In this episode, Lois Chats with Erica du Toit on the topic of loop systems and other assistive technology for those living with hearing loss

Having worked in the advocacy space for 30 years, Erica has a broad knowledge of tools and techniques that can assist those with hearing impairments and the people around them.

Reach out to Erica at the following links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-du-toit-13831370/

Western Cape APD
Tel: 021 555-2881
Email: awareness@wcapd.org.za
Website: https://wcapd.org.za/

National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD)
Email: erica@ncpd.org.za
Website: www.ncpd.org.za

Western Cape Network on Disability
Email: info@wcdisability.org.za
Website: www.wcdisability.org.za




Image Description:
A woman with short dark hair wearing a long-sleeved black top. Shehas a pendent around her neck with a circular pendent with a design on it.
I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Website : loisstrachan.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Today I chat with Angela Blackwell, the first blind person to hike the Pondo Trail in South Africa with her guide dog, Jaydee.

Angela discusses how Jaydee helped her regain her confidence and independence after her diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa resulted in significant loss of visual acuity.

Hiking the Pondo Trail, a four day hike on the
East coast of South Africa became a challenge that Angela set for herself as a way of raising awareness that blindness does not mean living small. She is also using the project as a fund-raiser for the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind.

Follow Ange and Jaydees experience on the show and connect with them online:
Instagram: @Angel on the Blindside.

Please also support their fundraising at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/paws-on-the-path

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A woman sitting on a large piece of driftwood on a sandy riverbank beside a white dog. The woman has short brown hair and light skin, and she is wearing a light gray T-shirt and denim shorts, barefoot, resting her chin on her hand and facing to the right with a calm, thoughtful expression. The dog is sitting close to her left side, wearing a collar, and also facing to the right. A wide, calm river stretches behind them, with green, tree-covered hills on both sides and a pale sky with light clouds.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Website : loisstrachan.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Dr Chiggy Oghotuama is the founder of the Seizure Support Foundation in Nigeria. As a mother to a special needs child, Chiggy encountered challenges when searching for support groups in her area from whom she could learn.

This led her to engage stakeholders at all levels, from parents to government, to advocate for the inclusion of children from marginalised groups in education, health and other areas of life.

In this episode, I chat with Dr Chiggy about some of the initiatives that the Seizure Support Foundation has put in place in Nigeria, including an education scholarship fund, a medical outreach programme, and the video modelling project, to assist parents of children with disabilities. She describes the challenges faced by those whose lives are impacted by disability in her community and introduces us to the ASK anagram that she uses when working with parents of children with a new diagnosis of disability.

Learn more about Dr Chiggy and the Seizure Support Foundation at:
Website: www.seizuresupportfoundation.org
e-mail: info@seizuresupportfoundation.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeizureCare
Instagram: seizure_support_foundation
Image description:
A woman of colour with short hair wearing glasses and a white button-up shirt, earrings, a bracelet, and a wristwatch. On a wooden stool next to her is an award plaque recognising her as a woman that Builds. Her right arm is bent and her fist is raised in a gesture of determination or celebration.
I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, our host, Lois Strachan, speaks with Adam Perry from Minneapolis in Minnesota in the USA. He is a 49 year old man who was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in the 70s. Over time he lost his peripheral vision, night vision and then total vision.

Adam has travelled extensively both for personal leisure and for work and shares his insights and experiences as a traveller who is blind.

Today's travel quote is by British author Jane Wilson Howarth - "Travel is a joy, full of surprises. Perhaps some of the most enjoyable times are those where one comes close to disaster: the risks add spice, and make for great stories when you are safely back home again."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan, using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, Lois Strachan chats with Normie Eckard from Ventures4Jesus who is an adventurer and traveller who uses his adventures to raise funds for others. Normie became a T7/T8 paraplegic after a motor vehicle accident when he was 18 years old.

Today's travel quote comes from the ancient Roman philosopher, Seneca: "Travel and change of pace imparts new vigour to the mind."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, Lois Strachan speaks with Renee Keuster-Sebranek, our first international guest from the USA. Renee shares her experiences travelling as a person who is blind.

Today's travel quote is by Mary Anne Radmacher: "I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, our host, Lois Strachan, chats with Elizabeth Maphike. Elizabeth became blind as an adult and the first time she travelled outside of her home city was after she lost her sight.

Elizabeth is the provincial chairperson of the Western Cape branch of the South African National Council for the Blind.

Follow Elizabeth's blog on:
Literature with Love by Liz : https://www.facebook.com/bethslit

Today's travel quote is from the actor, Sir Richard Burton: "Of the gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Musa E. Zulu.

Following on from the previous episode, Lois Strachan continues the conversation with Chaeli Mycroft, an ability activist in Cape Town, South Africa.

In this episode, Chaeli speaks about summiting mount Kilimanjaro and shares some of her other experiences travelling internationally in her wheelchair.

Today's travel quote Simon Raven: "Since life is short and the world is wide, the sooner you start exploring it, the better."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, Lois Strachan chats with Chaeli Mycroft, an ability activist based in Cape Town, South Africa, about a number of topics related to accessible travel and Chaeli's summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, marking our 2 year anniversary, Lois Strachan has a conversation with Jeremy Opperman who is a disability inclusion consultant, and they discuss how this impacts the travel and tourism industry.

Today's travel quote is by Melody Truong: "I'm in love with cities I've never been to, and people I've never met."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

Lois Strachan interviews Julie Jones from Sydney, Australia. Julie is the founder of an online platform, Have Wheelchair Will Travel, and the co-founder and editor of the magazine,Travel Without Limits.

Julie's son was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 5 months and they have travelled extensively as a family. As a result and with her background in tourism, she realised the need for information on accessible travel and as such the review website and magazine were born.

Website links:
Have Wheelchair Will Travel | havewheelchairwilltravel.net
Travel Without Limits | www.travelwithoutlimits.com.au

September marks the 2 year anniversary of the Accessible South Africa Podcast. We invite listeners to submit questions on accessible travel, about our travels as individuals, or the organisation, Accessible South Africa. You can send these through on podcast@accessiblesouthafrica.co.za - these will be compiled into an episode of our podcast.

Today's travel quote is by travel writer, Tim Cahill: "A journey is best measured in friends rather than in miles"

In part 2 of the interview with Tarryn Tomlinson, host Lois Strachan chats with her about her company, Able2Travel and the work she is doing in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Tarryn is a writer for Mango Airline's magazine, a consultant on accessibility within the tourism industry, and the founder of an organisation helping underpriviliged children with music and art therapy.Tarryn is also a wheelchair user due to rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 19 years old.

Watch the Promo video for Able2Travel:

A reality travel and lifestyle show. Exploring adventure, culture, food and wine, luxury spaces, almost impossible life quests for most...
But not for this girl who just so happens to be in a wheelchair.

https://youtu.be/Pu23XE0XCqI

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." Confucius

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, Lois Strachan chats with Tarryn Tomlinson about her recent expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro in her wheelchair.

Tarryn is a consultant in the hospitality industry and a social activist. She is the founder of Able2Travel, and the Bambini Dream Foundation Trust, an NPO that provides music and art therapy to underprivileged children. She also writes for Mango Airlines regarding accessibility and accessible travel.

Today's quote is by Aesop: "Adventure is worthwhile."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, I chat with Cary Lowe and Trish Butler about the complexities of travelling with a mobility impairment like multiple sclerosis. The conversation centres around a new book released by Cary, entitled “On Two Legs and Three Wheels” in which he shares some of the global travel adventures he and his wife Trish, who is a wheelchair user, have had over the years.

During the chat, Cary and Trish discuss some of the most common challenges faced by travellers who are wheelchair users, ways in which the hospitality industry could make their services and venues more inclusive to all, and address the topic of travel for an ageing population. They also share a few of their wealth of travel stories, both positive and negative, to illustrate their insights.
Here’s where you can find Cary’s book:
https://tinyurl.com/3zj4r77m
Learn more about Cary at:
https://carylowewriter.com/
Image description:
The cover of the book On Two Legs and Three Wheels, by Cary D Lowe. The cover shows an older man and woman outdoors. The man is standing and holding a mobility scooter handle, while the woman sits on the scooter, smiling, with her hand on the man's. They are in front of a lush, green backdrop with a tall waterfall behind them. The subtitle of the book is The Travel Adventures of a Couple Overcoming Age and Disability.
I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, Lois Strachan speaks with Rajes Govender, a travel agent from Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. She is founder and co-owner of Consolidated Travel. She shares her insights into the travel industry and her own experiences as a traveller with a disability. Rajes had a motor car accident 18 years ago and lost both her lower limbs.

Today's travel quote is by André Gides: "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

Lois Strachan speaks with paralympian and professional speaker, Darren Harris, about his extensive travels, participation in the paralympics his speaking career.

Darren is visually impaired, living in the UK and loves helping people stand out from the crowd, follow their dreams, not be shut down by the masses, and to become torch bearers who break new ground for all of us.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenberg Software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

Lois Strachan speaks with Dr Kim Lewis who is a General Practitioner by trade, and due to brain inflammation, lost her sight 3 years ago. Kim speaks with Lois about her travels, and most recently, her experience of going on a cruise as a blind passenger with her guide dog, Jessie.

Travel Tech Corner features the Zoom software that can help us keep connected with friends and family during lockdown.

Today's travel quote: "Stop worrying about the potholes in the road, and enjoy the trip." Babs Hoffman

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg editing software. Credits read by Musa E. Zulu.

During this time of uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, enjoy some armchair travel with Lois Strachan and her guests. Even though we can't physically travel right now, we feel it's important that we keep sharing stories, travel inspiration and our experiences for the time when we are able to go out into the world again.

Our guest today, is Anthony Ghillino who is the general manager of QASA, the QuadPara Association of the Western Cape, here in South Africa. Anthony became paralysed 28 years ago as a young man after the open bakkie he was travelling in overturned on his way home from a picnic in a local nature reserve. He uses a motorised wheelchair with a chin control, and shares his insights and experiences of travelling.

Today's service provider spotlight, we offer any service provider who provides facilities for people with disabilities to sign up for free as our token of standing in solidarity within the tourism industry during this time, and a reminder that together we are tourism strong and that South Africa will travel again. Please visit www.accessiblesouthafrica.co.za to sign up and enter the discount code: TourismStrong at checkout to claim your free listing.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

Lois Strachan speaks with Sabine Smith from Epic Enabled, an accessible tour operator based in Cape Town, South Africa. Epic Enabled was founded by Alfie Smith, who qualified as a mechanic and started travelling as a youngster. He started Epic Expeditions in 1992. Sabine was born in Switzerland and joined Alfie in 1994. In 2001 they started Epic Enabled to provide accessible safaris for people with disabilities. They opened the Epic Guesthouse in 2010 - a fully accessible guesthouse in Cape Town.

Contact information:
Website: www.epic-enabled.com and www.epic-guesthouse.com
Email & Phone: info@epic-enabled.com and +27 732282825
Facebook / Instagram: @epicenabled

In our Travel Tech corner, Zoe and Gerhard at Edit Microsystems introduce an adapted digital camera made by BJ Live. It is a 12mp camera with an automatic flash, 5 times digital zoom and a 4GB SD card. It is operated with a switch that can be positioned according to personal preference.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

"I love to travel, I hate having my life disrupted by routine." Caskie Stinnett.

#EpicEnabled #EditMicro #AccessibleSafari #AccessibleTours

Lois Strachan speaks with Zakariya Moola about his experience going on Hajj as a person with a visual impairment.

Zakariya was born in Durban and schooled in Pietermaritzburg. He completed a Bachelor of Social Science degree and has his own business retailing stationery. He has been visually impaired since birth.

Zakariya's first overseas trip was in 1989 when he went to Saudi Arabia for a minor pilgrimage called Umrah, during his December holidays and again in 1993. In 2003 and 2016 he did the Hajj, the major pilgrimage to Mecca. He has also travelled to the UK, Dubai, India, Turkey and Palestine. Lois chats with him about the logistics of how he navigates and the technology he uses when he travels as a person who is blind.

Our service provider spotlight features the I Love Coffee Shop, situated in Cape Town, and run by deaf baristas and chefs.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

Today's quote is by Helen Keller: "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all."

In today's episode, our host, Lois Strachan, speaks with Cindy Jacobsz who is a visually impaired cyclist and triathlete, and recently took a trip to the Himalayas.

Cindy is a mother of 2 daughters. She works in employee health and wellness, and occupational health & safety and transformation. Cindy has macular degeneration, which was diagnosed at 16 years old. She went to a school for partially sighted in Pretoria for 2.5 years and then studied a BA in Psychology & registered with HPC as a psychologist. Cindy wanted to re-register a few years ago but was denied because of her sight.

Our Travel Tech Corner features the Shakershak Portable vibrating alarm clock –made by Sonic Alert. This device is available from Edit Microsystems in Sea Point, Cape Town. They can be reached on info@editmicro.co.za with a discount through quoting ASA.

This week Lois speaks to Anjali Singla from Delhi in India, on the topic of psychosocial disabilities, in particular, travelling with Chronic Anxiety Disorder. Anjali is a psychologist by training, and currently she is working with an NGO in India called The Banyan that works with homeless people who experience mental illness. She is also a research associate and part time faculty teacher at the Department of Psychology, with her area of expertise being trauma psychology, working with refugees & tribal populations.

Anjali can be contacted at anjali@balm.in and Twitter accounts to follow ar @banyanbalm, @AnjaliSingla20 and @MGMentalHealth.

Our service provider spotlight highlights the Warrior On Wheels Foundation’s upcoming participation in the Cape Town Cycle Tour where children with disabilities are given the #GiftOfAdventure by being towed in buggies by cyclists. This event is made possible by the generous donations of sponsors – to find out more visit www.warrioronwheels.co.za/cape-town-cycle-tour/

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” Anonymous

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

#mgmh #TheBanyan #BALM #GiftOfAdventure #WOWBuggyTeam #WarriorOnWheels

Lois Strachan speaks with Saul Molobi who shares his story about his first overseas trip as a traveller with a disability. Saul is a businessman, entrepreneur and also involved in radio. He has experience as a public servant, having worked for government in marketing & communications, and has also served as a diplomat.

Saul became disabled 3 years ago as a result of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare disorder where a person's immune system attacks their nervous system.

Saul can be contacted on saulm@ggda.co.za

Our Travel Tech Corner features the Sunu Band navigational device available from Edit Microsystems. It is a wrist-worn device which attempts to augment obstacle detection for people with visual impairments.

For information, contact Edit Microsystems on 021 433 2520 or gerhard@editmicro.co.za and quote ASA as the reference to receive a discounted rate.

"I travel because it makes me realise I haven't seen, how much I'm not going to see, and how much I still have to see." Carew Papritz.

This episode was edited by Craig Stachan using the HIndenburg software. Credit read by Musa E Zulu.

This week, Lois Strachan chats to Lauren Jackson who shares insights on travelling to 13 different countries as a wheelchair user. Lauren has a genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease.

Our service provider spotlight features Cape Nature's Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve which has a wheelchair accessible bird hide as well as a braille hiking trail.

Today's travel quote is from Neale Donald Walsch: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

In this episode, I chat with Talitha Humes about her app which enables users to easily identify and take
the prescribed medications required for their chronic and auto-immune conditions.
After receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2005, Talitha realized that her medications were
complex and increasingly difficult to manage accurately. Despite trying various available apps to assist
her with managing her tablets, none worked well for Talitha, which began the journey of developing an
app that would suit her needs.

The app, See Meds, is available at no cost on IOS and will hopefully be coming to Android shortly.

Since we recorded, I installed the app and tested it. From what I can see, it is almost entirely accessible
for me as a blind user of an iPhone with VoiceOver.

Here’s where you can find the app and read more about it:
Website: www.seemymed.com
See Meds App on IOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/see-meds/id1671939877
https://www.instagram.com/seemedsapp/

Image description:
A woman with short curly light hair, wearing a light blue collared shirt. She has pearl-stud earrings and is
wearing glasses with a dark frame.
I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Lois Strachan speaks to Claudette Medefindt, who is one of the founders and Head of Science at Retina SA, and deputy president of Retina International.

Claudette has travelled to 47 different countries and shares advice and tips on how to travel, things to avoid, and things to do - and not just for travellers with visual impairments, not just for travellers with physical disabilities, but for all travellers and this episode is really packed with great information.

In our Travel Tech Corner, we launch our partnership with Edit Microsystems, an assistive technology company based in Cape Town, South Africa. Each episode will spotlight an assistive device that will assist travellers with disabilities. This episode introduces the Victor Reader Trek which is GPS for the blind, designed by Humanware.

[If you are interested in purchasing this device, quote the reference ASA when contacting Edit Microsystems for a discounted quote]

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

To contact us email podcast@accessiblesouthafrica.co.za and visit our website www.accessiblesouthafrica.co.za

Today on the podcast our host, Lois Strachan, chats to Hillary Lane who has Cerebral Palsy and has travelled extensively across Africa and other parts of the world. Lois & Hillary have also travelled together to Ghana 2 years ago for the Afri-Need Conference.

Hillary says: "The reason I feel you should travel is that it really does broaden your horizons. Seeing things on television is not the same as experiencing it. Be very clear in your mind why you're travelling, where you're going, and how you're going, because you don't want to have a bad experience of travelling."

Hillary can be contacted on email at hillarylane@outlook.com.

Our Travel Tech Corner features a website called spintheglobe.net, created by Sylvia Longmire who has visited 57 countries as a power wheelchair-user.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by Musa E Zulu.

To contact us email podcast@accessiblesouthafrica.co.za and visit our website www.accessiblesouthafrica.co.za

Russell Vollmer is the founder of CapeAble, an organisation that provides consulting services and training on universal access. Russell had a diving accident during his national service in the navy when he was 19 years old, and has used a wheelchair for more than 40 years. He is passionate about the sport of sailing and as such has crossed the Atlantic, and has represented South Africa in the paralympic games in Sydney in 2000.

Russell can be contacted at www.capable.co.za or email russell@capable.co.za

Our service provider spotlight features a brand new guest house, Somerset View situated in Somerset West which has a number of features for travellers who are wheelchair users.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by André du Toit, the Big Positive Guy.

Lois Strachan chats to Razia Hisham about travelling as a family with their daughter, 15 year old Nura who has cerebral palsy. Nura had a spinal fusion procedure due to scoliosis and has titanium rods in her back, resulting in her parents affectionately calling her their Titanium Warrior. Their primary goal has to provide Nura with a comfortable but full life, and as such have travelled extensively and enjoyed many adventures together.

Our travel tech corner features two online resources to help with the planning phase of travelling to prevent unwelcome surprises as travellers with disabilities:

The Accessible Travel Forum - www.accessibletravelforum.com – is a collection and community of travellers with disabilities sharing information about accessible travel.

The Facebook Group called Accessible Travel Club has over 9000 members posting questions and receiving feedback from other travellers around the world with valuable insights into overcoming challenges as travellers with disabilities. The group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/AccessibleTravelClub/

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” Susan Sontag

Lois Strachan takes this travel podcast international, currently in Paris, France, and interviewing Sristi K.C. from Nepal, India!

Sristi is the owner and founder of the Blind Rocks organisation based in Nepal. She became blind at the age of 16 due to the incorrect medical prescription.

"When I lost my sight I got the vision of my life. I was completely shocked, but then decided to tranform my shocking life into a rocking life."

Sristi presents workshops across the globe and seeks support people with visual impairments living in Nepal. Workshops include dance, interpersonal skills, and fashion, and they also arrange various adventures like river rafting.

Our service provider spotlight features the Knysna Elephant Park, situated near Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by André du Toit, the Big Positive Guy.

Lois Strachan speaks with Hilton & Loretta Purvis as they share their insights on their travels in South Africa & overseas, their thoughts on the concept of Universal Access, and the challenges they face as a married couple travelling where one person uses a wheelchair.

The Travel Tech Corner features an app called Microsoft Seeing AI. The app uses artificial intelligence to make sense of print & visual images by converting to audio. It can be used to read documents, travel brochures, restaurant menus and bills, as well as to read street signs and other text at tourist attractions. The currency feature identifies monetary notes, which is useful when travelling in a foreign country. A number of other features make travelling easier for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Credits read by André du Toi, the Big Positive Guy.
This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software.

In this special episode, our first anniversary of the podcast and our 20th episode, Lois Strachan chats to Larissa Sparg, the founder and owner of The Gallivanting Goose.

The Gallivanting Goose presents a scavenger hunt, called The Wild Goose Chase Game, using an app, in various locations around Cape Town and Johannesburg. The game is popular for teambuilding, social celebrations and educationals. It is fun, engaging, and educational with an element of competition while activities are tracked in real time. Challenges are delivered with a photo or video on the app, and teams accumulate points which can be viewed live by all teams on a leaderboard. Teams need to work together using good communication, applying strategy & creativity.

In collaboration with Warrior On Wheels Foundation & Accessible South Africa, The Gallivanting Goose launched the first wheelchair accessible game at the V&A Waterfront in May 2019.

WATCH THE FIRST WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WILD GOOSE CHASE GAME >> bit.ly/WildGooseChaseGame

For more information visit www.thegg.co.za

Thank you to all of our previous guests for the wonderful messages, helping us celebrate our first birthday!

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by Andre du Toit, the Big Positive Guy.

Will Scott, of Will Scott Media, shares his insights on his on travels and his interventions in the hospitality and travel industry in South Africa.

Will was born in South Africa and grew up in Port Elizabeth. At 16 years old, a gymnastics accident while preparing for world championships, resulted in him having a disability. He has travelled both locally and abroad and shares about the challenges and rewards of travelling with a disability.

The biggest hurdle we face is the mindset of other people. People mean well and want to help, but it's not always easy for an able-bodied person to put themselves in the position of a traveller with a disability. People need to become part of the narrative in a contributing way, not in a way of playing catch-up in order to raise awareness about changes that need to be implemented to become inclusive..

"I am a person who will travel as much as the next person will travel. I will spend as much money as the next person will spend money. In fact I may spend a great deal more considering that I need a few more things than the next person may need."

Photo credit: Julian Goldswain

Our Travel Tech Corner is taking a bit of a different direction than we set out with. In the interim, we'd like to hear about assistive technology, devices or apps that you use on your travels. Send us an email on podcast@accessiblesouthafrica.co.za

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg Software. Credits read by André du Toit, The Big Positive Guy.

In this episode Lois chats with Nikki Kemp, who has hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Nikki is trained and practiced as tour guide in and around the Cape Town area. She shares her insights about the level of accessibility of the tourism industry in South Africa.

Our service provider spotlight features Walking on Waves in Jeffrey's Bay, a service provider who teaches adaptive surfing.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by André du Toit, the Big Positive Guy.

In this episode Lois chats to the team from Edit Microsystems, a Cape Town based company providing assistive devices for people with disabilities The conversation provides valuable information about the role assistive technology plays in travel as well as the business case for making accessible travel a part of the hospitality industry

We also introduce the partnership between Accessible South Africa and Edit Microsystems, with the new Tech Talk segment which will be featured every second episode. These episodes will introduce a new device that will be implemented on trial in a tourism establishment where we welcome travellers to go and test the device and provide feedback.

Tune in to the next episode for exciting news on the first device being introduced into the tourism sector and where it will be implemented!

Our spotlight section features an event - the upcoming Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge taking place in George on 14 September 2019 at 13h30.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the HIndenburg software. Credits read by Andre du Toit, The Big Positive Guy.

** Do you have a goal you’d love to achieve and need help reaching it? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges you face? Contact me for a free 30 minute discovery chat to see if she is the coach to help you.
Drop me a mail: https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/

In this episode, we return to the subject of inclusive sport. Lois chats about inclusive archery with three-time Paralympian Shaun Anderson, and Ferdi van Eerden, who has competed four times in the World Archery Indoor Nationals.
The conversation focuses on the ways in which archery can be adapted to accommodate people with differing needs, the high level of inclusion within the sport and the benefits of participating in a sport for persons with disabilities.
Why not give inclusive archery a try?
Reach out to Shaun and the South
African National Archery Association (at the following links:
Shaun website: https://odysseyarchery.co.za/
Shaun WhatsApp: +27 (0)83 658 2129
SANAA Website: https://www.sanaa.org.za/
Image description:
Ferdi, A man in a wheelchair, who is wearing a blue and red shirt is aiming a bow, presumably at an archery target, On the wheelchair there is a dark blue bag containing various articles. Other competitors can be seen in the background as are archery targets and a digital scoreboard.
I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, Lois speaks with Poonam Vaidya from Bangladore, India. Poonam is 30 years old and became blind 9 years ago, and then the travel bug bit and she went from being an introvert to becoming an extrovert. Her life's philosophy is to always have fun, always try to seize every opportunity and live every day to its fullest. She likes travelling alone, saying she feels more of a traveller than when travelling with someone where she feels like a passenger.

Poonam has travelled around India, visiting all 4 major states in South India, and a couple of states in the north. Internationally she has travelled to the USA twice, visiting Colorado and San Fransisco, and to Saudi Arabia and Dubai and relies a lot on technology to navigate her way.

Our spotlight section takes us to the Stony Point Penguin Colony in Betty's Bay.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the HIndenburg software. Credites read by Andre du Toit, The Big Positive Guy.

René Tembe is a learning & development practitioner and disability advisor.
She started out in recruitment where her introduction to disability was when she was tasked to start a disability desk, creating a database of candidates with disabilities. René moved into training and development and is a registered assessor, facilitor and moderator, also working with people with disability in terms of diversity and awareness programmes for the integration of people into the workplace.

In 1997 René was diagnosed with tendinitis and in 2016 with Fibromyalgia and now needs to use a wheelchair for travel.

Our service provider spotlight features Freedom Walkers who manufacture affordable walking frames for children with mobility challenges, giving them the gift of independence.

Our podcast is hosted by Lois Strachan. This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg software. Credits read by André du Toit, The Big Positive Guy.

Josh Grisdale, from Toronto, Canada but now living in Tokyo, Japan, Has Cerebral Palsy and is quadriplegic. He has been using wheelchair for 34 years and travelled extensively as a child with his family. Josh moved to Tokyo in 2000 in pursuit of his IT career and fell in love with Japan. Japan had just started to become accessible at that time, with some laws being passed regarding transport. Josh created a website called Accessible Japan, sharing information on accessible travel, as well as an online networking platform called Accessible Travel Forum. Josh runs a podcast called "Have Disability, Will Travel".

Photo by Kiyoshi Sakasai

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenburg editing software : https://hindenburg.com/

Our host, Lois Strachan, chats to Charlene Sunkel who is the Founder and CEO of the Global Mental Health Peer Network. Charlene was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, one of the most severe mental illnesses, which led to her career in promoting the rights of people with psycho-social disabilities with a strong human-rights focus. Charlene serves on a number of national and international boards and committees and travels extensively, mostly for work, at least once a month.

Our service provider spotlight takes us to the Greenpoint Urban Park.

This episode was edited by Deirdre Gower using the Hindenburg software: www.hindenburg.com

Rene Moses is the owner and founder of Travel with René, a tour operator who accommodates the needs of travellers with disabilities. Rene had a car accident in 1995, resulting in C6/C7 quadriplegia, and has travelled both within South Africa and abroad. Her travel experiences with a disability led her to start her tour company to assist other travellers with disabilities.

Our service provider spotlight takes us on safari with Horse Rides at Pete's.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenberg editing software: https://hindenburg.com/

Our host, Lois Strachan, discusses universal access and travel with Ari Seirlis, the CEO of the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA).

Ari travels domestically regularly and occasionally internationally and shares advice for having the best travel experiences as a person with a disability and the importance of planning in advance.

Our service provider spotlight takes us on a trip through history with Chavonnes Battery Museum.

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenberg editing software: https://hindenburg.com/

Part 2 of the conversation between our host, Lois Strachan, and Marlene Le Roux.

Marlene is a well known South African disability activist and a thought leader in the areas of inclusion and accessibility. Marlene is also the CEO of the Artscape Theatre, in Cape Town, which has been described as the most accessible theatre complex in South Africa.

"We are whole people!" - Dr Marlene Le Roux

This episode's service provider spotlight features Epic Guest House, which has 4 accessible rooms with roll-in showers and other facilities that can accommodate guests with disabilities. Epic Guest House is situated in Noordhoek, Cape Town.

Photo credits: Xpression M3dia Photography

Connect with Dr Marlene Le Roux: www.facebook.com/drmarleneleroux/

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenberg editing software: https://hindenburg.com/

Our host, Lois Strachan, speaks with Marlene Le Roux, who is a well known South African disability activist and a thought leader in the areas of inclusion and accessibility. Marlene is also the CEO of the Artscape Theatre, in Cape Town, which has been described as the most accessible theatre complex in South Africa.

"No one must be invisible. Everybody must have a voice. Everybody must be treated with dignity." - Dr Marlene Le Roux

This episode's service provider spotlight features Epic Enabled, a tour operator providing tours for people with disabilities and whose company motto is "breaking boundaries"

Photo credits: Xpression M3dia Photography

Connect with Dr Marlene Le Roux: www.facebook.com/drmarleneleroux/

This episode was edited by Craig Strachan using the Hindenberg editing software: https://hindenburg.com/

In this episode, Lois Strachan chats with Ilana Hermes who is both visually and hearing impaired. Ilana is a reflexologist and massage therapist, and has travelled to both the USA and UK. She shares her experiences travelling with a disability as well as some of her experiences navigating the world and her day to day life.

Our service provider spotlight section focuses on Bugz Playpark, the largest play centre in the Western Cape which promotes learning through play.

Thank you to Andre du Toit for recording the new credits section of our podcast and to Craig Strachan for editing this particular episode.

Nicky has been travelling extensively in South Africa and internationally through her work as an inspirational speaker. Nicky is also a clinical psychologist and the founder of the non-profit organisation, Nicky's Drive that funds car adaptations for people living with disabilities.

** Do you have a goal you’d love to achieve and need help reaching it? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges you face? Contact me for a free 30 minute discovery chat to see if she is the coach to help you.
Drop me a mail: https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/

In this episode, Lois chats with Sayyida Victoria, The Blind Butterfly.

Sayyida is a woman of many talents. she works as the manager of education and training at the Lighthouse in Housten, Texas. She is the founder of the Blind Professionals Network, an NGO focusing on improving the employability of those who are blind and partially blind. She is co-host of the Blind Table Talk podcast. And she is a mom to five children.

During the conversation, Sayyida talks of how she became blind, what it was like being a blind mom to her five children, the importance of education and advocacy both within and beyond the blindness sector, and the eternal question of whether or not it is okay to ask for help as an empowered, independent person with a disability.

Reach out to Sayyida:
Blind Professionals Network Website: blindpronet.org
Blind Table Talk Website: blindtabletalk.com
Email: bviempowered@outlook.com
Email: blindbutterfly@icloud.com
Image description:
A woman with shoulder-length black hair smiling gently at the camera. She is wearing a light purple shirt over a black top and a delicate chain necklace. The lighting is soft and emphasises her face.
I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Angelique Le Roux, co-owner of Ceres Zipslide Adventures, shares her insight into inclusive adventure for people with disabilities. Ceres Ziplines have hosted children with disabilities, amputees, blind, and deaf adventurers for a thrilling sky-high experience and Angelique speaks about the importance of making these activities accessible as far as possible.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to experience long distance train travel as a visually impaired traveller? This is what we discuss with Quinten Pendle who has been a train travel enthusiast since he was a young child. Quinten shares his experiences as a blind traveller, and how his visual impairment impacts on his enjoyment and ability to engage with train services.

Our host, Lois Strachan, chats with Christo de Klerk, who has travelled both locally and internationally to 15 different countries. Christo shares some of his experiences as a traveller who is blind. Christo was born blind, studied law and practiced as a lawyer, became a computer programmer, and later a teacher, before spending most of his career as an IT specialist. He has now been in retirement for the past 6 years.

We also introduce our new spotlight segment, highlighting a service provider who is making travel accessible for people with disabilities. Today's highlight features MLT Car Hire & Tours.