The Inclusive Lens

Women with Disabilities Victoria
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The Inclusive Lens podcast is a six part series, unpacking representation and exploring realities for women and gender diverse people with disabilities in the media. This podcast was developed by WDV's Youth Experts by Experience Group, who bring their lived experience and expertise to lead discussions about inclusion, representation and social change. In each episode, different members of the Youth Experts group are joined by professionals of a particular media industry, to examine portrayals of disability and highlight opportunities for more authentic, diverse and inclusive storytelling.

Episodes

  1. Sep 29

    Advertising and Marketing

    Episode Topic Advertising and Marketing with Saskia Waterman (she/her), and Storm Menzies (she/her) Hosted by Saffy Canny-Smith (she/her) and Caleb Kazoglou (they/them)   The Inclusive Lens podcast is a 6 part series, unpacking representation and exploring realities for women and gender diverse people with disabilities in the media. This podcast was developed by WDV's Youth Experts by Experience Group, who bring their lived experience and expertise to lead discussions about inclusion, representation and social change. In each episode, different Youth Experts are joined by professionals of a particular media industry, to examine portrayals of disability, and highlight opportunities for more authentic, diverse and inclusive storytelling. In this third episode of the Inclusive Lens, we are joined by Saska Veronique and Storm Menzies. Saskia demonstrates her drive to change advertising and marketing through her work with Studio Veronique, a social impact marketing studio and inclusive talent agency that she started in 2025, and where she acts as Lead Creative Strategist. The foundations of ByStorm Beauty were laid after Storm broke her dominant hand, and she realised just how much she had spent her whole life adapting for her cerebral palsy. With a new appreciation of accessible beauty tools, Storm setto teaching herself 3D modelling, building prototypes, and co-designing products with other disabled people. We discuss the benefits for consumers and brands, when products and services are designed with community rather than for community, and what this looks like. Key Topics 00:00 - Introduction 04:14 - Finding the 'sweet spot' between accessibility, advocacy and style 07:18 - The beginnings of ByStorm - identity and making design accessible 10: 24 - Lived experience at the centre of product design, and leading change 15:15 - What should brands be aware of, and what can they be doing 20:54 - How working with community can help with the fear of “getting it wrong” 26:40 - The growing risk for brands of not being inclusive 28:00 - Sharing personal examples of ‘fails’, and the importance of giving it a try 35:02 - How Community can support and tell brands what is needed 43:45 - How representation shapes public perception ofdisability 53:30 - Where to find more info about our guests andtheir work     Content warnings As the Inclusive Lens podcast is about having respectful conversations, and encouraging greater awareness, inclusion and opportunities, this podcast series will include discussions about disability discrimination, and experiences of exclusion.     Resources, references and links Episode transcripts and more info can be found at ⁠⁠The Inclusive Lens Podcast -Women with Disabilities Victoria⁠⁠   Follow Saskia and Studio Veronique LinkedIn: Saskia Veronique Instagram:⁠ Studio Veronique Website: https://www.studioveronique.com/ Free Practical guide to disability Inclusion for brands   Follow Storm and ByStorm Beauty LinkedIn: Storm Menzies | LinkedIn Instagram: bystorm.beauty ⁠ TikTok: ByStorm Beauty Website: https://bystormbeauty.com/   Other resources The Inclusion Imperative Report University of Glasgow Study of Disabled People in the Media Vision Australia’s Five tips for writing Alt-text PWDA language guide Shift 20 Initiative | Inclusivity in Advertising Acknowledgements and credits This podcast series was produced by Women with Disabilities Victoria and our Youth Experts by Experience team. The team is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disabilityand Ageing. This project was also partly funded through the Victorian Women’s Benevolent Trust.   This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.   Credits Recording and sound production: Humdinger Studios Post Production: Ben Compton Music: Darcie Bendelle-Gilovitz Artwork: Charlotte Grimes

    Advertising and Marketing

  2. Sep 16

    Video Games

    Episode Topic Video Games with Ella Lowgren (she/they)and Isabella Verduci (she/her) Hosted by Darcie Bendelle-Gilovitz (she/her) andBella Fantasia (she/her)   The Inclusive Lens podcast is a 6 part series, unpacking representation and exploring realities for women and genderdiverse people with disabilities in the media. This podcast was developed by WDV's Youth Experts by Experience Group, who bring their lived experience andexpertise to lead discussions about inclusion, representation and social change. In each episode, different Youth Experts are joined by professionals of a particular media industry, to examine portrayals of disability, and highlight opportunities for more authentic, diverse and inclusive storytelling.   In this second episode of the Inclusive Lens, we are joined by game developers Ella Lowgren and Isabella Verduci. We unpack what it’s like for women and gender diverse people in such a stereotypically male dominated space, discuss the accessibility of different types of games and game settings, how adaptive technology can remove barriers for people with physical disabilities, and explore the challenges that game developers face when creating accessible games.   Ella Lowgren is a creative director, whose work explores how games look, feel, and play. Many of Ella’s games centre on mental health and neurodivergence - using games as a medium to explore experiences that are often hard to talk about directly. They are also active on TikTok and Instagram. Content often covers how to actually play video games, ADHD and gaming more broadly.   In her work with female led Lumelli studios, Isabella Verduci covers many roles, including creative development, sound design, and digital marketing. Her favourite games include anything with the word ‘Pokemon’ on the cover. Isabella is passionate about spotlighting independent developers and making the games industry more accessible and engaging.     Key Topics 00:00 - Introduction 02:50 - What do we mean by "accessible games"? 12:35 - Why representation of experiences around gender and disability matters 17:50 - Gaming as a traditional and stereotypical male dominated space. 19:16 - Personal experiences of sexism and bias in the industry. 28:24 - Sexualisation and objectification of female characters 33:06 - Safety, online and in person 41:45 - Adaptive technology 43:08 - Gaps in funding and expertise 51:50 - Value of independent games     Content warnings As the Inclusive Lens podcast is about having respectful conversations, and encouraging greater awareness, inclusion and opportunities, this podcast series will include discussions about disability discrimination, and experiences of exclusion. This episode also includes stories that mention: - Death threats - Harassment     Resources, references and links Episode transcripts and more info can be found at ⁠The Inclusive Lens Podcast -Women with Disabilities Victoria⁠   Follow Ella’s work Instagram - Ella Lowgren LinkedIn - Gabriella Lowgren TikTok - Ella Lowgren Steam - Games developed by Bedtime Phobias Follow Isabella’s work Instagram - pokibun__ LinkedIn - Isabella Verduci Website - Lumelli Studios Steam - Play Foodomina on Steam   Other resources eSafetyCommissioner- https://www.esafety.gov.au/ Stats from Deloitte Centre for Technology, Media and Telecommunications and The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association     Acknowledgements and credits This podcast series was produced by Women with Disabilities Victoria and our Youth Experts by Experience team. The team is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. This project was also partly funded through the Victorian Women’s Benevolent Trust.   This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.   Credits Recording and sound production: Humdinger Studios Post Production: Ben Compton Music: Darcie Bendelle-Gilovitz Artwork: Charlotte Grimes

    Video Games

  3. Sep 4

    Social Media

    Episode Topic Social Media, with special guest Carly Findlay OAM (she/her) Hosted by Niki Mitchell (she/her) and Saffy Canny-Smith (she/her)   The Inclusive Lens podcast is a 6 part series, unpacking representation and exploring realities for women and gender diverse people with disabilities in the media. This podcast was developed by WDV's Youth Experts by Experience Group, who bring their lived experience and expertise to lead discussions about inclusion, representation and social change. In each episode, different Youth Experts are joined by professionals of a particular media industry, to examine portrayals of disability, and highlightopportunities for more authentic, diverse and inclusive storytelling. Social media can be a particularly powerful tool for disabled people to find information, make connections, and get their voices heard. And whilst there are many great benefits to social media, disabled women and gender diverse people can also experience unique barriers related to social media. In our first episode of the series, we are joined by Carly Findlay, an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. We also hear from one of our own in Saffy Canny Smith who is a content creator with a growing online presence.   Key Topics 00:00 - Introductions 04:30 - Reasons for getting started 09:20 - The power of social media and representation 19:50 - Accessibility and Safety 26:32 - Social media ban for under 16 year olds 31:33 - Safety and Tips 37:00 - Community and Connection.   Content warnings As the Inclusive Lens podcast is about having respectful conversations, and encouraging greater awareness, inclusion and opportunities, this podcast series will include discussions about disability discrimination, and experiences of exclusion. This episode also includes stories that mention: - Harassment - Death of a friend - Death threats - Cancer Resources, references and links Episode transcripts and more information about the Inclusive Lens Podcast can be found at The Inclusive Lens Podcast -Women with Disabilities Victoria   Follow Carly’s work Instagram - ⁠carlyfindlay Threads - carlyfindlay Facebook – Carly Findlay OAM Website – ⁠www.carlyfindlay.com.au⁠ Information on the books Say Hello, and Growing Up Disabled in Australia can be found on Carly’s website. Follow Saffy’s work Instagram - neurosparklysaffy Linktree – Saffron Canny Smith   Other resources ⁠eSafety Commissioner⁠ Carly’s Rifenery29 article - ⁠What it’s like being disabled on the Internet Acknowledgements and credits This podcast series was produced by Women with Disabilities Victoria and our Youth Experts by Experience team WDV’s Community Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment Program and our Youth Experts by Experience Group, is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. This project was also partly funded through the Victorian Women’s Benevolent Trust. We thank them for their support.   This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.   Credits Recording and sound production: Humdinger Studios Post Production: Ben Compton Music: Darcie Bendelle-Gilovitz Artwork: Charlotte Grimes   Special Thanks Thank you to our guests for sharing their knowledge and lived experience, and to everyone working towards a more accessible and inclusive media industry.

    Social Media
  • 3 Episodes

About

The Inclusive Lens podcast is a six part series, unpacking representation and exploring realities for women and gender diverse people with disabilities in the media. This podcast was developed by WDV's Youth Experts by Experience Group, who bring their lived experience and expertise to lead discussions about inclusion, representation and social change. In each episode, different members of the Youth Experts group are joined by professionals of a particular media industry, to examine portrayals of disability and highlight opportunities for more authentic, diverse and inclusive storytelling.

Information

  • Creator
    Women with Disabilities Victoria
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Women with Disabilities Victoria
  • Show Website
    The Inclusive Lens