Best Lois Strachan Podcasts (2025)

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130 - Belinda Sampson on Wheelchair Basketball 38:45

Play Pause

8d ago38:45

38:45

Show Notes: ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In this episode, Lois chats with Belinda Sampson, an empowerment coach and programme coordinator focused on lifelong learning. Following on from the…

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129 - A Conversation with Joseph Fleeks about Living with Blindness 49:49

22d ago49:49

49:49

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In this episode, Lois chats with Joseph Fleeks, one of the hosts of the Blind Table Talk Podcast. At the age of 16, a drive-by shooting resulted in Joseph becom…

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128 - Tarryn Tomlinson on Understanding Smart Cities 54:32

1M ago54:32

54:32

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In this episode, Lois chats with Tarryn Tomlinson from LiveAble Universal Access Consultants, an organisation that specialises in universal access solutions for…

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127 - Michelle Nell on Navigating a Diagnosis of Complex Disabilities 32:54

2M ago32:54

32:54

** My new book, Paws for Thought (seco nd edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois chats with Michelle Nell, a post-graduate psychology student and musician about living with complex disabilities. Michelle was born wi…

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126 - Trailblazing and Transforming Disability Entrepreneurship with Kat Paz 37:00

2M ago37:00

37:00

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois chats with Katrina (Kat) Paz, the compiler of a recently published bestselling book, Trailblazing and Transforming: Success Stories of …

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125 - Guillaume Hervier on Blind Tennis and Living as a Blind Person in France 49:51

3M ago49:51

49:51

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois chats with Guillaume Hervier, host of the French language podcast, Les Voyages A L'Aveuglette. Guillaume chats about his life growing u…

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124 - Job Talk: Katey Fortun on Working as an Interior Designer with Dyslexia 58:17

3M ago58:17

58:17

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois chats with host of the Different Ability Podcast, Katey Fortun, about her work as an interior designer. During the conversation, Katey talks about the relief of receiving a diagnosis of dyslexi…

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123 - Job Talk: Dr Lionel Smith on Working as a Medical Professional with Low Vision 55:13

4M ago55:13

55:13

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois chats with Dr Lionel Smith, a medical doctor who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at the age of 60. Despite his diagnosis, he continued to work in the medical field. During the conv…

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122 - Geertje van den Broeck on Running a Wheelchair Accessible Guesthouse 39:16

4M ago39:16

39:16

** My new Kindle book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Thought-second-Seeing-Through-ebook/dp/B0DRTJF95G/ In today’s episode, Lois chats with Geertje van den Broeck, who runs a wheelchair accessible guesthouse in Cape Town, South Africa. On moving to South Africa from Belgium, Geertje…

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121 - Linsay Lusyne on Being a Low Vision Travel Advisor and Coach 47:02

4M ago47:02

47:02

** My new Kindle book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Thought-second-Seeing-Through-ebook/dp/B0DRTJF95G/ In today’s episode, Lois chats with low vision travel coach Linsay Lusyne about her work helping those from the blind and visually impaired(BVI) community who wish to become more …

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120 - Mayet Banos on Navigating an Adult Diagnosis of Neurodiversity 36:20

5M ago36:20

36:20

** My new Kindle book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Thought-second-Seeing-Through-ebook/dp/B0DRTJF95G/ In today’s episode, Lois chats with Mayet Banos (she/her). Mayet is a business owner and founder of Vision Creative Adventure, an organisation in which she helps people shift thei…

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119 - A Conversation with Low Vision Consultant, Jennifer Webster 54:29

5M ago54:29

54:29

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Thought-second-Seeing-Through-ebook/dp/B0DRTJF95G/ In today’s episode, Lois chats with low vision consultant, Jennifer Webster. Jennifer shares a little of her own story of growing up with low vision. She talks about the challenges of ad…

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118 - Raising Guide Dog Puppies, with Wendy Purdon and Tania Robbertze 57:47

6M ago57:47

57:47

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available for pre-order. Get your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Thought-second-Seeing-Through-ebook/dp/B0DRTJF95G/ In today’s episode, Lois returns to the fun topic of the training of guide dogs, this time focusing on the crucial early months of the dogs’ life before they start formal t…

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117 - Introducing Talking Books, with Jeremy Opperman 57:40

7M ago57:40

57:40

** Interested in being an advance reader of my latest book? Contact me on https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In today’s episode, Lois and Jeremy Opperman have a conversation about books that represent characters with disabilities. This is the first in a series on specific books that represent various disabilities, though this is a general i…

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116 - Cheryl Robertson on Training Guide Dogs 1:05:22

7M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

** Interested in being an advance reader of my latest book? Contact me on https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Cheryl Robertson, who is a trainer at the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind. Cheryl outlines the process used to train guide dogs and explains how they are matched with their huma…

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115 - Adrijana Prokopenko on Living and Working as a Teacher in North Macedonia 39:25

8M ago39:25

39:25

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Adrijana Prokopenko, who lives in North Macedonia and works as a teacher for blind children. Adrijana explains the training she received as an educator and outlines some of the logistical challenges she faces as a woman with a disability in North Macedonia. As a developing country, North Macedonia faces challeng…

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114 - Mitch Kidd on Living as a Blind Transgender Individual 54:11

8M ago54:11

54:11

**Find more about Lois’s memoir at https://www.loisstrachan.com/books-and-author-support/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Mitch Kidd about their life as a transgender blind individual. Mitch and Lois discuss some of the unique challenges faced by people living with this intersectionality and solutions to enhance inclusion of all in…

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113 - A Conversation with Social Justice Activist, Notukela Makohliso 50:48

9M ago50:48

50:48

**Find more about Lois’s memoir at https://www.loisstrachan.com/books-and-author-support/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Notukela Makohliso, a woman who fulfils many roles. She is a mother, a politician, a social justice activist, a writer, a storyteller, and speaker. She is a woman who draws much inspiration from her faith. Notuk…

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112 - Imperfectly Perfect with Visual Artist Aerin Dyason 28:41

9M ago28:41

28:41

**Find Lois’s music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/album/5FoQ00woRkMAtb7j3EZJWa?si=bgviicb8SGu78Srva8JAUg&nd=1 In today’s episode, Lois speaks with visual artist Aerin Dyason, the youngest guest to feature on the show so far. Aerin was diagnosed with retinal dystrophy as a young child. Aerin describes the challenges she faced as a partially…

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111 - A Conversation with Lethabo Segudla of Zollyhood Universe 36:41

10M ago36:41

36:41

**Find Lois’s music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/album/5FoQ00woRkMAtb7j3EZJWa?si=bgviicb8SGu78Srva8JAUg&nd=1 In today’s episode, Lois speaks with content creator, Lethabo Segudla, from the Zollyhood Universe platform. Lethabo, who is visually impaired and has epilepsy, is the social media manager for Zollyhood Universe, a platform that sh…

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110 - The Disabled Life with Lenard Gros 50:17

11M ago50:17

50:17

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with fellow podcaster, Lenard Gros, from the show The Disabled Life. Lenard talks about his life and show, and the accommodations that enable him to produce the podcast and volunteer while living with cerebral palsy and dyslexia. He also discusses a few of the inclusion barriers he has faced as a result of society’s …

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109 - Job Talk: Elizabeth Sammons on Working as a Simultaneous Interpreter 44:18

11M ago44:18

44:18

In today’s episode of the Job Talk series, Lois talks with Elizabeth Sammons about simultaneous interpreting as a possible career choice for persons with disabilities with a passion for languages. Elizabeth discusses possible training and techniques to practice the skill of simultaneous interpreting, and discusses her own experience interpreting bo…

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108 - A Conversation with Confidence Coach, Chris Mitchell 39:30

11M ago39:30

39:30

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Confidence Coach, Chris Mitchell. Chris talks about what it was like growing up with an incomplete spinal cord injury, a visual impairment and ADHD. He also discusses his work, the certification he achieved to become a coach, and how he uses his coaching to help others in the disability community, who often stru…

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107 - Juri Love on Overcoming Childhood Trauma and PTSD 43:14

12M ago43:14

43:14

**Content Warning: this episode contains references to sexual abuse and domestic violence. If these topics may trigger you, please skip the episode. In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Juri Love, a multi-talented woman, about what it is like living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of childhood trauma. A survivor of sexual abu…

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106 - Job Talk: Abida Mahomed on Working as a Database Administrator 25:41

1y ago25:41

25:41

**Set up a free 30 minute coaching discovery call with Lois on https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Abida Mahomed about her work as a database administrator (DBA) using the Oracle platform. This is the latest episode of the Job Talk series, focusing on people with disabilities working in mainstream employm…

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105 - A Conversation with Aaron Richmond, from the Aaron’s Opinion Podcast 24:29

1y ago24:29

24:29

**Set up a free 30 minute coaching discovery call with Lois on https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Aaron Richmond, host and creator of the Aaron’s Opinion Podcast. His show discusses critical issues in the blindness community and other issues from across the universe and galaxy. It can be heard wherever y…

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104 - Navigating the Education System as a Person with Spinal Bifida, with Ghofran Alyass 1:13:16

1y ago1:13:16

1:13:16

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Ghofran Alyass about her life and how she navigated the educational system as a person with a disability living in Canada. Ghofran was born in Iraq at a time of war, when obtaining medical supplies and accurate medical advice was a challenge. Her parents managed to care for a child with spinal bifida for ten yea…

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103 0- Job Talk: A Groundbreaking Project Training Disabled Drone Pilots in South Africa 1:11:59

1y ago1:11:59

1:11:59

In today’s episode Lois speaks with the team responsible for devising and implementing a groundbreaking project to train certify and employ drone pilots with disabilities in South Africa. The team comprised Dean Conde, Elmarie Cronje, Kim James, and Venetia van Wyk, as well as the drone pilot participants Ferdi van Eerden and Sandile Mkhize. During…

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102 - A Conversation on Bullying, with digital accessibility consultant Mitch Creedy 40:20

1y ago40:20

40:20

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Mitch Creedy, a digital accessibility consultant from Canada. Mitch talks about their background in digital accessibility, and the training they received through the Blind Institute of Technology, also called the BIT Academy. They also refer to the WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, as a tool that c…

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101 - Job Talk: Nick Smit on Working as an Educator 45:36

1+ y ago45:36

45:36

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Nick Smit, who works as an educator in Johannesburg. With Nick having a strong background in disability awareness and accessibility through his work with the organisation, Smergos, they discuss the accessibility of the teaching profession, both of his teacher training and in his work experience. They chat about …

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100 - Disability In the DEI Conversation with Vee Masibigiri 47:30

1+ y ago47:30

47:30

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Vhutshilo Masibigiri, founder of Diversity SA, a South African company working in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. During the conversation, Lois and Vee discuss the reason that disability seldom enters the DEI conversation in South Africa, the work Vee is doing to raise awareness about disability and e…

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99 - Shakila Maharaj on Making the Visual World Accessible Through Audio Description 1:07:05

1+ y ago1:07:05

1:07:05

In today’s episode, Lois speaks with Shakila Maharaj, managing director at ShazaCin Accessible Media, about making the visual world accessible through the use of audio description. We chat what audio description is and who, beyond the blindness community, is using audio description, as well as digging into some of the more technical aspects includi…

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98 - Finding My Feet with Rare Warrior, Kerry Walsh 27:45

1+ y ago27:45

27:45

In today’s episode of Job Talk, Lois speaks with rare warrior, Kerry Walsh, about the upcoming launch of her new book “Finding My Feet: A Rare Warrior’s Journey Through SMA and the Unknown”. During the interview, we chat about the book – why Kerry wrote it, some of the central themes and touch on her lived experience with spinal muscular atrophy (S…

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97 - Job Talk: Tyron Harding on Working as a Data Analyst 30:30

1+ y ago30:30

30:30

In today’s episode of Job Talk, Lois speaks with Tyron Harding about his career as a data analyst. Tyron outlines the skills he believes make a good analyst, the training he undertook, and the type of work he does within the scope of his job. During the conversation, Lois and Tyron discuss his previous careers, both before and following the home in…

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96 - Job Talk: Winston Fani on Working as a Blind Tour Guide 31:05

1+ y ago31:05

31:05

**To book a disability coaching discovery call with Lois, go to https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In today’s episode of Job Talk, Lois speaks with Winston Fani, South Africa’s first qualified blind tour guide. We chat about Winston’s early life in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, the reason he moved to Cape Town (hint: it was to follow the lo…

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95 - A Conversation on the Reimagining Life Podcast 33:37

1+ y ago33:37

33:37

As a podcast host I am usually the one posing the questions. Today I’m sharing an episode from one of my favourite podcasts, where I am the one in the hot seat, facing the questions. If you are not already following Reimagining Life Podcast : from Pain to Purpose, I’d suggest subscribing so you can catch all RiRi’s shows as soon as they are publish…

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94 - Job Talk: Anel Coetzee on Working as a Legal Practitioner 1:00:04

1+ y ago1:00:04

1:00:04

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Anel Coetzee, a legal practitioner who is visually impaired. Anel speaks openly and honestly about her experiences looking for, finding and transitioning into work, first as a practicing attorney, and then shifting into the corporate world where she currently works as a legal advisor. This is a valuable episode f…

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93 - A Conversation with Motivational Speaker Brittany McCormick 35:35

1+ y ago35:35

35:35

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Brittany McCormick, a woman living with Cerebral Palsy who uses her passion for motivational speaking to shift people’s awareness of how to overcome challenges. Brittany chats about how discovering her love of speaking turned her wish to make a difference from a spark into a flame. Brittany also discusses The Pur…

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92 - Katie Selby on the Importance of Learning Self-Advocacy as a Person with a Learning Disability 26:55

1+ y ago26:55

26:55

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Katie Selby, paraeducator and advocate, on her experience of growing up with a learning disability. During the conversation we discuss Katie’s schooling and college education, how she learned to self-advocate and how she teaches that important skill to the students with whom she now works. We also talk about the …

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91 - Inspiring Motion with Nicole Vergos and Nick Smit of Smergos 50:38

1+ y ago50:38

50:38

In today’s episode Lois speaks with the co-founders of Smergos, Nicole Vergos and Nick Smit, about their organisation and the work they do enabling disability employment. During the conversation we discuss: • The founding of Smergos • How they became involved in the disability employment space, • The challenges facing disabled people seeking employ…

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90 - Lidia Pretorius on Allyship and Inclusion 58:06

2y ago58:06

58:06

In today’s bumper episode Lois speaks with disability and inclusion specialist, Lidia Pretorius. During the conversation we chat about Lidia’s involvement with the disability sector in Africa, the importance of allyship and how to be a good ally for the disabled community. We also discuss online and digital inclusion. Lidia shares useful ideas on w…

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89 - RiRi on Living with Chronic Pain and the Reimagining Life Podcast 40:46

2y ago40:46

40:46

In today’s episode Lois speaks with fellow podcaster, RiRi on the launching of the Reimagining Life Podcast: from Pain to Purpose During the conversation we chat about RiRi’s own journey with chronic pain and how it led her to start the podcast as a resource for others, as well as some of the tools and techniques RiRi uses to manage her condition a…

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88 - Marthe-Marie Kohne on Living with Cerebral Palsy and Abilities without Limits 33:05

2y ago33:05

33:05

In today’s episode Lois speaks with Marthe-Marie Kohne, founder of Abilities without Limits, about the work being done by Abilities without Limits and Marthe-Marie’s experience of living with Cerebral Palsy. We also talk about writing and Marthe-Marie’s co-authorship of two books, one in English and one in Afrikaans. Support Marthe-Marie on World C…

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87 - Jeremy Opperman on A Strategic Approach to Disability Employment 44:52

2y ago44:52

44:52

Inclusion specialist Jeremy Opperman returns to speak to us on a strategy to improve levels of the employment of persons with disabilities in a holistic way. Topics covered in this far-ranging discussion with Jeremy and Lois include: • The concept of disability confidence and how it affects all aspects of a company’s operations • Moving disability …

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86 - George Abraham on Blind Cricket and Score Foundation In India 42:02

2y ago42:02

42:02

In this episode I chat with George Abraham, founder of Score Foundation in India. During the conversation we discuss George’s involvement in blind cricket in India, and his role in the creation of the World Blind Cricket Council, of which he was elected as the first Chairperson in 1996. In this role he and his team conceived and organised the inaug…

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85 - Nobathembu Peter on Shifting Social Stereotypes of Disability 31:46

2y ago31:46

31:46

In this episode I chat with road accident survivor, social media influencer, and model, Nobathembu Peter, aka Royalti On Wheels, on the importance of shifting society’s stereotypes of disability. During the conversation we discuss the advocacy work being done by Nobathembu, the book she is currently writing, and the importance of companies understa…

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84 - Jeremy Opperman on Employment and Disability 03 – The Business Case for Inclusion 40:43

2y ago40:43

40:43

In this third conversation on employment and disability, inclusion specialist Jeremy Opperman and I explore the business case for greater levels of inclusion. This final part of Jeremy’s tri-nocular perspective model explores the topics of persons with disabilities as consumers, case studies of successful inclusive thinking, and the impact on emplo…

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83 - Jeremy Opperman on Employment and Disability 02 – A Reality Check 52:35

2y ago52:35

52:35

Returning to the subject of employment and disability, in this episode inclusion specialist, Jeremy Opperman, and I explore some of the myths that impact on employment. This is the second phase of Jeremy’s tri-nocular perspective model: the human rights lens, which he refers to as the reality check. During our conversation we discuss: 1 the prevale…

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82 - Jeremy Opperman on Employment and Disability 01 - Legislative Compliance 31:05

2y ago31:05

31:05

The reasons for low levels of employment of persons with disabilities in South Africa are complex. In the next few episodes of the podcast we will be looking at some of the factors making this so complicated. This is the first in a series of conversations with Jeremy Opperman, who is an expert in this field. In this episode Jeremy and I chat about …

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81 - Emma Roos on Higher Ground Holiday Camps for Persons with Disabilities 28:20

2y ago28:20

28:20

In this episode I chat with Emma Roos, co-founder of Higher Ground, from Durban in South Africa. Emma and I speak about the Higher Ground holiday camps for persons who are blind and partially blind, as well as some of the other activities of Higher Ground: • A chess club • In-person social meet-ups • Virtual meet-ups, • Holiday camps for persons wi…