151 Why We Should Be Using The Assistive Technology In Our Pockets with Alex Barker from AbilityNet
Release Date: 05/08/2024
179 Why This Podcast Talks to People From All Over The Globe with Debra Caldow
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
Knowledge is built on the sharing of ideas. That’s certainly something I believe in strongly, and in this week’s episode, I talk about why I share ideas from wherever in the world I find them. By listening to others we can quickly identify what’s worked, and what hasn’t, and ensure we don’t make the same mistakes. By doing that we can accelerate progress in so many areas like employment, housing, and inclusive communities.
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178 Finding the Balance Between Independence and Support with Will Hoermann from Marbridge
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this second part of a conversation with Will Hoermann from Marbridge, we explore the evolving expectations that drive what an organization like Marbridge does and how that looks different for each person they support. Will also shares his insights on the importance of planning from both a financial and emotional perspective and provides some useful tips drawn from his experiences working with families.
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177 The Journey and Vision Behind Marbridge with Will Hoermann
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
The housing options available have changed as people’s expectations have changed. A good example of this is Marbridge, and in this episode, Will Hoermann, Director of Admissions for Marbridge, explains how Marbridge started as a working ranch over 70 years ago and has now grown into a community that supports multiple levels of assisted living. Will discusses the admissions process and the opportunities provided by having links with the local community. He also discusses the importance of researching all the options early so that the transition into somewhere like Marbridge is made...
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176 Why Independence Starts With Choice with Debra Caldow
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this episode, I’m talking about the importance of giving young people with additional needs more choices to foster independence. We already know about the lack of choice in areas like employment, housing, and care, and the impact that has. But often there are missed opportunities around choice and I’m sharing my personal experiences on how to encourage choice-making at home, and why it is part of the gradual process of letting go and allowing our young people to learn from the choices they make so that they develop the skills they will need in the future.
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175 Building Better Neighbourhoods: A New Vision with Rosie Barnes from Satsuma Neighbour
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this episode which is the second part of my conversation with Rosie Barnes from Satsuma Neighbour, we talk more about the vision of how the project will look and why projects like this are so important in enabling independent living with the right kind of support available when it is needed. We also talk about the role that housing plays in reducing segregation, promoting connection, and reducing isolation.
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174 Creating Urban Inclusive Spaces: The Satsuma Neighbour Model with Rosie Barnes
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this episode, my guest Rosie Barnes shares her journey as a parent, from writing a book 'Understanding Stanley, Looking Through Autism' to helping her son find a housing solution that’s right for him. Rosie discusses the challenges faced by families looking for inclusive housing options in their communities. She talks about the radical concepts behind 'Satsuma Neighbour', a project she started which will create an urban community that fosters inclusivity and neighbourliness.
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173 Independent Cooking – Our Successful Solution with Debra Caldow
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this episode, I’m talking about our approach to supporting our daughter to learn to cook for herself without the need for any support or supervision. Our solution involved discarding conventional cooking techniques that didn't work and looking for new options. In our case, it’s meant using an air fryer a slow cooker, and five-ingredient recipes. By adapting recipes for the food she wanted to make, this approach has enabled her to cook independently. To find out more about the course we have developed based on our experiences visit
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172 Why The Earlier We Start Transition Planning The Better with Julia Wright from Ken’s Krew
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this second part of my conversation with Julia Wright from Ken’s Krew, we discuss the importance of work experience in transition programs and the improvements that have taken place in these programs which are enabling more young people to be work-ready. She also offers advice to families about how to plan ahead and why planning is so important because it makes that move from education to employment much more likely to happen.
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171 Ken’s Krew Empowering Young People Through Employment with Julia Wright
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this episode, we learn about Ken's Crew, an organization co-founded by parents through a partnership with Home Depot. Julia Wright from Ken’s Krew shares how they facilitate meaningful employment for young adults with additional needs through partnerships with a variety of organizations providing intensive training and ongoing support. Julia also discusses some of the challenges faced, such as communication skills and parental concerns, and the importance of sensitivity training for colleagues.
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170 Supporting Young People Into Work: Practical Tips with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services
The Expanding Worlds Podcast
In this second part of a conversation with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services, we focus on what we can do at home to help make the transition into paid work smoother for our young people. When they go into their first job, they will have lots of new information to take in and skills to learn. However, the transition will be made easier if we have already helped them build transferable skills they can use at work. Mel provides some practical examples of how to do this as well as explaining the role we can play in developing their confidence by discussing their daily work experiences and...
info_outlineWhen we think of assistive technology or any technology that can support our young people with additional needs to become more independent, we often start at the point of thinking it could be expensive or complicated to learn to use. But the reality is that today the first bit of assistive technology that our young people should access is their phone or tablet. The built-in features of these devices have changed the way we think about assistive technology as my guest in this week’s episode Alex Barker from AbilityNet explains. Alex brings, his lived experience, and how he uses assistive technology, both in his role at AbilityNet and in his life to discuss why we need to make better use of what is easily accessible to all of us.