Audio
A little Support?
Studio 1 by
Vision Australia3 seasons
A little support?
33 mins
Vision Australia Radio’s Studio 1 takes a look at life in Australia from a low vision and blind point of view.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
On this week’s show
"A little Support?"
What role do support workers have in your life?
We talk to two support workers who coincidentally have the same name. The two Meg(h)ans talk about their backgrounds, what got them involved with the NDIS and where things are going from here.
Lizzie also catches up with Peter Spencer about how he supports his clients in the realm of sport and Recreation.
Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.
EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARad...
Thank you to Megan, Meghan and Peter
This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/
00:07 S1
This is studio one on Vision Australia Radio.
00:16 S2
Hello, I'm Sam.
00:17 S3
And I'm Lizzie.
00:19 S2
And this is Studio One, your weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view here on Vision Australia Radio.
00:24 S3
This week, what role do support workers play in your life?
00:28 S2
We talk to two support workers who coincidentally have the same name. The two Morgans talk about their backgrounds, what got them involved with the NDIS and where things are going from here.
00:39 S3
Also, chat with Peter Spencer about how he supports his clients in the realm of sport and recreation.
00:45 S2
As we always say at this point, please do get in touch with the show where they have experience of any of the issues covered on this week's episode of Studio One, or if you think there is something we should be talking about. You never know. Your story and insight may help somebody else who is dealing with something similar.
00:59 S3
That's right, you can contact us via email at studio one at Vision Australia. Org, that's That studio number one at Vision Australia. Org or of course, you can drop us a note on our station's Facebook page by going to facebook.com Slash Radio Network.
01:16 S2
Okay. Hello, Lizzy. How are we going today?
01:18 S3
We are. I'm in the bones of creaking a bit, but we're good.
01:21 S2
Why are the bones are creaking a bit?
01:23 S3
It's cold down here in Adelaide. It's a cold, cold day.
01:26 S2
We're actually having weather, which is unusual. Um, we don't usually get weather. We usually get, um, hot and dry or cold and dry. Um, now we've actually got rain, which is unusual for some. Um, I suppose some of you up in Queensland would probably like some of their rain to go down here, but. And we'd like that too.
01:45 S3
Oh, yeah. I mean, as much as we can complain about the rain because it inconveniences us as blind people as far as catching buses and stuff. The Earth certainly needs it, I will say on the way to work today, because I got a lift. Uh, visibility became so bad that the driver could barely see, like, 20m ahead of himself. Self.
02:04 S2
That gives you a lot of confidence, doesn't it?
02:06 S3
No. Yeah, totally.
02:08 S2
So I'm presuming you've got to lift in through a, I don't know, a support worker.
02:12 S3
I did the wonderful Mr. Spirou, Chris Spirou, he helped. He gave me a lift in today and so graciously offered his the shelter of his car, since it was a very wet out there.
02:24 S2
Mhm. So this week we are once more looking at um the role that support workers play in our lives. Um, because, well, throughout the um early part of this decade we were introduced to the NDIS and some people, well, we were sort of forced onto it because the support we got from, say, local city councils or something like that just vanished. So now, yes, we have these wonderful people who we pay to look after us. Um, how do you go as far as that goes?
02:54 S3
I'm very blessed, actually. I have a little team of support workers.
03:00 S2
Um, an entourage?
03:01 S3
Yeah, I mean, a little bit. Yeah. Like I have Chris and Megan who helped me with most of my stuff. And I do have another wonderful man by the name of Dimitri, who helps me occasionally, but he also supports my husband. I must say, it's really nice to actually hear from support workers themselves about their journey into the industry and what motivates them to keep supporting people. Because I mean, often enough we hear people complaining and griping about the NDIS, which is fair enough. It's not a perfect system, but it's I think it's really nice to just highlight the level of dedication that these support workers show, and just how much they enjoy their job, and watching us develop and grow and achieve our goals.
03:44 S2
Now, the funny thing is, is that we both worked out quite early on that we have a support worker with the same name. It's not the same support worker, it's just two, two ladies with the same name just so happened to be, uh, occasionally driving us around.
03:58 S3
Yeah, I mean, how crazy is that? I mean, it would be funny if they were the same support worker. But having shared Megan the support worker, my support worker with other friends, I can tell you it's sometimes the lines get a little bit blurry. But yeah, I'm glad we don't have the same support worker.
04:18 S2
Well, I mean, this is what happened with us is that for a while there I was. I was looking after me on a Thursday morning and just driving me around. We went down to once a fortnight and she said, oh, by the way Saturdays are now opening up for me Saturday mornings. Would Heidi be interested? And suddenly Heidi jumps on and goes, yes, yes, please. So Megan's been quite happily my Megan. Our Megan has been quite happily looking after us now for just over a year now. And unfortunately though, she's moving on to other things, she's getting getting another life, which is so inconvenient for me, but I'm so happy for her.
04:57 S3
This would be a nice farewell gift then. It won't. It will mean she gets her voice aired on studio one. And who doesn't want that.
05:03 S2
But first we're going to hear from your Megan. So, uh, over, over to you.
05:11 S4
Tell us about your journey into support work. My grandfather had a neighbor who had been diagnosed with Ms. and was having seizures, and she needed someone to drive her around. I'd lost my job through Covid and needed something to do. So we took my convertible out and took her driving and had a lot of fun. And at the end of the shift, she said, I hope you know you'll be working for me from now on. Funnily enough, she owned a support working business. Amazing.
05:37 S3
That's quite an organic way to get into support work, isn't it?
05:39 S4
Absolutely. I felt very, very lucky and blessed through that support, like something you'd never thought you'd get into. I really did, actually. When I was young, I thought about working with people with disabilities, but I was frightened of the unknown in disability. And once I stepped into it, I will never, ever look back.
06:00 S3
Can you tell us about some of the.
06:02 S4
Positive.
06:02 S3
Experiences.
06:03 S4
That you've had through supporting people. Some of the most positive experiences I've had is making friends with my clients. That has been very impactful on my own personal life. Uh, people such as yourself are now my closest friends, and I'm so blessed and so lucky for that. But my favorite memory of being a support worker is watching a lady relearn the ability to walk again. That was very, very emotional.
06:30 S3
That must have impacted you in a massive way because that's quite a transformative experience.
06:35 S4
It actually humbled me. The simple act of being able to raise your arm up to get something out of a cupboard made me feel lucky. What are some of the highlights.
06:44 S3
Or the most memorable things that you've done.
06:47 S4
Was supported people with? One of my fondest memories is you and I walking up Morialta, and you're seeing eye dog jumping in the river and getting nice and wet in the middle of winter and having to chase her out of the water. We had a few laughs, we had a few laughs, and I love people's reaction to us doing our bush hikes because we get a bit crazy and start singing, and we have so much fun making up our own words to songs we do, don't we? Like earlier today. So what are some of the more.
07:22 S3
Basic or more routine tasks that you assist people with day to.
07:25 S4
Day? I help people with things from personal care, which include brushing teeth, brushing hair, doing clothing changes, showering, getting things ready for the next day, meal prepping. I get to take people to appointments, to their jobs, go shopping, traveling, um, most fun of all the social stuff. So would you say support work is.
07:51 S3
Just as much about like, the social and the mental and the companionship just as much as it is like independence and life skills and stuff.
07:58 S4
I think socialization is a big part of having a positive life. Some people who may not know how to reach out in a social way or have been rejected by certain friends and family members of society, do feel rejected and isolated, and it's lovely to help them change their perspective of the world.
08:18 S3
What are some of the challenges that you've encountered during support work?
08:23 S4
I think one of the biggest challenges that we face on a daily basis is discrimination, and I think that comes from a lack of education. If you don't know better, how do you act better? And I'm really hoping that with what you're doing, we can educate people on people with disabilities and maybe not needing to put in so much when people are independent.
08:47 S3
That's such a big thing, isn't it? Because people when you go out with your support workers, they'll ask the support worker what your needs are. And I mean, although the support worker may be familiar with that, it's just nice for us to be able to express that ourselves, right?
09:01 S4
It can be very uncomfortable for me when somebody chooses to ignore my client, who's the one engaging them in the first place. And I unfortunately seem a bit rude when I turned my back on them and say, could you please speak to them, not me. Some of the most difficult things that I've faced are people who have had a lack of funds, and a lack of resources to help them in the way that they require. Lack of external support can really impact someone in ways that someone with a mainstream lifestyle may not understand. So what advice would you.
09:36 S3
Give to other people looking to get into the support work industry?
09:40 S4
I say do it. Everyone has a different walk of life, different desires and requirements, and there are so many beautiful things that you can do to impact someone in such a small way or a large way.
09:56 S3
What would you say is the biggest motivation for you staying in the industry?
10:00 S4
Oh, a big motivator for me is how much I enjoy my job. I love watching people grow and develop and become awesome human beings, just from having that little bit of extra independence and support.
10:18 S3
I love Meghan's enthusiasm and energy. She's such a bright and bubbly person and she didn't, you know, put on that energy for the interview. She's always like that. I mean, you could swear there's caffeine in her veins instead of blood. She's go, go, go all the time. I've been with Meghan. We've been working together for about three and a half years now. Coming up to, I reckon. And yeah, just every day that I see her, she brings a smile to my face. But enough from me. Let's hear from your Meghan, shall we?
10:49 S2
Well, yeah. Yes, let's. I'm going to preface this, preface this by saying that my journey with Mabel, who, um, I think we mostly all go through at the moment, started sort of rocky, I've got to admit, because Cause I put it in an ad and then got something like, um, a dozen replies just within the first hour and thought, okay, there's one person I wouldn't mind talking to, but went away, and by the time I came back she said, no, I'm not available anymore. So I learned that, okay, I took that particular ad off the table, as it were, and then re-advertised and jumped on this wonderful person, Megan, who now looks after me. But not for long. Much longer unfortunately. And yeah, the rest is history. So if you are thinking of jumping on one of these platforms and getting somebody get them, get them, do it quickly.
11:40 S3
Yes, I will say just quickly too. With Megan, it was funny the way your story reminded me, I we were looking for a cleaner. First off, that was our first, um, you know, that was why we placed the ad. The first lady we had came in and didn't do a satisfactory job, and I remember going back through the postings like the replies during that cleaning session or just after and going, gee, this this Megan sounds really cool. Like, I just I wonder if she'd be up for me saying yes to her now and reopening that booking because, you know, it had been a couple of weeks since, um, she'd messaged me and I just loved her message because she was like, well, I'm not a I'm not an actual cleaner, but I have a thorough and keen eye for detail. And I was just like, yes, I love this chick. So that's actually how we got started. And then, you know, we're talking about hiking and tandem cycling and baking and all sorts of things, and it just snowballed from there.
12:34 S2
But enough about you. Let's talk about our Megan. So my, our Megan, um, is well, is this coming Thursday is our last session together. So, uh, but, um, over to you. Over to me. That's right over to me. I did this interview.
12:48 S5
Yeah. You did.
12:53 S2
Hello.
12:54 S6
Hey, Sam. How are you doing?
12:55 S7
Oh, I'm pretty good. I mean, you just put this on. Um, please. It's a it's a a microphone.
13:01 S6
Okay.
13:02 S7
Um, do you mind if we have a chat? Because, uh, we. Yeah. We're not going to be working together much longer, so it's just nicer to sort of, I don't know, reflect on a few things.
13:11 S6
Great. Happy to do that, Sam.
13:13 S7
Okay. As we walk through the immense corridor and completely ignore Heidi, who's not there at all. So we've been together for how long now?
13:23 S6
I reckon is probably over a year. Definitely. Maybe even a year and a half. It's been a while. Yes.
13:31 S7
It has. Um, so what's your background? Is sort of, well, medical and also therapeutic though.
13:38 S6
Yeah, it's a bit diverse. So my background's nursing. And then I did glass art therapy, which got me into more of a working for myself role. And then, um, through that I started to come in contact with clients with varying needs. So I applied many years ago for Mabel, And that's where you and I made our first contact. And, um. So, yeah, I've. I've had a few balls in the air, juggling a few balls in the air. But at the moment, I'm just doing all support roles.
14:15 S7
Right. So, so the, um, art therapy and things like that are sort of taking a backseat at the moment.
14:20 S6
With backseat with a plan to return. Okay. Yeah.
14:23 S7
Okay. Well, I might talk about that just a little bit later. Sure. But I'll I'll start with sort of talking about I my reason why I sort of chose you and also why you sort of go with, say, registered nurses and stuff like that in future I think more because and you can correct me if I'm wrong here, you're ridiculously overqualified to actually help me. But but that said, me and people like me are probably some of the easier jobs you'll get. And that's sort of one of my logic here, is I'd rather have somebody who's ridiculously overqualified and maybe having a little bit of a rest, then someone with no experience with disability whatsoever.
15:03 S6
You know, Sam, I really appreciate your reflection on that because something I've noticed working in a perhaps a non-formal medical field is that having that professional underpinning really gives you a good understanding of how to work with people professionally within, especially within the community, because I think there's a lot of perhaps inexperienced and unqualified people who do work in the area, and they don't always offer the best care or have the best understanding of how systems work, either well or badly or in between. So, um, for me, it's been a real grounding experience because I've been able to support people in their homes and, and also advocate for for them, not necessarily for you in your role because you, you know, you've got an amazing insights into, you know, the area of support that you know is within your, your area. Yeah. So that's been good for me.
16:12 S8
Have you had many other.
16:14 S7
Blind or visually impaired clients?
16:16 S6
The only so for me I've, I've had one other and that that person was um requiring. What did he call it. Where I had to actually he had to hold my, my arm. I had to.
16:32 S7
Block the sight of God. Yeah.
16:33 S6
Yeah. But I've also, through my family, been, um. Very. I suppose, you know, I've grown up with a brother with a disability, and I've, um. And he was in disability support sports, so, you know, I've sort of, uh, been around that world, and I've got an uncle who's a wheelchair, you know, so I've kind of. Yeah, been in contact and had relationships with for people with varying disabilities, but not necessarily vision impaired.
17:02 S7
Well, I mean, one of the big tricks, I think, is not just knowing how much support somebody needs, but also how little when to sort of step back and. Absolutely. And not be too much. So that's again, the big thing I tend to look for when I'm sort of looking for somebody to help me out is I don't want to be mollycoddled or anything like that. It's the ability to step back. I mean, how important have you found that?
17:24 S6
Oh it's amazing. And I think that's something I picked up immediately. Um, because I've worked for so many years within areas of aged care, especially where you don't want to be, you don't want to be stabilized somebody, and you want to really encourage their capacities to strengthen. And you also don't want to offend people because, you know, it's, you know, um, disability is an interesting word in itself because you've got an ability which is different to other peoples. And so I think that's where my mindset is with, um, when I approach supporting people like I walk alongside you, I don't do for you and I, you know, communicate with you and, um, understand you and what you're, you know, ask you, do you need help with this as opposed to just assuming. I think that's really, you know.
18:22 S7
Oh, yeah. No. Simply assuming that somebody needs help is. Yeah, that's a sure fire way to get on the wrong side of somebody. Yeah. Um, has there been any surprises, uh, that you've come across that you thought I would have never have thought about that, whether it'd be from a positive or negative?
18:39 S6
I think you've helped me understand the the diversity in vision impairment. So, um, I think one of the things is the where the senses, the other senses are heightened. So, you know, that's given me more of an awareness of, um, you know, somebody may have an impairment here, but then there's a heightened sense over here that kind of can compensate for that. So it's it's the other thing that I think surprised me was the when I learned from you the discrimination, um, with especially, um, seeing eye dogs in taxis. That was, that was a bit of a shock for me. Um, and an awareness of, you know, how hard that can be for people to navigate. Other service providers that we take for granted, as you know, non vision impaired people and transportation and getting around.
19:40 S7
Well, I mean that's one of the biggest things that have been useful to me is going to a place like Bunnings and that kind of thing where I might spend 15 minutes looking for something, and we just go straight to the right aisle and find whatever it is. I mean, we've got a doorknob, literally a cupboard literally up there, which took less than five minutes to find. Yeah. And that would have taken me forever to find that. Um, we had someone with a decent pair of working eyes.
20:05 S6
Absolutely. Just those. Fine, you know, the fine tuning things. And I love Bunnings, so I might know where the doorknobs are, but. But yeah. Yeah, it's it's just that appreciation. Because sometimes, you know, when I'm with you, I think, gosh, Sam. So, you know, capable of getting up and moving and navigating within, within places that sometimes I feel like I've got to keep up with you. And then I just, you know, I'm. It's when you asked me, perhaps just to read the smaller details that I think, oh, okay. This is where, you know, my role can really support.
20:42 S7
Oh, I mean, Dan Murphy's has got your shopping as far as that goes. I mean, there's price tags seem to be getting smaller and smaller. Yeah. Yeah. But as I said, we're our time working together is coming to a close. Yeah. What are you planning Meaning after all this. I mean, you're sort of moving away from us all.
21:00 S6
I know. So, um, I'm having a tree change, which is, um, which is going to be great. And I will focus on my art therapy side of, uh, um, my career. So where I'm moving to, I've had conversations with a woman who runs a an art therapy studio in the Barossa. And, um, so I'll sort of be exercising that muscle again, and I'm because I've been away from it for about 18 months, I'm feeling really excited about, um, what that may look like. So probably providing open studio for people, um, in the community, some more NDIS work. Yeah.
21:46 S7
And you've got a new place to live. That's basically just a a quick walk away from, from where you work and all that. Yeah.
21:53 S6
So that'll be, you know, um, a real ease in it. And and it'd be nice to be out in the country again. I'm a country girl, so I'm sort of returning to an area that's familiar with me, and, um, it will be a larger space, so I'll be able to also set up my own art practice because I, you know, I went to art school many, many moons ago, and, um, that's how I got into art therapy, because I could see that, you know, there was a link between people and wellbeing and and art practice and creativity.
22:31 S7
Well, thank you so much for agreeing to have this chat. I know I mugged you at the door, but, um, I'm sort of envious that you're starting this whole new life, so, um. Enjoy.
22:42 S6
Thank you, Sam, and thanks for the opportunity to chat.
22:48 S2
Well, thank you, Megan. Um, and I will. I will miss you. Hopefully, uh, your new life down in the Barossa Valley is as terrific as it sounds. Anyway, so to finish off this week we talked to Peter and well, you talk to him first. So let's hear what you've got to say.
23:07 S3
Thanks, Sam. It was very interesting talking to Peter. I have to say, because he approaches support work differently, like he fell very organically into support work. Um, he started his journey actually through sport. And now he mostly helps support clients who wish to get into sport and recreation. So he's got some very interesting advice for people that want to get into support, work about how to best find the right clients for them. So without further ado, let's hear from Peter Spencer. So tell me about how did you get into support work?
23:45 S9
Well, it's a little bit of a long winded story, but over ten years ago now, well over ten years ago, I was approached because I used to ride and race bikes reasonably well. um, you'd call it national elite level, where I'd won enough races to be okay at it. And the bloke who ran the state para cycling program at the time approached me and asked me if I wouldn't mind jumping on the front of a tandem just because he had a bloke who wanted to do the state titles in a few weeks. He fully intended to get me involved in tandem racing as a pilot, much longer term than just this one race that he pitched to me. And that was my very first introduction to anything to do with disabled people, disabled sport, any level of para competition whatsoever. And it's only through that, ten years later, that I find myself doing some support work that facilitates more tandem cycling, more para sport, and for the guys that I support them, leaving much more active lives.
24:48 S3
So before you became a support worker, had you any lived experience or exposure to people with disabilities, whether that be through like family, friends or other roles.
24:59 S9
My father had a stroke and he was severely impaired, but I didn't have a lot of firsthand contact with him after he had his stroke. I lived in Sydney. We were somewhat estranged at the time, and the exposure I had to him, and his impairment was limited to flying visits of only a few hours at a time. To be perfectly honest. So as much as yes, I have had a little bit of close contact before that point. Not really.
25:28 S3
So what keeps you motivated to stay in the support sector?
25:32 S9
The enthusiasm. All of these people that I come into contact with have for overcoming the adversity, that is their disability. I have found myself regularly calling able bodied people out when they're whingeing or complaining about something. And I'll tell them straight that this is a first world problem compared to the para athletes I deal with. You have got to be kidding me. You're going to let this stop you. And it's that ethos from the para community at large that that really keeps me going and wanting to help them just be motivated and involved in things that they otherwise wouldn't do without me.
26:13 S3
You have been helping someone engaging in powerlifting. How did that come about?
26:18 S9
So this was young Zach, who I mentioned a little bit earlier. I call him Young Zach because he's only 5 or 6 years younger than me, but I've been quite invested in him since he was 18 odd years old, and we'd been out of touch for a little while, and I ran into him in our gym at the time, where I'd only just started lifting things, and I ran into him there, and it just so happened that his support worker, who was bringing him there, didn't really couldn't really cover the amount of times that Zach wanted to be able to come to the gym. And I said, well, I can take you. I've got no issues picking you up. It's on my way. I'll bring it. And I had no intentions of formally becoming any level of support worker, except that it was convenient for me to be able to help him. And the more we got invested in this, the the more competitive he got. And it's not that he hadn't competed, but this definitely gave him the opportunity then to start targeting powerlifting events, because he had my sort of flexibility to be able to get him to where he needed to go.
27:21 S3
So what role did you play there? Like, were you a coach or did you just spot him? Did you help write programs? Like how involved did that get for you?
27:28 S9
I would give him detailed descriptions of what he looked like when he was doing particular lifts from a form perspective, and sometimes those descriptions were exactly what he intended to be doing, and sometimes they weren't. But I would audio describe what I could see when he was lifting. I would spot him. I would be able to go and get the plates reasonably quickly compared to what he could. Sometimes we would walk over to the weight trees and, you know, we'd carry, you know, a pair of 25 each back where he would basically follow my voice all the way back to whatever it was that we were doing just to try and speed the process up. So I suppose I would just guide him around the gym so that he wouldn't hit anything. And yeah, we, we just went about that sport in the most professional manner I've ever seen anybody prepare for anything. And he ended up doing a huge PB. I think he deadlifted something like 225 kilos in that competition that we did. And I forget the other stats, but I was genuinely and absolutely astounded at how well he did.
28:27 S3
So what other activities have you helped clients with?
28:31 S9
One of the most interesting things I've been a part of was with a man called Glenn Baxter, where he got me involved in blind archery, where I actually don't even know at what point I decided that I was going to do this with him. I think it was purely for the sake of interest of, yeah, I've got a couple of hours. We'll go over to the range and see how this works. And I thought that I was really just being his driver to get him there. I had no idea how much investment that was actually going to take from me to help him do it, because there's a whole lot of, again, audio describing feedback about directions and angles and things like that. You are in the first place. You're lining them up so that they can shoot as close to the target as possible. And then once real competition starts, you don't get to give them any feedback until the end of the round. So setting them up in the first place as accurately as possible is super, super important. But that started, you know, initially as what I thought was just a bit of recreation and, and me helping him get around, and it ended up with us going down to the national titles in Sydney, where Glenn earned himself a silver medal.
29:42 S3
Amazing. Well, that leads perfectly into my next question, which was do you have any, like, standout memories or highlights from your years of supporting people?
29:52 S9
I've got a really funny story, and this is one of those stories that as an able bodied person, it really sat me back in my chair and made me realize just how lucky I was. We'd taken a bus trip. We were down at a national title somewhere obscure, and I forget exactly where, but we would have flown down from Queensland to somewhere like rural Victoria, and we had a bus load of people who were hand cyclists and wheelchair athletes, and I got off this little bus where I'd been a bit cramped up, walked off the bus and said, man, my back hurts. And the bloke who was sitting at the door who was a paraplegic, he said, tell me how. Tell me a bit more about how your back hurts. And he just gave me this deadpan stare that made me sit back and go, man. Not only was that tone deaf, I'm really lucky to have walked off that bus instead of getting carried off. So as far as standout memories go, that really helped me grow as a person. That was one of the biggest moments I could tell you about. There are other, happier, more successful moments. But of the things that I've learned from the disabled community, um, that would be the biggest.
31:00 S3
So if anyone's listening to this and they're thinking about getting into support work, or perhaps they're in support work and, you know, they're struggling to find their motivation, what advice would you give to those people?
31:14 S9
Find people in the disabled community who want to be involved in something that you are already an expert at, so that you can teach them so that you can involve them, because the act of uplifting somebody and teaching them can be hugely rewarding. So from the support workers perspective, work with people who want to do something that you're already passionate about.
31:39 S2
That's a wrap for this week. A big thank you to Megan, Megan and Peter.
31:43 S3
And of course, a big thanks to you for listening. And that includes our listeners on the Reading Radio Network. As usual, you can find the podcast to this programme, plus some extra content on Google, Spotify, Apple or your favorite podcast platform.
31:58 S2
Next week, how many times have you been told you don't look blind? We ask, what is a blind person supposed to look like? And why do people think we don't look that way?
32:09 S3
But between now and then, please do get in touch with the show. Whether you have any experience of the issues covered on this week's episode of Studio One, or if you think there's something we should be talking about. You never know. Your story and insight may help someone who's dealing with something similar.
32:24 S2
Our email address is Studio one at org. That's studio number one at Vision Australia.
32:29 S3
Org or of course you can find us on all of the good social media platforms.
32:34 S2
And a few of the bad.
32:35 S3
Ones. Yeah, whether that be Facebook or Instagram by searching for VA Radio Network. We really want to hear from you.
32:42 S2
Bye for now.
32:43 S10
This program was made possible with the support of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at.
Continue listening
In the leadup to Blind Australian of the Year Awards, Oct 2023, we hear from 2022 winner Cal Hooley and event organiser Marie Bampton.
Blind Australian of the Year
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5/10/2023
•34 mins
Audio
We take to the air and ask some friends about their experience travelling around the country and the world.
Up up and away
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
34 mins
Audio
Nancy Miller of Visions US talks of their work in services for blind and low vision people.
Nancy
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
40 mins
Audio
Fresh from Soul II Soul’s triumphant 2023 Australian tour, lead singer Charlotte Kelly speaks with Studio 1.
Charlotte Kelly of Soul II Soul
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
33 mins
Audio
Not all disabilities are visible. People with a vision impairment speak about how they're perceived.
You Don't Look Blind!
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
50 mins
Audio
Studio 1 speaks with Vision Australia’s employment guru Belinda Wilson.
Belinda Wilson, Employment Guru
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
38 mins
Audio
Studio 1, Vision Australia Radio’s look at life from a blind/low vision point of view, features champion cyclist Sarnya Moss.
Sarnya Moss OAM
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
40 mins
Audio
On this week’s show, a panel of experts with experience of living with vision impairment discusses what they'd do if they could see.
If You Could See...
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 mins
Audio
Studio 1, looking at life from a low vision and blind point of view, features David Hume - winemaker, broadcaster, ocean yachtsman.
David Hume
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 mins
Audio
This week, Studio 1 speaks with "Kent the Dog": 44-year veteran guide dog handler Dave Kent.
Kent The Dog
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
44 mins
Audio
This edition, Deanne Ferris - Communications Officer extraordinaire and Member of the Women’s Australian Blind Cricket Team.
Deanne Ferris
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
30 mins
Audio
Shannon Davis, family man and former PwC partner, went for a routine eye checkup and was told he’d lost 90% of his sight.
Shannon Davis
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
33 mins
Audio
Renee Lyon, Quantum RLV demonstrates the Orcam reader and Blind Shell Classic, specially designed mobile phone.
Renee Lyon from Quantum RLV
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 December 2023
•23 mins
Audio
2023 Blind Australian of the Year Lauren Henley speaks of her public advocacy work.
Lauren Henley - Blind Australian of the Year
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Investor Shannon Davis speaks with Studio 1 on finding financial wellness after vision loss.
Shannon Davis - financial literacy
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Features an interview with Anthony Ferraro - blind skateboarder, performer and much more!.
Anthony Ferraro - blind skateboarder
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Special on the parenting experience - what it's like to have kids with a Vision Impairment when you're also VI.
Vision Impaired Parenting
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Studio 1 compares the benefits of the guide dog and the cane for blind mobility.
The Puppy or the Stick?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22/11/23
•27 mins
Audio
Two ambassadors for the Melbourne Disability Expo discuss challenge and engagement.
Melbourne Disability Expo
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15/11/2023
•30 mins
Audio
Aims and projects of Blind Citizens Australia - featuring its President Fiona Woods.
Fiona Woods - Blind Citizens Australia
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Blind/low vision program looks back on 2023 and ahead to 2024.
A Very Studio 1 Christmas
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
20 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Report (Part 1) on the World Games of IBSA, the International Blind Sports Federation.
IBSA World Games Part 1
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Part 2 of a report on the World Games of IBSA, the International Blind Sports Federation.
IBSA World Games Part 2
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Presenter Matthew Layton's final program, a retrospective on the show's achievements.
Many Thanks (Matthew's Last Show)
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
On World Braille Day, Vision Australia program celebrates Braille, assesses its impact and looks at its future.
Is Braille dead?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 January 2024
•34 mins
Audio
A retrospective of program content that could not be podcast at the time.
Choir of Angels
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A discussion of blind/low vision experiences in the tertiary education system.
Tertiary studies
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Discusses the increasing role of support workers in the lives of blind and low vision people.
Support workers
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Features the White Cane Coffee Company, providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities.
The White Cane Coffee Company
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Expert talks about day-to-day technologies used day-to-day like mobile phones, tablets and computers.
Technology and us
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 January 2024
•33 mins
Audio
How to have a safe and enjoyable cooking experience for Blind and Low Vision people.
The Kitchen Show
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 February 2024
•39 mins
Audio
Tandem cycling competitors and an ex-coach discuss a great sport for low vision people.
Tandem cycling
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8 February 2024
•47 mins
Audio
What's the romantic world like when you can't see your potential partner? The team grapples with Valentine's Day questions.
Dating blind
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 February 2024
•39 mins
Audio
Features Graeme Innes: Australian disability advocate, human rights lawyer, and much more.
Graeme Innes
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 February 2024
•27 mins
Audio
The team explores what's it's like to do jury service when you're blind or have low vision.
Jury Duty
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 February 2024
•36 mins
Audio
A special edition featuring inspiring women who are blind or vision-impaired.
Sisters are doin' it for themselves
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 March 2024
•34 mins
Audio
A blind vendor of The Big Issue magazine explains how it changed his life.
Chris and The Big Issue
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 March 2024
Audio
Follow-up to Studio 1's Valentine's Day program, more experiences of romance when you're blind or low vision.
Dating Blind 2
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
20 March 2024
•28 mins
Audio
An expert discusses Artificial Intelligence and how it can help blind-low vision people.
AI
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
3 April 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Topics covered in part 3 include: marriage, advocacy, dating apps, and tele-link groups.
Dating Blind 3
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 March 2024
•31 mins
Audio
The Vision Australia Library for Blind/Low Vision people - its services and how to access them.
The VA Library
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
10 April 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Guests discuss two accessible public transport apps for people with blindness or low vision.
Hailo, See Me?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 April 2024
Audio
Efforts nationwide in Vision Australia's First to 100k fundraising drive for its radio stations.
I would walk/ride/run a 100k
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
24 April 2024
•29 mins
Audio
An innovative Australian businesswoman discusses how to make beauty products more PwD-accessible.
Sisterwould - accessible hair products
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
1 May 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Public advocate Karan Nigrani speaks of the intersectional challenges of being blind, gay and of colour.
Karan
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8 May 2024
•30 mins
Audio
Athletics for the vision-impaired - the opportunities are discussed with a two-time Paralympian.
Phillip Deveraux
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15 May 2024
•35 mins
Audio
Radio volunteers from Vision Australia and a former ABC announcer talk about the national week.
National Volunteer Week
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22 May 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A low-vision optometrist answers important questions about eye checks.
Mae Chong - optometrist
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
29 May 2024
Audio
A musician speaks about how glaucoma has affected his work and life.
Roy Lucian Baza
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 June 2024
•29 mins
Audio
A street dancer talks of his career and how he's responded to losing his sight.
Geoffrey Lim
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
12 June 2024
•33 mins
Audio
People with blindness or low vision discuss Australia's NDIS, its services and what could be done better.
NDIS: "No Doubt It Stinks?"
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
19 June 2024
•36 mins
Audio
Vision-impaired people share experiences of trying to find work.
Get a Job
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 June 2024
•41 mins
Audio
Highlights from recent episodes of this program for people with blindness and low vision.
What is Studio 1?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 June 2024
•10 mins
Audio
Students and teachers at the National Braille Music Camp discuss the annual event.
National Braille Music Camp
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
3 July 2024
•37 mins
Audio
Remastered interviews from earlier in the series about love and romance.
Dating Blind - a special podcast presentation
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 July 2024
•1 hr 03 mins
Audio
Experiences of a blind Aboriginal man in Central Australia and the supportive work of specialist services.
NAIDOC Week: Derryn Ross
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
10 July 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Experiences of a vision impaired walker of the Camino Pilgrimage in Portugal/Spain.
Lily and the Camino Pilgrimage
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
31 July 2024
•37 mins
Audio
People with blindness or low vision compare the merits of getting about with a seeing eye dog or a cane.
Out and about
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
7 August 2024
•32 mins
Audio
Blind surf champion Matt Formston shares big-wave experiences... plus paralympic selection issues.
The Blind Sea
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 August 2024
•34 mins
Audio
Some Dos and Don'ts of applying for a job for a person with a disability.
Who'd hire these guys?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 August 2024
•33 mins
Audio
Discussion of controversy about Mattel's new Blind Barbie doll - is it inclusion or tokenism?
Blind Barbie
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 August 2024
•29 mins
Audio
Two former Paralympians discuss their lives before, during and after the event.
Jodi & Shayne
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 September 2024
•30 mins
Audio
Perils of the road, entertainment tips - and why travel if you can't see?
On the Road Again - travel
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
11/9/2024
•31 mins
Audio
This program asks: can people with a disability have a say in the accessibility of retail?
Knowable Me
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
18 September 2024
•28 mins
Audio
First part of an interview with someone who has experienced rapid loss of vision.
Melissa - rapid vision loss (part 1)
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
25 September 2024
•35 mins
Audio
Four people who have gone from fully sighted to blind share experiences and insights.
Vision loss - 1 hour special
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
9 October 2024
•1 hr 00 mins
Audio
Lived experiences about sport are shared by people with blindness and low vision.
This Sporting Life
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 October 2024
•37 mins
Audio
Discussion of the NDIS and connected issues, including some positive experiences.
When I'm 65
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 October 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Former uni students discuss campus life, challenges and solutions to studying with blindness or low vision.
Uni Daze
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
30 October 2024
•32 mins
Audio
Interview with the founder of a travel company for blind and low vision people, about his life and work.
Amar Latif - founder of Traveleyes
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 November 2024
•36 mins
Audio
Teaching vision-impaired people how to use adaptive tech, and some products on offer.
Blind teaching the blind
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 November 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Australian author and originator discuss their new picture book about life with seeing eye dogs.
Molly and Maple
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 December 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Achilles International's role in the sport of running for people with disabilities.
Born to run
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 December 2025
•28 mins
Audio
The first of two holiday specials looks back at 2024 with memorable bloopers and talk of Yuletide.
Christmas 2024
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
25 December 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A World Braille Day 2025 program discussing its contribution over 200 years.
World Braille Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 January 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Cooking and serving food - from a range of blind and low vision perspectives.
Serving it up
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15 January 2025
•37 mins
Audio
A champion Paralympic swimmer talks of his retirement, self-help books and advocacy.
Matt Levy - leadership and inclusion
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22 January 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Vision impaired users of taxis and RideShare talk of their experiences, impacts and insights.
Taxi!
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
29 January 2025
•36 mins
Audio
A leading European advocate for people with vision impairment shares his thoughts and experiences.
Lars Bosselmann - European Blind Union
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 February 2025
•34 mins
Audio
A Valentine's Day special of freewheeling chat about love and dating from a vision impaired standpoint.
I Only Have Eyes for You
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
12 February 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Malaysian-Canadian Instagrammer spreads awareness of brands accessible to vision impaired people.
Anne Mok
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
19 February 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Lively discussion of issues around assistance and consent in the low vision community.
The Boy Scout Syndrome
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 February 2025
•35 mins
Audio
International Women's Day special featuring two women working for women's rights and disability access.
Women's Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 March 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Participants and organisers in Vision Australia's "100k Your Way" fundraising run in April share their experiences.
100k
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
12 March 2025
•31 mins
Audio
Vision-impaired students at Australian schools from the 1960s to 1980s share experiences and perspectives.
Back to school
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 March 2025
•32 mins
Audio
An Australian businessman talks of his work creating unique opportunities for people with vision impairment.
Peter Archer - Beyond Vision
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
2 April 2025
•36 mins
Audio
Discussion of fashion from a vision-impaired viewpoint - how important is it, and how do we deal with it?
Fashion
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
9 April 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Discussion of the role of faith and spirituality in the lives of people with vision impairment.
Blind Faith
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 April 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Blind and vision impaired people imagine their lives if they could see or had full vision. What would change?
All I need is a miracle
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 April 2025
•31 mins
Audio
Special program asking what seeing eye dogs would say if they could speak human language.
International Guide Dog Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
30 April 2025
•36 mins
Audio
SBS experts talk about their work in audio description of TV programs and how to set it up.
Francois and Victoria - Audio Description
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
7 May 2025
•28 mins
Audio
A mother with vision impairment shares experiences and tips.
Mother's Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 May 2025
•32 mins
Audio
Volunteer community radio broadcasters talk about their experiences.
Volunteer radio
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 May 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Vision Australia Radio’s Studio 1 takes a look at life in Australia from a low vision and blind point of view.
A little Support?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
A little support?
•33 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
You don't look Blind!
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
You don't look Blind!
•28 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Storm Menzies - ByStorm Beauty
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Storm Menzies - ByStorm Beauty
•28 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Into the Mailbag
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Into the Mailbag
•28 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Is Ignorance Bliss?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Is Ignorance Bliss?
•35 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Taxi II: Another Ride?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Taxi II: Another Ride?
•34 mins
Audio