Lois Strachan

In this episode, Lois Strachan chats with Ilana Hermes who is both visually and hearing impaired. Ilana is a reflexologist and massage therapist, and has travelled to both the USA and UK. She shares her experiences travelling with a disability as well as some of her experiences navigating the world and her day to day life.

Our service provider spotlight section focuses on Bugz Playpark, the largest play centre in the Western Cape which promotes learning through play.

Thank you to Andre du Toit for recording the new credits section of our podcast and to Craig Strachan for editing this particular episode.

Nicky has been travelling extensively in South Africa and internationally through her work as an inspirational speaker. Nicky is also a clinical psychologist and the founder of the non-profit organisation, Nicky's Drive that funds car adaptations for people living with disabilities.

Angelique Le Roux, co-owner of Ceres Zipslide Adventures, shares her insight into inclusive adventure for people with disabilities. Ceres Ziplines have hosted children with disabilities, amputees, blind, and deaf adventurers for a thrilling sky-high experience and Angelique speaks about the importance of making these activities accessible as far as possible.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to experience long distance train travel as a visually impaired traveller? This is what we discuss with Quinten Pendle who has been a train travel enthusiast since he was a young child. Quinten shares his experiences as a blind traveller, and how his visual impairment impacts on his enjoyment and ability to engage with train services.

Our host, Lois Strachan, chats with Christo de Klerk, who has travelled both locally and internationally to 15 different countries. Christo shares some of his experiences as a traveller who is blind. Christo was born blind, studied law and practiced as a lawyer, became a computer programmer, and later a teacher, before spending most of his career as an IT specialist. He has now been in retirement for the past 6 years.

We also introduce our new spotlight segment, highlighting a service provider who is making travel accessible for people with disabilities. Today's highlight features MLT Car Hire & Tours.

Our host, Lois Strachan interviews Briony Chisholm, a 40-something traveller who became quadriplegic after an accident on her way home from graduating as a pharmacist when she was 21 years old. Briony works part time for the division of clinical pharmacology at the University of Cape Town as an information pharmacist on the HIV & TB Hotline. She is also a blogger and writer, who has recently published her first novel, and is continuing her post-graduate studies in HIV & TB.

Briony has travelled extensively throughout South Africa, as well as abroad. This conversation highlights her sense of adventure, and her practical approach when considering travelling to a new destination.

This is a podcast where we discuss travel in South Africa and beyond for persons with disabilities and special needs. With this podcast we hope to inspire other people with disabilities to travel more, to go out and explore and find out what the world has to offer. We’ll be sharing interviews with other travellers with disabilities, as well as with service providers in the tourism industry, and anyone with insight into accessible travel.