In Plain Sight
In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong and produced by Andrew Williams, is a program where we highlight the incredible stories of people who are making a positive impact in the community and disability sector. Giving a voice to dedicated disability advocates demonstrating advocacy in all its different forms, shining a light on those who might otherwise be hidden ‘in plain sight'. Get in touch with the program team via: inplainsight@visionaustralia.org. Simon and Andrew would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and ideas.
Episodes
This week, Simon reprises his chats with Kerrie Duff, a Paralympian bronze medalist, and Rayna Lamb, a dynamic disability advocate and passionate dancer
Kerrie is a disability advocate who currently works for Team Lab and has her own consulting business. She and Simon discuss mentoring, leadership, and equality.
To connect with the WA Spina Bifida community, you can go to the Face...
This week, Simon revisits the discussions he had earlier this year with Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell, Deborah Kazich and Linni Oliver.
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 Cent...
This week Simon catches up with Louisa Norman, Engagement and Regional Manager at Perth Festival.
Perth Festival will light up Perth city for a massive summer of art and culture from 6 February to 1 March (with the Lotterywest Films program already underway). The Festival will activate the city and your imagination across a dazzling array of art forms, with numerous venue locations, there's something for everyone no matter your int...
This week, Tayla Taseff, disability content creator, returns to the program for a positive, interesting chat with Simon. We first heard from this dynamic advocate back in November 2024, and she made such an impact we had to have her in again and find out what she's been up to.
We discover that sharing important information about accessibility can be delivered with a smile, from a star. Tayla is not your typical 'influencer', b...
From a young age Nihal Iscel has been assisting others and acting as an advocate. This week, Simon had a fascinating conversation with this passionate and strong woman with a vast knowledge gained from a variety of life experiences.
International Day of People with Disability is recognised each year on 3 December. Nihal suggests that this year's theme, 'Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress&r...
This week on In Plain Sight join Simon as he chats to the ever enthusiastic Tara Le Flohic, a creative film maker using the medium to shine a light on homelessness, especially in women. Tara is now living her best life but it hasn't always been that way. She uses her creative skills and film making to explore and illustrate important and neglected aspects of society. She uses her experience of homelessness to share emotion and stor...
This week, Simon speaks with ICONYX, who hails from the East Kimberley from the Kukatja and Pintupi mobs and now lives in Boorloo (Perth) on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja. She is a passionate songwriter, has perfect pitch, plays piano and guitar, loves to sing, and is blind.
ICONYX started producing her own music under the mentorship of Boss Arts Creative. Enjoying all music, especially hip hop and pop, she has also covered Archie Roach's...
This week, Andrew and Simon speak to Kate Champion, Artistic Director at Black Swan State Theatre Company in Perth, Western Australia, about their 2026 program. Black Swan is committed to inclusion and accessibility in the arts, and Kate shares their accessibility initiatives with us, which include audio description, tactile tours and Auslan interpretation.
A season of bold voices and fresh perspectives, Black Swan's 2026 program s...
This week, Simon revisits his conversations with 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 a...
Join Simon and Andrew on a journey of discovery as they travel with Ben Yew from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to the sleepy seaside town of Bunbury, Western Australia.
While Ben was looking for a spark to inspire him as he recovered from cancer, he was motivated to try to inspire others who might be going through a similar situation. Ben is a renowned award winning brilliant photographer and visual storyteller. H...
This week, join Simon and Andrew as they chat to the founding members of the band The Grand Delusions Art Karnasuta (Vocals, guitar) and Emmanuel (Manny) Lee (Keyboard) about their mission to inspire community involvement through music.
Art and Manny discuss how they manage their respective vision impairments while encouraging others to join in community activities. Reinforcing the importance of sharing personal anec...
This week, Simon and Andrew are joined by Paul Grace, author of Operation Hurricane: the story of Britain's first atomic test in Australia and the legacy that remains, the fascinating story behind Australia’s first nuclear weapons test.
Paul takes us on a captivating journey through the dramatic events of 1952, when the British detonated a nuclear bomb off the Montebello Islands on Western Australia’s north coast. Throu...
This week on the show Simon and Andrew chat to the Honourable Dr Tony Buti MLA about his recent appearance at the Totally Lit festival in Fremantle, where he hosted a panel discussion on his book 'Alkira' written about his daughter with Cri-du-chat syndrome. The discussion delves into his personal experience as a father raising a child with Cri-du-chat, and the struggles Tony and his wife Mandy faced along the way.
Tony describes w...
This week, Andrew and Simon are joined by Peter Stotzer, a long-term volunteer presenter at Vision Australia Radio Perth. Peter hosts the wonderful 'Sites, Sounds & Songs', a program taking listeners on a virtual journey of different locations around the world, each paired with a personally chosen song that captures the spirit of the place.
We also explore Peter’s passion for cycling, and learn how his interest in competi...
Join us as we discover the delights of the 'Totally Lit' Festival. From 26 September to 10 October in Fremantle/Walyalup, WA’s city of literature will come alive with a bright array of a variety of literature, books readings and discussions, showcasing some of the great authors and creators from WA and beyond.
We talk with Festival curator/producer Sharon Flindell to learn about this fascinating event and some of the hig...
Join us as we speak with Ethan Kavanagh, the creator of podcast 'The Perth Tourist'. This unique innovative podcast is designed to provide an immersive audio described tour of well-known Perth landmarks and locations. Both entertaining and informative, 'The Perth Tourist' is really great and accessible for everyone, especially people who are blind or have low vision.
In the past, Ethan, with the support of Vision Australia Rad...
Lily Gaulton is a truly impressive young person; coming in on her 12th birthday to chat about being a disability advocate, winning numerous awards for her efforts and her debut novel, Blossom, publishing later this year. She is already demonstrating great leadership and determination, with an impressive list of advocacy based activities and acknowledgements.
Come and discover the marvelous adventures of this hard-working, ten...
This week on the show Simon and Andrew chat to Jenni Crowther the WA state manager of Cérge, a companion website designed to help people with disability access venues. The Australian company allows users to see what accessible functions a venue has before visiting. Essentially being a remote recce to make sure the space accommodates you, any mobility aids or requirements.
This web tool can give you the important information ...
If you can move your arm or your hand, or express yourself no matter how minimally: you can dance.
We are delighted to be joined this week by the effervescent Rayna Lamb, a dynamic disability advocate and passionate dancer. Rayna shares her stories and experiences, from forming Women With Disabilities WA to performing in an upcoming groundbreaking production of The Little Mermaid.
Join us as we explore the world of Deafblindness. Our guest this week, Hannah McPierzie, is the Chairperson of Deafblind West Australians (DBWA). She gives us an insight into the great work DBWA is doing and how they support their community. Hannah also shares a little of her own personal story, which led her to be in a leadership role with this organisation.
DBWA has developed a new leadership program for people aged 18-35, and we...
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