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Disability Disrupters

Disability Disrupters

By: Dr Pam MacNeill
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About this listen

Disability Disrupters is brought to you by Disability Responsiveness New Zealand Ltd. It is a podcast featuring interviews with disabled people from around the globe. We delve into the lives of remarkable disabled people, learn how they have achieved their goals, and also canvas their views on the disability sector landscape, including how they perceive leadership and management within that sector by disabled people ourselves. Tune in to hear these insightful interviews, as well as updates and information about the ways in which we demand that society respond positively to our needs.Disability Responsiveness New Zealand (DRNZ) Social Sciences
Episodes
  • S1E18 - Interview with Mark Williams - Entrepreneur and National Sales Manager - NZ for HT Systems
    Nov 30 2025
    Mark Williams

    Mark is a successful entrepreneur, and National Sales manager - NZ for HT Systems (Kera sit2sit & Kera Travel hoists). Their first product, the Kera sit2sit hoist, has already made a huge difference in the lives of people living with disability.

    Mark has first hand experience as a User of the Kera Travel hoist and can help guide New Zealanders with NZ funding.

    Information on NZ funding can be found on the HT systems website here, and this is where Mark's contact details, such as email address and phone number are available.https://www.htsystems.co.nz

    Mark previously ran a lighting business for over two decades, and this business is now based in Auckland, NZ. Check out Flexilight New Zealand

    Mark has two short videos of his house/property lighting setup available to be viewed on youtube.

    Outside Christmas Lights - Napier NZ

    My house -Christmas 2024 Napier NEW ZEALAND

    Mark is also involved with custom made wheelchair spoke protector designs at Bazaa Wheels

    On a personal note, Mark is in the middle of writing a book about his work and life, so watch out for that announcement coming up.

    Emma Bennison

    This month Emma is reading us her blog article "Stop Mining our Ideas. Start Appointing Disabled Leaders"

    Audio Chapters

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast

    00:21 Introduction to Podcast

    00:51 Interview with Mark WIlliams

    13:20 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    14:17 Stop Mining Our Ideas. Start Appointing Disabled Leaders

    21:32 Advert - fast braille translation service

    22:34 Goodbye from Dr Pam

    Footnotes

    Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future!

    Available on amazon here

    Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops

    Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

    Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

    Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

    Read transcript

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • S1E17 - Interview with Stephanie Birkhead - Author of Behind the Shutters (Memoir)
    Oct 31 2025
    Stephanie Birkhead

    Behind the Shutters is a deeply personal and moving memoir that lifts the lid on life behind closed doors. Stephanie Birkhead shares her powerful journey of survival, resilience, and hope after enduring experiences that shaped her life in unexpected ways. With raw honesty and courage, she invites readers to step inside her story — not just of struggle, but of strength, healing, and finding light after the darkest of times.

    Discover her memoir: Behind The Shutters Amazon link: https://mybook.to/jMM8

    Connect with Stephie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephie-birkhead-931762388

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 00:32 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 01:51 Interview with Stephie Birkhead 24:57 Advert - Fast braille translation service 25:58 Goodbye from Dr Pam 26:14 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV

    Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/

    Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

    Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

    Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

    Read transcript

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • S1E16 - Interview with Gemma O'Donnell - Barrister and Solicitor - Founder of Chronically Legal
    Oct 1 2025
    Gemma O'Donnell

    Gemma O’Donnell is an experienced Barrister and Solicitor. She is passionate about advocating for those with disabilities and older people. Gemma loves dark chocolate, books, and making food to share.

    About Gemma’s business - Chronically Legal Chronically Legal makes it easy to get your legal ducks in a row.

    Chronically Legal can help with: • Enduring Powers of Attorney, • Orders under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act (PPPR Act), • Residential Care Subsidies and • Trusts/ Incorporated Societies.

    We offer fixed fees (for everything but litigation) and bespoke instalment payment plans

    Email: gemma@chronicallylegal.co.nz Website: www.chronicallylegal.co.nz

    00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 00:44 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 02:07 Interview with Gemma O'Donnell 44:30 Denied right to learn Braille - Radio New Zealand 47:53 Employment Matters - part 4 52:00 Advert - Fast braille translation service 53:02 Goodbye from Dr Pam 53:19 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

    Dr Pam and Kylee Maloney's Interview sourced with permission from RNZ (Radio New Zealand) website: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/573515/denied-right-to-learn-braille-woman-shares-historical-experience-at-royal-new-zealand-foundation-of-the-blind-s-apology

    Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/

    Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

    Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

    Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

    Read transcript

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
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