Episodios

  • 146 - Erica du Toit on Loop Systems and Assistive Technology for the Hearing Loss Community

    146 - Erica du Toit on Loop Systems and Assistive Technology for the Hearing Loss Community
    Mar 3 2026
    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.
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    44 m
  • 145 - Paws on the Path - Hiking the Pondo Trail with Angela Blackwell and Guide Dog Jaydee

    145 - Paws on the Path - Hiking the Pondo Trail with Angela Blackwell and Guide Dog Jaydee
    Feb 24 2026
    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

    Image Description:
    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.
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    51 m
  • 144 - Finding New Guests for A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan

    144 - Finding New Guests for A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan
    Feb 10 2026
    In my first ever solo episode, and possibly my shortest, I’m inviting you to reach out if you, or someone you know would be a great guest for the show.

    In the episode, I talk about the types of stories I like to share, and tell you how to contact me if you, your organization, or someone you know might be a good person for me to interview.

    Reach out to me on my website loisstrachan.com
    Or drop a comment on Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube if that’s where you found this invitation.

    Together let’s continue sharing stories that matter
    Image Description:
    A smiling woman with short dark hair who is wearing a teal blue and silver top. Behind her are light wooden shelves containing objects such as glassware, books, DVDs and a small model of a ship.
    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.
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    9 m
  • 143 - Reframing Disability as a Competitive Advantage with Simalumba Nawa

    143 - Reframing Disability as a Competitive Advantage with Simalumba Nawa
    Jan 27 2026
    In this episode, Lois speaks with Simalumba Nawa on the business case for increased inclusion in business.

    This wide-ranging conversation covers Sima’s story of becoming visually impaired, gaining blindness skills, how he began his work as an inclusion advocate, and some of the work he has done in this space.

    Sima also discusses his work with corporates in Africa demonstrating the value of increasing inclusion not only in employment, but in all facets of their business and offerings.

    Reach out to Sima Nawa:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simaragnar.nawa
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simalumba-nawa-/
    Dear Sighted People Blog: https://dearsightedpeople.wordpress.com/:
    Watch Sima’s TEDx speech: https://youtu.be/xwiGmrs8chE?si=2SOyQ3hG1k_fPN50
    Image Description:
    A man with a goatee standing against a white background. He is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and has a brown and white animal print over his shoulder.
    One hand rests on his hip and the other holds the handle of a white cane.
    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.
    Más Menos
    51 m
  • 142 - Job Talk: Karen Armour on Recruitment and Employment for Persons with Disabilities

    142 - Job Talk: Karen Armour on Recruitment and Employment for Persons with Disabilities
    Jan 13 2026
    In this episode, Lois speaks with recruitment agent Karen Armour on the topic of employment for persons with disabilities.

    During the conversation, they explore the role of a recruiter in advocating for job seekers with disabilities, the importance of a CV to showcase your skills, and thoughts on approaching interviews.

    This is an episode that is filled with practical details on how to set up your CV to sell your skills, ways to prepare for an interview and how to find a recruiter who will best represent the needs of a job seeker with a disability.

    Reach out to Karen Armour:
    e-mail: karen@isisekelo.co.za
    Mobile: +27 (0)74 153 0992
    Website: www.isisekelo.co.za
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-armour-645ba221?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

    Image Description:
    A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair who is smiling gently at the camera. She is wearing a royal blue coat over a dark blouse and gray pants, and her hands are resting on her knee.
    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.
    Más Menos
    58 m
  • 141 - Dr Erna van der Westhuizen on the Concept of Voice Economy to Benefit Marginalised Groups

    141 - Dr Erna van der Westhuizen on the Concept of Voice Economy to Benefit Marginalised Groups
    Dec 23 2025
    In this episode, Lois speaks with Dr Erna van der Westhuizen about the concept of voice economy as a way for marginalized groups, including those with disabilities, to empower and advocate for themselves.

    Erna developed the concept of voice economy after leading an advocacy project to explore the out of pocket expenses experienced by parents of children with disabilities. When she initially struggled to get the information she needed for the project, she started a WhatsApp group to communicate with community leaders who began adding parents and other stakeholders to the group. Within a short time it had grown to more than 3000 participants sharing their lived experiences and knowledge to benefit others in the community.

    Erna defines voice economy as a system of expression and an exchange of individual and collective voices to generate shared value that drives social transformation and change

    Discover more about voice economy at
    Website: www.voiceeconomy.org
    Read Erna’s latest article at:
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12587122/

    Image Description:
    A woman with short hair wearing a red academic gown.. She is dressed in a black and white patterned shirt and has on a pair of spectacles and a chunky Necklace of red and black. The image is taken outdoors with trees and mountains in the background.
    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.
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    39 m
  • 140 - Dr Julie Siemers on Patient Safety During Medical Interventions

    140 - Dr Julie Siemers on Patient Safety During Medical Interventions
    Dec 9 2025
    In this episode, Lois speaks with Dr Julie Siemers, a specialist in patient safety.
    So often we hear of patients with disabilities who experience poor communication from medical professionals when undergoing treatments. While talking with Dr Julie, I learned that this form of medical gaslighting is not limited to our community, but may happen generally.

    Julie lists various factors that may result in patient harm, both from the side of the patient and the medical professionals. She also suggests ways in which patients can protect themselves from potentially dangerous medical situations. This is a valuable episode for anyone undergoing medical care to ensure their health and safety.

    Discover more about Dr Julie at
    Website: https://drjuliesiemers.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWkt2P7SKI
    Get hold of her book at:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKRWPV8P
    Image Description:
    A woman with long, wavy brown hair smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a blue and white jacket over a tan blouse and gold hoop earrings.

    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.
    Más Menos
    55 m
  • 139 - My Journey with Chronic Kidney Disease – From Dialysis to Hope

    139 - My Journey with Chronic Kidney Disease – From Dialysis to Hope
    Nov 25 2025
    With November being disability awareness month in South Africa and 14 November being the annual day dedicated to recognising those living with diabetes, it seemed an appropriate time to publish this interview.

    In this special two-part episode, I unpack my journey with chronic kidney disease in conversation with Jeremy Opperman.
    In episode 138, we discuss my diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes when I was six years old and trace the impact of diabetes on my life, resulting in my blindness at the age of 21. We then turn to my subsequent discovery that I was experiencing chronic kidney disease and track the steps that led to my starting on dialysis in January 2025.

    In episode 139 we explore how I’ve adapted to dialysis as a blind woman, trying to offer insights into some of the medical realities. Finally, we discuss what the future holds as I start to discover more about a possible kidney transplant.
    *Note: this conversation was recorded a few months ago and much has changed since then. I now have a kidney donor and am working my way through the process of preparing for the transplant.
    Correction: , at one point I refer to the AV graft as an artificial vascular graft. The correct term is arteriovenous Graft, which connects an artery with a vein allowing access for the dialysis to take place.

    Image Description: A stylised graphic of a woman with a ponytail walking with a white cane, next to an icon of an eye with curved lines suggesting vision or awareness. Below the graphic is the text:A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan

    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.
    Más Menos
    51 m