"Don't give people a hand-out, give them a hand up."

A motto that this week's guest, Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell, lives by every day.

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 Centre, Rita is passionate about empowering people with disability through knowledge, rights and representation.

Her journey and her conversation with Simon on the show this week is not just inspiring - it's a reminder that true leadership is built on empathy, experience and a commitment to making a difference.

For more information about Rita's work and the legal services available at Sussex Street Community Law Service, go to their website: sscls.asn.au

To find out more about the People with disabilities WA State Conference that Rita will be speaking at, please go to the PWdWA website: pwdwa.org/whats-happening/events/state-conference-2025/

"Don't give people a hand-out, give them a hand up."
A motto that this week's guest, Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell, lives by every day.
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 Centre, Rita is passionate about empowering people with disability through knowledge, rights and representation.
Her journey and her conversation with Simon on the show this week is not just inspiring - it's a reminder that true leadership is built on empathy, experience and a commitment to making a difference.
For more information about Rita's work and the legal services available at Sussex Street Community Law Service, go to their website: <a href="https://www.sscls.asn.au/">sscls.asn.au</a>
To find out more about the People with disabilities WA State Conference that Rita will be speaking at, please go to the PWdWA website: <a href="https://pwdwa.org/whats-happening/events/state-conference-2025/">pwdwa.org/whats-happening/events/state-conference-2025/</a>

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

Rita: A Passion for Empowering Others

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/7a460f61-fe80-4e9b-9c20-b2ec0074a601/transcript

This week on the show join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Joe Teakle about his career as a filmmaker and host of Film Talk on radio DADAA. He recounts his experience making the documentary 'Theatricality' (2024) for SBS and future plans for acting and film making. 

His love of movies has expanded to hosting the show Film Talk on the newly launched Radio DADAA every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Perth Time). You can find the accessible website here to see program rosters and learn more. Joe's show discusses films, old and new, diving into stories, the production process and the state of the industry. 

We also discuss how Joe's Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) affects his life currently and his goals for the future. 

We hope you enjoy this episode and check out Rad Joe's new show.

This week on the show join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Joe Teakle about his career as a filmmaker and host of Film Talk on radio DADAA. He recounts his experience making the documentary 'Theatricality' (2024) for SBS and future plans for acting and film making.&nbsp;
His love of movies has expanded to hosting the show Film Talk on the newly launched Radio DADAA every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Perth Time). You can find the accessible website <a href="https://www.dadaa.org.au/radiodadaa/">here</a> to see program rosters and learn more. Joe's show discusses films, old and new, diving into stories, the production process and the state of the industry.&nbsp;
We also discuss how Joe's Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) affects his life currently and his goals for the future.&nbsp;
We hope you enjoy this episode and check out Rad Joe's new show.

Rad Joe: Film Enthusiast and Filmmaker

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/7e7f0f48-a2d1-4c14-80a6-b410006a541f/transcript

On this week's episode join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Cassandra Hughes, the CEO of Down Syndrome WA, about the importance of World Down Syndrome day. The day, this year on the 21st of March, is themed around the phrase 'together against loneliness' meant to combat social isolation and promote inclusion for individuals with Down Syndrome. The campaign highlights that true inclusion requires welcoming spaces, meaningful relationships, and active participation in community life. 

If you'd like to be involved in World Down Syndrome day or make a donation you can click here.

We hope you enjoy listening to this insightful and uplifting conversation.

On this week's episode join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Cassandra Hughes, the CEO of Down Syndrome WA, about the importance of World Down Syndrome day. The day, this year on the 21st of March, is themed around the phrase 'together against loneliness' meant to combat social isolation and promote inclusion for individuals with Down Syndrome. The campaign highlights that true inclusion requires welcoming spaces, meaningful relationships, and active participation in community life.&nbsp;
If you'd like to be involved in World Down Syndrome day or make a donation you can click <a href="https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/blog/event/dswa-world-down-syndrome-day-2026/">here</a>.
We hope you enjoy listening to this insightful and uplifting conversation.

World Down Syndrome Day: Together against loneliness

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/1e3c34d4-a1d5-4c4e-8ed4-b4100060d913/transcript

This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease and understanding how it affects people.

Gaela says the "support group brings people out of isolation. You meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it's very therapeutic." If untreated, Glaucoma can lead to blindness but there are many forms of treatment which, if detected early enough, can stop the effects permanently. World Glaucoma Week exists as a reminder to get tested and monitor issues with sight.

Gaela reminds us that support is vital when learning to live and thrive with a disease like Glaucoma. Support groups can help alleviate anxieties and fears around sight loss and give advice for daily life. 

If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Glaucoma Australia website here. 

During Glaucoma week don't forget to use the hashtags #GlaucomaWeek and #SavingSight

You can click here to learn how you can help save sight.

If you're interested in joining the support group you can find Gaela's contact details here.

 

This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease and understanding how it affects people.
Gaela says the "support group brings people out of isolation. You meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it's very therapeutic." If untreated, Glaucoma can lead to blindness but there are many forms of treatment which, if detected early enough, can stop the effects permanently. World Glaucoma Week exists as a reminder to get tested and monitor issues with sight.
Gaela reminds us that support is vital when learning to live and thrive with a disease like Glaucoma. Support groups can help alleviate anxieties and fears around sight loss and give advice for daily life.&nbsp;
If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Glaucoma Australia website <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au">here</a>.&nbsp;
During Glaucoma week don't forget to use the hashtags #GlaucomaWeek and #SavingSight
You can click <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au/how-you-can-help-save-sight/raise-awareness">here</a> to learn how you can help save sight.
If you're interested in joining the support group you can find Gaela's contact details <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au/node/877">here</a>.
&nbsp;

World Glaucoma Week: Uniting for a Gaucoma-Free World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/7ba16937-e8cb-4c4d-8b31-b408018ad62b/transcript

Rita: A Passion for Empowering Others

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