Lois Strachan A Different Way of Seeing

A Different Way of Seeing

Conversations on opportunities, challenges and lived experiences to foster understanding between disabled and non-disabled communities. Insights into the tools and techniques used by people with disabilities navigating the worlds of work, education, travel, sport, the arts and leisure.

Because while we may be disabled we will never be disempowered.
Monthly English South Africa Society & Culture · Non-Profit
102 Episodes
1 – 20

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

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…
9 Apr 45 min

100 - Disability In the DEI Conversation with Vee Masibigiri

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…
26 Mar 47 min

99 - Shakila Maharaj on Making the Visual World Accessible Through Audio Description

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…
12 Mar 1 hr 07 min

98 - Finding My Feet with Rare Warrior, Kerry Walsh

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…
27 Feb 27 min

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

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…
13 Feb 30 min

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

**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…
22 Jan 31 min

95 - A Conversation on the Reimagining Life Podcast

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…
9 Jan 33 min

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

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…
12 Dec 2023 1 hour

93 - A Conversation with Motivational Speaker Brittany McCormick

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…
28 Nov 2023 35 min

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

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…
24 Oct 2023 50 min

90 - Lidia Pretorius on Allyship and Inclusion

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…
10 Oct 2023 58 min

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

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…
26 Sep 2023 40 min

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

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…
12 Sep 2023 33 min

87 - Jeremy Opperman on A Strategic Approach to Disability Employment

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…
29 Aug 2023 44 min

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

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…
15 Aug 2023 42 min

85 - Nobathembu Peter on Shifting Social Stereotypes of Disability

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…
1 Aug 2023 31 min

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

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…
18 Jul 2023 40 min

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

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…
5 Jul 2023 52 min
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