Shows
Disability DisruptersHistorical Disability Disrupter - The Life and Times of Ben PurseThis special Historical Disability Disrupter episode of the Podcast features a presentation by Dr. Peter Wheeler on the remarkable life and times of Ben Purse, a pivotal figure in disability history.
Purse famously articulated that while physical impairment "matters," the greater problem was "the social sins of the community" — attitudes, barriers, and obstacles that prevented blind people from achieving social and economic fairness alongside sighted workers. This perspective predates modern social models of disability.
Ben Purse orchestrated a historic march to London in 1920, where 250 blind men and their supporters marched from three different starting points to Trafalgar Square, greeted by...2025-06-301h 09Disability DisruptersInterview with Emma BennisonEmma Bennison
Emma Bennison is a bold disability advocate, consultant, Non-Executive Director and systems leader committed to equity, lived experience leadership and community transformation.
As Principal of Emma Bennison and Associates and Chief Advisor, Equity and Lived Experience at Life Without Barriers, (one of Australia’s largest human services organisations), she drives inclusive change across government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
A former President and CEO of Blind Citizens Australia and co-founder of United Blind Leaders, Emma is passionate about elevating blind leadership and challenging systemic barriers.
She’s also a TEDx spea...2025-05-3147 minDisability DisruptersInterview with Nikita 'Nikki' Van DijkNikita 'Nikki' Van Dijk
Nikki has been involved in disability advocacy since intermediate, when she was advocating for autistic students in school due to the experiences of their brother within Aotearoa's education system.
This continued as she transitioned into secondary school as a foundation student of Hobsonville Point Secondary School. Nikki sat on one of the school's first student councils, and then sat on one of the first 'Wellbeing Habitats' (specialised councils), advocating for the needs of disabled and chronically ill students.
Following a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in 2020...2025-04-3038 minDisability DisruptersInterview with Grant Cleland ONZMGrant Cleland ONZM
Grant has worked in the health. disability and education sectors for over 30 years at governance, senior leadership and practitioner levels. With lived experience of disability from birth, Grant uses a wheelchair for mobility and has faced many barriers that disabled people face in health, education and employment. He therefore brings both lived and professional experience to his work.
For 9.5 years Grant was the Chief Executive of Workbridge. He was also a member of the Ministerial Group that developed the Enabling Good Lives principles.
His governance appointments have included: The NZ...2025-03-3134 minDisability DisruptersInterview with Cyndi Brec - AuthorCyndi Brec is a YA (Young Adult) fantasy author, speaker, and co-host of the P English Literature podcast, who turned a lifelong challenge — dyslexia – into the heart of her writing journey.
Growing up, words seemed like walls she would never climb, but she refused to let dyslexia define her. Cyndi shows us the power of perseverance and how she has channeled her struggle into writing epic, history-inspired fantasy stories and how twisting legends have made her a legend sleuth.
Cyndi has completed three prequels and three novels in The Therans Series, with two different worlds within the same...2025-02-2836 minDisability DisruptersIn conversation with Graeme Innes and Jonathan MosenRead transcriptGraeme Innes
Graeme Innes AM is a lawyer, author, and company director. He is the Chancellor of Central Queensland University, a member of the board of the National Disability Insurance Agency, and a member of the board of the State Insurance Regulatory Authority of NSW.
Graeme's autobiography Finding a Way achieved popular acclaim in 2016.
He has been a human rights practitioner for more than forty years, and is a conference presenter and facilitator. Graeme was a Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission for nine years, responsible for issues...2025-01-311h 02Disability DisruptersInterviews with Paula Jessop and Mark CookPaula Jessop is an autistic woman and autistic rights advocate. She lives in Tauranga with her cat.
Paula has been involved with autism self-advocacy for many years in New Zealand. She was an integral part of guiding Altogether Autism to become a more inclusive organisation as their first Autistic advisor. She has played a role in shifting the language in the autism sector, along with promoting the importance of knowledge gained from lived experience.
In systemic advocacy Paula tends to be the ‘disrupter’ who shakes up the status quo and at times she has acted as a ‘weaver’, connecting and supp...2024-12-3147 minDisability DisruptersInterview with Dr Peter WheelerDr Peter Wheeler worked in the UK nuclear engineering field until loosing his sight at the age of 38. After going blind he went to university and gained a first class honours degree in business and management. He then went on to undertake a Ph.D. at Warwick university. Peter then undertook research projects at both Warwick and Salford universities before finally taking a full time role as senior lecturer at Edge Hill university.
“When first approached to be interviewed for the disability disrupters podcast, my initial instinct was to decline the offer. The reason is that I do...2024-11-301h 23Disability DisruptersInterview with Liel Bridgford - Psychologist, Writer and EducatorLiel Bridgford - I am a Psychologist, writer, educator, and podcaster based in Naarm and who uses she/they pronouns. I am a proud disabled, immigrant, gender fluid femme, and my work is centered on inclusive, accessible and holistic support and education. I have been recognised as an ABC TOP 5 Arts resident, served as the 2022 Editor of Writing Place Magazine, and was a 2023 Melbourne Access and Inclusion Award finalist. I have facilitated presentations and workshops across Australia and internationally, and was published and featured widely.
In the past year, I founded Kultivate to advance wellbeing, equity, inclusion, and disability...2024-10-3140 minDisability DisruptersInterview with Barry de Geest and Carolyns travel experiences (low vision & blind)Barry De Geest is a dedicated advocate and activist within the New Zealand disability community. He has worked throughout his life to further the aims of disabled citizens to achieve self-determination, choice and control. Barry is an active supporter of the Enabling Good Lives Approach.
Barry’s commitment to the sector is evident through his numerous initiatives, particularly through his establishment of the Renaissance Group, which aims to promote accessibility and inclusivity. His insights and dedication have not only raised awareness of the barriers faced by disabled New Zealanders in areas such as housing and employment, but has also as...2024-09-301h 03Disability DisruptersInterview with Amos Miller - CEO of GlidanceAmos Miller, the Founder and CEO of Glidance, is a trailblazer in the field of assistive technology. After losing his sight in his 20s due to a genetic eye condition, Amos embarked on a mission to revolutionize mobility for the blind and vision impaired. With over 25 years of experience, most notably at Microsoft Research, Amos has been at the forefront of developing ground-breaking assistive products using augmented reality and robotics. He is the founder of Microsoft Soundscape, an innovative audio augmented reality navigation app that has empowered countless individuals with sight loss. Amos’s dedication to accessibility and innovation dr...2024-09-0138 minDisability DisruptersInterview with Valerie SmithValerie Smith is a distinguished New Zealand disability activist.
As a senior figure in the disability community, she has been a pivotal force in numerous landmark achievements which have shaped the landscape of awareness, responsiveness, and support to disabled people.
Her dedication to championing our rights has earned her a respected place in New Zealand's history of social justice and equality.
Throughout her career, Valerie has actively participated in the development and implementation of policies aimed at improving the quality of life for disabled people. She has been instrumental in advocating for accessibility...2024-08-0133 min
The Subscription Box ShowEpisode 109 - New Founders Series Part 7 - Trudy Armand - Her-Mine Box - An Inspiring Business StorySend us a textIn this episode I have the pleasure of talking with an inspiring entrepreneur who makes her home in Florida, but originally came from the Island of Jamaica. We discuss how she started her family business work, and what she used as inspiration to not only launch, but grow and scale! This and much more, with the Co-Founder of Her-Mine Box, Trudy Armand!Trudy was born on the island nation of Jamaica. She moved with her family to Miami, Florida when she was 12 years old. Her mother Pam owned a nu...2020-12-1439 min
The Blind SideVictory for Canadian guide dog handlers, Braille readers give their testimonies, should the sighted give up their seats for us, and Pam MacNeill from Disability Responsiveness New ZealandWe lead with the breaking news that the Canadian General Standards Board has abandoned its proposed service dogs standards, covered extensively in episode 43 of this podcast.Many listeners emailed or called with feedback about the difference Braille has made to their lives. We include a selection of the comments.We learn about new legislation promoting the use of Braille in the District of Columbia.A listener is seeking more information on accessible cryptocurrency solutions.The debate continues about the use of people-first language.A listener finds an article about...2018-04-181h 07The Blind SideNew Mexico students talk with the space station, New Zealand census problems and reflections on the power of self-advocacy in the digital ageIn news briefs, we hear about a beeping Easter egg hunt being organised by the Corpus Christi Police Department's bomb squad. Nice one!A blind woman has filed a class action lawsuit against McDonalds, alleging that their drive-throughs discriminate against blind people at times when no other option is available.Microsoft has released yet another free blindness-related app. Soundscape for iOS is available in the US and UK App Stores.Jonathan makes mention of the Mosen Consulting audiobook, "Imagine there's no countries". You can read about and purchase it here.Our...2018-03-0654 minThe Blind SidePam MacNeill from Disability Responsiveness New ZealandThe phrase “Nothing About us Without Us” is a catch cry of the disability movement. Yet there’s still a lot of disability training and policy that lacks meaningful direction and input from disabled people themselves.Pam MacNeill has had a long and successful career, recently in fields pertaining to disability policy. She’s just set up her own company, Disability Responsiveness New Zealand.In this candid conversation with Jonathan Mosen, Pam discusses her personal story, and looks at the challenges disabled people face today in a range of areas, including what New Zealanders call the tall...2016-11-041h 04
How to Listen to Free Audiobook in Nonfiction, True CrimeThe Stranger She Loved by Shanna Hogan | Free AudiobookListen to full audiobooks for free on :https://hotaudiobook.com/freeTitle: The Stranger She Loved
Author: Shanna Hogan
Narrator: Pam Ward
Format: Unabridged
Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-17-15
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime
Summary:
In 2007, Dr. Martin MacNeill - a doctor, lawyer, and Mormon bishop - discovered his wife of 30 years dead in the bathtub of their Pleasant Grove, Utah, home, her face bearing the scars of a facelift he had persuaded her to undergo just a week prior. At first the death of 50-year-old Michele MacNeill, a former beauty queen and mother...2015-11-1711h 06Discover New Releases Audiobooks in Nonfiction, True CrimeThe Stranger She Loved Audiobook by Shanna HoganVisit https://hotaudiobook.cοm to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.
Title: The Stranger She Loved
Subtitle: A Mormon Doctor, His Beautiful Wife, and an Almost Perfect Murder
Author: Shanna Hogan
Narrator: Pam Ward
Format: Unabridged
Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-17-15
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 215 votes
Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime
Publisher's Summary:
In 2007, Dr. Martin MacNeill - a doctor, lawyer, and Mormon bishop - discovered his wife of 30 years dead in the bathtub of their Pleasant Grove, Utah, home, her face bearing the scars of a facelift he had p...2015-11-1711h 06