Ablequest

"Uncle' John Baxter grew up with spina bifida, was fostered out to non-Aboriginal family and attended a three-storey high school in Box Hill, Victoria which was challenging for a boy on crutches. He completed an apprenticeship as a printer and graphic artist. Throughout his life he has been a fearless champion for improving the lives of First Nations peoples living with disabilities.

He is the creator of a dedicated installation, "...

Reverend Bec Baines has grown up with experience of disability, including hearing loss and adoptive and foster brothers with disability. She is passionate about churches making everyone feel welcome and being encouraged to participate in church life. Bec explains to Elaine Wziontek that for many people with disability, and for their families, whether a place is truly accessible is not just about the building. It's about communicati...

Intopia, a leading digital accessibility consultancy in Australia, is currently undertaking an Assistive Technology Survey. They are seeking participation from Australians and New Zealanders over the age of 18 and the survey is open from 3 December 2025 to 6 February 2026. Jacinta Gregory who is leading the survey talks to Barbara Sullivan about the format and aims of the survey and how people can take part.

Original broadcast date...

Si Tew is the creator of CMPSR, an innovative and accessible music controller designed to make music easier for everyone. Elaie Wziontek talks to Si who explains how the device can be used to compose, play a variety of instrumental sounds with just one finger. Si and his team including musicians living with disability have been able to bring inclusive design and musical innovation together. CMPSR is now available in Australia.

Orig...

Robotic pets can offer the elderly a source of companionship with studies showing they can improve mood and enhance social interaction. They are especially helpful for those who have lost a spouse or real pet. In this episode Elaine talks to Emma Hardaker about the MetaDog which has soft fur, expressive eyes and is able to mimic the gestures of real dogs without the mess. They also discuss the MetaCat and the MetaPanda which is com...

Pete Horsley is the Founder of Remarkable, a global start up and initiative of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Pete is passionate about harnessing technology to build better products for a better world. His sister Jo was born blind, autistic and with an intellectual disability. That experience shaped the way he sees the world. In this interview with Elaine Wziontek he discusses some of the latest start ups which are supported by Remar...

David Woodbridge, an expert in assistive technology for people with no or low vision, is a regular guest on Ablequest. He is now Braille Product Specialist for tech company Humanware and joins Barbara Sullivan to talk about the significant advances in braille technology at Humanware and also on the various iOS devices from Apple.

Original air date: 17.10.25

Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Julie Ross-Edwards, founder of Head High Disability Services, returns to Ablequest to speak more about Head High's philosophy and special approach. She explains to Barbara Sullivan how she works with her young adult clients with intellectual and other disabilities to develop socially and achieve their potential in the workplace.

Original air date: 03.10.25

Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Two years ago Maggie O'Connell, in her mid 20's never had a full time job. Now, Maggie who lives with autism, is working as a full time data analyst with the Australian Federal Police and mentoring the next generation of cyber security experts.

Maggie explains to Elaine Wziontek, autistic individuals can have exceptional abilities in pattern recognition, attention to detail and intense focus - all useful skills in cybersecurity.

Sup...

Laura Boccanfuso is founder and CEO of Van Robotics, a social robotics company based in South Carolina in the United States. She is also inventor of ABii, a smart robot tutor which is being trialled for pre-schoolers in Australia. The initiative is with the Australian Catholic University, Cincinnati University, the Brainary Association in Australia and Parramatta Libraries in Sydney. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Laura about her creatio...

Music can evoke emotions that bring back memories and the same is true for people living with dementia. Music therapy and singing helps people with dementia according to Dr Zara Thompson, a classically trained musician and music therapist at The University of Melbourne.

Zara spoke to Elaine Wziontek about how listening to familiar songs brings back memories, even when they have trouble speaking or remembering. As she explains throu...

Being in nature is good for you whether it is being in the garden or walking along the beach. Today's guest also believes that Nature can be a great healer. Kayte Kitchen is a counsellor, teacher and horticulturalist. She has her own private practice, Admirari Nature Therapy where she helps people find wholeness and healing outdoors. She also is employed running the therapeutic garden program at the Royal Children's Hostpial in Mel...

Deb Roach is a three-time pole dancing world champion yet she has only one arm. Performing at a high level was always about celebrating her body and what the pole dancing community made her feel. Deb has performed all over the world including the UK and is one of the performers at the upcoming Disability Pride Festival at the Sydney Town Hall on Saturday July 26. She talks to Elaine Wziontek about pole dancing being her own 'fast t...

Disability Pride Month in July promotes awareness about people with disability and also celebrates individuals with disability. A special day will be the Sydney Disability Pride Festival on Saturday 26th of July at Sydney Town Hall.

There will be performers and speakers, including rock princess Elly-May Barnes and pole dancing champion Deb Roach and films by Emily Dash. Festival Director and disability activist Hannah Solomons talk...

What a difference one person with experience, passion and energy can make to many lives. Julie Ross-Edwards, Ablequest's guest today is one such person. She founded Head High Disability Services, which specialises in helping young adults with intellectual and other disabilities achieve their potential in society and the workplace. Julie spoke with Barbara Sullivan about Head High's holistic approach to building life skills, self es...

Action Audio is a new language being created to transcend sport. It augments live radio broadcasts to change the way blind and low vision sports fans can participate in live sport and entertainment.

Developed in partnership with Tennis Australia and Monash University, Action Audio uses data from a ball monitoring computer vision system to emphasise key moments of play with a 3D sound design system that has been devel...

Imagine sitting in a wheelchair for hours, being unable to move your fingers or arm to do simple things like pick up a glass. Now there is a robot called Bateo which can help you and now available through the NDIS Australia.

Konstanze Hager, owner and CEO of Exomove a German e-mobility company talks to Elaine Wziontek about the device which helps people become more independent and more confident in managing everyday tasks. She expl...

Mel Harrison has been in a wheelchair since she was 14, yet despite her health issues she has learned to successfully adapt to her physical challenges. In 2022, Mel was the first ever wheelchair participant in an Australian outback charity car rally. Using wired satellite accelerator hand controls she and her crew were one of 250 cars in the 3,500 km journey.

Mel works as a motivational speaker, consultant and disability education....