‘Speak My Language: Disability’ shares stories of Indigenous Australians who are engaging in their passions while also living with a disability. Hear stories about blind fishing, creativity and comedy, found sound in music and impressive athletic feats in these thoughtful chats with hosts Ngaire Pakai, Lowanna Grant and Kerri-Lee Harding. Each episode also offers advice about how to access relevant services, and helpful tips and hints from those who've walked the path. This series is part of an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, led by the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW and proudly delivered in Partnership with SBS.
Filling Your Cup: Tania Lewis on Finding Her Purpose
Tania Lewis is a proud Awabakal woman, mother, wife, and disability advocate. She leads an active outdoors lifestyle, and since acquiring her disability after having a stroke in 2011, Tania has found drive and purpose in advocating for her peers and building connection.
26 Nov 2025
Back to Country: Paulette Bumarda on Securing Support and Returning to Family
Originally from the remote community of Gunbalanya, approximately 300 km from Darwin, Paulette Bumarda now lives in an assisted living residence to receive essential support for her complex care needs. Paulette lives with a rare degenerative condition known as Machado-Joseph Disease. While support is vital, it is equally important to her to return to Gunbalanya to stay connected with family and Country.
18 Nov 2025
Advocacy and Academics: Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes and Causing Trouble on Campus
Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes is a Gomeroi woman with low vision. She is a Lecturer in Indigenous Studies and Deputy Associate Dean (Diversity & Inclusion – Disability) in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne. Her research applies an intersectional lens to the sociology of racism, Critical Indigenous Studies and Critical Disability Studies. Drawing on training in education, psychology, sociology and criminology, her publications explore a diversity of subjects.
11 Nov 2025
Tunes and Technology: ICONYX on Developing Her Own Sound
ICONYX, a young emerging artist from the East Kimberley, is a passionate songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. As an artist who navigates life without sight, her storytelling is connected to Country, influenced by family and supported with new and old technologies.
4 Nov 2025
Dreaming Big: Malachi Canning on Pursuing Athletics
Malachi Canning is rewriting what’s possible in para-athletics. Holding five Australian records across long jump, discus and shot put, Malachi traces his journey from Lismore Little Athletics to wearing green and gold at the 2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane and the 2023 Virtus Global Games in France. In this episode, he opens up about the mindset behind record-breaking performances, how he got his start with Lismore Little Athletics, and how he now has his sights set on competing at the Paralympics.
28 Oct 2025
Creativity and Comedy: Skye Cusack on Forging Your Own Path
Skye Cusack is a writer and comedian exploring the mess and magic of everyday life, from classrooms and workplaces to relationships, through a candid, comedic lens. In this episode of Speak My Language Skye shares her story about writing, comedy and managing creative opportunities when living with an invisible disability. She also chats with Ngaire about her newest work, 'Checked Out', which received a 2025 Elevate Grant, the 2025 Copyright Agency Varuna Fellowship, and was shortlisted for the 2025 Penguin Write It!
21 Oct 2025
Fielding Dreams: Dr Alexander Smith on Physical Disability Rugby League
Dr Alexander Smith is passionate about football, and he backs it up on the field. An Australian representative in Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) and a proud Rabbitohs player, Alex sits down with Ngaire Pakai to share his journey in becoming PDRL ready, the impact of team sport for individuals and the community, and the bright future he sees for the game.
30 Oct 2024
Samantha Schmidt: An inspiring journey in Parasport
In this episode of Speak My Language (Disability), Kerri-Lee Harding yarns with Samantha Schmidt, a para-athlete and proud Wakka Wakka and Gubbi Gubbi woman from Queensland. Samantha, who holds the Australian national record in women's F38 discus, shot put, and javelin, recently returned from representing Australia at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Her journey in athletics, alongside her experience living with cerebral palsy, reveals the transformative power of sport and community.
23 Oct 2024
Paul Constable Calcott: A Wiradjuri Artist Championing Inclusion
Paul Constable Calcott, or Uncle Paul, a proud Wiradjuri man and artist, reflects on his life's journey from a childhood impacted by polio to becoming a UN delegate advocating for Indigenous artists with disabilities. Through his involvement in the NuunaRon Art Group, Uncle Paul continues to create safe spaces for storytelling and cultural expression, helping others to find their voices through art.
16 Oct 2024
Kerri Shying: Connecting culture through poetry
In this compelling conversation with Lowanna Grant, Kerri Shying, a Wiradjuri poet with a mixed heritage including Chinese Australian ancestry, shares how poetry serves as a tool for emotional expression and cultural connection. Despite living with a degenerative disease, Kerri explains how poetry helped her regain her voice and connect with both her Indigenous roots and broader communities.
9 Oct 2024
Dr Richard Fejo: Advocating for an Indigenous perspective in healthcare
Dr Richard Fejo, who is more affectionately known as Uncle Richie, is a Larrakia man who has dedicated his life to cross-cultural education and improvement of outcomes for Indigenous people. Living with limb difference Richie draws on his experience to educate and advocate for the improved health outcomes of Indigenous Australians, particularly through his role as the Elder on Campus for Flinders University.
2 Oct 2024
Bianca Templar: Art, Culture and Advocacy
Bianca Templar is an artist deeply rooted in her culture and an advocate for First Nations rights. Her creative journey is woven with tradition, community, and activism. In this episode Bianca yarns to Lowanna Grant as she shares the profound influence of the elders and mentors who have passed down traditional cultural art practices, shaping both her artistic expression and her identity.
25 Sept 2024
Cass Best creating inclusivity for LGBTQI mob living with disability
Cass Best is a proud Gay Kamilaroi Mari who is non- binary and living with disability. They actively advocate for and engage with Mob and the LGBTQI+ community. Much of Cass’ advocacy focuses on intersectionality, working to create inclusive spaces for mob who are queer and live with disabilities. Being an advocate has not only improved Cass’ wellbeing, but has also improved inclusion and accessibility for others. In this episode Cass chats with Kerri-Lee Harding.
18 Sept 2024
Exploring the art of blind fishing with James Griffiths
In this episode of Speak My Language: Disability we share the story of James Griffiths, a proud Wangaaypuwan man. After becoming blind in 2005, James has become a passionate First Nations advocate for disability inclusion. James is also an avid fisher and yarns to us about the art of blind fishing.
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