Sam Drummond speaks with Dr Dinesh Palipana, reflects on overcoming scepticism within the medical profession and the value of employing disabled professionals in healthcare. He discusses how inclusion can lead to practical benefits such as reduced absenteeism and stronger patient trust, while also drawing attention to ongoing physical and logistical barriers in the health system, including inaccessible hospital environments and transport challenges.

He also speaks with Dr Margaret Spencer and her goddaughter Amanda White, who share insights into the lived experience of parenting with disability. They discuss the importance of tailored supports for families, the barriers parents can face, and the strengths and possibilities of co-parenting models when the right structures are in place.

Also joining the conversation is Vera Ciavarella, who is the Disability Liaison Officer from the Royal Women’s Hospital, who outlines initiatives aimed at improving disability awareness and patient care.

Host – Sam Drummond
Produced by Eliza Hull for Powerd Media
Audio Edited by – Honor Marino for Print Radio Tasmania
Audio Record – Ascent Media

This podcast by Powerd Media is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund: Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) – Community Attitudes grant program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Drummond speaks with students from Toowong State School in Queensland, a school leading the way in inclusive practice through bilingual education in English and Auslan. Josh Fletcher, a Year 5 student who is hard of hearing, and Lefroy, a Grade 3 student who is Deaf, share their experiences of learning in an environment where communication access is built in and valued.

He also speaks with Deputy Principal Elizabeth Fletcher, who explains the school’s unique and inclusive approach.

Also joining the conversation is Dr Kathy Cologon, Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education at the Department of Educational Studies, Macquarie University, who discusses the importance of inclusive education from early childhood. She reflects on how inclusive classrooms benefit both disabled and non-disabled students, and why systemic change is essential to creating truly accessible and equitable education environments.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast by Powerd Media is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund: Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) – Community Attitudes grant program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Drummond speaks with Paralympian and disability advocate Kathleen O’Kelly Kennedy about founding the Red Dust Heelers, a program creating opportunities for First Nations people with disability to participate in sport and community life. He also speaks with rapper and musician Grace Kenny (GK), and Liam McKennie from Back to Back Theatre, who share how a supported theatre company can open pathways to employment, skills development, and creative expression.
Also joining the conversation is First Nations Artist Abigail from Free Space Studio in the Northern Territory, who reflects on how the support she receives enables her to sell her artwork, build confidence, and strengthen her connection to culture and community.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast by Powerd Media is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund: Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) – Community Attitudes grant program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Also featured is Kate Eastman SC, human rights lawyer and former Disability Royal Commission Commissioner, who calls for a deeper, rights-based understanding of safety - one that centers dignity, autonomy, and justice for people with disability.

Researcher Jen Hargrave joins the conversation to discuss the prevalence of violence against women with disability, and the critical role of self-advocacy and peer support in driving change.

Host – Sam Drummond
Produced by Eliza Hull for Powerd Media
Audio Edited by – Honor Marino for Print Radio Tasmania
Audio Record – Ascent Media

This podcast by Powerd Media is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund: Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) – Community Attitudes grant program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Also featured is Joseph Connellan to speak about why accessible, affordable homes are essential for people with disability to live independently and remain connected to their communities. From the Northern Territory, Leeanne Caton from Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory shared insights into the housing challenges facing First Nations people with disability.

Joining the conversation is Nic Gains and his mother Joan, who shared their experience of what inclusive housing can look like when it’s done well.

Host - Sam Drummond

Produced by Eliza Hull for Powerd Media

Audio Edited by - Honor Marino for Print Radio Tasmania Audio Record - Ascent Media

This podcast by Powerd Media is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund: Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) – Community Attitudes grant program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This podcast by Powerd Media is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund: Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) – Community Attitudes grant program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosted by writer, lawyer and disability advocate Sam Drummond, Building Inclusion brings Australia’s Disability Strategy to life through lived experience.

Each episode dives into the outcome areas at the heart of the Strategy:

Employment and Financial Security; Inclusive Homes and Communities; Safety, Rights and Justice; Personal and Community Support; Education and Learning; Health and Wellbeing; and Community Attitudes.

Honest and solutions-focused, Building Inclusion centres the voices too often left out of national conversations.

A new podcast series by Powerd Media.

Launching Wednesday 11th March 2026.

Produced by Eliza Hull

Hosted by Sam Drummond

Recorded by Ascent Media

Audio Edited by Honor Marino at Print Radio Tasmania 

This podcast by Powerd Media is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund: Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) – Community Attitudes grant program.

Transcript:

Sam Drummond  00:01

Hello, I’m Sam Drummond, and you're listening to Building Inclusion - Australia's Disability Strategy podcast, a series by Powerd Media. We hear from voices across the country, people with disability, advocates, leaders, experts shaping the future of disability inclusion in Australia. Each episode explores the key outcomes of Australia's Disability Strategy - Education.

Josh  00:25

Most of the kids in my class are really empathetic, and they like know if someone's feeling a bit down or unsure.

Sam Drummond  00:31

Employment.

Quinn Jones  00:32

Out of nowhere, I got this chance to come to Hotel Etico. So, I had really no experience. I was very shy, and I had never worked in hospitality before. It was very nerve wracking, but also it was a chance, and so even though I was very nervous, I was very motivated to come here

Sam Drummond  00:51

Community support.

Kathleen O'Kelly Kennedy  00:52

The big change for me happened when we were invited to a camp. I didn't really know many people with disabilities in general. It lit a little spark, because I was watching these Paralympians. They just they seem to be proud of their disabilities.

Sam Drummond  01:06

Housing and inclusive communities

Leeanne Caton  01:08

Because success in life starts with a home. Everything else follows, but you can't even go to school or have a healthy life unless you've got a home.

Sam Drummond  01:15

Health and Wellbeing.

Amanda White  01:15

They realise that I can be a parent and that I can look after my girls. And you know, there was ups and downs, but isn't that what it is in every family

Sam Drummond  01:28

And Safety, Rights and Justice

Rosie Putland  01:30

Actually, so many of the things that were put in place for victims did benefit me as an autistic person.

Sam Drummond  01:38

This is a conversation about access, about equity, and about the kind of country we want to build together. Building Inclusion. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.