Ablequest on 2RPH: Recent Episodes
2RPH
Ablequest is a series of 15 minute programs which examines developments in assistive technology and initiatives for those people living with a wide range of disabilities. Presented by Barbara Sullivan, Marni Roper and Elaine Wziontek.
Ablequest is broadcast on 2RPH. Find us at www.2rph.org.au
ClubMates is a specialist travel and tour company catering for people with a wide range of disabilities.
Managing Director, Peter Negri, explains the ClubMates philosophy and the way the tours work.
Original broadcast date: 23.09.22
Dr James Fielding - the founder and CEO of Brisbane start up company Audeara - discusses headphones which have a built-in hearing check that tailors the sound of music and tv for you.
https://audeara.com/
Original broadcast date:
09.09.22
Royal Rehab's Chief Executive Officer Matt Mackay talks to Elaine Wziontek about LifeWorks, a purpose built hub which is a new advanced technology centre and the largest of its kind in Australia.
He explains how the technology can help people recovering from injury and illness.
Original broadcast date: 26.08.22
Having easy and convenient access to fitness services can be difficult for people with disabilities.
WeFlex provides the solution by connecting those people with appropriately skilled trainers and facilities nearby. CEO David Sexton tells the WeFlex story and talks about its rapid success.
You can find out more at https://weflex.com.au/
Original broadcast date: 12.08.22
Impact Institute organises many successful Disability Expos, including the Sydney Disability Expo to be held on 5th and 6th August at Homebush.
Kathryn Carey, Head of Events at Impact Institute, talks about what to expect when you visit one of their expos and how accessibility plays a big part in their planning.
Original broadcast date: 29.07.22
Louisa Graham, CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, talks about the Disability Leadership Program, offered through a partnership with Australian Institute of Company Directors and Australian Network on Disability.
Applications for 200 fully funded scholarships to the program are open until 24 July. You can find out more at https://scholarships.org.au/scholarship/dlpscholarship2022/
Original broadcast date: 15.07.22
Two passionate swimmers Emma Lawrence and Matt Haanappel, OAM, talk about the AUSTSWIM program and the removing barriers initiative so more people of all abilities can enjoy swimming safely.
Original air date: 01.07.22
Pauline Donald discusses her online retail business Mobility Me and the range of innovative, low-tech assistive devices which can help with everyday challenges.
Original air date: 17.06.22
Paul Apostolis of mCare Digital tells Elaine Wziontek about the mCare Watch. This watch was nominated as a finalist in the recent Australian Disability Service Awards.
Originally broadcast on: 03.06.22
Physiotherapist Professor Meg Morris from La Trobe University and Healthscope is a global leader in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. She discusses the enormous benefits of complementary therapies for people living with Parkinson's, such as dance, singing and boxing.
Originally broadcast on 20.5.22
David Campbell, manager of Scanning Pens in New South Wales, discusses their ReaderPen product, which scans over printed text and reads it out loud. This pocket-sized tool won Australia's Best Assistive Technology Product of the Year at the Australian Disability Services Awards 2021.
This is the second episode of a 2-part interview with Cameron Ward, Director and Senior Prosthetist at Innovo Prosthetics. We congratulate Innovo Prosthetics on being awarded Best New Business in the Australian Disability Services Awards on April 5.
Cameron Ward, Director and Senior Prosthetist at Innovo Prosthetics, joins Barbara Sullivan to discuss the exciting advances in prosthetics technology which allow people with upper and lower limb loss to lead more active and independent lives.
In this program we highlight PolySpine, a special type of mobility equipment currently being tested which may assist people living with cerebral palsy and motor neurone disease. Elaine Wziontek speaks with two guests, PolySpine's co-founder Clint Saban and occupational therapist Liz Nade.
Learn more at https://polyspine.com/
To highlight World Glaucoma Week (March 6 to 12), Barbara Sullivan talks with Dr. Jennifer Fan Gaskin, clinician-scientist glaucoma specialist with the Centre for Eye Research Australia. Dr. Fan Gaskin discusses CERA's role in global eye research and the many glaucoma projects being undertaken at the Centre.
Professor Jim Patrick is a world authority on cochlear implants and one of its original engineers. Elaine Wziontek interviewed Professor Patrick and asked him about his Cochlear journey, explain how implants work and how they benefit so many thousands of people, including very young children.
Enjoying the beach is an important part of the Australian way of life. Marni Roper explores how accessible Australian beaches are to people with limited mobility and what is being done to improve access, in this discussion with Shane Hryhorec, Chair of Accessible Beaches Australia.
Nicola Slack is a qualified art therapist and registered NDIS provider. Her experience includes teaching, working in film and TV, and hospitals. She discusses how art therapy helps heal the mind and spirit.
Elaine Wziontek speaks to Anne Marie Jonas, who designs adaptive clothing to help people with various disabilities dress with dignity. Learn more about Flex-A-Tee at https://www.flexatee.com/.
Katie Brookes has a severe visual impairment and lives with a rare genetic bone condition. She is a radio production volunteer with 2RPH and an overnight producer with ABC Radio. She talked to Elaine Wziontek about how technology can be easily adapted to magnify print for research and work in the media.
David Woodbridge, Adaptive Technology Consultant at Vision Australia and regular guest on Ablequest, joins Barbara Sullivan to discuss the latest in accessibility features on Apple devices. He also talks about After Shockz, the bone conduction headphones, and Versa Slate, the paperless Braille slate.
Following the success of the 2020 Paralympics we thought we would find out more about the history of the Games and the possibilities open to athletes with a disability. Marni Roper spoke to Tim Matthews, a five-time Paralympic medallist who now runs the pathway and opportunity programs at Paralympics Australia.
Children living with autism often find it difficult to communicate and understand non-verbal cues. Most love computer games which may lead to future careers.
Elaine Wziontek spoke to Dean Fawcett, a final year engineering student who is part of a project team developing robotic technology and interactive games to help children on the autism spectrum.
Original broadcast date: 22.10.21
This week we introduce the new General Manager of 2RPH, Barry Melville, to Ablequest listeners. In conversation with Barbara Sullivan, Barry talks about the opportunities and challenges for 2RPH and the importance of understanding the information needs of the community 2RPH serves, particularly in the disability sector.
Natalie Kaine, Senior Practitioner for Children and Young People at Vision Australia, continues her discussion about the special programs for children and young people offered by the organisation.
Time for an update on TAD, formerly called Technical Aid for the Disabled. Elaine Wziontek talks to CEO Anthony Lowe about clever ideas and personalised technology and TAD's skilled volunteers who design and build custom attachments for wheelchairs, bikes and walkers.
Natalie Kaine, Paediatric OT and Senior Practitioner for Children and Young People at Vision Australia, talks about the engaging programs and services VA has developed specifically for children and adolescents. Part 1 of a 2 part interview.
Learn about LifeTec, a Brisbane based social enterprise that helps people with disabilities choose and manage the right technology. Elaine Wziontek speaks to Scott Green and Gary Darminin about technology providing practical solutions to make work and life easier.
In the previous program Martha Gouniai from Making Waves Foundation spoke about how the organisation uses sailing as a tool to build confidence, self esteem and new relationships. In today's Ablequest, Alice Anderson, a volunteer with Making Waves, talks about her sailing experiences with the Foundation.
Making Waves Foundation, formerly Sailors with DisAbilities, was established in 1994 to provide accessible sailing to disabled and disadvantaged children, youth and adults. Martha Gouniai, the program and volunteer manager, speaks about the many exciting programs available.
The Hon Gareth Ward MP, NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability, speaks about continued funding for advocacy, forthcoming legislation and possible changes to the NDIS.
Original broadcast date 09.04.2021
A look at current trends in assistive technology and the importance of selecting a product that you will actually use.
Original broadcast date: 26.03.21
Seniors Rights Service offers advocacy and legal assistance. Margaret Duckett, Chair and President, explains how they can help seniors across NSW.
Original broadcast date 12.03.2021
Nas Campanella, who is blind, talks about the technologies which enable her to carry out her busy on-air role as Disability Affairs Reporter for the ABC.
Original air date 26-02-21
Sue Boyce, CEO of Ability Works Australia, a not-for-profit social enterprise employing people with disabilities, talks about the organisation.
Jane Walker, Sydney singer songwriter and her 11 year old music student Coco Espie who has cerebral palsy talk to Elaine Wziontek about their new children's album called Wild Life.
Original broadcast date 18.12.2020
Wrapping up 2020, we replay the program that sums up the spirit of the pandemic, Crisis Heroes. Mark Acheson explains this online platform that connects people kept at home with those who can help.
Original broadcast date 14.08.2020 (repeated on 01.01.2021)
David Woodbridge gives a 2020 year end update on the latest assistive technology for blind and visually impaired people from Apple and Microsoft.
Original broadcast date 04.12.2020
James McFarlane, founder of Cocky Guides talks to Elaine Wziontek about small group adventures for travellers with disabilities.
Original broadcast date 20.11.2020
Dr Graeme Smith explains how Ability Technology helps people living with disabilities learn the assistive technologies which cater to their specific needs.
Original broadcast date: 06.11.2020
With World Polio Day on October 24, we repeat an interview with Dr Ian Neering who lived with the effects of polio all his life.
Original Broadcast Date 23.10.2020
Vladimir Pavlovic is a teacher and consultant for blind and visually impaired students studying online at TAFE Digital based in Strathfield, Sydney.
Original Broadcast Date 03.01.2020
We continue the discussion with technology guru, David Woodbridge. David talks about household technology and devices which make his life as a blind person easier.
Original Broadcast Date 20.07.2018
David Woodbridge, technological guru for the blind and visually impaired, talks about a day in the Woodbridge household.
Original Broadcast Date 6.7.2018
The extraordinary Ben Felten breaks the world motor cycle land speed record for a blind rider. This is his account.
Original Broadcast Date 14.09.2018
Greg Alchin, founder of All Equal, is an inclusive design consultant with a severe visual impairment. He believes with good design the world can be more accessible and inclusive.
Original Broadcast Date 29.03.2019
Professor Gregg Suaning from the University of Sydney discusses developments in the bionic eye.
Original Broadcast Date 31.01.2020
Started by David Copperfield in 1985, Project Magic is a charity which assists those in need of rehabilitation using the ideas and dexterity of magic.
Original Broadcast Date 27.03.2020
Nancy Cleveland, Medical Director of Eyegaze Technology in Virginia USA, discusses the eye-tracking device that allows people who cannot move communicate.
Original Broadcast Date 22.05.2020
With COVID-19 restrictions easing, people will need audio description services again at theatres and cinemas. Bruce Cutler, one of the industry's most experienced audio describers, explains the complexities of good audio description.
Original Broadcast Date 03.07.2020
Crisis Heroes, an online platform set up at the start of the pandemic, connects people needing help with those willing to assist. It is now needed more than ever with Victoria's second lockdown.
Original Broadcast Date 14.08.2020
Summer Petrosius, speech pathologist and co-founder of the successful social and support network ap AbleFinder, talks about its purpose and functionality.
Original Broadcast Date 28.08.2020 on Radio 2RPH Sydney