The world’s first podcast reflecting the personal experience of disability launches on the International Day of People With Disability (IDPWD). ‘The Invisible Podcast’ by Mable is said to be unlike any other podcast, with each episode immersing the listener into a deep sensory experience of the unique circumstances of four Australians living with disability. The four give their true, real-life experiences each 2-5 minutes in length.

Episodes include:

  • The Disarrangement –  Nina and her experience of multiple sclerosis
  • The Disaffection –  Robert and his experience of autism spectrum disorder
  • The Disaccord – Gabrielle and her experience of psychosis
  • The Disappearance – Tina and her experience of chronic fatigue syndrome.

They describe in detail the physical, mental and emotional effects of their disability, helping to construct the multi-sensory podcast scripts and direct soundscapes that reflect what they experience when living with their disability.

For instance, in The Disarrangement, listeners will hear sounds that reflect fatigue, difficulty concentrating and cognitive impairment in the workplace, reflective of Nina’s experience with MS.

Nina said her resulting episode was exactly what her disability was like: “This is so visceral and true to the experience of MS, that it was difficult for me to listen to. I hope it’s difficult for others to hear too, so they can start to understand the impact of invisible disabilities on those who live with them.”

For Robert, who has autism spectrum disorder, the soundscapes brought to life his own disability. “It was my hope during the creation of these podcasts that a day will come where people’s understanding of autism was not based on the stereotyped portrayals in mainstream media, but instead on an innate understanding that has been developed through slow and gradual exposure to information such as these podcasts,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization, about 450 million people are living with a mental or neurological condition, which can often be invisible to others.

‘The Invisible Podcast’ is available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

For more information or to listen online visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xCVZYPZ5Fuq4XMqRuqagc