In 2017 Kim Stewart conducted research as part of a doctorate of Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology to discover the experiences of people with a disability who had been involved in community radio.

ABSTRACT

In Australia, the community radio sector is supported by public funds to ensure that diverse voices from the community are heard. However, despite one in five Australians having a disability (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012) there are few people with a disability in the sector. People with a disability (PWD) face many challenges in having a voice in the media, including social, economic and political barriers, but also cultural and institutional barriers (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2016; 2009). This qualitative practice-led action research study examines the experience of 19 PWD, and their supporters, who have participated in community radio in Australia. In addition to the expected difficulties with physical access to radio station buildings, the research found that most participants experienced attitudinal barriers as important social constructs impinging on their participation. Many recognised the social and personal value of having a voice in the media, had positive experiences of other volunteers, and had helpful reflections on how the sector might improve the inclusion of people with a disability. The research add to contemporary dialogue around social inclusion of PWD in the media, and collects new data for evidence-based policy decisions in the community broadcasting sector.

In 2017 Kim Stewart conducted research as part of a doctorate of Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology to discover the experiences of people with a disability who had been involved in community radio.

ABSTRACT

Listening to the views and experiences of people with disabilities is a key process in realising increased participation of people with disabilities in community radio in Australia. Accordingly, the stories of community radio producers with disabilities provide the foundation for this research. This four part documentary series is the creative output of research conducted as two related projects. This project (n=19) used practice-led research and purposeful listening to answer the question: “What factors empower or are barriers to participation by people with disabilities in community radio?” The experiences of research participants with a disability and their allies who have volunteered in Australian community radio were recorded in semi-structured interviews and referred back to them for accuracy and comment as a draft edit of a radio documentary, It’s The People’s Radio. The attitudes and cooperation of other volunteers in the sector were found to be fundamental to enabling participation of people with disabilities in community radio in Australia. The research provides the first examination of the participation of people with disabilities in Australian community radio and adds to the body of work of other researchers in this area.

A separate exegesis discussion of the findings is published elsewhere.

In 2017 Kim Stewart conducted research as part of a doctorate of Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology to discover the experiences of people with a disability who had been involved in community radio.

ABSTRACT

Listening to the views and experiences of people with disabilities is a key process in realising increased participation of people with disabilities in community radio in Australia. Accordingly, the stories of community radio producers with disabilities provide the foundation for this research. This four part documentary series is the creative output of research conducted as two related projects. This project (n=19) used practice-led research and purposeful listening to answer the question: “What factors empower or are barriers to participation by people with disabilities in community radio?” The experiences of research participants with a disability and their allies who have volunteered in Australian community radio were recorded in semi-structured interviews and referred back to them for accuracy and comment as a draft edit of a radio documentary, It’s The People’s Radio. The attitudes and cooperation of other volunteers in the sector were found to be fundamental to enabling participation of people with disabilities in community radio in Australia. The research provides the first examination of the participation of people with disabilities in Australian community radio and adds to the body of work of other researchers in this area.

A separate exegesis discussion of the findings is published elsewhere.

Kim and Steve chat to Sally Balwin, CEO of Braille House, Queensland's principal Braille book encoding library and school for the blind to learn to read Braille.

Braille House is located at 507 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD. Find out more or donate at: http://braillehouse.org.au/

More on thier Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleHouse/

Kim and Steve chat to Sally Balwin, CEO of Braille House, Queensland's principal Braille book encoding library and school for the blind to learn to read Braille.

Braille House is located at 507 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD. Find out more or donate at: http://braillehouse.org.au/

More on thier Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleHouse/

Kim and Steve chat to Sally Balwin, CEO of Braille House, Queensland's principal Braille book encoding library and school for the blind to learn to read Braille.

Braille House is located at 507 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD. Find out more or donate at: http://braillehouse.org.au/

More on thier Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleHouse/

Kim and Steve chat to Sally Balwin, CEO of Braille House, Queensland's principal Braille book encoding library and school for the blind to learn to read Braille.

Braille House is located at 507 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD. Find out more or donate at: http://braillehouse.org.au/

More on thier Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleHouse/

Kim and Steve chat to Sally Balwin, CEO of Braille House, Queensland's principal Braille book encoding library and school for the blind to learn to read Braille.

Braille House is located at 507 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD. Find out more or donate at: http://braillehouse.org.au/

More on thier Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleHouse/

Kim and Steve chat to Sally Balwin, CEO of Braille House, Queensland's principal Braille book encoding library and school for the blind to learn to read Braille.

Braille House is located at 507 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD. Find out more or donate at: http://braillehouse.org.au/

More on thier Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleHouse/

Kim and Steve chat to Sally Balwin, CEO of Braille House, Queensland's principal Braille book encoding library and school for the blind to learn to read Braille.

Braille House is located at 507 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD. Find out more or donate at: http://braillehouse.org.au/

More on thier Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrailleHouse/