From Vision in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Colley.

From Vision in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Colley.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

It's important for all of us to understand not only our own disability, but the other experiences that make up disability in Australia, and I'd be able to support and encourage and include people of all different abilities.

It's important for all of us to understand not only our own disability, but the other experiences that make up disability in Australia, and I'd be able to support and encourage and include people of all different abilities.

Welcome to the program. That was Queensland psychologist Courtney Mackay. They're talking about why International Day of People with Disability or I'd pay you day and days like it are so important for the disability community. She joins me to celebrate it. P.W. Day, which is coming up this Friday, December 3rd. And to have a chat about her recent article for the ABC, where she talks about her work as a psychologist with a disability. That interview is coming up next. Also on the show, I catch up with manager of advocacy and government relations Chris Edwards to chat with him about his thoughts on the day, which he recently shared on the IDP Day website. And then finally, star chats to journalists, musician and transcriber Raya Andrea ANI about her new video series exploring the experiences of musicians with disability. I hope you enjoy this week's special Eid Pay Day episode of Talking Vision. I'm here with Courtney McKee, the client services manager for children and young people in Queensland for Vision Australia, talking about International Day for People with Disability. Coming up this Friday, the 3rd of December. Courtney, welcome to talking vision. Thank you so much for being here today.

Welcome to the program. That was Queensland psychologist Courtney Mackay. They're talking about why International Day of People with Disability or I'd pay you day and days like it are so important for the disability community. She joins me to celebrate it. P.W. Day, which is coming up this Friday, December 3rd. And to have a chat about her recent article for the ABC, where she talks about her work as a psychologist with a disability. That interview is coming up next. Also on the show, I catch up with manager of advocacy and government relations Chris Edwards to chat with him about his thoughts on the day, which he recently shared on the IDP Day website. And then finally, star chats to journalists, musician and transcriber Raya Andrea ANI about her new video series exploring the experiences of musicians with disability. I hope you enjoy this week's special Eid Pay Day episode of Talking Vision. I'm here with Courtney McKee, the client services manager for children and young people in Queensland for Vision Australia, talking about International Day for People with Disability. Coming up this Friday, the 3rd of December. Courtney, welcome to talking vision. Thank you so much for being here today.

Thanks for having me saying now.

Thanks for having me saying now.

Firstly, Courtney, what does International Day of People with Disability mean to you personally?

Firstly, Courtney, what does International Day of People with Disability mean to you personally?

So generally speaking, it's about developing the broader community's understanding of and appreciation for people with disabilities and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. And I would. Emphasize, I guess as part of that, all of the strategies that we do use to participate in society, having people become more aware of those and appreciate them because often we develop those strategies in isolation. Other than other people with disabilities, there isn't a lot of appreciation of the the degree of difficulty associated with those and the degree of skill associated with those. So I think it's a really good opportunity to tell stories in the lead up to our DPW day about all different forms of disability and have people guess into that experience and understand it better and appreciate the skill associated with not only being a person with a disability, but a person with a disability out there in the community, making a contribution and wanting to be part of work. And dumb and governance and family life.

So generally speaking, it's about developing the broader community's understanding of and appreciation for people with disabilities and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. And I would. Emphasize, I guess as part of that, all of the strategies that we do use to participate in society, having people become more aware of those and appreciate them because often we develop those strategies in isolation. Other than other people with disabilities, there isn't a lot of appreciation of the the degree of difficulty associated with those and the degree of skill associated with those. So I think it's a really good opportunity to tell stories in the lead up to our DPW day about all different forms of disability and have people guess into that experience and understand it better and appreciate the skill associated with not only being a person with a disability, but a person with a disability out there in the community, making a contribution and wanting to be part of work. And dumb and governance and family life.

Absolutely. And you did mention there telling them, telling the story being something that's really important. Did you want to give a little mention, a little plug to what you're up to? Last week with with the ABC and talking about your work as a psychologist?

Absolutely. And you did mention there telling them, telling the story being something that's really important. Did you want to give a little mention, a little plug to what you're up to? Last week with with the ABC and talking about your work as a psychologist?

And one of the initiatives that the ABC has launched upon in the last few years is really diversifying the stories that they tell. So perspective pieces coming from people from across Australia, all different aspects of society and with all different backgrounds and particularly in the lead up to it. pWt people with disabilities and I wrote an article as part of that initiative and that got published on the 25th, and it's about my experience as a psychologist with disability, learning to be there, present with people and understand what it is that they have to communicate with me via the channels of information that I have available to me and learning to be comfortable with the discomfort associated with, you know, maybe not having access to all the information as well.

And one of the initiatives that the ABC has launched upon in the last few years is really diversifying the stories that they tell. So perspective pieces coming from people from across Australia, all different aspects of society and with all different backgrounds and particularly in the lead up to it. pWt people with disabilities and I wrote an article as part of that initiative and that got published on the 25th, and it's about my experience as a psychologist with disability, learning to be there, present with people and understand what it is that they have to communicate with me via the channels of information that I have available to me and learning to be comfortable with the discomfort associated with, you know, maybe not having access to all the information as well.

Mm-Hmm. And so you touched on this a bit already, Courtney, but what do you feel are deep today and days like that are so important?

Mm-Hmm. And so you touched on this a bit already, Courtney, but what do you feel are deep today and days like that are so important?

Well, I think, you know, we tend as people living our lives to be caught up in the minutia of our personal experience and the experience of the people around us, many of whom are often quite similar to us. And so it's important at different points throughout our lives and throughout the year. And this is why we have these international days to become aware of things that are outside our immediate experience and for many people. Living and operating in the mainstream, they might not necessarily have direct experience of disability, but people with disability are a large proportion of society and an important proportion of society, and it's important for all of us to understand not only our own disability, but the other experiences that make up disability in Australia, and I'd be able to support and encourage and include people of all different abilities.

Well, I think, you know, we tend as people living our lives to be caught up in the minutia of our personal experience and the experience of the people around us, many of whom are often quite similar to us. And so it's important at different points throughout our lives and throughout the year. And this is why we have these international days to become aware of things that are outside our immediate experience and for many people. Living and operating in the mainstream, they might not necessarily have direct experience of disability, but people with disability are a large proportion of society and an important proportion of society, and it's important for all of us to understand not only our own disability, but the other experiences that make up disability in Australia, and I'd be able to support and encourage and include people of all different abilities.

OK. And speaking of the the general public there, Courtney, what would you like the public to know about disability?

OK. And speaking of the the general public there, Courtney, what would you like the public to know about disability?

Think that the most important thing is that when people are new to disability, when they don't have a lot of experience of interacting with people with disabilities, it's going to be a little bit uncomfortable initially. Just like any new experience is when you're finding your way, the best way to ease into it is to be really tuned in to the person that you're interacting with, the person with a disability and have them kind of teach you what it is to be. Communicating directly and hopefully with them. And then over time, you know, our skill sets in any area develops over time. So you've just got to have patience with yourself and be open to learning and growing and acquiring new understanding about us more broadly as a as a group of people. And it'll come in time. And it is a really important skill set for us all to have this ability to interact with people who are maybe a little bit different from us, but who together contribute to the richness of society.

Think that the most important thing is that when people are new to disability, when they don't have a lot of experience of interacting with people with disabilities, it's going to be a little bit uncomfortable initially. Just like any new experience is when you're finding your way, the best way to ease into it is to be really tuned in to the person that you're interacting with, the person with a disability and have them kind of teach you what it is to be. Communicating directly and hopefully with them. And then over time, you know, our skill sets in any area develops over time. So you've just got to have patience with yourself and be open to learning and growing and acquiring new understanding about us more broadly as a as a group of people. And it'll come in time. And it is a really important skill set for us all to have this ability to interact with people who are maybe a little bit different from us, but who together contribute to the richness of society.

And that's also the importance of asking questions and having that open dialogue rather than making assumptions, because that's potentially where there may come up some difficulties approaching it from the right standpoint. That's that's also one of the most important factors as well as in.

And that's also the importance of asking questions and having that open dialogue rather than making assumptions, because that's potentially where there may come up some difficulties approaching it from the right standpoint. That's that's also one of the most important factors as well as in.

Yeah. And I think also people assume that any interaction that they have with a person with a disability is going to be where they need help that person. They very rarely anticipate that the person with a disability might be able to help them in some way, or that it will be a meeting of equals. You know that it might not necessarily be that they're then needing to launch in and provide some support, but they might just be an opportunity to say goodbye to somebody or to have a pleasant interaction as they would with any other person on the street. So where where you do come into contact with anybody and you're tuning into that person and really seeing the person, not the trappings around the person, not the the symbols, I think that can potentially distance you from somebody and create a sense of distance. But actually turning into the person and understanding what what kind of interaction you can have with them and letting the two of you figure it out together as opposed to you feeling like it's all your responsibility.

Yeah. And I think also people assume that any interaction that they have with a person with a disability is going to be where they need help that person. They very rarely anticipate that the person with a disability might be able to help them in some way, or that it will be a meeting of equals. You know that it might not necessarily be that they're then needing to launch in and provide some support, but they might just be an opportunity to say goodbye to somebody or to have a pleasant interaction as they would with any other person on the street. So where where you do come into contact with anybody and you're tuning into that person and really seeing the person, not the trappings around the person, not the the symbols, I think that can potentially distance you from somebody and create a sense of distance. But actually turning into the person and understanding what what kind of interaction you can have with them and letting the two of you figure it out together as opposed to you feeling like it's all your responsibility.

Okay. And that's very important to take on board and a lot of things that people can definitely take on board and remember next time they do interact with people who have lived experience with disability. Now, Courtney, thank you so much for joining me today. That was Courtney McKee, their client services manager for children and young people in Queensland for Vision Australia. On Sam Kelly, and you're listening to talking vision on Vision Australia, radio associated stations of our age and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program likely to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision web page. Just type talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. Today, it's my great pleasure to welcome back a voice I'm so as familiar to many. It's manager of government relations and advocacy for Vision Australia, Chris Edwards. Chris The story recently featured in the lead up to International Day for People with Disability or ID pWt this Friday, December three, and he joins me now. Chris, welcome back to talking vision. It's great to have you here.

Okay. And that's very important to take on board and a lot of things that people can definitely take on board and remember next time they do interact with people who have lived experience with disability. Now, Courtney, thank you so much for joining me today. That was Courtney McKee, their client services manager for children and young people in Queensland for Vision Australia. On Sam Kelly, and you're listening to talking vision on Vision Australia, radio associated stations of our age and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program likely to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision web page. Just type talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. Today, it's my great pleasure to welcome back a voice I'm so as familiar to many. It's manager of government relations and advocacy for Vision Australia, Chris Edwards. Chris The story recently featured in the lead up to International Day for People with Disability or ID pWt this Friday, December three, and he joins me now. Chris, welcome back to talking vision. It's great to have you here.

Thanks, Sam. It's always lovely to come and have a chat.

Thanks, Sam. It's always lovely to come and have a chat.

And now, firstly, Chris, as I mentioned in the intro, there your story is one of the features on the Pay Day website. So what motivated you to share your story with them? And can you tell us a little bit about the messages of inclusion and accessibility that you talked about there?

And now, firstly, Chris, as I mentioned in the intro, there your story is one of the features on the Pay Day website. So what motivated you to share your story with them? And can you tell us a little bit about the messages of inclusion and accessibility that you talked about there?

Yeah, I think the day of people with a disability is a very special diet. Yeah, it is about recognising, you know, people with disability and the achievements that they make. And I think that for me, the accessibility and inclusion piece on there is that, yeah, without society, without community, without, you know, people that design apps, that design programs, that design buildings if they're not thinking about. Principles of accessibility and things and how we can include the participation of people who have a disability will always not enable people with disabilities to be able to reach the potential that that you know, that they can clearly demonstrate. Once you know they have the right environment to do so.

Yeah, I think the day of people with a disability is a very special diet. Yeah, it is about recognising, you know, people with disability and the achievements that they make. And I think that for me, the accessibility and inclusion piece on there is that, yeah, without society, without community, without, you know, people that design apps, that design programs, that design buildings if they're not thinking about. Principles of accessibility and things and how we can include the participation of people who have a disability will always not enable people with disabilities to be able to reach the potential that that you know, that they can clearly demonstrate. Once you know they have the right environment to do so.

Okay. And can you pinpoint for listeners, Chris White, dislike it today are so important for people who are blind or have low vision in particular.

Okay. And can you pinpoint for listeners, Chris White, dislike it today are so important for people who are blind or have low vision in particular.

Yeah, I think it's for me, it's about a bit of a celebration. You know, I think that, you know, it's recognizing, you know, we have so many fantastically talented people out there and some of those talented people do hang up on a level of vision and and get to do things that are interesting. They get to do things that make an impact and and they get to live lives that that that really special for a lot of people. And so I think that, you know, having a day that where we can reflect on, you know, different people and reflect on on some of the things that they do is really important. I think on the flip side of that, it's sort of it. It continues to bring disability into the front of mind of the general community and and actually helps the general community understand that, you know, having a disability doesn't automatically mean that you know, you have a life that is lacking and and that, you know, you can really deliver on a whole lot of aspects of life. Have a family, you know, be employed and contribute in many other ways to the community

Yeah, I think it's for me, it's about a bit of a celebration. You know, I think that, you know, it's recognizing, you know, we have so many fantastically talented people out there and some of those talented people do hang up on a level of vision and and get to do things that are interesting. They get to do things that make an impact and and they get to live lives that that that really special for a lot of people. And so I think that, you know, having a day that where we can reflect on, you know, different people and reflect on on some of the things that they do is really important. I think on the flip side of that, it's sort of it. It continues to bring disability into the front of mind of the general community and and actually helps the general community understand that, you know, having a disability doesn't automatically mean that you know, you have a life that is lacking and and that, you know, you can really deliver on a whole lot of aspects of life. Have a family, you know, be employed and contribute in many other ways to the community

and in your many hats with some Vision Australia as a manager of government relations, advocacy, NDIS, aged care and I'm sure a whole plethora of other things. How do you see the progress that society has made with regards to advocacy in the disability sector? And what are some areas you've observed that you'd like to see improved still?

and in your many hats with some Vision Australia as a manager of government relations, advocacy, NDIS, aged care and I'm sure a whole plethora of other things. How do you see the progress that society has made with regards to advocacy in the disability sector? And what are some areas you've observed that you'd like to see improved still?

Look it. It's a question that I think has got just as much debate as it has answers. And I think if you ask the same question about the progress that we've made for people with a disability and you asked 20 people, you would probably get 20 different opinions. My nature of myself is I'm much more of a glass half full person. And and so I I like to say some of the positives. And so if I'm thinking about my time in in disability, what we've seen over the last sort of 20 or 30 years is organizations understanding the importance of diversity and inclusion within their organization. The awareness is much, much pride in our understanding that, yeah, people with a disability are customers, their employers, the people that are involved in the community and that they can contribute. Well, I think on the flip side is that we're still at the point of yet much greater awareness, and we're at the point where people have aspirations to do better. But you know, I think that the evidence says that employing people with a disability and ensuring that systems work for people with disability and that the building designs don't have barriers that that are unnecessary yet we still need to make sure that happens to be able to change that alarming statistic that I commonly talk about that only twenty four per cent of people who are blind or have low vision are in full time employment. And you know, and with the Human Rights Commission, put out a report a few years back that said, Yeah, well, despite a lot of efforts from a lot of people, the unemployment rate of people with disability hasn't changed. And I think that, you know, unless we get more people in employment and contributing to the community in that way, yeah, we will see some barriers

Look it. It's a question that I think has got just as much debate as it has answers. And I think if you ask the same question about the progress that we've made for people with a disability and you asked 20 people, you would probably get 20 different opinions. My nature of myself is I'm much more of a glass half full person. And and so I I like to say some of the positives. And so if I'm thinking about my time in in disability, what we've seen over the last sort of 20 or 30 years is organizations understanding the importance of diversity and inclusion within their organization. The awareness is much, much pride in our understanding that, yeah, people with a disability are customers, their employers, the people that are involved in the community and that they can contribute. Well, I think on the flip side is that we're still at the point of yet much greater awareness, and we're at the point where people have aspirations to do better. But you know, I think that the evidence says that employing people with a disability and ensuring that systems work for people with disability and that the building designs don't have barriers that that are unnecessary yet we still need to make sure that happens to be able to change that alarming statistic that I commonly talk about that only twenty four per cent of people who are blind or have low vision are in full time employment. And you know, and with the Human Rights Commission, put out a report a few years back that said, Yeah, well, despite a lot of efforts from a lot of people, the unemployment rate of people with disability hasn't changed. And I think that, you know, unless we get more people in employment and contributing to the community in that way, yeah, we will see some barriers

on that topic of employment. This is same for it. A pay day is leadership and participation. So what do these concepts? Mean, for you as firstly an advocate, but also someone with lived experience of blindness or low vision.

on that topic of employment. This is same for it. A pay day is leadership and participation. So what do these concepts? Mean, for you as firstly an advocate, but also someone with lived experience of blindness or low vision.

Look, I think that, you know, when I think sort of leadership and participation is, you know, it's this, it's not just particularly for disability or for people bottom line vision, it's about actually, you know, I think that, yeah, my parents always used to say what you put into something is what you get out of it. And I think that, you know, it's really important that, you know, people, you know, not necessarily see themselves as a victim or as somebody with a disability that can't do stuff but actually go, OK, what can I do? How can I do this differently to be able to participate? How can I'm keen to engage in this activity, whether it's a sport or whether it's some volunteering or whether it's some employment? And yet all I want to put my hand up and actually use some of my self advocacy skills to possibly express how can this how can this activity be adjusted so that I can participate it in a better and and get the rewards of actually participating? You know, I think that with strong participation is the thing that will help continue to change the attitudes of individuals in the community. Mm-Hmm.

Look, I think that, you know, when I think sort of leadership and participation is, you know, it's this, it's not just particularly for disability or for people bottom line vision, it's about actually, you know, I think that, yeah, my parents always used to say what you put into something is what you get out of it. And I think that, you know, it's really important that, you know, people, you know, not necessarily see themselves as a victim or as somebody with a disability that can't do stuff but actually go, OK, what can I do? How can I do this differently to be able to participate? How can I'm keen to engage in this activity, whether it's a sport or whether it's some volunteering or whether it's some employment? And yet all I want to put my hand up and actually use some of my self advocacy skills to possibly express how can this how can this activity be adjusted so that I can participate it in a better and and get the rewards of actually participating? You know, I think that with strong participation is the thing that will help continue to change the attitudes of individuals in the community. Mm-Hmm.

OK. And if you'd like to find out more about Chris's story and hear more about the themes of accessibility and inclusion, you can head to WW W Dot. I'd pay W Datacom Donohue. That was advocacy and government relations manager from Vision Australia, Chris Edwards. They're talking about International Day for People with Disabilities coming up this Friday, December 3rd. And now his stellar with rare Andrea Renee.

OK. And if you'd like to find out more about Chris's story and hear more about the themes of accessibility and inclusion, you can head to WW W Dot. I'd pay W Datacom Donohue. That was advocacy and government relations manager from Vision Australia, Chris Edwards. They're talking about International Day for People with Disabilities coming up this Friday, December 3rd. And now his stellar with rare Andrea Renee.

Thanks, Sam, one for the music buffs this time around. ABC Classic has released a new video series exploring the experiences of musicians with a disability in honor of International Day of People with Disability, and they're hosted by braille specialist, journalist and musician and also Vision Australia colleague Ria Androgyny. And I'm talking with her right now. Thanks for your time today, RIA, and congratulations on the series.

Thanks, Sam, one for the music buffs this time around. ABC Classic has released a new video series exploring the experiences of musicians with a disability in honor of International Day of People with Disability, and they're hosted by braille specialist, journalist and musician and also Vision Australia colleague Ria Androgyny. And I'm talking with her right now. Thanks for your time today, RIA, and congratulations on the series.

Thank you. It's always been such a pleasure to be talking to you. Talking vision, Stella.

Thank you. It's always been such a pleasure to be talking to you. Talking vision, Stella.

Lovely, thank you now. So it's a four part series. So can you quickly tell us how this came about? It was a little bit by chance, too.

Lovely, thank you now. So it's a four part series. So can you quickly tell us how this came about? It was a little bit by chance, too.

Yes. So I was approached by a an acquaintance of mine who works for the ABC and who has interviewed me for the series previously. So this series is called How Music Works, and I once gave an interview about how braille music works, and I was approached by them to to host this series that has came about in partnership with the International Day of Persons with Disability in 2021.

Yes. So I was approached by a an acquaintance of mine who works for the ABC and who has interviewed me for the series previously. So this series is called How Music Works, and I once gave an interview about how braille music works, and I was approached by them to to host this series that has came about in partnership with the International Day of Persons with Disability in 2021.

So tell us about the four people that you interviewed. The first one was was with Jordi Hale, who most of us are familiar with, and she did performing opera as a blind person. What about the other three?

So tell us about the four people that you interviewed. The first one was was with Jordi Hale, who most of us are familiar with, and she did performing opera as a blind person. What about the other three?

Yes. So for the next episode, I'm going to talk to Damon Smith, who has a show and a documentary film called Mental Is Everything. So he lives with a few different mental illnesses, so he has obsessive compulsive disorder as well as bipolar. And he's such a great advocate for musicians living with the mental illness and still managing to be part of the industry. And then for the International Day of People with Disability, which is on the 3rd of December, I'm going to talk to Tessa Gutierrez, who is a percussion player. She performs with the Northwest Wind Ensemble here in Sydney. She has rheumatoid arthritis, so it affects her ability to move. She uses a wheelchair. And also, it affects the movement of her hand. She also lives with glaucoma, which affects her left eye. So she she has a very supportive network of friends who make sure she has line of sight to the conductor and be able to see her music. And also, she has her percussions set up in such a way that she can reach them quickly and in a timely manner, as because that's very important in performances and for the last to conclude the series. I'm going to speak with Tallulah Bowen, who is an Auslan choirmaster living in the northern New South Wales. She calls herself a signed singer, so she interprets popular songs to the Auslan sign language.

Yes. So for the next episode, I'm going to talk to Damon Smith, who has a show and a documentary film called Mental Is Everything. So he lives with a few different mental illnesses, so he has obsessive compulsive disorder as well as bipolar. And he's such a great advocate for musicians living with the mental illness and still managing to be part of the industry. And then for the International Day of People with Disability, which is on the 3rd of December, I'm going to talk to Tessa Gutierrez, who is a percussion player. She performs with the Northwest Wind Ensemble here in Sydney. She has rheumatoid arthritis, so it affects her ability to move. She uses a wheelchair. And also, it affects the movement of her hand. She also lives with glaucoma, which affects her left eye. So she she has a very supportive network of friends who make sure she has line of sight to the conductor and be able to see her music. And also, she has her percussions set up in such a way that she can reach them quickly and in a timely manner, as because that's very important in performances and for the last to conclude the series. I'm going to speak with Tallulah Bowen, who is an Auslan choirmaster living in the northern New South Wales. She calls herself a signed singer, so she interprets popular songs to the Auslan sign language.

Now, it seems that the main focus of the series is for the musicians to talk about their disability and some of the challenges. What moderation? So what hacks they came up with to face this challenge?

Now, it seems that the main focus of the series is for the musicians to talk about their disability and some of the challenges. What moderation? So what hacks they came up with to face this challenge?

Yeah. So when when I came on board with this series, I wanted to focus more on the accessibility side of things rather than the the usual inspirational focus that most media has when they're portraying people with disability. So, so, yeah, from the beginning, we wanted to explore like what are some of the strategies that musicians with disability have come up with that can be used by other people, not just them?

Yeah. So when when I came on board with this series, I wanted to focus more on the accessibility side of things rather than the the usual inspirational focus that most media has when they're portraying people with disability. So, so, yeah, from the beginning, we wanted to explore like what are some of the strategies that musicians with disability have come up with that can be used by other people, not just them?

And who is the series aimed at and for? Who are you hoping or who actually is listening to the series?

And who is the series aimed at and for? Who are you hoping or who actually is listening to the series?

I aim the focus squarely on the music industry who needs to do better to support musicians with disability, and they can do better. I think personally, that we deserve to have. Different access parts that make it possible to get into auditions and also to perform on stage without having to come up with all the solutions ourselves like it should be encapsulated in be in a disability action plan or if you live in New South Wales Disability Inclusion Action Plan, but also to just the general audience to kind of like see that these people aren't just inspirational figures, but also they are very hard working humans and behind all that performance and all the, you know, one minute glamour on stage they have, they have to have a supportive network behind them, and it's not impossible to create that supportive network like everyone can do it. It's a matter of learning how and also having an open mind.

I aim the focus squarely on the music industry who needs to do better to support musicians with disability, and they can do better. I think personally, that we deserve to have. Different access parts that make it possible to get into auditions and also to perform on stage without having to come up with all the solutions ourselves like it should be encapsulated in be in a disability action plan or if you live in New South Wales Disability Inclusion Action Plan, but also to just the general audience to kind of like see that these people aren't just inspirational figures, but also they are very hard working humans and behind all that performance and all the, you know, one minute glamour on stage they have, they have to have a supportive network behind them, and it's not impossible to create that supportive network like everyone can do it. It's a matter of learning how and also having an open mind.

Now, with all of this in mind, really just the day itself, International Day of people with disability have any meaning for you.

Now, with all of this in mind, really just the day itself, International Day of people with disability have any meaning for you.

Yeah, it's quite interesting, you ask me that still, because I had gone through a lot of reflections lately about what it means to have equal access as a person with disability. It kind of came about when I was doing my regular job, I was reading the State Disability Action Plan from Victoria and. They talked about like how people can be supported through the criminal justice system and how they should be accorded the same dignity and access as someone without disability. That is an enormous challenge. And I think I think it should be applied to in all situations, not just in the super challenging situation of criminal justice. And I started to think, what can we expect when, for instance, we asked for access in going to an audition or going for a job interview or going to go to a concert? Like what can society help us with? I think we've come a long way since the disability rights movement started, and it the rights of persons with disability were enshrined in the U.N. convention in 2006. We still have a long way to go, and the International Day of People with Disability is a reminder of how far we've come and how far we have to go.

Yeah, it's quite interesting, you ask me that still, because I had gone through a lot of reflections lately about what it means to have equal access as a person with disability. It kind of came about when I was doing my regular job, I was reading the State Disability Action Plan from Victoria and. They talked about like how people can be supported through the criminal justice system and how they should be accorded the same dignity and access as someone without disability. That is an enormous challenge. And I think I think it should be applied to in all situations, not just in the super challenging situation of criminal justice. And I started to think, what can we expect when, for instance, we asked for access in going to an audition or going for a job interview or going to go to a concert? Like what can society help us with? I think we've come a long way since the disability rights movement started, and it the rights of persons with disability were enshrined in the U.N. convention in 2006. We still have a long way to go, and the International Day of People with Disability is a reminder of how far we've come and how far we have to go.

It's been an absolute pleasure talking with you today. And before we go, can you let people know where they can view the series, what the series is called and where people can find it?

It's been an absolute pleasure talking with you today. And before we go, can you let people know where they can view the series, what the series is called and where people can find it?

Thank you so much for having me again, Stella. And yes, the the series is called How Music Works, and you can find it on ABC Dot Net Dot AEW Slash Classic.

Thank you so much for having me again, Stella. And yes, the the series is called How Music Works, and you can find it on ABC Dot Net Dot AEW Slash Classic.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is a production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with put in the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking vision or one word at Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is a production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with put in the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking vision or one word at Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one three eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one three eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.