Raising Our Voices

Strong Women Coming TogetherAmanda, Janice, Maria, Janet, Maddy and Kat share their experiences of being strong Self Advocates (with a combined 150 years of disability activism between them!)Discussing how far disability rights have come and what still needs to change, how to support each other and the next generation to continue to make change happenRaising Our Voices Radio has been presenting disability rights on 3CR since 1987, that’s a lot of campaigns, friendships, wins and losses over the yearsToday we celebrate all these, and more to comeHappy International Women’s Day to everyone!To find out more about becoming a self advocate check out the Voices Together website https://www.voicestogether.com.au/ Check out 24hrs of programming for IWD 2026 HERE: https://www.3cr.org.au/iwd2026MUSIC on the show today was Roar by Katy Perry (Removed due to copyright on the podcast)To hear the music Listen LIVE on 3CR on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm or ON DemandAnd don't forget to Subscribe!!HERE: https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribe

On today’s show we share our lived experience of support workersWe talk about what makes a good support worker and share some tips for addressing problems and using support services and appsWe shared some contact numbers you can call if you are not happy with your support worker: The Victorian Disability Worker Commission PH 1800 497 132 www.vdwc.vic.gov.au NDIS Commission: 1800 035 544 Disability Services Commissioner: 1800 677 342 We may have talked about some stressful or triggering topics and brought up some difficult feelings for some people listening today. You can call : Life line - 13 11 14 Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 MUSIC on the show today was Help by the Beatles (Removed due to copyright on the podcast)To hear the music Listen LIVE on 3CR on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm or ON DemandAnd don't forget to Subscribe!!HERE: https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribe

In September 2025 we started a conversation about Education and Schooling.This month we continue the discussion.Education is a human right for everyone and what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.Chris, James, Amanda, Simo, Louise, Michael, Shona and Heather talk about their experiences with education VS Life experienceSharing some of the hard things, as well as the good things, and how we never really stop learning. We may have talked about some stressful or triggering topics and this might have brought up some difficult feelings for some people listening today. If you need to talk to someone please phone • Life line - 13 11 14 • Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 • Or call someone you trust MUSIC on the show was (Remember The Days Of The) Old School Yard by Yusuf/Cat Stevens (Removed due to copyright on the podcast) Listen LIVE on 3CR or ON Demand to hear the music track

A Happier Safer Inclusive Future for ALLWith Amanda, Skye, Janet, Cameron, Michael, James, Chris and LouiseAcross the International Day of Persons with Disability (Dec 3rd) and Human Rights Day (Dec 10th) the Raising Our Voices Team interviewed Janet from the VSAN network and spoke about the work VSAN have been doing in regards to safety for people with disability.Sharing lived experiences and exploring what we can do to help make the community a safer place for everyone.What a happier safer more inclusive world means to us and how we can get there. Have a safe and Happy Festive Season Catch you in 2026!Music on Todays Show was The Happy Song - by Reinforce

Skye, Chris, James, Lou and Simo are joined by Madeline, Racheal and Josh from EmpowerEDLike Raising Our Voices they amplify the voices and expertise of people with disabilities.EmpowerED are an education and advocacy team who facilitate educational programs and community events through collaboration with people with cognitive disabilitiesPlacing people with cognitive disabilities at the centre of their work, EmpowerED work together to discuss, share, and learn about Respect, Rights and Relationships, building confidence and empowerment.For more informationempowered (at) gippscasa.orghttps://www.gcasa.org.au/The Deadly’s are a Self-Advocacy group for First Nations people with disabilitiesThe Being Deadly documentary will be launched on Tuesday December 2nd 10.30 am at the Koorie Trust Building at Federation Square To RSVP please call Sally on 0402 004 858 Email us at: dfn (at) saru.org.au Music on todays program was We Are Family by Sister Sledge (Removed due to copyright on the podcast - listen LIVE on 3CR or ON Demand to hear the music)

Today’s show is about World Mental Health Day (October 10)This years theme is “Access to Services - Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” Michael, Chris, Lou, Amanda, James and Simo talk about how a catastrophe or emergency can affect a persons mental health.How people can prepare for a catastrophe or an emergency and what services are there to helpMusic today is Heal the World by Michael Jackson

Today we are talking about Education and SchoolingEducation is a human right for everyone and what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for all.Chris, James, Amanda, Simo, Louise, Michael, Shona and Heather share their experiences with education in both mainstream and non mainstream schoolsTalking about the hard things as well as the good things, like making friends and learning life skills.We may have talked about some stressful or triggering topics and this might have brought up some difficult feelings for some people listening today. If you need to talk to someone please phone • Life line - 13 11 14 • Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 • Or call someone you trust MUSIC on the show was (Remember The Days Of The) Old School Yard by Yusuf/Cat Stevens (Removed due to copyright on the podcast - listen LIVE on 3CR or ON Demand to hear the music)We couldn't fit the entire conversation into this months episiode so stay tuned during Summer Programming 25/26 to hear the conversation in fullBye!

Celebrate another year of Strong Advocacy on 3CR with the Raising Our Voices team.The team ask founding member Amanda how the show got started and talk about why new members continue to join the show. Sharing some favourite memories and talking about why the show remains unique and relevant after 38 years on the airwaves!Nothing About Us Without UsMusic on the show is by Kool and The Gang - CelebrationContact https://www.amida.org.au/ for more information

Today’s show is about some changes that are happening with the NDISWe have a special guest Nia to talk about it. We also send out a big thank you to everyone who donated money for the 2025 Radiothon because if it wasn’t for you we wouldn’t be on air. Thankyou!You can still donate to the station HERE: https://www.3cr.org.au/donateHelp 3CR get to $275,000To Access the Survey we talked about go to:https://engage.dss.gov.au/ndis-supports-rule/your-experience-of-the-ndis-supports-rules-support-lists/Submissions close on Sunday July 27th To find out more about these changes at the NDIS go to: https://www.ndis.gov.au/community/have-your-say/participant-survey-changes-ndis

Join us for another year as we raise money for the mighty 3CR, and what we think is the longest running radio show run by and for people with disability in AustraliaAmanda, Skye, James and Chris also talk about Hidden Disabilities and the Sunflower Project https://hdsunflower.com/au/So Dig deep!!If you'd like to add your support: Go to https://www.3cr.org.au/donateOR Drop in to the station 21 Smith St Fitzroy during business hours (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)By post:Post your cheque/money order made out to 3CR to PO Box 1277, Collingwood, VIC 3066.By phone:Call 03 9419 8377 (Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm) to pay by credit card.By direct deposit:You can also pay directly into our bank account. Please contact us by phone for details (03) 9419 8377A HUGE Thanks to everyone who has donaed so far - no amount is too small and all are appreciated. We know how hard some people are doing.

Today we are talking about IDAHOBIT - the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (May 17)James, Cameron, Michael and Chris are joined by Matthew Parsons (Thorne Harbour Health Accessible Pride Project) and James McKenzie (3CR In Ya Face) to talk about the history of IDAHOBIT DayThe group discussed the kind of work they do to support the LGBTIQA+ community, why it is important to address discrimination and respect everyone’s sexuality, and where to go for information on IDAHOBIT activities.If our discussion bought up any difficult feelings, you can call or get more information from Q-life (Open 3pm until midnight everyday)1800 184 527 www.qlife.org.au ORLife line - 13 11 14 Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 Music on today’s show is the Rainbow Rights Anthem By Rainbow Rights Self Advocacy Group - https://rainbowrights.com.au/Accessible Pride Project - https://rainbowinclusion.org.au/In Ya Face - https://www.3cr.org.au/inyafaceAMIDA - https://www.amida.org.au/Get ready for June 2025 RADIOTHON - Your Community Your Voice

Cam, Chris, Shona and James talk about grief and how people have coped when someone they love passed away and what things helped them.This might have brought up some difficult feelings for some people listening today. Grief Line 1300 845 745 Life Line 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 If it is an emergency call 000

Today's show is about International Women's Day. What does International Women's Day means to strong Women Self Advocates?We touch on what rights are important to us, about what needs to change to make things better for women with disabilities.Music on the show: Man I feel like a Woman by Shania TwainPresented by Janice, Janet, Shona, Louise, Maddy, James and Chris.

We revisit a discussion by Self Advocates about what some of the different groups do and share the best bits about being part of a self advocacy group.We are stronger together as members of self advocacy groups!SARU, Reinforce, Powerful Positive Parents, Rainbow Rights, Have a Say Bendigo, Deadly First Nations Shout Out, Power in Culture and Ethnicity, New Wave, Rainbow Pride, Brain Injury Matters and All Abilities AdvocacyMusic on todays show is the Self Advocacy Anthem by the Outsiders.For more information: www.amida.org.au

Join us for our last show of 2024 as we celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD) and the Power of Self AdvocacyFeaturing the voices of Chris Bolton, Aunty Jane Rosengrave, Janet Curtain, James Teeken, Jack, Amanda Millear, Paul Drew, Sarah Waardenberg, Poppy Egan, Romeo, Beck Biddle, Cam, Maddy and Heather about our different self advocacy groups and the importance of IDPwD.The following Self Advocacy groups were represented on the program:SARU, Reinforce, Powerful Positive Parents, Rainbow Rights, Have a Say Bendigo, Deadly First Nations Shout Out, Power in Culture and Ethnicity, New Wave, Rainbow Pride, Brain Injury Matters and All Abilities Advocacy.For more information: www.amida.org.auEMAIL: rov@amida.org.auMUSIC on todays show:We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (2013)Charlie Brown Christmas Dance - Linus and Lucy (Vince Guardaldi Trio - 1965)Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy New YearCatch you in 2025!

Join us this month for a full house of Self Advocates!We have a discussion about what the different groups do and share the best bits about being part of a self advocacy group.We are stronger together as members of self advocacy groups!SARU, Reinforce, Powerful Positive Parents, Rainbow Rights, Have a Say Bendigo, Deadly First Nations Shout Out, Power in Culture and Ethnicity, New Wave, Rainbow Pride, Brain Injury Matters and All Abilities AdvocacyMusic on todays show is the Self Advocacy Anthem by the Outsiders.For more information: www.amida.org.au

This month we are talking about Scammers, Hackers and Spam. What is the difference? How can we protect ourselves and others when using online, mobile and social media accounts.James, Shona, Amanda, Skye and Chris explain the difference and share tips on how to stay safe online. If you think you have been scammed you can contact:IDCare on 1800 595 160. https://www.idcare.org/They deal with data breaches, scams, identity theft, and cyber security concernsORThe Consumer Law Action Centre on 03 9670 5088 or via the website https://consumeraction.org.au/ Music on todays show is Every Breathe You Take by The Police

Amanda, James and Chris discuss the NDIS - the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We talk about what works and what doesn't with the NDIS and are joined by Nia Giddings from SARU's NDIS Working Group (and Brain Injury Matters) to talk about the recent review into the NDIS and discuss what this means for the future of the scheme. Music on todays show is Power to the People by John LennonSARU: http://www.saru.net.au/AMIDA: https://www.amida.org.au/BIM: https://www.braininjurymatters.org/

Amanda Millear and James Teeken present a special tribute show for Raising Our Voices' 37th BirthdayFounding member Amanda and James talk about why they joined the show, celebrating and remembering past presenters and sharing some of their favourite memoriesThe program features the voices of some of the strong self advocates who have contributed to the program since 1987Big thanks to everyone who has supported or been part of the show over the yearsEnjoy!Featuring the voices of: Aunty Jane Rosengrave, Colin Hiscoe, Luke Stone, Ria Strong, Janet Slattery, Julie Peters, Heather Forsyth, Peter Waters, Kevin Stone, Mel from AUSTREK, Pauline Williams, Janet Curtain, Susan Arthur, Romeo Brasington, Mel from SARU, Kay Forstner, David Banfield, Norrie Blythman, Doug Pentland, Daisy Serong, Ray Groves, Des McIntosh and Katie Ball.Music:Birthday - BeatlesStar Trek Theme song

This month we're talking about Racism and Disability. Janet and Elizabeth from self-advocate group PCE (Power in Culture and Ethnicity) join Shona, Chris and Dwayne to share some tips and ideas on how to combat racism. For more info on PCE contact Janet: 0418 114 558EMAIL: jcurtain.pce(at)gmail.comEMAIL: ejeroboam.pce(at)gmail.com Check out PCE on Instagram: Power in Culture and EthnicityOR FB: https://www.facebook.com/PowerinCultureandEthnicity/(link is external)SONG: Self Advocacy National Anthem - The Outsiders (2021)