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.

To learn more about The Little Mermaid, or purchase tickets, click here.

 

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.
To learn more about The Little Mermaid, or purchase tickets, <a href="https://blueroom.org.au/events/the-little-mermaid/">click here.</a>
&nbsp;

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.

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 &lsquo;in plain sight'.
Get in touch with the program team via:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:inplainsight@visionaustralia.org">inplainsight@visionaustralia.org</a>. Simon and Andrew would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and ideas.

In Plain Sight

In Plain Sight by Vision Australia Radio

Rayna Lamb: creative expression and performance

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/c473add6-e8ad-47b1-8813-b3450052516f/transcript

Kyra Cullton is a recent participant of the CPActive Changemakers leadership program conducted by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia.  The 12 week CPActive program aims to bring people together to make Australia more inclusive, whilst developing young leaders advocating for change.

This dynamic & impressive young person who lives in the town of Australind, 2 hours South of Perth, made quite an impact on us during our conversation. Kyra has already demonstrated her determination and skill as an advocate with a strong voice and has produced two short films as part of the Focus on Ability Film Festival. Keep a look out for her latest film project “You’ve Got This!” (2026). This documentary was inspired by the mental health challenges Kyra has faced alongside her Cerebral Palsy.

Kyra who has just turned 19 is a fabulous example of leadership in action who is highly motivated to make our Community more inclusive while encouraging others to participate and get involved in their community and beyond.

The CPActive course is an online program offered Australia wide.
We learnt from out time with Kyra Leadership programs such as this participants gain much more than formal skills & training, they can also gain valuable insights into their personal development and growth.
And, small actions can bake a big difference   


CPActive website
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cpactive.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWInDUGCb$

Kyra’s film - “Dear Cerebral Palsy’. (2003).
Kyra Culloton - Dear Cerebral Palsy
Focus on Ability Film Festival
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://youtu.be/PABybvPR2RM?si=zluymuPanTIZ2pAM__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWBGn9df7$

 2023 Australian Open Documentary - Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. Full details at
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.focusonability.com.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWFtXDpnt$ 

Kyra Cullton is a recent participant of the CPActive&nbsp;Changemakers leadership program conducted by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia.&nbsp; The 12 week CPActive program aims to bring people together to make Australia more inclusive, whilst developing young leaders advocating for&nbsp;change. This dynamic &amp; impressive young person who lives in the town of Australind, 2 hours South of Perth, made quite an impact on us during our conversation. Kyra has already demonstrated her determination and skill as an advocate with a strong voice and has produced two short films as part of the Focus on Ability Film Festival. Keep a look out for her latest film project &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve Got This!&rdquo; (2026). This documentary was inspired by the mental health&nbsp;challenges Kyra has faced alongside her Cerebral Palsy. Kyra who has just turned 19 is a fabulous example of leadership in action who is highly motivated to make our Community more inclusive while encouraging others to participate and get involved in their community and beyond. The CPActive course is an online program offered Australia wide. We learnt from out time with Kyra Leadership programs such as this participants gain much more than formal skills &amp; training, they can also gain valuable insights into their personal development and growth. And, small actions can bake a big difference&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CPActive website <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cpactive.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWInDUGCb$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cpactive.org.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWInDUGCb$</a> Kyra&rsquo;s film - &ldquo;Dear Cerebral Palsy&rsquo;. (2003). Kyra Culloton - Dear Cerebral Palsy Focus on Ability Film Festival <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://youtu.be/PABybvPR2RM?si=zluymuPanTIZ2pAM__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWBGn9df7$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://youtu.be/PABybvPR2RM?si=zluymuPanTIZ2pAM__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWBGn9df7$</a> &nbsp;2023 Australian Open Documentary - Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. Full details at <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.focusonability.com.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWFtXDpnt$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.focusonability.com.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!DDIE7utTVW2-19iI3ZLVYZ6KTP0WWMCs3iE2x4EitcBNB1Lz7ymX27s6Cn68FVnyinkQbu29Kc9WayFweDSIISfIWFtXDpnt$</a>&nbsp;

Kyra Culloton: - actively making change, & demonstrating great leadership

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/bf4962a0-e7bd-41cb-aaff-b48700854da2/transcript

There's far more to Mel Stephens than first meets the eye.
Mel is a passionate storyteller, disability advocate and content creator who is blind, sharing her life, experiences and adventures with audiences across Australia and beyond. Living in regional Victoria, Mel describes herself simply: *"I'm just a country girl. I love horses, I love footy, I love travel. I just happen to experience the world through my fingertips and my ears, not my eyes."*
A proud horse lover and train enthusiast, Mel maintains a vibrant online presence across multiple platforms, where she documents the everyday experiences, adventures and occasional misadventures she shares with her Guide Dog, Penelope. Through her engaging and authentic storytelling, Mel offers unique insights into blindness, disability, independence and everyday life.
Recently, Mel also participated in the powerful theatrical production *My Story: Stories from the Waiting Room*, a performance designed to entertain, educate and challenge audiences by sharing authentic experiences of living with disability through dramatic storytelling.
Join us for a warm, engaging and insightful conversation as Mel shares her journey, her passions, her advocacy work and the importance of telling stories that help others better understand disability and lived experience.

There's far more to Mel Stephens than first meets the eye. Mel is a passionate storyteller, disability advocate and content creator who is blind, sharing her life, experiences and adventures with audiences across Australia and beyond. Living in regional Victoria, Mel describes herself simply: *"I'm just a country girl. I love horses, I love footy, I love travel. I just happen to experience the world through my fingertips and my ears, not my eyes."* A proud horse lover and train enthusiast, Mel maintains a vibrant online presence across multiple platforms, where she documents the everyday experiences, adventures and occasional misadventures she shares with her Guide Dog, Penelope. Through her engaging and authentic storytelling, Mel offers unique insights into blindness, disability, independence and everyday life. Recently, Mel also participated in the powerful theatrical production *My Story: Stories from the Waiting Room*, a performance designed to entertain, educate and challenge audiences by sharing authentic experiences of living with disability through dramatic storytelling. Join us for a warm, engaging and insightful conversation as Mel shares her journey, her passions, her advocacy work and the importance of telling stories that help others better understand disability and lived experience.

Mel Stephens: Storytelling, Advocacy and Living Life Without Limits

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/a3bd6a28-bdf2-4b46-9bd5-b48000750598/transcript

Introducing Martin Stewart a long term campaigner, activist & advocate of rights and needs for people who are blind.  Martin was born blind and in 2002 was seriously injured  an horrific public transport accident.
In his current role at Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) as the National Individual Advocacy Officer he assists people who are blind or vision impaired to empower them to achieve the things they need.

BCA is one of the leading national advocacy agencies that provide both systemic & individual advocacy.
There aim is  to inform, connect, and empower Australians who are blind or vision impaired and to help fight for the rights and needs of this community. 

During our engaging conversation with Martin we discover the variety and diversity within the Blind Community and learn that sometimes shouting loudly is the best way to be noticed and other times polite diplomacy is the preferred method. WE really appreciated getting a very brief insight in to Martin’s dedication and hard work over many years working to improve the lives of the vulnerable and under-represented.

Some of the reforms and actions initially advocated on behalf of Blind Australians are now common place and not even recognised as special treatment or applications and are now well-known everyday objects and sounds. We enjoye bringing to light some of these actions and developments. BCA is constantly working towards making life for people who are blind or have low vision as equitable as possible.
Within our conversation with Martin we highlight some everyday things that are still not as fair or equal for those who are blind, and learn what more needs to be done.
 
A very informative & educational conversation, that we are sure you will enjoy.

Introducing Martin Stewart a long term campaigner, activist &amp; advocate of rights and needs for people who are blind.&nbsp; Martin was born blind and in 2002 was seriously injured&nbsp; an horrific public transport accident. In his current role at Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) as the National Individual Advocacy Officer he assists people who are blind or vision impaired to empower them to achieve the things they need. BCA is one of the leading national advocacy agencies that provide both systemic &amp; individual advocacy. There aim is&nbsp; to inform, connect, and empower Australians who are blind or vision impaired and to help fight for the rights and needs of this community.&nbsp; During our engaging conversation with Martin we discover the variety and diversity within the Blind Community and learn that sometimes shouting loudly is the best way to be noticed and other times polite diplomacy is the preferred method. WE really appreciated getting a very brief insight in to Martin&rsquo;s dedication and hard work over many years working to improve the lives of the vulnerable and under-represented. Some of the reforms and actions initially advocated on behalf of Blind Australians are now common place and not even recognised as special treatment or applications and are now well-known everyday objects and sounds. We enjoye bringing to light some of these actions and developments. BCA is constantly working towards making life for people who are blind or have low vision as equitable as possible. Within our conversation with Martin we highlight some everyday things that are still not as fair or equal for those who are blind, and learn what more needs to be done. &nbsp; A very informative &amp; educational conversation, that we are sure you will enjoy.

Martin Stewart: Advocacy with Blind Citizens Australia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/a4d2e911-c7d3-4c86-83b2-b47900b70fc6/transcript

Rayna Lamb: creative expression and performance

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