Today is International Day of People with Disability, and to mark the occasion Sam caught up with one of this year's ambassadors, Santiago Velasquez Hurtado.

Among many other things Santi is the co-founder of Hailo, a public transport app to ensure bus passengers who are blind or have low vision are picked up and dropped off without the worry of hailing the bus or working out when their stop will be.

He talks about what it means to be an ambassador, why IDPWD is such an important day for the disabled community, and what needs to change to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Today is International Day of People with Disability, and to mark the occasion Sam caught up with one of this year's ambassadors, Santiago Velasquez Hurtado.
Among many other things Santi is the co-founder of Hailo, a public transport app to ensure bus passengers who are blind or have low vision are picked up and dropped off without the worry of hailing the bus or working out when their stop will be.
He talks about what it means to be an ambassador, why IDPWD is such an important day for the disabled community, and what needs to change to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Featuring interview highlights, bonus content and more from across Vision Australia Radio.

Featuring interview highlights, bonus content and more from across Vision Australia Radio.

Interview Highlights from Vision Australia Radio

Vision Australia Radio Interview Highlights shares a range of discussions initially broadcasted on our print disability radio network. Vision Australia Radio podcasts are accessible on all major podcast apps.

Remember to like, subscribe and share. 

Learn more: www.varadio.org

Get in touch: call Vision Australia on 1300 84 74 66 or email radio@visionaustralia.org

Vision Australia Radio is a licensed community broadcaster and operates in accordance with the Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice and RPH Protocols.

Vision Australia Radio Interview Highlights shares a range of discussions initially broadcasted on our print disability radio network. Vision Australia Radio podcasts are accessible on all major podcast apps.
Remember to like, subscribe and share. 
Learn more: <a href="http://www.varadio.org">www.varadio.org</a> 
Get in touch: call Vision Australia on 1300 84 74 66 or email <a href="mailto:radio@visionaustralia.org">radio@visionaustralia.org</a> 
Vision Australia Radio is a licensed community broadcaster and operates in accordance with the <a href="http://radio.visionaustralia.org/about-us/community-broadcasting-codes-of-practice">Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice</a> and <a href="https://www.rph.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/FINAL_RPH-Australia-Protocol_2019.docx">RPH Protocols</a>.

Interview Highlight: Santiago Velasquez

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/a6fa661b-009a-4559-a1f7-b3a8000eaf28/transcript

In this high‑energy finale to the 2026 Midsumma Carnival Day broadcast, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 welcome cabaret powerhouse Justin Clausen for a joyful and music‑filled conversation about his hit show He’s Every Woman.

Justin shares how the show pays tribute to some of the world’s greatest divas — Whitney, Cher, Céline, Tina, Kylie, and more — offering insight into which artists he channels most naturally and what draws him to their iconic music.

Listeners get a behind‑the‑scenes look at performing with a full eight‑piece band, including what audiences can expect from the big arrangements, the vocal stylings, and the unmistakable joy and camp spectacle that define the show.

Justin also reflects on balancing emotional power ballads with playful humour and banter, a hallmark of the production that keeps crowds engaged and on their feet. He teases standout numbers, the songs that reliably lift the room, and the diva moments that generate the most electric audience response.

The conversation touches on the magic of performing at Chapel Off Chapel, how the venue’s intimacy elevates connection with audiences, and the continued evolution of the show for its 2026 season — including a cameo by the wonderful Dolly Diamond.

Closing out a celebratory day of queer performance, community voices, and festival storytelling, this interview captures the warm humour, vocal brilliance, and big‑heart energy that make He’s Every Woman a perfect fit for Midsumma.

In this high‑energy finale to the 2026 Midsumma Carnival Day broadcast, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 welcome cabaret powerhouse Justin Clausen for a joyful and music‑filled conversation about his hit show He&rsquo;s Every Woman.
Justin shares how the show pays tribute to some of the world&rsquo;s greatest divas &mdash; Whitney, Cher, C&eacute;line, Tina, Kylie, and more &mdash; offering insight into which artists he channels most naturally and what draws him to their iconic music.
Listeners get a behind‑the‑scenes look at performing with a full eight‑piece band, including what audiences can expect from the big arrangements, the vocal stylings, and the unmistakable joy and camp spectacle that define the show.
Justin also reflects on balancing emotional power ballads with playful humour and banter, a hallmark of the production that keeps crowds engaged and on their feet. He teases standout numbers, the songs that reliably lift the room, and the diva moments that generate the most electric audience response.
The conversation touches on the magic of performing at Chapel Off Chapel, how the venue&rsquo;s intimacy elevates connection with audiences, and the continued evolution of the show for its 2026 season &mdash; including a cameo by the wonderful Dolly Diamond.
Closing out a celebratory day of queer performance, community voices, and festival storytelling, this interview captures the warm humour, vocal brilliance, and big‑heart energy that make He&rsquo;s Every Woman a perfect fit for Midsumma.

 Midsumma Festival 2026, Carnival Day - Interview with Justin Clausen ‘He’s Every Woman’.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/3f47d581-7610-4571-8db6-b3d800992419/transcript

In this insightful Carnival Day conversation, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 speak with Nilgun Guven, founder of Vitae Veritas, an organisation known for its long‑standing work in disability access, guided tactile tours, and inclusive festival experiences. Nilgun joins the broadcast live from the community stalls following her confirmation earlier in the week to take part again in the festival’s accessibility programming.

Nilgun begins by reflecting on the origins of Vitae Veritas and what motivated the creation of a service focused on access, guided tours, and equitable participation within queer community events. She shares what attendees can expect from the Carnival Day Guided Tours, how tactile and guided experiences enhance access for blind and low‑vision visitors, and how these tours have evolved across the festival’s accessibility landscape.

Listeners will also hear Nilgun discuss her organisation’s broader role across Midsumma 2026 — including involvement in events such as Pride March — and her perspective on how the festival is progressing toward deeper inclusion, where it is excelling, and where accessibility work is still evolving.

The interview offers practical insight, warm reflection, and a clear sense of purpose: ensuring that queer cultural spaces are designed so everyone — across disability, identity, and community — can fully take part.

In this insightful Carnival Day conversation, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 speak with Nilgun Guven, founder of Vitae Veritas, an organisation known for its long‑standing work in disability access, guided tactile tours, and inclusive festival experiences. Nilgun joins the broadcast live from the community stalls following her confirmation earlier in the week to take part again in the festival&rsquo;s accessibility programming.
Nilgun begins by reflecting on the origins of Vitae Veritas and what motivated the creation of a service focused on access, guided tours, and equitable participation within queer community events. She shares what attendees can expect from the Carnival Day Guided Tours, how tactile and guided experiences enhance access for blind and low‑vision visitors, and how these tours have evolved across the festival&rsquo;s accessibility landscape.
Listeners will also hear Nilgun discuss her organisation&rsquo;s broader role across Midsumma 2026 &mdash; including involvement in events such as Pride March &mdash; and her perspective on how the festival is progressing toward deeper inclusion, where it is excelling, and where accessibility work is still evolving.
The interview offers practical insight, warm reflection, and a clear sense of purpose: ensuring that queer cultural spaces are designed so everyone &mdash; across disability, identity, and community &mdash; can fully take part.

Midsumma Festival 2026, Carnival Day - Interview with Nilgun Guven, Vitae Veritas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/553d68a2-d070-48f0-a385-b3d80096e2f8/transcript

In this warm, insightful Carnival Day interview, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 bring together representatives from two church communities who are reshaping what faith, inclusion, and belonging look like in contemporary Melbourne.

Recorded live from the community stalls at Midsumma Carnival, the conversation explores how these congregations are building open, affirming, and LGBTQIA+‑welcoming spaces within traditions that have not always been seen as inclusive. Together, they discuss the practical steps their churches are taking to support queer people of faith, the importance of visibility at events like Midsumma, and the shared belief that spiritual spaces can — and should — be safe places for everyone.

Listeners will hear thoughtful reflections on community leadership, allyship, and the evolving relationship between faith and identity, as well as the role churches can play in combating stigma, strengthening social connection, and celebrating diversity across Melbourne.

With honesty and compassion at its centre, this conversation highlights the work of two faith communities committed to living their values.

This Vision Australia Radio broadcast was possible with thanks to a collaboration with JOY 94.9

In this warm, insightful Carnival Day interview, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 bring together representatives from two church communities who are reshaping what faith, inclusion, and belonging look like in contemporary Melbourne.
Recorded live from the community stalls at Midsumma Carnival, the conversation explores how these congregations are building open, affirming, and LGBTQIA+‑welcoming spaces within traditions that have not always been seen as inclusive. Together, they discuss the practical steps their churches are taking to support queer people of faith, the importance of visibility at events like Midsumma, and the shared belief that spiritual spaces can &mdash; and should &mdash; be safe places for everyone.
Listeners will hear thoughtful reflections on community leadership, allyship, and the evolving relationship between faith and identity, as well as the role churches can play in combating stigma, strengthening social connection, and celebrating diversity across Melbourne.
With honesty and compassion at its centre, this conversation highlights the work of two faith communities committed to living their values.
This Vision Australia Radio broadcast was possible with thanks to a collaboration with JOY 94.9

 Midsumma Festival 2026, Carnival Day - Interview with Collins Street Baptist Church & Melbourne Inclusive Church

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/0bb2719a-6f6b-4614-8d79-b3d8009110ed/transcript

Interview Highlight: Santiago Velasquez

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Interview Highlights from Vision Australia Radio

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