights into how these themes shape her life and perspective.

Link to Kyal’s Coffee Kart for information and bookings: https://www.kyalscoffee.com

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we chat with Jayde Abott, a transcriber/proofreader for Vision Australia Radio and member of "The Unseen Bookclub." Jayde shares her love of audio described theatre shows and reading. It's a warm glimpse into passion, inclusion, and the importance of community.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kerrie Duff, a Paralympian bronze medalist, joins us in the studio this week to discuss mentoring, leadership, and equality. Kerrie is a disability advocate who currently works for Team Lab and has her own consulting business.

kerrieduffconsulting.com 

teamlab.com.au 

To connect with the WA Spina Bifida community, you can go to the Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/SpinaBifidaWA  

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Simon speaks to three staff members from DADAA, a West Australian arts organisation finding creative ways to reduce disadvantage in the arts for people with disability.

DADAA stands for Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia.

DADAA aspires to be a voice of ambition, daring, and innovation, providing opportunities for creative expression and development for people with all abilities.

To challenge preconceptions and perceptions, think differently and freely, and create great art – art that changes people’s lives.

You can find out more about DADAA on their website: dadaa.org.au

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meningococcal septicaemia left Lisa Burnette a double amputee at 24, but today, it’s the least impacting part of her life. In this episode, we focus on Lisa's work as a Clinical Information Nurse and volunteer disability advocate. She shares her experiences volunteering across various areas and what volunteering means to her.

Link to Lisa’s book “Learning to Walk”: https://lisaburnette.com.au 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buckle up for an exciting and fun-filled conversation with Kal Krzyzanowski, radio announcer, producer, and podcaster. This week, we had a blast chatting with Kal as he shares his passion for radio and the many ways he's making a difference in the local community and the broader disability sector.

Link to Verity Group Disability Housing (as mentioned in the interview): https://veritygroupaustralia.com.au/about/ 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.