If you hadn't heard, there's an election happening. Uh, let's find out what, uh, Kelly Schultz from me is doing. And maybe wanting your support as well. Kelly, great to catch up. Thanks for your time.

If you hadn't heard, there's an election happening. Uh, let's find out what, uh, Kelly Schultz from me is doing. And maybe wanting your support as well. Kelly, great to catch up. Thanks for your time.

Thanks for having me. Peter.

Thanks for having me. Peter.

No, you're not running for Parliament, are you?

No, you're not running for Parliament, are you?

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

No, not at this time.

No, not at this time.

No.

No.

Not now. You've got a really cool thing underway about this. Obviously, it's very, very timely and really, really important. I mean, some of us are more passionate about this sort of thing than others, but this is really great.

Not now. You've got a really cool thing underway about this. Obviously, it's very, very timely and really, really important. I mean, some of us are more passionate about this sort of thing than others, but this is really great.

Yeah, well, it is pretty timely. Obviously, an election has been called, and we're just going to run a national survey to understand how accessible voting really is for people with disability. It's not going to be about politics at all. It's just about whether the process works and what gets in the way.

Yeah, well, it is pretty timely. Obviously, an election has been called, and we're just going to run a national survey to understand how accessible voting really is for people with disability. It's not going to be about politics at all. It's just about whether the process works and what gets in the way.

And one of the great things about this, it's not necessarily voting on the day that you're talking about, although that's part of it, but it is accessing information before it.

And one of the great things about this, it's not necessarily voting on the day that you're talking about, although that's part of it, but it is accessing information before it.

That's right. I think there's so many things involved in making an informed decision, and I'm sure I'm not sure about you, but I've never heard quite this much talk about disability as a political issue before, so it's incredibly important that everyone with a disability both has the opportunity to participate independently, but also has the opportunity to understand what everyone's thoughts are and what their policies are and what their positions are on this. And that sort of information can be really hard to come by in accessible formats, or just in a way that's understandable.

That's right. I think there's so many things involved in making an informed decision, and I'm sure I'm not sure about you, but I've never heard quite this much talk about disability as a political issue before, so it's incredibly important that everyone with a disability both has the opportunity to participate independently, but also has the opportunity to understand what everyone's thoughts are and what their policies are and what their positions are on this. And that sort of information can be really hard to come by in accessible formats, or just in a way that's understandable.

It's almost an oxymoron sometimes something like that, isn't it? Information about disability that's not accessible or that is inaccessible.

It's almost an oxymoron sometimes something like that, isn't it? Information about disability that's not accessible or that is inaccessible.

I know Vision Australia does a lot of work on this. Yeah. So absolutely acknowledge that vision Australia has done a lot of work from advocating for accessible voting things, producing the materials in formats that people can actually use. And I just think our research is going to build on that foundation and add to the case for for more progress. Obviously, we're not necessarily going to have an impact on this particular election, but while it's on people's minds and while they're looking at, you know, what they are going to do and how they're going to exercise their vote, I think it's a really great time to talk about it.

I know Vision Australia does a lot of work on this. Yeah. So absolutely acknowledge that vision Australia has done a lot of work from advocating for accessible voting things, producing the materials in formats that people can actually use. And I just think our research is going to build on that foundation and add to the case for for more progress. Obviously, we're not necessarily going to have an impact on this particular election, but while it's on people's minds and while they're looking at, you know, what they are going to do and how they're going to exercise their vote, I think it's a really great time to talk about it.

That was one thing I was going to put to you, is the fact that this obviously probably won't make a lot of difference this time around, because it is kind of, if you like, a slow burn, but but nevertheless, if you don't start something, it's never going to get to the point where you want it to finish.

That was one thing I was going to put to you, is the fact that this obviously probably won't make a lot of difference this time around, because it is kind of, if you like, a slow burn, but but nevertheless, if you don't start something, it's never going to get to the point where you want it to finish.

Exactly. It's it's probably not going to make a difference. But I think there's also something about raising awareness for for everybody who participates. How do we how do we get these stats out there and what's happening for people to the general public so that they know what it's like, and it just adds weight to that ongoing advocacy for better systems, because I'm sure every other state's going to be due for an election sometime in the not too distant future.

Exactly. It's it's probably not going to make a difference. But I think there's also something about raising awareness for for everybody who participates. How do we how do we get these stats out there and what's happening for people to the general public so that they know what it's like, and it just adds weight to that ongoing advocacy for better systems, because I'm sure every other state's going to be due for an election sometime in the not too distant future.

To know a great point. Well, we've got in South Australia's got ours in the next, oh, 11 months as it is now. I think Victoria is next year as well. So that is very, very timely. And I guess like the other thing that you do with noble me is like you put the information out there for organizations, governments, etc. to, if you like, peruse. So it's the sort of stuff that they've got access to information that they might not otherwise have.

To know a great point. Well, we've got in South Australia's got ours in the next, oh, 11 months as it is now. I think Victoria is next year as well. So that is very, very timely. And I guess like the other thing that you do with noble me is like you put the information out there for organizations, governments, etc. to, if you like, peruse. So it's the sort of stuff that they've got access to information that they might not otherwise have.

Yeah, that's one of the philosophies. So particularly when we do these research for ourselves. So this is one that we're funding for ourselves. This is a piece of research we're doing because we want to add to the annals of information. And so we'll share these results publicly with the community. Uh, it'll feed into the broader conversations and we'll even, you know, maybe get an audience with the Electoral Commission and have a bit of a crack with them, too.

Yeah, that's one of the philosophies. So particularly when we do these research for ourselves. So this is one that we're funding for ourselves. This is a piece of research we're doing because we want to add to the annals of information. And so we'll share these results publicly with the community. Uh, it'll feed into the broader conversations and we'll even, you know, maybe get an audience with the Electoral Commission and have a bit of a crack with them, too.

Well, that is a great idea. And, of course, you know, I mean, because because I speak to them pretty much every, uh, election time. And they do say they want to hear what people think. So, you know, this is kind of putting them to the test. Alright. So what are you looking for us to do? As, uh, as as I was going to say as plebs, as voters or maybe as voters in the future, because it's not just people that have voted, is it?

Well, that is a great idea. And, of course, you know, I mean, because because I speak to them pretty much every, uh, election time. And they do say they want to hear what people think. So, you know, this is kind of putting them to the test. Alright. So what are you looking for us to do? As, uh, as as I was going to say as plebs, as voters or maybe as voters in the future, because it's not just people that have voted, is it?

No, it can be people who for this is their first time as well, because there's quite a few of those as well.

No, it can be people who for this is their first time as well, because there's quite a few of those as well.

Of course.

Of course.

We're looking for people with disability or access needs who plan to vote in this coming federal election. So in just a few weeks time, there's a survey. There's an open survey or at me. And then there's an opportunity to participate. Then once we've once we've gone through those in a $15 paid survey, which can either be BI or online, we can do all different formats, whatever works for people.

We're looking for people with disability or access needs who plan to vote in this coming federal election. So in just a few weeks time, there's a survey. There's an open survey or at me. And then there's an opportunity to participate. Then once we've once we've gone through those in a $15 paid survey, which can either be BI or online, we can do all different formats, whatever works for people.

Fantastic. And can you give us a bit of an idea of what. Well, both the survey and then the phone survey, what that kind of involves or what that includes?

Fantastic. And can you give us a bit of an idea of what. Well, both the survey and then the phone survey, what that kind of involves or what that includes?

Yeah, the initial survey is generally just some yes no questions. Do you intend to vote? Have you got any stories to tell us about things? Um, how do you usually vote? So, you know, some people always want to post or vote. Some people want to do it on the day and go for their democracy. Sausage. I'm quite a fan of a democracy sausage. So people vote in different ways and have different views on it, but also how they get information. So how do you figure out who you're going to vote for and those sorts of things. And any experiences that you can talk to if you've had those experiences. And then the more detailed survey, the paid survey after that will be a little bit more in depth about what you need and how you need it, and what your preferences are for. Getting information and using information and being communicated with. About the things that are important to you.

Yeah, the initial survey is generally just some yes no questions. Do you intend to vote? Have you got any stories to tell us about things? Um, how do you usually vote? So, you know, some people always want to post or vote. Some people want to do it on the day and go for their democracy. Sausage. I'm quite a fan of a democracy sausage. So people vote in different ways and have different views on it, but also how they get information. So how do you figure out who you're going to vote for and those sorts of things. And any experiences that you can talk to if you've had those experiences. And then the more detailed survey, the paid survey after that will be a little bit more in depth about what you need and how you need it, and what your preferences are for. Getting information and using information and being communicated with. About the things that are important to you.

It's a great thing you mentioned about getting information, because I must admit, I'm very limited as far as sort of interest or ability in the social media area. However, I do know that there's been such an emphasis at the political parties are putting a lot of, uh, their energies into social media. You know, the TikTok, the YouTube, the, the podcasts, etc.. So I guess, you know, we've got a kind of take notice of that, if that's what they're doing, then there's a lot of people that have got that interest. But by the same token, if we, um, don't know about it, then we're not going to know, you know, what they're offering or what sort of things they're out there for us to consume.

It's a great thing you mentioned about getting information, because I must admit, I'm very limited as far as sort of interest or ability in the social media area. However, I do know that there's been such an emphasis at the political parties are putting a lot of, uh, their energies into social media. You know, the TikTok, the YouTube, the, the podcasts, etc.. So I guess, you know, we've got a kind of take notice of that, if that's what they're doing, then there's a lot of people that have got that interest. But by the same token, if we, um, don't know about it, then we're not going to know, you know, what they're offering or what sort of things they're out there for us to consume.

Absolutely. And I funnily enough, I only looked it up yesterday. You can actually publicly available you can go and look at the advertising reports on advertising on social media, particularly for meta, which is Facebook and Instagram, and see who is spending the most money? Uh, and last week, in, you know, real terms, uh, the Australian Liberal Party spent the most on meta for political and economic advising. So, yeah, you can actually say how much they're spending and what the ads are, uh, and that they're approved. So there is actually a lot of reporting available to people on that.

Absolutely. And I funnily enough, I only looked it up yesterday. You can actually publicly available you can go and look at the advertising reports on advertising on social media, particularly for meta, which is Facebook and Instagram, and see who is spending the most money? Uh, and last week, in, you know, real terms, uh, the Australian Liberal Party spent the most on meta for political and economic advising. So, yeah, you can actually say how much they're spending and what the ads are, uh, and that they're approved. So there is actually a lot of reporting available to people on that.

Well, I guess the say if they're using it, then you've got to at least know about it. So to kind of know what sort of areas to be looking in and I guess also what sort of, um, information people are consuming from it. What about the kind of old fashioned way? Uh, you know, if you like websites and I mean, you know, obviously, uh, the letterbox drops, I mean, that's probably not very accessible for some people, though. There's much more equipment now that you can kind of read your own mail independently.

Well, I guess the say if they're using it, then you've got to at least know about it. So to kind of know what sort of areas to be looking in and I guess also what sort of, um, information people are consuming from it. What about the kind of old fashioned way? Uh, you know, if you like websites and I mean, you know, obviously, uh, the letterbox drops, I mean, that's probably not very accessible for some people, though. There's much more equipment now that you can kind of read your own mail independently.

Yeah. There is. I remember there was a federal election. Well, I don't think it was the last one. It might have been the one before that where I got 17 from this bloke. 17 bits of it.

Yeah. There is. I remember there was a federal election. Well, I don't think it was the last one. It might have been the one before that where I got 17 from this bloke. 17 bits of it.

Because they know who you are.

Because they know who you are.

Uh, crazy amounts of mail. Um. And that person didn't win in the end, which is also amusing to me. Um, but yes, there's got to be other there's other ways. And I mean, for a lot of people, it's even just knowing who your local member is. Of course, obviously you're not voting for the Prime Minister unless you're in that seat. You're not voting for our prime minister or sometimes even cabinet ministers. So, uh, you don't know necessarily who these people are in your local area and in your electorate and what they stand for. So even finding out that information can be a good place to start.

Uh, crazy amounts of mail. Um. And that person didn't win in the end, which is also amusing to me. Um, but yes, there's got to be other there's other ways. And I mean, for a lot of people, it's even just knowing who your local member is. Of course, obviously you're not voting for the Prime Minister unless you're in that seat. You're not voting for our prime minister or sometimes even cabinet ministers. So, uh, you don't know necessarily who these people are in your local area and in your electorate and what they stand for. So even finding out that information can be a good place to start.

Yeah, that is such a great point, isn't it? Because invariably, say who you're voting for, Dutton or Elbow? And of course it isn't that not not particularly in your own electorate. And of course, then there's the, I guess, the extra complexity, if you want to call it that, of the Senate and the system in the upper house as well.

Yeah, that is such a great point, isn't it? Because invariably, say who you're voting for, Dutton or Elbow? And of course it isn't that not not particularly in your own electorate. And of course, then there's the, I guess, the extra complexity, if you want to call it that, of the Senate and the system in the upper house as well.

Absolutely. And I've, I don't know if you've done this. I do it for fun, Peter, but you go out on Election Day and walk into a polling place and ask all of those people handing out how to vote cards if they have one in Braille.

Absolutely. And I've, I don't know if you've done this. I do it for fun, Peter, but you go out on Election Day and walk into a polling place and ask all of those people handing out how to vote cards if they have one in Braille.

I must do that. No, I've never done that well the last few elections, I've kind of, uh, used the telephone voting. Although I must admit, I have gone.

I must do that. No, I've never done that well the last few elections, I've kind of, uh, used the telephone voting. Although I must admit, I have gone.

Doesn't mean I go out and enjoy it.

Doesn't mean I go out and enjoy it.

Oh.

Oh.

That's true.

That's true.

Well, no. Well, I was going to say I have gone out just to kind of soak up the atmosphere because there is something special about, uh, those sort of days. So I, I might do that and I might report back with the answers that I get.

Well, no. Well, I was going to say I have gone out just to kind of soak up the atmosphere because there is something special about, uh, those sort of days. So I, I might do that and I might report back with the answers that I get.

Oh, the sausage as well, right.

Oh, the sausage as well, right.

Yeah. Well, hopefully the answer is there. Broadcastable. Kelly, what about timeliness as far as your, uh, sort of survey and your, uh, call out for people to, uh, give you some information? Guys, how's that took place?

Yeah. Well, hopefully the answer is there. Broadcastable. Kelly, what about timeliness as far as your, uh, sort of survey and your, uh, call out for people to, uh, give you some information? Guys, how's that took place?

Oh, yeah. Get on to us as soon as you can. The initial survey is going to close on the 14th of April, so that we can at least get some stats out into the world before the election and the the survey. The paid survey will close probably a week after that. But, yeah, if you can get your initial initial votes in before that, that'd be great.

Oh, yeah. Get on to us as soon as you can. The initial survey is going to close on the 14th of April, so that we can at least get some stats out into the world before the election and the the survey. The paid survey will close probably a week after that. But, yeah, if you can get your initial initial votes in before that, that'd be great.

Yeah. So it's kind of a voting before we vote, isn't it?

Yeah. So it's kind of a voting before we vote, isn't it?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I um, and in terms of, um, the accessibility of the surveys. You talked about maybe doing a via phone, but if people do choose to do it online, you've checked it out. I know you have, Kelly, but I'm just asking. Just asking for a friend. I'm asking for a friend. Have you checked it out?

I um, and in terms of, um, the accessibility of the surveys. You talked about maybe doing a via phone, but if people do choose to do it online, you've checked it out. I know you have, Kelly, but I'm just asking. Just asking for a friend. I'm asking for a friend. Have you checked it out?

He takes feedback on that too, Peter.

He takes feedback on that too, Peter.

So, okay.

So, okay.

Some situations where a couple of people have mentioned a couple of things to us. Um, so, uh, yeah, always taking feedback on that. So it's online at knowable and that's knowable k n o w a b l e dot e. Uh. You can also email us if you need some support, which is research at knowable. And you can ring one of the team as well and have a chat which is 04351855, double seven.

Some situations where a couple of people have mentioned a couple of things to us. Um, so, uh, yeah, always taking feedback on that. So it's online at knowable and that's knowable k n o w a b l e dot e. Uh. You can also email us if you need some support, which is research at knowable. And you can ring one of the team as well and have a chat which is 04351855, double seven.

Terrific. Kelly. Obviously for those of us that are a little bit nerdish in this area, we're uh, looking forward to it and very appreciative of it. And like I always say at election time, you know, if you've got an accessible voting option, please think really hard about taking it up, because if we don't do it, then the Electoral Commission will say, oh look, yeah, these people aren't really interested. Why should we bother? Or why should we spend money on it? So, you know, my impassioned pleas that people take it up and also contact you to do your survey because you say there is a little financial incentive, particularly for the the longer survey that goes on after the initial contact.

Terrific. Kelly. Obviously for those of us that are a little bit nerdish in this area, we're uh, looking forward to it and very appreciative of it. And like I always say at election time, you know, if you've got an accessible voting option, please think really hard about taking it up, because if we don't do it, then the Electoral Commission will say, oh look, yeah, these people aren't really interested. Why should we bother? Or why should we spend money on it? So, you know, my impassioned pleas that people take it up and also contact you to do your survey because you say there is a little financial incentive, particularly for the the longer survey that goes on after the initial contact.

Yeah, it is. And I think this is a great opportunity. Like I said, the political landscape has never mentioned disability more than now that I've that I've experienced. And we need to exercise those rights. So if you can use one of those systems do. Let's let's prove it. Let's vote with our feet and get out there and do it.

Yeah, it is. And I think this is a great opportunity. Like I said, the political landscape has never mentioned disability more than now that I've that I've experienced. And we need to exercise those rights. So if you can use one of those systems do. Let's let's prove it. Let's vote with our feet and get out there and do it.

Terrific, Kelly. Great to catch up. Uh, I'd like to get back to you at the end of this and say, hey, what sort of response you get? And then perhaps, uh, after the election, you know, what your sort of thoughts are in terms of where you go to with this kind of project as well?

Terrific, Kelly. Great to catch up. Uh, I'd like to get back to you at the end of this and say, hey, what sort of response you get? And then perhaps, uh, after the election, you know, what your sort of thoughts are in terms of where you go to with this kind of project as well?

Yeah, that'd be great. I'd love to share this one back. I think it's a it's a really important issue.

Yeah, that'd be great. I'd love to share this one back. I think it's a it's a really important issue.

Kerry Schultz what a what a what an Energizer bunny. Certainly as far as accessibility and access to information goes, one of the very best. Always great to have her on the program. We'll put those details up in our show notes as well.

Kerry Schultz what a what a what an Energizer bunny. Certainly as far as accessibility and access to information goes, one of the very best. Always great to have her on the program. We'll put those details up in our show notes as well.